Highlights
- After losing a fight to Thors, Askeladd resorts to cheap tactics in order to kill Thors, leading Thorfinn into a ten-year vendetta.
- Despite claiming his intent to kill Askeladd and avenge his father, Thorfinn is welcomed into Askeladd's clan, where he fights alongside them and learns the ability to fight and kill directly from Askeladd.
- Over the course of those ten years, Thorfinn also learns some valuable lessons from the man he wishes to destroy, particularly relating to his inability to manage emotions in battle and the downfall of living a life for revenge.
Nearly four years ago, Vinland Saga's first season introduces the story of Thorfinn and his grudge against Askeladd, the leader of a band of mercenary Vikings. The story, on the surface, is quite simple, with the main protagonist (Thorfinn) swearing vengeance against the story's antagonist (Askeladd) for killing his father. Thorfinn finds himself in a juxtaposition as he understands that to claim his revenge, he must work alongside Askeladd. A six-year-old boy with no battle experience takes to the seas with Vikings for the next ten years, learning their ways of war and gaining the ability to kill, all while doing this under the rule of his father's murderer.
The complex and unique story often leads to the two working together, almost always begrudgingly, while Thorfinn bides his time before he can take his next challenge to defeat Askeladd in a one-on-one fight. As his skill and power increase, his emotions get the best of him, which Askeladd points out whenever he gets the chance. In 20 episodes of mayhem, violence, and bloodshed, the rivalry and hatred between Thorfinn and Askeladd is one that is hard to duplicate, making it one of the best narrations of hatred in recent anime history.
Thorkell's Arrival into Thorfinn's Life
In episode 4, "A True Warrior," Askeladd and his troops clash head to head with Thors, determined to kill him and claim their royalties for fulfilling the task. Though their efforts are thwarted rather effortlessly due to a noticeable power imbalance between their lower ranks and the Troll of Jom, it's Askeladd who poses the greatest threat. Claiming his victory, Thors offers to spare his life in exchange for Askeladd's withdrawal. It's made clear at this moment to the extent Askeladd is willing to go to when he has Thorfinn taken hostage and held at knifepoint, with the threat of his death if Thors continues to oppose them. Thorfinn's motive begins here, as he must watch his father take several arrows before succumbing to his wounds.
Over the next ten years, Thorfinn undergoes a drastic transformation. The hope in his eyes as a six-year-old child turns into hatred as he boards one of Askeladd's ships and exclaims his murderous intent. The contrast in his upbringing to the moment his father is gone is clear, as Thorfinn now must live through life knowing he is under the guidance and mentorship of the man who took it all away. Joining Askeladd's clan, Thorfinn quickly learns that he is still on his own, as he is often left to defend himself and either learn to kill or be killed. Once Thorfinn claims the life of his first victim, a switch turns off, and Thorfinn quickly develops into a killing machine with skills that rival his own father's.
This does not go unnoticed by Askeladd, who chooses to weaponize Thorfinn's battle power despite knowing it will be used against him at any time. Regardless of his intentions, Thorfinn chooses pride and the code of a warrior, challenging Askeladd head-on rather than dissolving himself into cheap tactics and tricks, much like Askeladd is known for. Their journey over the next ten years highlights the trials and tribulations of a teenage boy who must learn from him while hating his teacher.
Friends Close, Enemies Closer
As Vinland Saga's introductory season progresses, and Askeladd learns to trust Thorfinn with more tasks, the audience learns of an underlying respect he has for the young warrior. Throughout his upbringing, Askeladd once found himself in a similar position to Thorfinn's and underwent a painful process to become a hardened warrior. Unlike Thorfinn, Askeladd's rise to fame comes through the actions that Thorfinn refuses to take, which is something he understands when engaging in verbal confrontations. While it's safe to assume Thorfinn and Askeladd never considered each other acquaintances, much less friends, it becomes evident quickly that for Thorfinn to complete his mission, he must learn to trust Askeladd on the battlefield.
Thorfinn makes it clear that he never intends to befriend any of Askeladd's army, something he stays true to throughout the story. From hanging out by the tail of the ship by his lonesome to resorting to small talk and one-word responses, Thorfinn shuts down anyone who wishes to get close to him. However, when Askeladd and his army are in a war, Thorfinn accepts his missions and completes them without hesitation, even backing up warriors requiring assistance. Thorfinn knows that he must remain compliant and acknowledge his comrades while rejecting any implication of "being one of them."
Thorfinn Learns Valuable Lesson
As Thorfinn continues to challenge Askeladd to duels, the audience understands that while his technical abilities and natural talents continue to blossom, his emotions ultimately become his undoing. Time and time again, Askeladd points out that Thorfinn is leading in with his heart instead of his head. The lesson he is teaching him is that emotions can blind a man, but remaining calm and thinking through every variable is the best chance at success. Askeladd proves this by continuously defeating Thorfinn and leaving him lying on the ground. Instead of killing Thorfinn and nullifying the biggest threat to his own life, Askeladd offers his wisdom to Thorfinn and hopes for a brighter future for the teenager.
During their last encounter in Episode 22, "Lone Wolf," Askeladd recognizes Thorfinn's hesitation and does two things to his opponent's anger: give up his sword to show he doesn't need it to win, and refers to Thorfinn as "boy." The combination of subtleties sparks rage in Thorfinn, making him lunge towards Askeladd wielding his daggers. When Askeladd catches both arms, he states, "You still don't understand why it turns out like this?" Leaving Thorfinn lying in the snow, covered in blood, Askeladd bestows onto him that until he can manage his emotions in the heat of battle, the result will remain the same.
With the first season of Vinland Saga winding down, Askeladd's death is a brutal reminder to Thorfinn that a life spent living in hate and revenge will leave any man feeling empty. During his final few breaths, Askeladd tells Thorfinn to end him, as that is what he has been hoping to do since the beginning. Thorfinn, unable to draw his blades and land the killing blow, cries out to Askeladd that it wasn't supposed to end like this and that he wants to kill Askeladd on his terms. He faces the lesson that it doesn't always end the way you want it to, and when it doesn't, one must learn to accept their failures and find new meaning in life.
Vinland Saga is available to stream on Amazon Prime.