
Vinland Saga
Taste attributes: action & adventureanimationdramawar & politicsvehiclesactionpoliticaldisasteradventurefasttried & testedunsavouryimaginarysimplelinearglossybig & variedall consuming questcomplex relationshipdeep rivalryhuman spirit/resilience/survivalinjustice/tragedy/vengeancerescue/escape/jeopardyunderdog triumphs
"I have no enemies."
Boxlist takeSweeping and heightened: a fast-moving animated series, simple rather than intricate. Best if you like the extraordinary over the everyday.
Taste details
Pace: fast · Originality: tried and tested · Tone: dark · Weight: balanced · Realism: imaginary world · Story: simple · Structure: linear · Look: glossy · Scale: big and varied · Emotional punch: balancedHow we score
Quality rating
8.5 /10
TMDB · 1,064 votes
Where to watch
Amazon PrimeSubscription · Buy from $2.99 · Season 1Watch on Amazon Prime ↗
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VUDUBuy from $2.09 · Season 1Watch on VUDU ↗
Streaming data: JustWatch
Seasons
Season 1
· 2019 · 24 episodesThorfinn pursues a journey with his father's killer in order to take revenge and end his life in a duel as an honorable warrior and pay his father a homage.
Episodes (24)
1Somewhere Not Here8 Jul 2019
Thorfinn, a boy living in Iceland, longs for adventure and is eager to know more about the world. He dreams of a land of paradise called Vinland that he hears about from the adventurer Leif, while he leads his peaceful life with this father Thors, a former warrior. One day, Thors saves a runaway slave and sets a…
2Sword8 Jul 2019
In the year 1002, the war between England and Denmark was intensifying. One day, the Jomsvikings pay a visit to Thorfinn's village in order to bring back Thors, their former commander, to prepare for the impending battle. Thors is forced to join the war in order to protect the villagers from being taken hostage, and…
3Troll8 Jul 2019
Askeladd, the leader of a Viking army of a hundred men, receives orders from Floki of the Jomsvikings to kill Thors, who was once known as the Troll of Jom. However, the villagers, completely unaware of the order, buzz with excitement as they prepare for their first battle. Thorfinn also joins in the excitement. Thors…
4A True Warrior29 Jul 2019
Thors and his men fall for Askeladd's trap and faces a dangerous situation, but Thors defeats many of Askeladd's men with his overpowering strength. However, Thors knows that it will be difficult to save everyone, including his son, who've been living in a peaceful village their entire lives, and makes a tough…
5The Troll's Son5 Aug 2019
After Askeladd kills Thorfinn's father Thors, Thorfinn hides inside Thor's ship and bides his time until the opportunity to take revenge. However, life on the ship is harsh without any food or water, and Thorfinn grows weaker day by day. One day, Thorfinn, armed with his sword, attempt to attack Askeladd in his…
6The Journey Begins12 Aug 2019
Thorfinn kills his first man. As more time goes on Thorfinn kills more men and becomes more skilled. One day when Thorfinn is in battle he gets shot with an arrow and ends up unconscious. An English woman and her daughter help him recover.
7Normanni19 Aug 2019
Askeladd withdraws temporarily from the war against England. While searching for a new source of income, he encounters a skirmish among the Franks and hatches a plot to steal their treasure. Askeladd sends 16 years old Thorfinn, who has grown up into a cold-hearted Viking, ahead as a messenger.
8Beyond the Edge of the Sea26 Aug 2019
After capturing the treasure from the Franks, Askeladd's men return to the village of Gorm on the Jutland Peninsula in Denmark to pass the winter. Thorfinn challenges Askeladd to a duel as a reward for bringing him the head of the captain of the clan of Franks. Even though Thorfinn has grown in skill through his…
9The Battle of London Bridge2 Sep 2019
In October 1013, King Sweyn leads a fleet of Danish and Viking ships in an attempt to take London Bridge of England. Askeladd's army, hired by the army of Denmark, was among them. However, after the betrayal of Thorkell the Tall, a Viking known for his overpowering strength, London Bridge has become impregnable…
10Ragnarok16 Sep 2019
Askeladd's army separates from the army of Denmark and attacks a village 100 km to the west. Thorfinn leaves the soldiers behind in disgust and climbs up a hill overlooking the village, where he pledges revenge for his father. However, he encounters Askeladd sitting in the darkness, who tells him about "Britannia"…
11A Gamble23 Sep 2019
Thorkell takes Canute hostage and follows after the main army of Denmark. Ragnar objects to Thorkell’s plan to take on the entire army of Denmark, boasting 16,000 soldiers, with only 500 men. Thorkell then begins to tell Ragnar the story of Valhalla, the pride of Normans, a place where only those who die in battle can…
12The Land on the Far Bank30 Sep 2019
Askeladd and his men continue their march to escape from Thorkell. However, their march comes to a halt at the Severn River. Askeladd hands a letter to an old man operating a ferry across the river and tells him to deliver the letter to the other side immediately. As soon as he hears the addressee’s name, the old man…
13Child of a Hero7 Oct 2019
Askeladd crosses the river and escapes from Thorkell into Wales with Canute. However, Askeladd’s men are ambushed by a group of soldiers hiding behind the boulders at the border of the kingdom of Brycheiniog. Askeladd attempts to negotiate with their messenger and reveals his plan.
14The Light of Dawn14 Oct 2019
Askeladd and his men change course and decide to return to Gainsborough, by crossing through the Earldom of Mercia in the midst of a harsh snowstorm, where the main army of Denmark awaits. The men spot a small village in the blizzard and make their move.
15After Yule21 Oct 2019
After losing Canute, Thorkell decides to halt his advance in central England. Thorkell hears that the end of the war between Denmark and England is near, and bemoans the end of the war. However, he later gets wind of an interesting piece of news.
16History of Beasts28 Oct 2019
Askeladd and his men are attacked by the English army in the village where they had planned to camp during the winter. Askeladd captures their captain and interrogates him to find out how the English knew where they were, and discovers that Thorkell is fast approaching. The news of Thorkell's arrival sends waves of…
17Servant4 Nov 2019
Askeladd's men continued their march to escape Thorkell. However, Torgrim and his friends were hatching a plot to switch sides and join Thorkell, taking Canute with them. Torgrim finally launches his rebellion and corners Askeladd, negotiating with him to hand over Canute, then Thorkell arrives in the midst of the…
18Out of the Cradle18 Nov 2019
Thorfinn and Thorkell agree to have a duel over the fate of Askeladd. Thorkell looks forward to facing off against Thors’s son, Thorfinn, and asks him what a true warrior really is. Meanwhile, Canute is suddenly ambushed while he attempts to escape, and has a dream about a certain individual.
19United Front25 Nov 2019
Thorfinn suffers a serious injury in his fight against Thorkell. Thorfinn is told to think about what he has to do to beat Thorkell. Askeladd treats Thorfinn’s wounds so that he may fight again someday, and proposes a joint strategy to help the two of them survive longer.
20Crown2 Dec 2019
After the fighting dies down, Canute takes in Askeladd and Thorkell as his followers, and returns to Gainsborough. Canute goes through an awakening when he realizes the meaning of love in the aftermath of Ragnar’s death. Canute throws away what little feelings he had left for his father, and joins Askeladd in plotting…
21Reunion9 Dec 2019
Canute’s party arrives in York to attend the Imperial Council. Although Canute had wanted to strike out against King Sweyn, the King was being guarded by the most powerful Jomsviking unit in the Northern Sea while keeping a close eye on Canute. With the situation strained to the breaking point, Askeladd comes up with…
22Lone Wolf16 Dec 2019
Thorfinn begins his duel against Askeladd with Canute and Thorkell as witnesses. However, Thorfinn is unable to strike as he stands overwhelmed by the extraordinary mood that overtakes Askeladd after Bjorn's departure. Having noticed Thorfinn's hesitation, Askeladd lays down his sword and provokes Thorfinn into an…
23Miscalculation23 Dec 2019
After the assassination attempt on Canute’s life, rumors spread through York saying that the king is trying to kill Canute. As a result, the king is unable to issue any orders that would put Canute in harm, and Askeladd is pleased that everything is proceeding as planned. However, the tables turn when King Sweyn…
24End of the Prologue30 Dec 2019
Askeladd comes forth before King Sweyn and implores him to halt his invasion of Wales. Meanwhile, Thorfinn decides to return home at Leif’s urging. However, the moment before he boards the ship, Thorfinn catches a glimpse of a single tern taking off into the sky...
As a new millennium dawns, Thorfinn struggles to find meaning in his life. Meanwhile, the new King of England seeks to expand his territory.
Episodes (24)
1Slave10 Jan 2023
Einar lives peacefully in northern England with his mother and sister, but then one day, their village comes under attack.
2Ketil's Farm17 Jan 2023
Einar and Thorfinn are told to convert a wild forest into a wheat field; and if they succeed, they will have the chance to buy their own freedom.
3Snake24 Jan 2023
The farm guards convince Ketil’s 17-year-old son that he needs to make his first killing to become a man.
4Awakening31 Jan 2023
After everything that happened, Einar asks Thorfinn if he's ever fought in a war — and if he's ever killed a man.
5Path of Blood7 Feb 2023
After the sudden turn of events, young Canute must rise up to claim the throne to a kingdom much reduced and under attack.
6We Need a Horse14 Feb 2023
Thorfinn and Einar are working themselves to the bone to clear the forest, but there's only so much they can do without the help of horses.
7Iron Fist Ketil21 Feb 2023
Thieves have been stealing food from Ketil's farm. Meanwhile, Ketil's eldest son Thorgil returns home.
8An Empty Man28 Feb 2023
Thorfinn has nightmares almost every night, but he can never remember what he dreamed about — and that bothers him.
9Oath7 Mar 2023
Thorfinn wakes up in a peaceful place and he sees his father again. But then things quickly turn dark, and Thorfinn must face his painful past.
10The Cursed Head14 Mar 2023
Finally, after three long years, Einar and Thorfinn chop down the final tree in the forest. With hope in their hearts, they talk about the future.
11Kings and Swords21 Mar 2023
While in Jelling, Ketil, Thorgil and Olmar meet a man named Leif Erikson who is searching for Thorfinn, the son of his close friend.
12For Lost Love28 Mar 2023
Olmar feels insulted by Canute's messenger and, encouraged by his older brother Thorgil, takes matters into his own hands.
13Dark Clouds4 Apr 2023
Einar says that even if he gains his freedom, he wants to stay near Arnheid. Snake hears news of a slave who killed his owners, and is now on the run.
14Freedom11 Apr 2023
A runaway slave appears on Ketil's farm, claiming to be Arnheid's husband. But before he can free her, he's confronted by Snake.
15Storm18 Apr 2023
Arnheid comes to the fortress where Gardar is imprisoned. She wants to see her husband and treat his injuries.
16Great Purpose25 Apr 2023
As Snake intensifies his search, Arnheid tells Einar and Thorfinn everything she's done. Knowing the risks, Einar and Thorfinn offer to help her.
17The Road Home2 May 2023
Snake strikes quickly, surprising Thorfinn with his speed and agility. As he lies wounded, Gardar thinks back on the life he shared with Arnheid.
18The First Method9 May 2023
After returning home to his farm, an exhausted Ketil starts searching for Arnheid, only to find out what happened in his absence.
19The Battle of Ketil's Farm16 May 2023
Amidst the confusion of a peasant uprising, Thorfinn and the others try to escape, carrying a severely injured and pregnant Arnheid.
20Pain23 May 2023
As Thorfinn and Einar head for their escape, Arnheid regains consciousness and asks where they are going — and if there are slaves and wars there, too.
21Courage30 May 2023
The battle has left heartbreaking casualties in its wake. Though Thorgil and Ketil's wife want to continue the fight, Canute demands their surrender.
22The King of Rebellion6 Jun 2023
Snake tries to put a stop to it, but Thorfinn insists on receiving all 100 blows from Canute's brutish guard Drott, shocking the rowdy onlookers.
23Two Paths13 Jun 2023
Thorfinn and Einar have said their piece, but Canute stubbornly refuses to give up Ketil's Farm. Then, Thorfinn breaks the standoff with a decision.
24Home20 Jun 2023
At long last, Thorfinn returns to Iceland and finds a moment of happiness, reunited with his loved ones. But soon, he opens up about his next journey.
Specials
· 2023 · 2 episodesEpisodes (2)
16.5 - Drowning in the Shadow14 Feb 2023
Special ONA covering events not shown in the original manga.
218.5 - Same Old Story12 May 2023
Special ONA taking place between episodes 18 and 19 of the anime.
MixedsampleWhy this match?ShowHide
What lines up
- Wholesomeness: Unsavoury, just how this profile likes it
- Weightiness: Balanced, just how this profile likes it
What might not click
- Setting / scale: Big / varied, where this profile leans small / confined
- Intricacy: Basic story, where this profile leans smart / intricate
This is a sample for Hard Hitter. Take the taste test to see your own match for Vinland Saga.
Synopsis
For a thousand years, the Vikings have made quite a name and reputation for themselves as the strongest families with a thirst for violence. Thorfinn, the son of one of the Vikings' greatest warriors, spends his boyhood in a battlefield enhancing his skills in his adventure to redeem his most-desired revenge after his father was murdered.
Synopsis: TMDB
Taste Attributes
Characteristics
Where this title sits on each taste spectrum
Cast
Details
- Genre
- Action & Adventure
- Year
- 2019
- Episode length
- 25 min
- Status
- Returning
- Studio
- Kodansha
- Taste scores
- How we score
Similar in feel
Matched on pace, tone, themes and style, not just genre.











