Vinland Saga, Vol. 22

ヴィンランド・サガ [Vinland Saga]

by Makoto Yukimura

È il momento dell’assalto finale alla fortezza di Jomsborg, e mentre la cruenta battaglia infuria è tempo che i nodi dell’intera vicenda vengano al pettine. Assisteremo alla conclusione del duello tra Thorfinn e Garm, e a quello dello scontro di potere tra Floki e Thorkell. Ma quale sarà il destino di Baldr...?

Genres: Manga, Historical Fiction, Seinen, Comics, Historical, Comics Manga, Drama

192 pages, Paperback

First published June 21, 2019

About the author

幸村誠

Reviews

[Christina Pilkington · Rating 5 out of 5]

My absolute favorite in this Eastern Expedition arc so far!

This was the most thrilling, most surprising, most touching volume in this third arc. I loved every single second of it.

Just an incredible series!

[Agnese Rosengren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cinque stelle solo per Garm (lo amo tantissimissimo e ho adorato il suo background) e per lo splendido omaggio all'iconica scena del film “Shining” di Kubrick (il momento più alto dell'intero volume).

[Ignacio · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yukimura cierra con bastante sentido este arco de Thorfinn resolviendo conflictos desde la no-violencia en un entorno violento. Sin embargo, lo que más me ha gustado no tiene que ver con esto sino con el capítulo en el cual un vikingo que espera morir en combate e ir al Valhalla se encuentra con la cruel realidad, sin romper con el enfoque realista de la historia. Eso sí, después de 22 tomos tengo ya ganas de que se vayan de una vez para Vinland. ¡Dejad de navegar hacia el este, por Balder! XD

[Jon Ureña · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now comes the part I dread the most about reading an ongoing series that I’ve come to love: I’ve read the last produced chapter, 162, and the next time I get to see what the characters are up to, I’ll be relatively detached from them. But what can you do; I don’t have a time machine, and life consists in adapting yourself to frustration and disappointment.

I left Thorfinn and his friend Einar as they left Denmark for Iceland. Thorfinn plans to organize an expedition to colonize the east coast of North America, which they call Vinland. Leif, the explorer that when the protagonist was a child told him about that shore beyond the ocean, is along for the ride, but convinces Thorfinn to visit his home for the first time since his father was killed, and face his mother and sister, who has married one of Thorfinn’s childhood friends and has three children. After some emotional and homely sequences, the author introduces the next big theme: that no matter who you are, you should discover what you want out of life and try to live accordingly. We are introduced to a new character with Gudrid, a rebellious female teenager and relative of Leif.



This girl has been promised as a bride for the son of the local chieftain, but she despises the idea of being permanently stuck in Iceland, not to mention having to act the part of a dutiful wife. She wants to become a sailor and explore the world. Although she does marry the guy, she ends up stabbing him in the leg as an unconscious reaction, and flees. She meets with Thorfinn’s group, that had ended up deciding to sail east all the way to Greece in order to sell enough wares to convince their possible sponsor, the local chieftain, to pay for the supplies that would sustain the first year of colonization in Vinland.

I expected that this trip to Greece would take the entire arc, but the author is clearly going for a “Berserk”-like life-long journey in making this series. As of chapter 162, which ended the current big arc, Thorfinn’s crew is leaving the Baltic Sea. Maybe they’ll manage to return to Iceland in about 50-60 chapters, and maybe then there’s a chance that they’ll begin heading west.

Thorfinn’s crew stopped for a while in mainland Norway for a bit of rest and supplies. There they met with a new character which quickly became one of my favorites: a withdrawn, extremely talented female hunter named Hild.



She saves Thorfinn from a huge bear, and they enjoy a meal together for a while until Thorfinn realizes, and confesses to her, that he killed Hild’s father during one of the many mercenary contracts that Thorfinn got involved with while he was running with Askeladd’s band. Predictably, Hild attempts to murder the protagonist. She pretends that she had poisoned the meal in order for the rest of the crew to stay away from the fight. In the end, when Hild had Thorfinn at her mercy, she understands that Thorfinn isn’t the bloodthirsty, ruthless mercenary that he used to be: he refuses to kill again, his friends appreciate him, and even takes care of an orphan toddler they found along the way. Hild joins Thorfinn’s crew with the promise that if he ever goes back to his old ways, she’ll be there to put a bolt of her crossbow through his head.

A flashback showed Hild’s past: as a teenager she was an early 1000s Leonardo da Vinci-like genius, on her way to invent the industrial revolution (turning such a clear historical reference into a teenage girl sounds like a quintessential manga/anime thing to do, but it doesn't play out that way). She had designed and built along with her father a bunch of complicated machinery to assist the townspeople on their labors. Hild’s father was a kind and understanding man who realized that his daughter was one of a kind that only appears maybe once every few hundred years, and she should be supported in whatever she planned to do. Unfortunately, Askeladd’s band attacks the town, murdering Hild’s mother and sister in the process. Hild and her father escape for a while until Thorfinn finds them. He quickly dispatches the man, but spares the girl. She doesn’t flee quickly enough to avoid being seen by the rest of the mercenaries, who are explicitly eager to rape her. As Hild is escaping, she falls from a cliff and hits her head on a rock, which permanently disfigures her. She ends up being cared for by a kind, solitary hunter, who also teaches her how to survive. Hild invents a new kind of crossbow that anybody could reload quickly; in real life I think that kind was invented around the 15th-16th century. Unfortunately, the hunter that cared for Hild dies fighting a bear. It’s some time later that she came across Thorfinn’s crew.

Hild is the kind of strong character (strong as in characterization) that you want to see her react to anything that happens: she doesn’t know how to deal with people paying attention to her, having a toddler around, interacting with her father’s killer without dishonoring her father, etc. Beyond inventing a new crossbow for herself, she hasn’t put her genius to anything else so far, which is a bit of a shame. I hope she stays around until the end.

The biggest conflict in this arc involves Thorfinn’s crew getting dragged into a succession war for the Jomsvikings, the elite viking band that his father belonged to, and that the guy who ordered Thorfinn’s father to be killed still belongs to. The bad guy wants his grandson to rule the Jomsvikings, but the opposite faction intends to convince/force Thorfinn himself to lead it. This is an odd arc, because Thorfinn wants nothing to do with warriors anymore: he just wants to keep sailing to Greece. Other characters involved drag the protagonist into the fray in numerous ways. This arc obviously couldn’t have been as compelling as the previous ones when the protagonist didn’t even know he had a stake in the matter; he only finds out about who ordered his father's death quite late in the arc. But it was great, and features an exciting siege and more of Thorkell, that deranged beast of a man, but I worry how long it’s going to take for Thorfinn’s crew to head towards Vinland

.

The tone for this arc changed notoriously. The previous ones were mostly vicious and somber. The character reactions prescinded of the usual exaggerated manga/anime expressions. However, Thorfinn’s new predisposition as a man of peace allowed for laid back or even funny non-warrior characters to take center stage, and many sequences had me grinning. Some of the humor even involved Thorkell, who has war and mass destruction as his main trade (and one of those gags was a jarring reference to "The Shining"). I’m not sure if I’m on board with humor in the middle of battle, but it was a great time anyway.

So it’s goodbye to “Vinland Saga” for now. Thanks for all the vikings.

[⋆ ࣪˖ ִֶָ sel ་༘࿐ · Rating 5 out of 5]

We have seen a lot of sides and situations on this arc, but the very thing that touched me is Baldr's character. He's one of the souls of the story in this arc, a quiet echo of Thorfinn’s ideals but manifested through innocence rather than experience. Hmm, everything about this arc has been nothing but amazing. It's hard but Thorfinn is slowly but surely living up to the teaching his father has left him.

[Ana Fernanda · Rating 1 out of 5]

como que thorfinn es hetero...?

[Katherine Sigarán · Rating 5 out of 5]

A satisfactory closing of the arc. I love that Thorfinn manages to resolve conflicts with non-violence even though he is in a violent environment because in the end that is Vinland Saga, a poem towards non-violence, a story of redemption with one of the best protagonists I have read in my life, this Vol. mixes endearing and comic moments such as Thorfinn's monologues and Gudrid's occurrences and also the cruel reality such as the death of the Viking who hoped to reach Valhalla and in the end finds nothing, Thorkell also surprised me at the end , it was a change for the better because deep down he still has great respect for Thors, I hope that in the next arc we will now go and found for Vinland.

Un cierre de arco satisfactorio me encanta que Thorfinn logra resolver los conflictos con no violencia aunque este en un entorno violento porque al final eso es Vinland Saga un poema hacia la no violencia, una historia de redención con uno de los mejores protagonistas que he leído en mi vida, este Vol. mezcla momentos entrañables y cómicos como los monólogos de Thorfinn y las ocurrencias de Gudrid y también la cruel realidad como la muerte del vikingo que esperaba llegar al Valhalla y al final se encuentra con nada, Thorkell también me sorprendió al final, fue un cambio para bien porque muy en el fondo sigue sintiendo un gran respeto hacia Thors, espero que en el siguiente arco ahora si nos vayamos a buscar Vinland.

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

این والیوم شاهکار بود. شاهکار.
تو این والیوم ماکاتو سنسی مفهومی که از والها��ا ارائه داده بود رو تکمیل میکنه.
امتحان سخت و طولانی تورفین به پایان میرسه. تورفین سربلنده. سربلند از اینکه تونسته حرف پدرش رو درک و مهم‌تر از اون، بهش عمل کنه. تورفینی که تونست مسبب قتل پدرش رو ببخشه.
تونست با روش آشلاد، گارم رو متوقف کنه.
تورفینی که به بلوغ رسیده و داره گذشته‌اش رو پشت سر می‌گذاره. حتی اگه بهش اجازه ندن و اون رو سمت تاریکی بکشونن، شاید پاش بلرزه، ولی اون بازم راهش ادامه میده. اون می‌خواد به وینلند برسه...

[Ibtissem Kaouadji · Rating 5 out of 5]

Il existe peut de séries manga qui ne s'essoufflent ou ne se trainent passé 15-20 volumes. Cette série fait partie de ce club select dans lequel on ne s'ennuie jamais et qui ne sent pas le réchauffé. Bien documenté sur les faits historiques, avec des personnages dont l'évolution est interessantes, c'est pour moi un classique du seinen.

[givememycheetos · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️

[Jelka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, that final fight between Thorfinn and Garmr was pretty satisfying.
The romance between Gudrid and Thorfinn though? Didn't see that coming.

[Raxyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

C'est un peu comme si ils avaient pris la porte de Baldur (badum tsss)

[Laura Coll · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reseña completa:
https://paseandoentrepaginas.blogspot...

[Monica ✧♬•* · Rating 5 out of 5]

During the fight scene, that Valhalla speech was Yukimura-sensei at his best.

[Angelika · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ending came as no surprise, I knew that Thorfinn would use his position to dismantle Jomsvikings. I'm not disappointed, though.

It doesn't quite sink in yet for me that all those years of struggle have led to this point – now that Floki is dealt with, it looks like a major chapter in Thorfinn's life has just wrapped up.

Thorkell comedy has peaked with The Shining reference xD I hope our precious murderous man-child will get to keep his new big puppy.

An anonymous soldier on the verge of death again stole the show.

Garm's backstory looks a lot like Mr John Vagabond's childhood.

Thorfinn reclaiming Askeladd's tricks for his own peaceful purposes was a touching moment.

I'm curious what's gonna be Canute's next move.

[Sebastian Rodríguez Rivera · Rating 5 out of 5]

El clímax del asedio y la solución de Thorfinn al conflicto entre violencia y acuerdo entre iguales: conocer las fuerzas de uno y otro para poder dialogar, superando la violencia mediante los acuerdos y la demostración de la propia fuerza sin intimidar. Quizá es donde peca de más idealismo la narrativa, pero se resuelve verosímil. Es particularmente fuerte el momento en el que Thorfinn se ve enfrentado a su propia ira de nuevo, y la respuesta que da Yukimura al plantear que el individuo necesita del apoyo de sus próximos para superar eso me parece muy bella y verdadera. Cierre satisfactorio a los asuntos pendientes de Thorfinn con el resto de nórdicos, dejando todo listo y limpio para plantear el arco de colonización de Vinlandia.

[Devero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thorfinn contro Garm, sui tetti delle abitazioni di Jomsborg parzialmente in fiamme.
Siggy ferito resiste e mantiene aperta la porta, e gli assedianti entrano nella fortezza.
Thorfinn infine batte Garmr come Askeladd ha sempre battuto lui, ossia provocandolo fino a fargli perdere il controllo.
Ma questa è la fine di Jomsborg, ed anche la fine del timore che Floki ha di Thorfinn, in quanto questi non vuole vendicarre il padre uccidendolo. Thorkell non sarebbe d'accordo, ma poi Gudrid si frappone e dichiara il suo amore per Thorfinn.
Sigurd è ferito e in disparte, ma ascolta tutto e per lui è un duro colpo.

Bell'albo. 5 stelle.

[Nickonero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ha habido unos treinta capítulos seguidos que se llaman la batalla del Báltico. Todos los capítulos plagados de muerte, desmembramientos, luchas y gritos. Un antagonista peligroso, referencias aterradoras, movimientos políticos y bélicos. Todo ello empequeñecido por Gudrid, que se ha declarado.
Es magistral. Toda una guerra, toda ella, convertida en nada al lado de una mujer que ama a un hombre.
Nada más. Todo está dicho, podéis iros a casa.

[Ignis Vitae · Rating 5 out of 5]

La guerra en el Báltico es el mejor arco hasta ahora. Más allá de las batallas, nos regala varios momentos para reflexionar sobre la guerra, su importancia, su necesidad. "No tienes enemigos", es la frase que seguirá definiendo esta serie.

[Drizztl · Rating 5 out of 5]

9/10

[Eressea · Rating 3 out of 5]

本集主角讓人想到兩廣總督葉名琛
不戰不和不守，整個欠打.....

[David Sanz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Esto es tan bueno que seguro que es pecado.

[Daton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Impresionante el final de la Batalla en el Báltico. 💖💖😍😍😍

[Josi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Buen cierre.

[nobody · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3,5)

[Raúl · Rating 5 out of 5]

El arco de estos últimos tomos ha estado increíble.
La historia sigue mejorando y sigue dando momentazos.
Con muchas ganas de ver que ocurrirá cuando lleguen al destino que tienen fijado.

[Sofia · Rating 5 out of 5]

IT'S HAPPENING!! EVERYBODY STAY CALM

[Arley Guzmán · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thorffin siempre me sorprende al momento de resolver un problema y como Viland puede demostrar que el hombre siempre es motivado por la guerra.

[Vyshakh Aravindan · Rating 4 out of 5]

⚔️ Volume 22 – The King and the Farmer (Chapters 153–161)

This volume reignites the world beyond Thorfinn’s quiet farm — the King Canute Arc.
We shift to King Canute, now a man utterly changed by power. The gentle prince of the early saga has become cold, sharp, and haunted.
His goal? Build paradise through control — even if it means blood.

Yukimura frames Canute’s story as a mirror to Thorfinn’s.
Both men lost fathers, faith, and innocence — but while Thorfinn found redemption in humility, Canute found justification in ambition.
It’s terrifying and fascinating to watch him — a man who truly believes tyranny can lead to peace.

Meanwhile, Thorfinn’s group begins their voyage to Denmark to secure land and ships. It’s a return to the wider world, full of politics and tension.
When their paths inevitably cross — the idealist peacemaker and the pragmatic king — it’s electric. You can feel decades of moral evolution colliding.

[N.E.C.C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is it possible for someone to no love Thorkell? I mean, the guy is awesome in every way.

I know i get repetitive by seying this but, this manga in amazing. The story is great, the art is unbelievable. The characters, even the 'evil' ones, everybody has a degree of likeableness that you don't find easy in other series.

I'm loving this, what a ride.

PS. And what about that Shining reference? INCREDIBLE!!! xD