The anime adaptation of Makoto Yukimura's Vinland Saga became one of the best anime series of 2019. Produced by With Studio, Vinland Sagainstantly became popular due to its solid animation, great character, and deep narrative. The show presented a much darker and more mature premise, not often seen in anime. The show focused on the war between England armies and the Danish invaders known as the Vikings in the 11th Century. Season 1 of this seinen show served as a prologue for the series, and perfectly set up the character of the series' central protagonist Thorfinn.
Askeladd was a Danish-Welsh Viking in command of a mercenary group who served as the central antagonist for the majority of the first season of Vinland Saga. He was hired by a Jomsviking named Floki to assassinate the Might Thors, father of Thorfinn. Askeladd eventually carried out the order given to him thereby condemning Thorfinn on a path of revenge. As the show progressed, however, fans were given a deeper look into Askeladd's character, which made the audience understand Askeladd's motivations better. Throughout the show, he had some amazing moments and dialogues that really highlighted his complex personality. Here are some of the best quotes made by Askeladd throughout the first season of Vinland Saga.
Spoilers Ahead
5 My One And Only Friend
In episode 21 of the show, after Askeladd's men turn on him and try to kill him, Askeladd, Bjorn, Canute, and Thorfinn escape the assault, but the men kept chasing after them. Later on, the four get separated with Bjorn and Canute being surrounded by the assailants. In the heat of the moment, Bjorn then eats a wild mushroom and fights many men, but gets heavily wounded in the process.
After things calm down, Bjorn goes up to Askeladd and asks him for one final duel, so that he can die a warrior's death. As Askeladd goes for an easy kill, he misses, leaving Bjorn to die painfully. But before Bjorn dies he utters his last words where he says that he just wanted to be Askeladd's friend, to which Askeladd replies by saying, "You are my one and only friend".
4 Everybody Is A Slave To Something
In episode 8 of the series, Askeladd and his men are seen partying in a bar, enjoying themselves to the fullest. They were being served by a noblewoman-turned-slave named Horda, who accidentally ended up falling and spilling some food. As a consequence, the bar own being her master took out his whip and started beating her with it, meanwhile remarking about how she is a slave and should know her place.
Askeladd glanced over at the situation and after observing the master whipping the girl said, "He just doesn't realize it himself. Everyone is a slave to something". This meant that every person has something in their life that has control over them. In the case of the slave owner, it was wealth that he was a slave to. For Thorfinn, it was revenge.
3 Even The Strongest Man Must Die
Throughout the first season, Thorfinn remained obsessed with revenge. His hatred for Askeladd, for having killed his father, grew with each passing day, which ultimately leads the two to butting heads with each other frequently. Thorfinn tried his best, but in the end, Askeladd always managed to be one step ahead of him. But as time went on Askeladd started to grow a soft spot for young and emotionally unstable Thorfinn.
After having defeated Thorfinn over and over again, Askeladd once remarked "You're young. Time is on your side. You'll grow up and I'll grow old. Someday you'll likely beat me. It's only natural. Even the strongest man must die". This was a sad but simple truth that Askeladd wanted Thorfinn to understand, so that he may try to get over his obsession with revenge.
2 The Weak Die First
In episode 6 of Vinland Saga, Askeladd and his men were seen camping in the wild at night, when suddenly they got ambushed. The English Army started wiping out the Vikings one after the other and soon the battle escalated. During the chaos, Thorfinn remembered how Askeladd promised him a duel if he could achieve something worthwhile on the battlefield and took up his knife to fight an assailant. However, the enemy proved too strong for the young boy.
Thorfinn was about to be killed by theEnglish soldier, but Askeladd arrives just in the knick of time, stabbing the soldier in the back and killing him. Askeladd proceeded to look at Thorfinn and boast about how he didn't know Thorfinn was still alive. He then proceeded to teach him a lesson by remarking, "On the battlefield, the weak die first. Like you".
1 Move On
In the final episode of the first season, Askeladd, Thorkell, Thorfinn, and Prince Canute all made their case in front of the Danish King Sweyn, following which they were welcomed by the Danish people. However, during a celebration in the King's hall, things turned deadly when Askeladd killed King Sweyn for plotting to conquer Wales. Following the Kings death, Askeladd was ssaulted by the King's men. Meanwhile, Thorkell understood Askeladd's intentions and had Canute deal the final blow to Askeladd, just as Thorfinn entered the hall to witness the final moments of his mentor.
With his dying breath, Askeladd said to Thorfinn, "Don't hang on... To this petty bullshit your entire life... You've got to move on... go further...move on, Thorfinn". With these final words of advice, the mighty Viking finally died, leaving Thorfinn completely broken. He wanted Thorfinn to understand that life is about more than just revenge.