After reading 5 enjoyable books in January, it was time to enjoy some manga again. Vinland Saga came highly recommended by my manga consultant. This post is my review of Vinland Saga: Book One.
Vinland Saga Book One (Hardcover): Buy on Amazon UK | Buy on Amazon US
About Vinland Saga
Written and drawn by: Makoto Yukimura
Genre: Historical Fiction / Adventure
Imprint: Kodansha Comics, Afternoon KC
Magazine: Weekly Shōnen Magazine
Original Run: April 13, 2005 – present
Pages in Book 1: 470
Volumes: 23
Premise
Vinland Saga is set in 1013 AD, when England has been mostly conquered by the Danish King, Sweyn Forkbeard. During this time a Northern European people terrorized the civilized world in their dragon-headed ships. From western Europe to Russia, North Africa, Greece, Turkey and even the Middle East. In old Frankish they were the Normanni, in England they were the Danes. In later years, they would simply be known as Vikings.
Vinland Saga: Book One focuses on the origins of a young boy named Thorfinn, who is taken in by the Vikings who killed his father to fulfill a contract. Thorfinn hopes to one day be skilled enough to defeat the gang leader in a duel and avenge his father.
My thoughts on Vinland Saga
Despite this manga being heavily recommended to me, I was hesitant at first as I’d never dived headfirst into a pirates / vikings story before. I wasn’t sure if it would be something I’d enjoy. And Vinland Saga Book 1 started out slow, making me wonder if it was going to be a 400 page drag.
But I was wrong to wonder about Vinland Saga because although it started out slowly, it did a superb job of building up the tension so that when the final conflict in this volume occurs, you really feel the weight of the moment.
The book begins by introducing you to the present day version of young Thorfinn. Thorfinn is out for vengeance, but his pride will only let him exact his revenge by winning a duel on the man he believes is responsible for his father’s death —Askeladd. Therefore, Thorfinn makes a deal with Askeladd to aid him in a siege in exchange for an honest one on one duel.
I will not giveaway what happens next, but I will say that the book also goes back in time to show the reader Thorfinn’s bond with his father, and the events that led to the tragic moment. It’s all very well built up. So well developed that I geek’d out when the final fight in this volume kicked off.
I’ve already ordered Book 2 for myself as I can’t wait to continue this story.
Verdict
If you’re after some kickass adventurous manga with a historical twist, read this series NOW. There’s also the anime if that’s what you prefer.
This series will really appeal to anyone with an invested interest in pirates, vikings and the 11th century. Even if you’ve never been interested in those themes, there’s enough range of emotion and drama here to suck absolutely anyone in.
If you’re into anime and manga, you owe it to yourself to try Vinland Saga.
