What do you think?
Rate this book
ヴィンランド・サガ [Vinland Saga] #27-28
Saga winlandzka. Tom 14
The first wheat grown in Arnheid Village sways in the breeze, Gudrid is pregnant, and Hild has finally let go of her need for vengeance.
The new world that Thorfinn dreamed of, a world without war or slavery, seems within reach. Yet history is a tide that too often sweeps away individuals with good intentions, and there are those among the Lnu who believe that continued toleration of these newcomers will end in disaster, and some among the Norsemen who still hold onto a belief in physical force as a first, not last, resort. What will sprout from this seed of uncertainty, alongside the golden grain...?
The new world that Thorfinn dreamed of, a world without war or slavery, seems within reach. Yet history is a tide that too often sweeps away individuals with good intentions, and there are those among the Lnu who believe that continued toleration of these newcomers will end in disaster, and some among the Norsemen who still hold onto a belief in physical force as a first, not last, resort. What will sprout from this seed of uncertainty, alongside the golden grain...?
Paperback
First published February 25, 2024
48 people are currently reading
189 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
October 17, 2025
They got these two-dollar coins here, man / Some people say this is the promised land / But me, I'm happy in some southern bar / Just in the corner, playing my guitar (Crash On The Highway – Hurray for the Riff Raff).
Well, now that I have Vinland Saga over and done with, I find that I’m having a hard time letting go. Um, what do I do now? I feel like Zuko when he was all like "what!? That can't be it, there has to be more!" after it was revealed that he's also related to Avatar Roku on his mom's side... it has more impact on the show, trust me. So yeah... what!? This can't be it, there has to be more!! There are many folks that consider Vinland Saga to be included in a group of a select few on manga that perfectly showcases the best that the genre has to offer, and I'm inclined to agree. That sounds hyperbolic, but it's true! It's right up there with Berserk, I reckon. I mean, I've only read the first chapter of Berserk, so I'm hardly an authority on that front, but judging from the gifs I've seen of it on Tumblr, I’m sure it’s pretty good! Sheesh, I can't seem to collect my thoughts right now because my minds a' whirling right now! I feel like I’m about to burst with happiness due to all the feelings I'm feeling towards this manga, so instead of a review, I think I’ll just use this as a space to talk myself through it. Anyway, I guess this is a spoiler, but again, it’s also literally just… like, a historical fact that the prospect of Thorfinn and company founding a land without war and slavery called Vinland didn’t exactly work out in the end, and we get to see it unfold with our very eyes. There's very much a "doomed prophecy" vibe to this ending arc and we watch first hand as their relations with the Natives gets pushed to the point of no return, with Thorfinn deciding that the only way to end the conflict without war is to leave altogether. Sure, the narrative generally beats around the bush and tries to put a positive spin on things by saying that his journey is one of “a thousand years” and that this is all a relatively minor set-back as his penance means he will be looking for this seemingly unobtainable peace for the rest of his life, but my main takeaway is that, well, he failed. Maybe that’s the point though; that wherever people are, there will be a hunger for conflict that could easily tear down any kind of veneer of safety and peace. But the manga also posits that just like there are always people trying to start some shit, there will always be others like Thorfinn who fight against people’s darker temptations. Really, it's a nice thought when I look at it that way. Look, I’ve seen a lot of differing opinions on this manga’s rather dower outcome, with people swaying from one end of the pendulum saying that it was cheap and disappointing, where the other side claims that it was a masterpiece of writing and the perfect blend between satisfying character development and thematic resolution. And trust me, I’ve never sat on a fence in my life (too hard to get situated), but I tend to fall somewhere in the middle, as I find that I quite enjoyed the large dose of bittersweet realism. On one hand, them trying to colonize Native lands in the name of "creating a land without war" was an oxymoron in and of itself, so it was doomed to fail from the start regardless unless the themes of this manga got real hypocritical all of a sudden, and on the other, Thorfinn deciding to recreate the “aight imma head out” SpongeBob meme as his final act of martyrdom was the perfect resolution to his pacifist arc, and it was inspiring to see how even when tested to the absolute limit, he still wouldn’t fall back into his old ways of easy violence and tempting cruelty. If that’s not true redemption, then I don’t know what is!
I will say that the final fight between Thorfinn’s people and the Mi'kmaq Natives didn’t quite have the same impact on me as earlier conflicts in the manga did simply because Thorfinn is on their land. It’s hard to claim “both sides are wrong” when there’s only one side spreading disease and only one side building up a settlement prepared for warfare. I mean, just look at my Native brother on the cover there, all bathed in shadow like he's Emperor Palpatine! Though like I said, the decision of having the main cast literally just up and leave by the end shows that the author was at the very least well aware of this ideological hypocrisy, and it highlights a special kind of irony in that Thorfinn’s search for finding a land without war will almost always fail simply because he’s the one bringing the war. It’s tragic because it feels like a fact of life that will never change, and yet it’s hopeful in the sense that he’ll never stop trying. So yeah, I have to admit that I’m at a bit of a loss here because I don’t really know what it all means? This is literally me talking through it! Throughout the story, Makoto Yukimura draws strong parallels between both Thorfinn’s journey of finding world peace through nonviolence and King Canute’s with his “sacrifice the few to help the many” approach, but then by the end, it kind of just seems like they both failed miserably, with Thorfinn having to find a yet another new home and Canute lamenting the fact that all the wanton violence he’s committed has accomplished nothing but... wanton violence. Well, I guess that’s not entirely true, because the narrative does heavily emphasize that Thorfinn’s peaceful teachings are the way to go, and while I think that’s a wonderful way to end a story that was so entrenched in violence, I still feel like its thematic resonance is undercut by the fact that the final conflict is between Thorfinn and Natives. I mean, considering this manga explores only one of the first few scuffles between Natives and colonizers that eventually lead to genocide, it’s hard to see Thorfinn’s attempts at peaceful relations with the Mi'kmaq as anything other than completely naïve. This is also one of the reasons why I find the first arc of Vinland Saga’s story to be more effective in its stance on non-violence, because by showing said violence first-hand through the actions of the main character, I had felt the message more deeply than any preachy monologue could give just in the way that it made me sick to my stomach. There’s also a bit of a dissonance in the way the manga wants to talk about how terrible war and violence is, but then the artist draws some of the most dynamic and badass fight scenes in manga history. I’m just saying, if you want people to think all this stuff is bad, writing Thorfinn as a duel wielding rogue who flies through the battle field at lighting speed is definitely not the way to underline your point. For real though, while I loved every part of the story, and finding a manga featuring textured characters full of nuance without the heightened personality traits and narratively uncomfortable horniness is damn near impossible, I have to admit that it’s still incredibly frustrating to follow a passive character for hundreds of pages.
The nature of this manga is that the characters will always find themselves in conflict, thus testing Thorfinn’s resolve, but I can’t help but feel like his inaction goes way too far in the sense that he basically just allows the resentment and anger of his people to fester and fester until it reaches its logical conclusion of warfare. Sure, nobody could predict the future and everything becomes perfectly clear in hindsight, but he saw the signs and decided against acting at every turn. Like, if he had just thrown a couple punches here and there, then I really do think Vinland might have worked out just fine! I just feel like his character exists in two separate polar opposites that switched too quickly without any gradual projection. Surely there was a middle ground somewhere in there where he could have put a stop to all of these warmongering monsters without resorting to killing everyone in sight like he used to. Wait... it's Batman... I'm talking about Batman. Seriously, there's a guy running around with a sword, that you know he has, trying to start shit with the Natives, so at least pull an Ip Man, man! Otherwise, it’s sad because the narrative is always so ruthless towards Thorfinn, and by this point in the story, he’s so built up by his ideology that basically bears the brunt of everybody else’s expectations without feeling like a real human being. Which I always felt was a little unfair because characters like Askeladd gets a pass from a narrative standpoint simply because he pulled a Darth Vader and sacrificed himself at the very end of his life. Mind you, this a man who pillaged and raided villages for decades. That's not fair, is it? Or even with characters like Thorkell, a man who thrives off of violence and hatred, yet he’s always portrayed as fun-loving and entertaining whenever he shows up. I’m just wondering why Thorfinn gets the responsibility of all of the world’s sins put on him when he was groomed into the same violent lifestyle as everyone else. I’m not saying he should be let off the hook, but why does Askeladd get to have a sanctimonious speech about how to be a “true warrior” considering he was a steaming pile of dogshit for most of his life? Oh well, I’m not too mad about it, because there is a reason why Thorfinn’s the main character, as he’s the one with enough resolve to take it upon himself to right the world with one small act of kindness to the next. I can dig that! So yeah, I think that’s all I have to say, and despite my babbling, I really do think that this manga is one of the best around... and nobody's going to take it down. The hair raising action, the subversive story beats, and the incredibly poignant yearning for peace against the backdrop of constant violence, there’s nothing else like Vinland Saga. And while this manga doesn’t quite live up to its reputation as the definitive statement on the nature of forgiveness and the cyclical nature of violence, as an in-depth character study on one man’s path to redemption? Yeah, no one can deny that Vinland Saga is one of the most affecting and powerful journeys that I had the privilege to watch unfold.
“I have no enemies.”
Well, now that I have Vinland Saga over and done with, I find that I’m having a hard time letting go. Um, what do I do now? I feel like Zuko when he was all like "what!? That can't be it, there has to be more!" after it was revealed that he's also related to Avatar Roku on his mom's side... it has more impact on the show, trust me. So yeah... what!? This can't be it, there has to be more!! There are many folks that consider Vinland Saga to be included in a group of a select few on manga that perfectly showcases the best that the genre has to offer, and I'm inclined to agree. That sounds hyperbolic, but it's true! It's right up there with Berserk, I reckon. I mean, I've only read the first chapter of Berserk, so I'm hardly an authority on that front, but judging from the gifs I've seen of it on Tumblr, I’m sure it’s pretty good! Sheesh, I can't seem to collect my thoughts right now because my minds a' whirling right now! I feel like I’m about to burst with happiness due to all the feelings I'm feeling towards this manga, so instead of a review, I think I’ll just use this as a space to talk myself through it. Anyway, I guess this is a spoiler, but again, it’s also literally just… like, a historical fact that the prospect of Thorfinn and company founding a land without war and slavery called Vinland didn’t exactly work out in the end, and we get to see it unfold with our very eyes. There's very much a "doomed prophecy" vibe to this ending arc and we watch first hand as their relations with the Natives gets pushed to the point of no return, with Thorfinn deciding that the only way to end the conflict without war is to leave altogether. Sure, the narrative generally beats around the bush and tries to put a positive spin on things by saying that his journey is one of “a thousand years” and that this is all a relatively minor set-back as his penance means he will be looking for this seemingly unobtainable peace for the rest of his life, but my main takeaway is that, well, he failed. Maybe that’s the point though; that wherever people are, there will be a hunger for conflict that could easily tear down any kind of veneer of safety and peace. But the manga also posits that just like there are always people trying to start some shit, there will always be others like Thorfinn who fight against people’s darker temptations. Really, it's a nice thought when I look at it that way. Look, I’ve seen a lot of differing opinions on this manga’s rather dower outcome, with people swaying from one end of the pendulum saying that it was cheap and disappointing, where the other side claims that it was a masterpiece of writing and the perfect blend between satisfying character development and thematic resolution. And trust me, I’ve never sat on a fence in my life (too hard to get situated), but I tend to fall somewhere in the middle, as I find that I quite enjoyed the large dose of bittersweet realism. On one hand, them trying to colonize Native lands in the name of "creating a land without war" was an oxymoron in and of itself, so it was doomed to fail from the start regardless unless the themes of this manga got real hypocritical all of a sudden, and on the other, Thorfinn deciding to recreate the “aight imma head out” SpongeBob meme as his final act of martyrdom was the perfect resolution to his pacifist arc, and it was inspiring to see how even when tested to the absolute limit, he still wouldn’t fall back into his old ways of easy violence and tempting cruelty. If that’s not true redemption, then I don’t know what is!
I will say that the final fight between Thorfinn’s people and the Mi'kmaq Natives didn’t quite have the same impact on me as earlier conflicts in the manga did simply because Thorfinn is on their land. It’s hard to claim “both sides are wrong” when there’s only one side spreading disease and only one side building up a settlement prepared for warfare. I mean, just look at my Native brother on the cover there, all bathed in shadow like he's Emperor Palpatine! Though like I said, the decision of having the main cast literally just up and leave by the end shows that the author was at the very least well aware of this ideological hypocrisy, and it highlights a special kind of irony in that Thorfinn’s search for finding a land without war will almost always fail simply because he’s the one bringing the war. It’s tragic because it feels like a fact of life that will never change, and yet it’s hopeful in the sense that he’ll never stop trying. So yeah, I have to admit that I’m at a bit of a loss here because I don’t really know what it all means? This is literally me talking through it! Throughout the story, Makoto Yukimura draws strong parallels between both Thorfinn’s journey of finding world peace through nonviolence and King Canute’s with his “sacrifice the few to help the many” approach, but then by the end, it kind of just seems like they both failed miserably, with Thorfinn having to find a yet another new home and Canute lamenting the fact that all the wanton violence he’s committed has accomplished nothing but... wanton violence. Well, I guess that’s not entirely true, because the narrative does heavily emphasize that Thorfinn’s peaceful teachings are the way to go, and while I think that’s a wonderful way to end a story that was so entrenched in violence, I still feel like its thematic resonance is undercut by the fact that the final conflict is between Thorfinn and Natives. I mean, considering this manga explores only one of the first few scuffles between Natives and colonizers that eventually lead to genocide, it’s hard to see Thorfinn’s attempts at peaceful relations with the Mi'kmaq as anything other than completely naïve. This is also one of the reasons why I find the first arc of Vinland Saga’s story to be more effective in its stance on non-violence, because by showing said violence first-hand through the actions of the main character, I had felt the message more deeply than any preachy monologue could give just in the way that it made me sick to my stomach. There’s also a bit of a dissonance in the way the manga wants to talk about how terrible war and violence is, but then the artist draws some of the most dynamic and badass fight scenes in manga history. I’m just saying, if you want people to think all this stuff is bad, writing Thorfinn as a duel wielding rogue who flies through the battle field at lighting speed is definitely not the way to underline your point. For real though, while I loved every part of the story, and finding a manga featuring textured characters full of nuance without the heightened personality traits and narratively uncomfortable horniness is damn near impossible, I have to admit that it’s still incredibly frustrating to follow a passive character for hundreds of pages.
The nature of this manga is that the characters will always find themselves in conflict, thus testing Thorfinn’s resolve, but I can’t help but feel like his inaction goes way too far in the sense that he basically just allows the resentment and anger of his people to fester and fester until it reaches its logical conclusion of warfare. Sure, nobody could predict the future and everything becomes perfectly clear in hindsight, but he saw the signs and decided against acting at every turn. Like, if he had just thrown a couple punches here and there, then I really do think Vinland might have worked out just fine! I just feel like his character exists in two separate polar opposites that switched too quickly without any gradual projection. Surely there was a middle ground somewhere in there where he could have put a stop to all of these warmongering monsters without resorting to killing everyone in sight like he used to. Wait... it's Batman... I'm talking about Batman. Seriously, there's a guy running around with a sword, that you know he has, trying to start shit with the Natives, so at least pull an Ip Man, man! Otherwise, it’s sad because the narrative is always so ruthless towards Thorfinn, and by this point in the story, he’s so built up by his ideology that basically bears the brunt of everybody else’s expectations without feeling like a real human being. Which I always felt was a little unfair because characters like Askeladd gets a pass from a narrative standpoint simply because he pulled a Darth Vader and sacrificed himself at the very end of his life. Mind you, this a man who pillaged and raided villages for decades. That's not fair, is it? Or even with characters like Thorkell, a man who thrives off of violence and hatred, yet he’s always portrayed as fun-loving and entertaining whenever he shows up. I’m just wondering why Thorfinn gets the responsibility of all of the world’s sins put on him when he was groomed into the same violent lifestyle as everyone else. I’m not saying he should be let off the hook, but why does Askeladd get to have a sanctimonious speech about how to be a “true warrior” considering he was a steaming pile of dogshit for most of his life? Oh well, I’m not too mad about it, because there is a reason why Thorfinn’s the main character, as he’s the one with enough resolve to take it upon himself to right the world with one small act of kindness to the next. I can dig that! So yeah, I think that’s all I have to say, and despite my babbling, I really do think that this manga is one of the best around... and nobody's going to take it down. The hair raising action, the subversive story beats, and the incredibly poignant yearning for peace against the backdrop of constant violence, there’s nothing else like Vinland Saga. And while this manga doesn’t quite live up to its reputation as the definitive statement on the nature of forgiveness and the cyclical nature of violence, as an in-depth character study on one man’s path to redemption? Yeah, no one can deny that Vinland Saga is one of the most affecting and powerful journeys that I had the privilege to watch unfold.
“I have no enemies.”
August 2, 2025
I am not okay.
July 18, 2025
Quite the epic continuation as Thorfinn continues his dream life in Arnheid Village.
But living next to the Lnu brings problems, doubts and suspicions....and the dream existencebecomes a nightmare.
But living next to the Lnu brings problems, doubts and suspicions....and the dream existencebecomes a nightmare.
June 5, 2025
A great continuation of the story after quite a bit of time between volumes (at least for the US). The themes of the manga have always looked towards the historical realities of the end of the viking age (and now into the history of the Vinland settlement itself). The historical accuracy, however, always took second stage to the story itself, so Yukimura could do all sorts of things with Thorfinn's ideals and character without needing to prove that a pacifist Norseman existed. Now history takes center stage. Yukimura can't pretend that the Vinland settlement succeeds, nor that it ends with probable violence and disease. Thorfinn's ideals are really put to the test, then, especially in this manga. What a great end to come to for this manga - this last arc is really challenging where the manga has been going and what it has been building. There is no easy way out for the characters, which makes for some compelling reading!
November 14, 2025
Thorfinn's dream is a nonviolent, cooperative, and democratic village that coexists with the native people of what will one day be Prince Edward's Island. But despite his best intentions, it's still colonialism and that brings a boatload of troubles, some of them transported by the rats that stow away on supply ships. Meanwhile, people with their own agendas on both sides see disease and distrust as factors they can use to their own advantage.
History tells us how this is going to turn out, but I still hope Thorfinn can navigate the situation to avoid the worst possible routes to that destination. This volume shows just how hard that's going to be.
FOR REFERENCE:
First published in Japan in 2023, 2024 by Kodansha Ltd., Tokyo, as Vinland Saga, volumes 27 and 28.
Contents: Chapters 192-209 (Thousand-Year Voyage, Parts 1-18) -- Translation Notes
History tells us how this is going to turn out, but I still hope Thorfinn can navigate the situation to avoid the worst possible routes to that destination. This volume shows just how hard that's going to be.
FOR REFERENCE:
First published in Japan in 2023, 2024 by Kodansha Ltd., Tokyo, as Vinland Saga, volumes 27 and 28.
Contents: Chapters 192-209 (Thousand-Year Voyage, Parts 1-18) -- Translation Notes
July 7, 2025
This manga never misses for me. Every volume is so entertaining with such powerful themes!
June 25, 2025
SPOILERS
It has been over two years since the previous volume of Vinland Saga, in which Thorfinn’s crew have finally arrived in Vinland, where he hopes will be “a country without war or slavery”, along with a peaceful co-existence with the Natives known as the Lnu. During their new home at Arnheid Village, a few revelations occurred, from Gudrid being pregnant, to Hild finally letting go of her need for vengeance. What feels like there is a path in the right direction, there is some turmoil going on within certain parties.
When some of Thorfinn’s settlers are missing during their exploration in Markland, worries begin to rise within the Norsemen, specifically the paranoid farmer Ivar, who is not entirely on board with Thorfinn’s pacifism and tries to encourage others to armed themselves and even build a wall to surround their village to protect themselves from any enemies. A good portion of this volume is this ongoing debate within the Norsemen, as most of the men would have a call to arms, whilst the women would rather settle than go to war. This also causes some friction between Thorfinn and Einar, two friends who see themselves as brothers to one another, and if war were to happen, would they have to leave the paradise they have been seeking for so long.
We also get to spend more time with the Natives, of which there are numerous tribes introduced as Makoto Yukimura does a great job at establishing how diverse they are, with some of them wishing to become friendly with the Norse, such as the young Niskawaji'j who befriends Bug-Eyes as they teach each other their languages. However, among the Natives is Miskwekepu'j, a shaman who, after performing an ancient ritual and seeing the future of his country, becomes convinced that Vinland must get rid of the Norse. Serving as one of the most interesting antagonists in the manga, as he is not defined as being bloodthirsty like many other antagonists, as he sees the potential of war and destruction upon their land, but he will go through extreme methods and manipulate those around him to achieve his goal.
With both Ivar and Miskwekepu'j being recognised as potential conflicts that could start a war between the Norse and the Indigenous, this sets up one of the most intense set-pieces, which is Hild taking out her crossbow and attempts to assassinate the two to maintain the peace. Ultimately, what causes the conflict between the two peoples is when a mysterious plague starts infecting the Natives, of which Miskwekepu'j believes that the Norse is what brought the disease to them. Tensions arise when one Native tribe starts attacking Arnheid Village to claim the steeled weaponry that Ivar and others have kept secretive.
As much as this ongoing manga has moved beyond its initial roots of being an action series, putting more emphasis on character drama, Yukimura knows when to raise the tension with sequences that showcases Thorfinn and Hild’s speed to dodge danger, or stunning large panels of extreme violence. However, Yukimura saves the intensity towards the end when Cordelia takes a stand against the few invaders to protect Gudrid, who is currently giving birth. Considering the initial reluctance towards this character, who could easily lead to the eye-raising anime/manga trope of burly women, and yet how Yukimura has written Cordelia’s arc to the point she gets her own realisation of what it means to be a true warrior, it is truly a triumphant moment.
As I write these words, Yukimura has confirmed that his manga that he has been telling since 2005 will be ending with a final chapter published next month. Who knows how long it will take Kodansha Comics will publish the final volume, so hopefully not too long as considering that this amazing volume ends on an intense cliffhanger, let’s hope Thorfinn and the rest get out of the situation alright.
It has been over two years since the previous volume of Vinland Saga, in which Thorfinn’s crew have finally arrived in Vinland, where he hopes will be “a country without war or slavery”, along with a peaceful co-existence with the Natives known as the Lnu. During their new home at Arnheid Village, a few revelations occurred, from Gudrid being pregnant, to Hild finally letting go of her need for vengeance. What feels like there is a path in the right direction, there is some turmoil going on within certain parties.
When some of Thorfinn’s settlers are missing during their exploration in Markland, worries begin to rise within the Norsemen, specifically the paranoid farmer Ivar, who is not entirely on board with Thorfinn’s pacifism and tries to encourage others to armed themselves and even build a wall to surround their village to protect themselves from any enemies. A good portion of this volume is this ongoing debate within the Norsemen, as most of the men would have a call to arms, whilst the women would rather settle than go to war. This also causes some friction between Thorfinn and Einar, two friends who see themselves as brothers to one another, and if war were to happen, would they have to leave the paradise they have been seeking for so long.
We also get to spend more time with the Natives, of which there are numerous tribes introduced as Makoto Yukimura does a great job at establishing how diverse they are, with some of them wishing to become friendly with the Norse, such as the young Niskawaji'j who befriends Bug-Eyes as they teach each other their languages. However, among the Natives is Miskwekepu'j, a shaman who, after performing an ancient ritual and seeing the future of his country, becomes convinced that Vinland must get rid of the Norse. Serving as one of the most interesting antagonists in the manga, as he is not defined as being bloodthirsty like many other antagonists, as he sees the potential of war and destruction upon their land, but he will go through extreme methods and manipulate those around him to achieve his goal.
With both Ivar and Miskwekepu'j being recognised as potential conflicts that could start a war between the Norse and the Indigenous, this sets up one of the most intense set-pieces, which is Hild taking out her crossbow and attempts to assassinate the two to maintain the peace. Ultimately, what causes the conflict between the two peoples is when a mysterious plague starts infecting the Natives, of which Miskwekepu'j believes that the Norse is what brought the disease to them. Tensions arise when one Native tribe starts attacking Arnheid Village to claim the steeled weaponry that Ivar and others have kept secretive.
As much as this ongoing manga has moved beyond its initial roots of being an action series, putting more emphasis on character drama, Yukimura knows when to raise the tension with sequences that showcases Thorfinn and Hild’s speed to dodge danger, or stunning large panels of extreme violence. However, Yukimura saves the intensity towards the end when Cordelia takes a stand against the few invaders to protect Gudrid, who is currently giving birth. Considering the initial reluctance towards this character, who could easily lead to the eye-raising anime/manga trope of burly women, and yet how Yukimura has written Cordelia’s arc to the point she gets her own realisation of what it means to be a true warrior, it is truly a triumphant moment.
As I write these words, Yukimura has confirmed that his manga that he has been telling since 2005 will be ending with a final chapter published next month. Who knows how long it will take Kodansha Comics will publish the final volume, so hopefully not too long as considering that this amazing volume ends on an intense cliffhanger, let’s hope Thorfinn and the rest get out of the situation alright.
August 20, 2025
Series Info/Source: This is the 14th volume in the Vinland Saga series. I bought this in hardcover.
Thoughts: While the last few volumes in this series haven't been as action-packed as the early volumes were, this remains a very well done graphic novel series. The last few of these have been more day to day type of novels.
Arnheid village is prospering and growing but tensions between the Lnu natives and the migrant Norseman are building. Each group has some people who want peace and some people who want to drive the others out. When virus strikes the Lnu and evil spirits brought by the Norsemen are blamed things come to a head.
Like all the volumes in this series, this is beautifully illustrated and full of amazing history. I really enjoy reading these. Do I miss all the action of the earlier books in the series? Definitely. However, we do get some good action scenes in this volume. I do wonder what this all is going to build to and if Thorfinn will be able to hold onto his dream of a violence-free world.
These are very well done and easy to read and interesting. I enjoy the characters, the environments, and the story. Yukimura-san is a very talented manga artist and I plan to continue to read this series for as long as he writes it.
My Summary (4/5): Overall, while not as exciting and action-packed as earlier volumes, this is still a very well done volume in this graphic novel series. We do get a bit of action as things come to a climax with the native Lnu people. I am curious to see where things go from here. The illustration and detail throughout is top notch and I really enjoy the history here as well. I will continue to read this series and highly recommend it to anyone interested in historical fantasy.
Thoughts: While the last few volumes in this series haven't been as action-packed as the early volumes were, this remains a very well done graphic novel series. The last few of these have been more day to day type of novels.
Arnheid village is prospering and growing but tensions between the Lnu natives and the migrant Norseman are building. Each group has some people who want peace and some people who want to drive the others out. When virus strikes the Lnu and evil spirits brought by the Norsemen are blamed things come to a head.
Like all the volumes in this series, this is beautifully illustrated and full of amazing history. I really enjoy reading these. Do I miss all the action of the earlier books in the series? Definitely. However, we do get some good action scenes in this volume. I do wonder what this all is going to build to and if Thorfinn will be able to hold onto his dream of a violence-free world.
These are very well done and easy to read and interesting. I enjoy the characters, the environments, and the story. Yukimura-san is a very talented manga artist and I plan to continue to read this series for as long as he writes it.
My Summary (4/5): Overall, while not as exciting and action-packed as earlier volumes, this is still a very well done volume in this graphic novel series. We do get a bit of action as things come to a climax with the native Lnu people. I am curious to see where things go from here. The illustration and detail throughout is top notch and I really enjoy the history here as well. I will continue to read this series and highly recommend it to anyone interested in historical fantasy.
September 3, 2025
5 ⭐️
[online reading] I have no enemies. piękne zakończenie historii na której pod koniec popłakałam się. cel był cudowny, by wreszcie stworzyć świat bez wojen ale nie wszyscy tego rozumieją i niestety to spowodowało wojnę na ziemiach vinland. dwa ludy, jeden rdzenny a drugi europejski. pod rządami thorfinna wszystko w miarę szło, było kilka problemów, które mogli lepiej rozwiązać i młody to zauważył np. wcześniejsza nauka języku i wytłumaczenie tego jak ma ten pokój na jednym kawałku ziemi ma działać. ludzie lnu byli tak samo pozytywni jak thorfinn do momentu gdy ten szaman to podjudził, rozumiem, że widzi same złe rzeczy ale wierzę, że to mogło się udać a przyszłość niestety zawsze obraca się w złych kolorach. ta cała rzeź była tragiczna. wszystko co było mówione nie dało rady istnieć. wreszcie jego brat poznał co to zabijanie i jak ciężko w dzień, dzień nosić tego konsekwencje. w bardzo racjonalny sposób chciał odejść z ludem i ich zostawić bo nie potrzeba kolejnego rozlewu krwi.. nikt nie ma wrogów aż do momentu gdy nie umiesz odpuścić, przebaczyć, żyć dalej.
zakończenie mnie rozwaliło bo może nie osiągnął swojego celu ale dalej w to brnie i lepiej mu idzie niż królowi, który stał się silnym królem dla swojego planu. mogę nawet stwierdzić, że w tej historii nie chodzi o zemstę tylko odkupienie!
[online reading] I have no enemies. piękne zakończenie historii na której pod koniec popłakałam się. cel był cudowny, by wreszcie stworzyć świat bez wojen ale nie wszyscy tego rozumieją i niestety to spowodowało wojnę na ziemiach vinland. dwa ludy, jeden rdzenny a drugi europejski. pod rządami thorfinna wszystko w miarę szło, było kilka problemów, które mogli lepiej rozwiązać i młody to zauważył np. wcześniejsza nauka języku i wytłumaczenie tego jak ma ten pokój na jednym kawałku ziemi ma działać. ludzie lnu byli tak samo pozytywni jak thorfinn do momentu gdy ten szaman to podjudził, rozumiem, że widzi same złe rzeczy ale wierzę, że to mogło się udać a przyszłość niestety zawsze obraca się w złych kolorach. ta cała rzeź była tragiczna. wszystko co było mówione nie dało rady istnieć. wreszcie jego brat poznał co to zabijanie i jak ciężko w dzień, dzień nosić tego konsekwencje. w bardzo racjonalny sposób chciał odejść z ludem i ich zostawić bo nie potrzeba kolejnego rozlewu krwi.. nikt nie ma wrogów aż do momentu gdy nie umiesz odpuścić, przebaczyć, żyć dalej.
zakończenie mnie rozwaliło bo może nie osiągnął swojego celu ale dalej w to brnie i lepiej mu idzie niż królowi, który stał się silnym królem dla swojego planu. mogę nawet stwierdzić, że w tej historii nie chodzi o zemstę tylko odkupienie!
November 28, 2025
I am in shambles. This was truly fantastic. What an amazing manga, I really loved it from beginning to end. The themes are rich, the characters are sooo fleshed out and believable, not even the villains are villains just because; you can understand everyone's motivations and I really enjoyed that, the pacing was great, and I got completely attached. I would love to add this to my physical library!!!
This last volume had so many hard-hitting moments, it's crazyyyy. Thorfinn is so ahead of his time and everyone else, it hurts to see that people have to get themselves into messes and do things they can't take back + suffer the consequences to understand his point of view and why he's so committed to doing anything but resorting to violence or war.
I do feel like the overall ending of the saga is a bit rushed. I didn't realize I was reading the very last chapter until I got to the last panel and was like: "what do you meeeean??????" I feel like it could've been more satisfying, but it was still an amazing journey, and it feels complete, but I still wanted more.
This last volume had so many hard-hitting moments, it's crazyyyy. Thorfinn is so ahead of his time and everyone else, it hurts to see that people have to get themselves into messes and do things they can't take back + suffer the consequences to understand his point of view and why he's so committed to doing anything but resorting to violence or war.
I do feel like the overall ending of the saga is a bit rushed. I didn't realize I was reading the very last chapter until I got to the last panel and was like: "what do you meeeean??????" I feel like it could've been more satisfying, but it was still an amazing journey, and it feels complete, but I still wanted more.
August 3, 2025
After a year (and counting) of patient waiting, the saga continues, and, oh, does it test my patience.
This volume was undeniably frustrating, but I see clearly what Yukimura is aiming for. After basking in the sunshine of hope for several volumes, the darkness was bound to creep back in. After all, the early chapters of this manga were soaked in blood, brutality, and harsh truths. Now, Yukimura reminds us that building a utopia isn't as simple as planting seeds and hoping the weeds stay politely away. You can have the purest intentions, but you’ll never have control over someone else’s actions.
One thing I liked a lot in this volume was Cordelia’s development. Her growth felt a bit sudden, but it worked, and it's great to finally see her evolving into her own.
Of course, it ended with another cliffhanger. So here I am, bracing myself for yet another painfully long wait. A year, probably more. But I will be waiting!
This volume was undeniably frustrating, but I see clearly what Yukimura is aiming for. After basking in the sunshine of hope for several volumes, the darkness was bound to creep back in. After all, the early chapters of this manga were soaked in blood, brutality, and harsh truths. Now, Yukimura reminds us that building a utopia isn't as simple as planting seeds and hoping the weeds stay politely away. You can have the purest intentions, but you’ll never have control over someone else’s actions.
One thing I liked a lot in this volume was Cordelia’s development. Her growth felt a bit sudden, but it worked, and it's great to finally see her evolving into her own.
Of course, it ended with another cliffhanger. So here I am, bracing myself for yet another painfully long wait. A year, probably more. But I will be waiting!
August 23, 2025
"And true strength comes from a gentle heart."
Oh, how I've missed this story. It's been years in between volume releases, but I was able to fall right back into the swing of things. This volume continues to put Thorfinn's pacifism to the test as tensions and suspicions between the Norsemen and Natives grow. It also showcases how easily people can stumble into war and horrifying that reality is.
The final chapter of Vinland Saga has released earlier this month, and I'm eagerly awaiting the final volume's release.
Oh, how I've missed this story. It's been years in between volume releases, but I was able to fall right back into the swing of things. This volume continues to put Thorfinn's pacifism to the test as tensions and suspicions between the Norsemen and Natives grow. It also showcases how easily people can stumble into war and horrifying that reality is.
The final chapter of Vinland Saga has released earlier this month, and I'm eagerly awaiting the final volume's release.
July 2, 2025
Mocno, jestem jak na szpilkach.
Koniec tej historii na pewno zwali mnie z nóg!
Koniec tej historii na pewno zwali mnie z nóg!
September 14, 2025
I'm not sobbing
January 16, 2026
"And true strength comes from a gentle heart." 💛
The next volume can't come soon enough...
The next volume can't come soon enough...
August 30, 2025
I ☝️ MISSED 🗣️THIS 👇 MANGA 📕 SO 🤌 MUCH 💯 CORDELIA 👧 IS 💪 MY 👏 HERO 💗 THAT 🔥 ENDING ❌ THO 👀 MY 😱 GOD 🤯
October 26, 2025
I cried
November 21, 2025
Great series.
June 24, 2025
We are so back
August 20, 2025
What the freak
January 13, 2026
This volume continues to explore in devastating effect the challenges with trying to live peacefully alongside those who mistrust you. The way this story is able to balance philosophical and political theory with exceptional characters, great action and fantastic art is a godsend. Whilst I generally feel the final third of Vinland saga is not quite as strong as the earlier sections this ark brings that standard right back to where it was in the War and Farm Ark. The story here -focusing on the slow de-evolution of the nords relationship with the local native American tribes they've befriended into violenceis- is heart-wrenching but I love the way the author is willing to test his principles and his characters convictions by juxtaposing them with other world view which while fundamentally different have their own virtue. This ark has touches on many world views held by the series large cast: like the belief that security can only be ensured through strength and the belief that you should assume your neighbours are dangerous. The arks depiction of mutually escalating violence and dehumanizing prompts us to consider whether it's possible to live in peace and harmony if we view our neighbours as people who we should distrust and be cautious of. I love the way the story doesn't descend into a philosophical lecture but is instead able to dietetically conceal it's themes through believable character turns which are highly reflective of not just the real history of this event but more modern history.
One of my only issues with the latter parts of Vinland Saga is it felt like Thorfinn was so strong that his pacifistic could be achieved with some struggle but ultimately ease. Any challenge he ran into he was physically capable of disarming or neutralising just by himself. While this makes the story a wonderful power fantasy it removes it from any kind of realistic depiction of the challenges of pacifism and commentary on real-world power dynamics. In the real world you could be the greatest hand-to-hand fighter on the planet but one person with a gun or a sword is going to very easily over power you. More importantly I think it ended up unintentionally creating the impression that to be a pacifist you had to be a master of defensive violence. This is a perspective which I can appreciate but I ultimately disagree with. More broadly individual strengths is no solution in the face of mass systemic violence and the power structures that are feed by it. How then is someone who is pacific meant to succeed against mass militarised groups and violent individuals? This should have been the moral quandary at the heart of Vinland Saga all along but for stretches of it I don't think it is. The best thing this ark does is challenge Thorfinn belief in his individual supremacy and single-mindedness and placed him and his group in a situation where his individual dominance cannot resolve the problem. This is essentially the exact character turn myself and many other fans have hoped for for a long time. I see this return to political complexity as something of a course correction on the part of the author. Make no mistake Vinland Saga has always very good but but it's hard to argue that it's been any better than it is in this Ark.
One of my only issues with the latter parts of Vinland Saga is it felt like Thorfinn was so strong that his pacifistic could be achieved with some struggle but ultimately ease. Any challenge he ran into he was physically capable of disarming or neutralising just by himself. While this makes the story a wonderful power fantasy it removes it from any kind of realistic depiction of the challenges of pacifism and commentary on real-world power dynamics. In the real world you could be the greatest hand-to-hand fighter on the planet but one person with a gun or a sword is going to very easily over power you. More importantly I think it ended up unintentionally creating the impression that to be a pacifist you had to be a master of defensive violence. This is a perspective which I can appreciate but I ultimately disagree with. More broadly individual strengths is no solution in the face of mass systemic violence and the power structures that are feed by it. How then is someone who is pacific meant to succeed against mass militarised groups and violent individuals? This should have been the moral quandary at the heart of Vinland Saga all along but for stretches of it I don't think it is. The best thing this ark does is challenge Thorfinn belief in his individual supremacy and single-mindedness and placed him and his group in a situation where his individual dominance cannot resolve the problem. This is essentially the exact character turn myself and many other fans have hoped for for a long time. I see this return to political complexity as something of a course correction on the part of the author. Make no mistake Vinland Saga has always very good but but it's hard to argue that it's been any better than it is in this Ark.
November 26, 2025
Dig this: A bunch of people land in a new spot, work pretty hard to make it farm-able, but then the locals, who were there before, want to kick them the fuck out for legitimate reasons, namely, PLAGUE.
And the newbies have a choice: They COULD stay and fight with the locals, or they could fuck off and go somewhere else.
It seems like the logic used by a bunch of the newbies is like, "We worked really hard on this land, we can't just abandon it!" But the part they're missing is, "Well, if we stay and fight, that's ALSO a kind of work, and a kind of work that's highly likely to result in our deaths, not to mention forcing us to kill others."
It kind of reminds me of working in the library where we had not infrequent complaints that ended in a phrase that I jokingly made into a coat of arms for our users, a design that included the phrase "Cur mihi migrandum est?" or "Why should I have to move?" Actually, the literal translation is, "Why do I have to migrate?" which is pretty funny.
When someone was, say, studying at a table, and there were some rowdy teens nearby, the studier might come up to a help desk and complain. Often, I'd suggest that I'd like to help the studier find a quieter spot because, often, people would choose to study in spots that were not the best as far as being quiet and calm. Not the worst, they didn't set up in the storytime circle and then shush everyone like, "What the fuck is this bullshit!? Cats in hats indeed!" But they'd pick an area with a bunch of giant beanbags in it and then be shocked that young people sat in those beanbags and talked about...I don't know, Bad Bunny? Is that what kids talk about?
And, almost without fail, when you made this suggestion, you'd hear some form of, "Why should I have to move?"
I understood this, from their point of view, they'd done nothing wrong, so why should they have to modify their behavior?
But, guys, it's not about punishing you for picking a spot, it's about getting you back to whatever you were doing with minimum fuss.
Look, we can put you right back where you were, I can talk to the kids, they will DEFINITELY know it was you who complained, and it's a 50/50 whether they'll keep it down or not, and if they don't, it's not usually because they're being lil dickheads, it's because they're 14 and have a 14 year-old's behavior regulation abilities. So then you'll have to come back, talk to me again, I'll talk to them again, and by the time you leave or they leave, you'll have wasted a good chunk of time you could've spent studying.
OR, you could move.
Because, people, you need to decide what your goal is. If your goal is to manage behavior in the library, stay right where you are, anchor down, claim your turf.
If your goal is to get work done, you'll get more work done by picking up, walking about 50 paces, and...well, that's it.
It's not the brink of all-out war the way it is in Vinland Saga. But it's the modern equivalent, for sure.
And the newbies have a choice: They COULD stay and fight with the locals, or they could fuck off and go somewhere else.
It seems like the logic used by a bunch of the newbies is like, "We worked really hard on this land, we can't just abandon it!" But the part they're missing is, "Well, if we stay and fight, that's ALSO a kind of work, and a kind of work that's highly likely to result in our deaths, not to mention forcing us to kill others."
It kind of reminds me of working in the library where we had not infrequent complaints that ended in a phrase that I jokingly made into a coat of arms for our users, a design that included the phrase "Cur mihi migrandum est?" or "Why should I have to move?" Actually, the literal translation is, "Why do I have to migrate?" which is pretty funny.
When someone was, say, studying at a table, and there were some rowdy teens nearby, the studier might come up to a help desk and complain. Often, I'd suggest that I'd like to help the studier find a quieter spot because, often, people would choose to study in spots that were not the best as far as being quiet and calm. Not the worst, they didn't set up in the storytime circle and then shush everyone like, "What the fuck is this bullshit!? Cats in hats indeed!" But they'd pick an area with a bunch of giant beanbags in it and then be shocked that young people sat in those beanbags and talked about...I don't know, Bad Bunny? Is that what kids talk about?
And, almost without fail, when you made this suggestion, you'd hear some form of, "Why should I have to move?"
I understood this, from their point of view, they'd done nothing wrong, so why should they have to modify their behavior?
But, guys, it's not about punishing you for picking a spot, it's about getting you back to whatever you were doing with minimum fuss.
Look, we can put you right back where you were, I can talk to the kids, they will DEFINITELY know it was you who complained, and it's a 50/50 whether they'll keep it down or not, and if they don't, it's not usually because they're being lil dickheads, it's because they're 14 and have a 14 year-old's behavior regulation abilities. So then you'll have to come back, talk to me again, I'll talk to them again, and by the time you leave or they leave, you'll have wasted a good chunk of time you could've spent studying.
OR, you could move.
Because, people, you need to decide what your goal is. If your goal is to manage behavior in the library, stay right where you are, anchor down, claim your turf.
If your goal is to get work done, you'll get more work done by picking up, walking about 50 paces, and...well, that's it.
It's not the brink of all-out war the way it is in Vinland Saga. But it's the modern equivalent, for sure.
August 18, 2025
A viagem dos 1000 anos que continuamos a traçar, ser gentil, construir pontes, incentivar a conexão entre as pessoas.
Vivemos sob uma epidemia de separações, guerras por soberiania e lucros, apoiados por pessoas que se sentem superiores a ponto de ditarem o que os outros podem ser, ou até mesmo se podem existir, nesse contexto, onde a própria lógica da sociedade nos coloca uns contra os outros diariamente, Makoto Yukimura nos convida a experienciar uma história de renascimento através dos olhos de um personagem falho, perdido em obsessões e, eventualmente, vazio, um peão que criou separações, queimou pontes, e não deixou que esse fosse seu legado. Talvez a chave da mudança só poderia ser advinda de uma vida de arrependimentos, marcada eternamente pelo mal causado, uma maldição imposta pelos próprios atos. A ascenção do idealismo de Thorfinn marca a transição dessa história, "criar mais pontes que destruí, construir mais casas do que queimei, uma terra de paz onde podemos escapar das guerras do mundo", tão honrado um ideal que estava destinado a falhar, esse é ponto, querendo ou não somos criaturas complexas e Vinland Saga não foge disso, até mesmo os que acreditaram nas palavras de Thorfinn se voltaram contra seus ideais quando encurralados, tão fácil é instaurar o caos, mas a tentativa criou algo talvez ainda mais importante, um legado, apesar da falha da expedição ainda existiram pessoas, dos dois lados do último conflito, que da mesma forma tentam incentivar conexões, criar um mundo melhor do que a facilidade que o caos e o ódio oferecem, essas pessoas irão inspirar outras que irão inspirar outras, perpetuando o ideal através das eras, a viagem dos 1000 anos, um chamado para ser melhor, um incentivo a união e paz.
Nada melhor que acompanhar uma história que te marcou profundamente antes e que no ponto final continuou a ser encantadora.
Vivemos sob uma epidemia de separações, guerras por soberiania e lucros, apoiados por pessoas que se sentem superiores a ponto de ditarem o que os outros podem ser, ou até mesmo se podem existir, nesse contexto, onde a própria lógica da sociedade nos coloca uns contra os outros diariamente, Makoto Yukimura nos convida a experienciar uma história de renascimento através dos olhos de um personagem falho, perdido em obsessões e, eventualmente, vazio, um peão que criou separações, queimou pontes, e não deixou que esse fosse seu legado. Talvez a chave da mudança só poderia ser advinda de uma vida de arrependimentos, marcada eternamente pelo mal causado, uma maldição imposta pelos próprios atos. A ascenção do idealismo de Thorfinn marca a transição dessa história, "criar mais pontes que destruí, construir mais casas do que queimei, uma terra de paz onde podemos escapar das guerras do mundo", tão honrado um ideal que estava destinado a falhar, esse é ponto, querendo ou não somos criaturas complexas e Vinland Saga não foge disso, até mesmo os que acreditaram nas palavras de Thorfinn se voltaram contra seus ideais quando encurralados, tão fácil é instaurar o caos, mas a tentativa criou algo talvez ainda mais importante, um legado, apesar da falha da expedição ainda existiram pessoas, dos dois lados do último conflito, que da mesma forma tentam incentivar conexões, criar um mundo melhor do que a facilidade que o caos e o ódio oferecem, essas pessoas irão inspirar outras que irão inspirar outras, perpetuando o ideal através das eras, a viagem dos 1000 anos, um chamado para ser melhor, um incentivo a união e paz.
Nada melhor que acompanhar uma história que te marcou profundamente antes e que no ponto final continuou a ser encantadora.
June 10, 2025
Vinland Saga Volume 14 continues Thorfinn’s journey with compelling depth and intensity. Now settled in Arnheid village—located in what is today eastern Canada—Thorfinn’s dream of a world without war and slavery faces a harsh reality through his encounters with the native Lnu tribe, where mutual mistrust challenges his ideals.
This volume delivers the gritty, emotionally charged storytelling that has made Vinland Saga a standout in historical manga. It delves deeper into Thorfinn’s inner conflicts and the complex relationships among the characters, all set against the brutal backdrop of the Viking world.
The art remains stunningly detailed, perfectly capturing both the fierce brutality of battle and the quiet, introspective moments. The themes of revenge, redemption, and the heavy toll of violence are explored with increasing nuance, making the narrative both compelling and thought-provoking.
Yukimura manages to seamlessly balance intense action and evolving character development. Volume 14 drives the story forward while preserving the rich emotional core that defines the series.
A powerful, gripping instalment that blends visceral action with profound character moments, cementing Vinland Saga as an essential read. This volume edges us closer to the finale, with standout artwork and storytelling that continues to impress.
This volume delivers the gritty, emotionally charged storytelling that has made Vinland Saga a standout in historical manga. It delves deeper into Thorfinn’s inner conflicts and the complex relationships among the characters, all set against the brutal backdrop of the Viking world.
The art remains stunningly detailed, perfectly capturing both the fierce brutality of battle and the quiet, introspective moments. The themes of revenge, redemption, and the heavy toll of violence are explored with increasing nuance, making the narrative both compelling and thought-provoking.
Yukimura manages to seamlessly balance intense action and evolving character development. Volume 14 drives the story forward while preserving the rich emotional core that defines the series.
A powerful, gripping instalment that blends visceral action with profound character moments, cementing Vinland Saga as an essential read. This volume edges us closer to the finale, with standout artwork and storytelling that continues to impress.
June 30, 2025
This volume sees Thorfinn and the other settlers building their community and getting along with the local Natives. They have been trading with other and even learning their different languages. Things seem to be going from strength to strength but this all changes when a routine supply run finds the neighbouring settlement abbandoned. Although there is no evidence of pillaging the ground if covered in arrows. Have the natives declared war?
These events soon bring the ever present argument about the use of violence to the forefront. In this volume as well as the philosophical argument between Thorfinn and Ivar we also get a third way with Hild wanting to us violence to stop worse and future violence.
This volume has a lot of talk and arguments which makes the story go a bit slowly. There are some great action scenes but nowhere near as many as in previous volumes. We get some nice flashbacks for Cordeli and Hild and we even get to briefly check in with King Canute.
These events soon bring the ever present argument about the use of violence to the forefront. In this volume as well as the philosophical argument between Thorfinn and Ivar we also get a third way with Hild wanting to us violence to stop worse and future violence.
This volume has a lot of talk and arguments which makes the story go a bit slowly. There are some great action scenes but nowhere near as many as in previous volumes. We get some nice flashbacks for Cordeli and Hild and we even get to briefly check in with King Canute.
August 21, 2025
This felt like a bit of a shameful way to end the series. After all this time, 20 years of buildup and it sort of ends like this. I don’t know, I don’t find it very enjoyable to read. Maybe I’m in the minority here, but I feel like they should have ended the series with Thorfin still on Vinland, but with the uncertainty of its future hanging on the balance. I’m fairly sure the Vikings were living in Vinland longer than 2 years, so it would not have made it any less accurate. We know they did not live there forever, but I think a generation or so of Viking living on the island should have been shown just to explore the slow decline of the Vikings there.
Nevertheless as one of the three seinen greats, to see it finally ending is both satisfying and unfortunate. A bit like seeing bleach and Naruto end.
Nevertheless as one of the three seinen greats, to see it finally ending is both satisfying and unfortunate. A bit like seeing bleach and Naruto end.
October 5, 2025
🌊 Volume 14 – The Price of Peace (Chapters 101–109)
The aftermath.
The farmland is soaked in blood, dreams are shattered, and Thorfinn’s ideals are tested harder than ever. He’s free now — not by sword, but by choice.
This volume feels like a quiet exhale after a hurricane. Canute’s victory tastes like ashes; Ketil’s pride is crushed; and Thorfinn walks away, not as a warrior or a slave, but as something new — a man with a purpose.
His new dream? To find Vinland — a world without war or slaves.
It sounds naive, even foolish. But after everything, you can’t help but believe in it.
The last pages feel like sunrise. Hopeful, fragile, and full of possibility.
The aftermath.
The farmland is soaked in blood, dreams are shattered, and Thorfinn’s ideals are tested harder than ever. He’s free now — not by sword, but by choice.
This volume feels like a quiet exhale after a hurricane. Canute’s victory tastes like ashes; Ketil’s pride is crushed; and Thorfinn walks away, not as a warrior or a slave, but as something new — a man with a purpose.
His new dream? To find Vinland — a world without war or slaves.
It sounds naive, even foolish. But after everything, you can’t help but believe in it.
The last pages feel like sunrise. Hopeful, fragile, and full of possibility.
June 1, 2025
Oh Vinland Saga, how I missed you. I'm so frustrated that I'll probably have to wait another year at the least and multiple years at the most. ESPECIALLY at such a massive cliff hanger. I am so scared because I don't want anyone else to die... If Gudrid and her baby die, if Thorfinn or Hild die, if any of these loveable characters die, I WILL throw up. Another masterpiece of an omnibus. And I gotta say, as a Native American, this is one of the only and best representations of American Indians in the mediums of manga and anime I’ve seen.
May 27, 2025
Another great volume. It's been really interesting to see how the story has shifted to handle these more varied complications. There's no real good way to solve the problems either, which is painfully realistic.
October 17, 2025
Uh oh, things have taken a turn for the worse. I want to be on Thorfinn's side cause I want to believe in his vision (like Cordelia said), but knowing actual history, I side with the Lnu. Hopefully, this book isn't 100% historically accurate and everyone can live in peace :D
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews