The second season of Vinland Saga is still ongoing, but it has already exceeded the expectations set by the audience. The anime has produced one high-quality episode after another, making it a strong contender for the anime of the year. Vinland Saga is known for its well-written characters that offer a perspective other than that of Thorfinn. The first few episodes of the new season were calm, and they revealed information about Thorfinn and his new friend, Einar.
As the season continued, things became glummer. One of the main reasons behind the drastic shift in the mood is Thorfinn's inner chaos. The new characters introduced in the series have also been responsible for changing the direction of the plot with their actions. But none of them have changed the mood like Thorgil. So, what makes him special?
The Monster
Thorgil is the oldest son of Ketil, making him the elder brother of the timid Olmar. In contrast to his younger sibling, Thorgil is nothing short of a vicious and malevolent monster. He has spent most of his life fighting battles because they give him joy. Thorgil's entire body is covered by scars, which show that he's a fearless individual. As expected, Thorgil does not care about his father's farm; instead, he is only focused on killing people in wars or those who dare stand in his way. Thorgil's ruthlessness is simply frightening, and even someone like Ketil is terrified of him, which is a huge testament to his power.
Before his debut, Thorgil was away fighting wars and killing his enemies. When he returned to Ketil's farm, he brought Olmar a gift of the ears that he had chopped off. Olmar was startled when he found that what he was holding in his hands were ears and not some fancy souvenirs. This particular incident highlighted how different the two brothers are.
What Role Will He Play?
Bearing in mind that Thorgil spent a long time fighting under Canute without dying, it is fair to assume that he is a fairly powerful character. Having participated in many battles, Thorgil gained a lot of experience, which helped him improve his fighting abilities. When Snake caught the two children who had been stealing from the farm, Thorgil was ready to give them a beating. Ketil knew that if Thorgil was allowed to do as he pleased, the boy would die. So, Ketil had no other choice but to intervene.
Fans can expect to see Thorgil in action later in the arc, but for now, his involvement will be limited. ​​​​​​Thorgil also has a different personality than the other characters in the story. He is not the type of person who will stand by and do nothing. He likes to be involved in action, and he looks for different ways to kill his boredom. Fans who have read the manga know that Thorgil's recklessness causes trouble for the entire farm and puts the lives of everyone in danger.
Another thing that makes Thorgil stand out from the other characters is his desire to fight. It is hard to deny that he arguably offers the most accurate representation of the fighting spirit of the Vikings. They were honorable warriors who believed dying in battle was honorable. Thorgil symbolizes how they fought their enemies without fear, as they were solely focused on getting the better of them. Overall, Thorgil is a great addition to the cast of season two, as none of the other characters exude a malevolent aura like him. The trepidation caused by Thorgil's mere presence makes him stand out from the rest. He adds viciousness and gore to the series, which was one of the main driving factors for the success of the first season of the anime.