Vinland Saga is a rare historical anime. It unfolds during the age of the Vikings, portraying their European conquests and worldwide explorations in a typically stylized fashion. With that attachment to history comes many characters based on real figures. The series uses many prominent Vikings of the time for its cast.

Related

Vinland Saga: How Much Of Real-World History Is The Series Based On?

Vinland Saga's incredible narrative incorporates elements of real-life history. Just how much of the series is based in reality?

The Vikings in Vinland Saga accomplish many amazing feats, but the backstories of these guys are arguably more incredible. In fact, people may be surprised not only by the liberties taken but by how faithful these versions are in certain areas.

Updated February 15, 2024 by David Heath: As of this writing, there's still no confirmation on whether there will be a Season 3 to Vinland Saga. However, judging by prior development patterns, fans are expecting an announcement to be made sometime this year, with the finished product streaming either by the end of the year or in early 2025.

However, that depends on what happens during production. The first and second seasons were produced by different studios, but retained director Shūhei Yabuta and writer Hiroshi Seko. Both seasons were also acclaimed by fans and critics alike, so it's likely there will be a Season 3. Until then, anime and manga fans can check out more Vinland Saga characters based on real historical figures.

1 Thorfinn

Vengeance Seeker To Adventurer

• In the Manga/Anime: A young man seeking revenge for the death of his father
• In History: An explorer who settled in 'Vinland' centuries before the other European explorers

The main protagonist of the series, Thorfinn, starts as a young boy who wants to be a great hero like his father, Thors. After witnessing his dad's death, the child casts himself into a life of hardship and survival. He trains as one of Askeladd's crew, hoping to attain the skills needed to finally achieve vengeance on him. This is where he fundamentally differs from the source.

The character is based on Thorfinn Karlsefni, who was less a warrior and more an explorer. He followed Leif Erikson's route to Vinland--or North America--to establish a Viking settlement. The accounts of his journey, along with that of Leif's father, Eric the Red, became known as the "Vinland sagas", hence the name of the manga and show. With Leif as a helpful presence to Thorfinn, the anime's little killer-turned-slave may turn pioneer after all.

2 Askeladd

Violent Warrior, Charismatic Mentor

• In the Manga/Anime: The man responsible for the death of Thorfinn's father, and for Thorfinn's growth as a warrior
• In History: Based on the Icelandic hero Olaf the Peacock, possibly inspiration for King Arthur

This is the roguish mercenary who kills Thorfinn's father. In following him, the young Viking positions Askeladd as an unorthodox teacher. There are plenty of worse characters to choose for this role. Askeladd is a charismatic leader who enjoys a good fight and takes on virtually any challenge if it pays. His name comes from Askeladden, a figure from Norwegian folktales. Yet his personality more resembles Olaf "the Peacock" Hösskuldson, hero of the 'Laxdæla Saga'.

This merchant was famous for his pride and flamboyant decorations and would become one of the wealthiest landowners in Iceland. However, the series eventually reveals another inspiration for Askeladd. It turns out his mother named him "Lucius Artorius Castus." This was the Roman officer thought to have inspired King Arthur. Though to further complicate things, the saga says his grandfather was 'Mýrkjartan', or Muirchertach mac Néill, King of Ailech in northwestern Ireland, which might be more likely than inspiring Camelot.

3 Thorkell

A Not-So-Gentle Giant

• In the Manga/Anime: A jolly giant man who loves to fight
• In History: A mighty mercenary who served both sides in the Danish-English Conflict

Thorfinn's grand-uncle is known for his mighty stature and battle prowess. Due to his love of combat, he serves as the right hand of Prince Canute, aiding him in his quest to become the ruler of the Danes. Which is fairly accurate to the historical sagas. The character comes from Thorkell the Tall, a Jomsviking lord who raised Canute at his court.

Related

Vinland Saga: Thorkell's Warrior Code, Explained

Brash, loud, and proud, Thorkell represents the Viking who loves to engage in battle and spill the blood of his enemies, but he also keeps a code.

They fought on opposite sides when the young prince invaded England with his father, Sweyn Forkbeard. In Vinland Saga, it was because he thought aiding the weaker English forces would be more interesting than another Viking victory. In history, it was because of the death of his hostage, Elfheah, the Archbishop of Canterbury, which disillusioned him from the Danish cause. In both, Thorkell would rejoin Canute's forces and become formidable again.

4 Ragnar

Canute's Loyal Retainer

• In the Manga/Anime: A protective guardian of the young Canute, acting like a father figure
• In History: Thorkell the Tall

Here's where things get a little funny. In Vinland Saga, Ragnar is more like Canute's father than his blood father, Sweyn Forkbeard. He's overbearing and overprotective of his young charge but keeps a level head to raise the young prince right. The timid young boy grew more courageous under his watch and, following Ragnar's death, was set on the path to becoming Canute the Great.

But Canute didn't have a right-hand man called "Ragnar" in history, or at least not one who fits Vinland Saga's mold. Both Ragnar and his younger brother Gunnar were based on Thorkell the Tall. He grew quite close to Canute after he rejoined the Danish cause, and aided in his re-invasion of England, becoming Jarl of East Anglia. He'd fall out with Canute again in 1021 but would reconcile in 1023, and become the Jarl of Denmark and foster father to Canute's son, Harthacnut. He disappears from the historical record in 1024.

5 King Harald Of Norway

Fierce With Fine Hair

• In the Manga/Anime: A giant, fierce warrior who became the first king of Norway through violent conquest
• In History: The possibly mythical first king of Norway

King Harald is more of a background figure at the start of the series. A descendant of the Swedish Yngling clan, he conquered the country of Norway village by village through pillage and other ruthless tactics. He gave the conquered people a choice: accept his rule or leave their land forever. Leif revealed to Thorfinn that his ancestors chose the latter and eventually discovered Iceland.

This brutal ruler is based on King Harald "Fairhair" of Norway, a figure mentioned in multiple sagas written between the 9th and 14th centuries, from the Hrafnsmál (which described Harald as a Yngling) to the Flateyjarbók (how he defeated his neighbors to secure Norway, and what became of his sons). But sagas aren't historical records. Their conflicting issues with each other and with harder evidence (the "Fairhair" tag may apply to the later Norwegian king Harald Hardrada) suggest he may be a myth akin to Britain's King Arthur.

6 Sweyn Forkbeard

Cruel & Calculating

• In the Manga/Anime: An ambitious, brutal king who would give up his son to achieve his goals
• In History: An ambitious, cunning king who overthrew his father to achieve his goals

Canute's father is villainous even by Viking standards. Sweyn is a ruthless ruler who managed to conquer England and is willing to sacrifice anything for his ambition, including his son, as Canute's sentimentality and failure to understand his station disgusted him. This is a far cry from history, as King Sweyn Forkbeard and Canute worked together to invade England.

Related

Vinland Saga: Canute’s Dramatic Change, Explained

Canute went from a scared Prince to a ruthless King. Here's a closer look at his unique journey throughout Vinland Saga.

The king even left Canute in charge at several points. He was more brutal towards his father, King Harald Bluetooth (yes, the wireless tech is named after him). He'd end up revolting against him and taking his throne, leaving his father to die in exile. Forkbeard asserted himself as a calculating leader who won many battles and territories, claiming much of Norway and all of England and Wales. This laid vital groundwork for his son to expand on.

7 Harald Svendsen

Stuck Between A Rock And A Hard Place

• In the Manga/Anime: The eldest son of Sweyn Forkbeard, who was poisoned by Canute
• In History: The eldest son of Sweyn Forkbeard, and King of Denmark until 1018

Vinland Saga doesn't spend much time with Canute's elder brother, Harald. He was the heir to Sweyn's throne, inherited it when he died, and then got poisoned by his younger brother, who had his own plans for Denmark, England, and the rest of his territories. That's pretty much all history knows about Harald Svendsen. Except the poisoning was an invention for the series, as it seems the two brothers actually got on quite well.

Together, they planned out the conquest of England, which Canute succeeded in doing during Harald's reign. He died in 1018, give or take a year or two, with speculation suggesting he was murdered, with Canute seeking to avenge his fate. But there's nothing set in stone. Ultimately, he was so overshadowed by his more famous father and younger brother that he was nearly completely in the dark.

8 Canute

A Great Cnut

• In the Manga/Anime: A genteel prince who becomes a cunning leader
• In History: A cunning prince who became the ruler of an empire

The anime's rendition of Canute is a gentle-looking prince who grows into a confident leader. He wants to create a great kingdom in homage to God. That's why he takes command of the Viking army, albeit through unscrupulous means. Nevertheless, like his historical namesake Canute (or Cnut) The Great, he would take control of England, making it the first of many lands in his domain.

Canute was a revolutionary Viking who united various factions. Through careful strategy and intense determination across 12 years, he would become King of England, Denmark, and Norway in a vast North Sea Empire, earning the nickname "Cnut the Great". However, his religious faith kept him mindful of his limits. In legend, he demonstrated this by trying to order the tide to go back, only for it to come in as (to him) God ordained. As of the anime's season 2, he's become 'The Great', but has yet to make any orders on the beach.

9 Ethelred II

Unprepared, Unwilling, And Unready

• In the Manga/Anime: The deposed King of England poisoned by Canute
• In History: The deposed King of England who'd try to fight back, but would ultimately fail

Vinland Saga tweaks some characters for drama, but it didn't need to do much to make King Ethelred II of England as hopeless as his historical counterpart. He gets deposed from the throne after Sweyn and Canute's invasion of London, and then tries to reclaim the throne after Sweyn's death, only to be poisoned to death by Canute's order. His lack of care and planning would earn him the title of "Ethelred the Unready."

Related

Most Iconic Kings In Anime

Several anime shows focus on monarchs, specifically kings, and these are just some of the best in anime.

Historical records used "unready" (or "unræd") to mean "badly advised", blaming his counsel for proposing to pay Sweyn to leave England alone ("Danegeld"). It might've worked if Ethelred hadn't also ordered the murder of Danish settlers in 1002. This led to the invasion that would depose him 11 years later. He would manage to reclaim parts of England, but he'd pass away from (allegedly) natural causes in 1016, leaving his son Edmund to fight Canute for control.

10 Estrid Svendsdatter

The Dynasty-Founding Daughter

• In the Manga/Anime: The half-sister of Canute who just about avoids his plots
• In History: The princess married off to multiple princes before becoming the mother of Denmark's Estridsen Dynasty

Things wouldn't be any calmer on the Danish side of things for Sweyn and Canute in the series. After poisoning Ethelred to settle his English claim to the throne, and after Sweyn died, he'd poison his elder brother Harald too, to secure his Danish claim. Luckily, his half-sister EstridSvendsdatter would largely escape Canute's machinations. As she did in history, which ironically led her line to succeed over Canute's.

During her father Sweyn's reign, Estrid would be married off to one prince or another. The most interesting was the proposed marriage to Robert, Duke of Normandy, father of the future King of England William the Conqueror. But she'd end up marrying someone else, and have a son, Sweyn II, who'd establish the Estridsen Dynasty, which would rule much of Scandinavia for 300+ years.

11 Wulf

The Loose Link To The Estridsen Dynasty

• In the Manga/Anime: The personal guard of Thorkell, and husband of Estrid
• In History: Husband of Estrid, guardian of his nephew Harthacnut, and attempted usurper

Estrid's husband in Vinland Saga is Wulf, Canute's head thegn and battle instructor. He works with Thorkell as his personal guard during the Baltic Sea War, then loses an eye to Thorgil during the battle on Ketil's farm. This is quite a feat as Wulf's eyes looked closed by default, making him known as "Beady-Eyes" to his peers. He's inspired by Ulf Thorgillson, who has no connection to the show's eye-gouger, despite the surname.

Ulf was a distant descendant of Harald Bluetooth and succeeded Thorkell as guardian to Canute's son, Harthacnut. He would also marry Estrid, though he would be executed by Canute with Estrid's blessing after he tried to overthrow Canute, install Harthacnut in his place, and rule in his stead as regent until he came of age. Still, Ulf arguably got the last laugh as his son, Sweyn II, would succeed Harthacnut years later.

12 Leif

Discoverer Of North America

• In the Manga/Anime: Family friend of Thorfinn, and discoverer of Vinland (North America)
• In History: Son of Eric the Red, discoverer of Greenland, and discoverer of Vinland (North America)

A prominent supporting player and a quirky old traveler, Leif was a friend of Thorfinn's father, Thors. Through this connection, he seeks to aid Thorfinn in his journey from seeking vengeance to seeking new frontiers. Namely, by boasting of his voyage to Vinland, "a new world full of ripe fruit and rippling plains". That's definitely worth boasting about, as it's what he's known for in history too.

Related

Vinland Saga: The Importance of Leif Ericson, Explained

Throughout the first two seasons of Vinland Saga, Leif Ericson remains an important figure in the story's lore, despite his lack of screen time.

The character is based on the real Leif "The Lucky" Erikson. He was a Viking sailor who first charted a course for Vinland, as described in the original "Vinland sagas". Experts believe that this was North America, possibly at L'Anse aux Meadows in Newfoundland, Canada. Such a momentous achievement would make Leif the first European in the New World, preceding Christopher Columbus by 500 years.

13 Gudrid

Wife Of Thorfinn, And Mother Of The First European-American

• In the Manga/Anime: A woman seeking to escape her ex-husband and make a new life with Thorfinn
• In History: A Christian widow rescued by Leif Erikson who would join Thorfinn in Vinland

One avid listener of Leif's stories was Gudrid. Dreaming of sailing to escape her ex-husband Sigurd, she eventually joins the explorer, where she meets Thorfinn. Romance blossoms, and she marries the Viking hero, hoping to make a new living in the legendary Vinland. Those versed in history know the significance of this powerful paring, as she's based on Gudrid Thorbjarnardottir, the wife of the real Thorfinn.

After being rescued at sea by the real Leif Erikson, and following the death of her first husband Thorir, Gudrid joined Thorfinn in his quest to Vinland. She was a Christian among pagans and passed down her faith to her son Snorri. Aside from being the first European born in the Americas, he would later aid the Christianization of Iceland. Thus far, Vinland Saga has focused on Thorfinn's adopted son Karli, an original character who survived a village massacre. But Gudrid is currently pregnant, so Snorri's debut may not be far off.

14 The Lnu

The Natives Of Vinland

• In the Manga/Anime: The native inhabitants of Vinland, who are conflicted over Thorfinn's crew
• In History: Better known as the Mi'kmaq, the indigenous tribe of Canada's Atlantic Provinces

Some might see this as a spoiler, as the anime hasn't reached Vinland or its people yet. But considering what it's called (Vinland Saga), what it's based on (the Vinland sagas), and who it all started with in both sources (Leif Erikson), fans new and old already know the cast will eventually come across Vinland and its native people.

The sagas didn't know the specific tribe of the area Thorfinn made contact in, and simply called them "skrælings" (either a reference to their fur pelts or "dried skin," or another word for "barbarian"). But the manga would settle on using the most likely tribe from the area: the Lnu, or Mi'kmaq tribe, the indigenous people of Canada's North Atlantic provinces. The two sides would initially trade on friendly terms but... there's a historical reason why Christopher Columbus got all the credit for finding America 500 years later.

15 Thors Snorreson

The Father Whose Sacrifice Started The Saga

• In the Manga/Anime: A brutal warrior who sacrificed himself to free his son
• In History: An Icelander descended from adventurers

The "Troll of Jom", Thors Snorreson, was one of the most formidable warriors in the Jomsvikings. He was known for his cold and remorseless actions on the battlefield. But after the birth of his children Helga and Thorfinn, he lost his taste for war, opting for more peaceful means of settling disputes before resorting to violence. He'd defeat Askeladd in a duel, but when Thorfinn is taken hostage, he opts to sacrifice himself to free his son.

Thorfinn's real father, Thord "Horsehead" Snorrason, wasn't quite as fierce a warrior. In fact, there's very little known about him at all. He raised Thorfinn in Skagafjord, Iceland, on an estate founded by his grandfather, Thord of Hofdi. The Vinland sagas claimed Thord's line was descended from Björn Ironside, famous for joining his father-figure Hastein in their takeover of Luni, a small town in Italy that they mistook for Rome. If there are any other mangaka wanting to follow Vinland Saga's lead, they'll find plenty of sources for inspiration.

Vinland Saga

Action

Drama

Historical

Release Date

July 7, 2019

Creator

Makoto Yukimura

Streaming Service(s)

Amazon Prime Video , Crunchyroll , HIDIVE