How Vinland Saga S2 Crafted the GREATEST REDEMPTION ARC in All Anime!

[@Somegoy]

The sequence of thorfinn climbing out of hell with askelads help was absolutely perfect

[@thedovah8102]

Was perfection

[@Hacker1721_YT]

Legit the only scene that was good in season 2

[@frewtlewps1152]

The Slave arc of Vinland Saga has the best cast in anime. Every character is like a cog in a machine that helps the story progress, and all of them develop individually in interesting ways. I was most surprised by Olmar and Snake, because they weren’t the main focus of the story but still contributed to the plot and turned out to be great people.

[@voidcheque7019]

This is what I love about this show. There are next to ZERO wasted characters or scenes. Everything and everyone tie in so well together in one way or another. I didn't think it was possible for a show to be this good, but here we are. Every episode just felt like it was getting better and better. Season 2 was simply pay off after pay off after pay off! One of the most relatable and satisfying shows that I ever seen period, and it made me bawl like a baby multiple times.

[@titustavares335]

Yes yes! Especially Gardar, he’s not really a “character,” but he’s there to enhance Arnheid’s story, and to show the audience what happens when you push someone too far. He’s even developed way more than he should’ve been in such a short time.

[@koontzsama]

This show was so human and beautiful it really touched me.

[@hammyham4882]

Thorfinns ptsd scenes are the most raw displays of emotion I’ve ever seen in a anime

[@Future_Doggo]

I'm really excited to see how MAPPA handles The Baltic Sea War arc. It also has many fantastic character development moments, while also being arguably the most action packed arc in the seires.

[@youtubelover9884]

I actually can't wait bro, Thorfinn vs Garm, Thorfinn rage against Floki, Thorkell vs Garm, Thorkell in the fight to take the fort. It's all so good

[@eggnog4266]

Also Sigurd is the goat

[@monyvesdubois]

There's more?!

[@tranquilhearts6230]

And the most important is waifu don't forget we 2 best waifu in baltic arc.

[@rockkiller124]

Is that the next arc in future season?

[@thesenate5913]

Season one focuses on how Vikings see the world Season two focused on how regular people see the world, especially those that suffered under the vikings and the consequences of their harsh world. Einhard and his husband for me were the main highlights of the season because it gave Thorfinn the beautiful conclusion he came up at the end. RIP Einhard, Gardar and their family.

[@mide8845]

Arnheid?

[@arthurladera5733]

I just finished season 2 like 40 mins ago, i dont understand why i cried but i guess it just shows me how much you can get intact with these characters. The author really did an amazing job into developing these characters and just how the anime portrayed the growth of Thorfinn itself at the same time giving also attention to the side characters and really making their stories worth to hear. I'm still fresh from the ending and I really started to love it. Amazing video btw! Onwards and Upwards!

[@rottinsoldier9215]

Season 2 was garbage you cried because you’re a crybaby. I haven’t even finished it I’m trying my best but this show is horrible

[@CrimsonHound84]

I was the same way, especially when he makes his homecoming, I kept having to wipe tears from my eyes.

[@bubik-lo4ox]

​@@CrimsonHound84 Me too

[@michaeljoseph8554]

I can’t believe you hated the season and completely ignored the amazing job the author did at character development and the growth of thorfinn.

[@arthurladera5733]

@@michaeljoseph8554 i think you need to re-read my comment man but hey, all love

[@mareklwhip4590]

I really thought this whole slave arc would only last a few episodes into season 2, and we'd get back to the war and action that season 1 was so packed with. But I was pleasantly surprised when I finished it. Going through season 2, I was surprised at how engaged and interested I was in the simple story of a handful of slaves working for their freedom. It wasn't until the last 8 or so episodes that I really digested how phenomenal this show was. I could see early on how good it was, but I couldn't see until the end just how masterful it is.

[@nineveh17]

I felt the exact same way it was starting to get hard to watch after the first trudge of slow episodes but I really was committed to it. and it paid off like heavens island of gold.

[@quaggalicious]

i always get surprised when people say this. the first season was a prologue. the messaging constantly being reinforced that the path thats being taken is wrong. so how could season 2 not be season ones rectification?

[@TheLeftistOwl]

Coincidences in and of themselves are not a sign of bad writing. Leif finding Ketil is not out of the realm of possibility especially when they're under the same kingdom umbrella and clearly travel the same general locales often. Not only that, they were in the same place when Einar was bought.

[@johnkimuelbello3453]

Leif is also actively searching for Thorfinn so that increases the chances of him meeting slave master and he is bound to meet ketil one form or another

[@SirToaster9330]

Plus, Leif has been looking for Thorfinn forever and he goes to that place every year, he was going to find Ketil one way or another

[@trev9168]

And the “hiring a coin flicker “ thing didn’t make sense. First off that’s Canutes most trusted right hand man. Someone who’s extremely skilled. I highly doubt Canute literally told him to flick a coin in his eye. Probably just told him to make sure the son wins the fight by any means. It’s kinda just implied lol. The coin thing was just how his right hand man chose to do it.

[@SewerPipeRat]

He never claimed it was bad writing. In this instance, the reason the decision was poor wasn't because it isn't plausible, but because Canute is much more calculated than relying on coincidences.

[@trev9168]

@@SewerPipeRat but that’s the thing. The way he’s explaining it is implausible your right. But that’s not the way it really happened now is it. He’s over specifying it which makes it sounds more like coincidence than what it actually is.

[@JuliusCaesar103]

Finished season 2 a couple of hours ago. Easily one of the best anime arcs ever, wow, could never imagine crying over characters only having conversations as often as this. Truly mindblowing

[@damienlarson4145]

The people who say this season is boring or bad, are anime fans who only watch anime for action scenes and not story telling.

[@ayyjent12]

The story telling isn't anything special though that's the thing other stories have done it way better at a deeper level

[@rembartx]

@@ayyjent12 so?

[@mxj3qs]

​@@ayyjent12 yes vinland saga is special

[@dylansinyamom]

@@ayyjent12 i cant agree with this there hasn't been an anime that handles the characters and story like vinland in season 2 its great

[@jasonremy8688]

​@@ayyjent12oh really lol ? Nice try , any other example you'll give won't match up with Vinland saga story telling.

[@Dovak11n]

This is by far one the best analysis of Vinland saga I’ve ever seen. I hope you get the views you deserve.

[@vikkran401]

As someone who isn't into anime. I can't express enough what a masterpiece I think the show is. I thought season one was incredible and I was shocked by how good it was and I was like, there's no way they can top this right? Well.... Is it possible to ever be more wrong?. And season 2 just left me even more speechless and even a month later im still trying to process it and i don''t think any piece of fictional media with a message has ever been able to convey to me like Vinland Saga has.

[@JE.1985]

I get that season 2 has more impact on viewers due to its better story. However you got to admit seeing Thorfinn just tear through armies, is pretty fire

[@darktobi2869]

This video deserves a million views you definitely did this anime justice I can feel the work you put into it. I have rewatched it 4 times just cause I love it so much it hurts my soul that it’s not at 1 million people are sleeping in vinland saga.

[@JayGotFoods]

i lovedddd canute and thorfinn’s dynamic this season, it was brilliantly written and made canute my third favorite character

[@za1ko628]

19:38 The term you’re looking for here is “expropriation” love the video btw:)

[@gerardrardrard]

I knew nothing about Vinland Saga before I started watching, just heard a lot of good hings about it. After catching up and then finishing season 2 it's easily one of my favorite stories of all time.

[@michaeljoseph8554]

I can’t believe you hated this story when this is one of my favorite stores of all time.

[@kreiskhaos8516]

​​@@michaeljoseph8554 dude, lay off the coke. You're spamming this on praise comments

[@thefox1901]

Excellent review. Loved the breakdown of characters too! It was nice to see a segment for Arnheid. She's an important part of this arc and it's nice for her to get some focus in a review!

[@lilyb2334]

I know that there are many good animes around but I couldn’t help but feel uninterested after a few episodes, I thought maybe I outgrew anime until I accidentally found out about Vinland Saga. I was extremely impressed to a point where I didn’t want to watch too many episodes in one day so I can give myself time to focus and understand every detail in this amazingly animated story. This anime has the best character developments! Every second of Thorfinn’s journey was so interesting to watch, and Einar’s character was the perfect puzzle piece for his development. Amazing story, can’t wait for more.

[@thechickenman2260]

Those closing thoughts are so true. I would love to hear a recap from Thorfinns own experience! Great video dude! Keep it up

[@Aloncohen7]

Just finished Vol 13 of the mange, this is one of the best anime/manga series out there, it speaks to human nature, the struggle of life in a cruel world, and how one can persevere and rise above, from their own sins to this world's trials.

[@1320crusier]

Vinland Saga being a stylized telling of the [probably spoilers but history nerds will know as VINLAND is the big hint] is absolutely fantastic to me. So many real life characters and effort in making it historically accurate (relatively speaking) makes me so incredibly happy. Cnut (Canute is also acceptable), Thorfinn, Thorkel (IRL he was Thorkel the Tall.. no bullshit), Leif Ericson, Ketill, and so many others are all people that really existed and the series tried quite hard to put them in roles that mimicked their real lives. The absolutely stunning part isnt the amazing writing, the incredibly deep and well developed characters, or the beautifully animated settings, its that they put faces and personalities to the absolute GIANTS of the real Viking era.

[@nashihm925]

I always thought that iron fist Ketil was the old master. And that was the reason Snake is so close to him.

[@feebleking21]

Nah they're different people. Iron Fist Ketil was closer in age to Ketil, whereas Sverkel is Ketil's biological father.

[@nashihm925]

@@feebleking21 how can you be sure of his age? As far as i know we only get one panel of him and it might just be Olmar imagining his father as a warrior. Not necessarily what the guy actually looked like.

[@feebleking21]

@@nashihm925 Because if Ketil was able to assume his identity they had to be close in age or else it probably wouldn't have worked. My main point was that Iron Fist Ketil was closer in age to Ketil than the old master.

[@nashihm925]

@@feebleking21 yeah, that makes more sense.

[@frewtlewps1152]

Snake got closer to Sverkell because he could tell that the old man is living as his true self. Ketil is a b**** lol

[@Thanatos913]

What a great video, also your hollow knight ost usage is truly masterful

[@vashtanarada1729]

Vinland saga is indeed a masterpiece and i did not know why I loved it so much. Everything you said is something that i felt and knew but couldn't explain it to myself. you just got ur self a subscriber.

[@jamesharrison2763]

Masterpiece 10/10 without question. The sword pommels are historically accurate, i found one metal detecing in east Anglia. Did you know, Thorkell the tall in actual history became the lord of east anglia for several years? He was the lord of my homeland. Crazy.

[@CrimsonHound84]

That's an awesome find! The possibilities of unearthing pieces of history on your side of the pond is always something I'm jealous of.

[@Green-Hunter976]

bro your story telling is so good

[@Eden-wt3qk]

I was just watching your first Vinland saga video the other day, nice

[@kite8680]

Same, I watched it yesterday, perfect timing

[@HostileAtHeart]

Shame on you for supporting that disgusting vile human Having that pfp is a brand, and not a good one

[@tomadshead6133]

10/10 perfect video, you articulated how amazing this show is in a way ive always wanted to. Thank you.

[@darktobi2869]

More Vinland videos please. I loved the ones you did on the 1st & 2nd season so much

[@andrew1357984620]

You are a very talented writer with a profound brain. Thank you for making videos. I hope you get great success in your future.

[@feebleking21]

Thank you, that really means a lot to me.

[@icomeinpeace3756]

That scene with him beating Arnheid was somerhing i did not expect. My jaw dropped that whole sequence. The dynamic showcased was something ive never seen in anime.

[@katsmagrathmolotsane6121]

As they said hearing and understanding are two different things. Thank you for making me understand, I watched it yes but I couldn’t help but cry just hearing someone breaking down everything. If you can’t change the everyone, you have changed me. Thank you again

[@nathanwente3246]

I have the same nitpicks as you but this season pushed this anime to one of my all time favorites. Not many anime have made me so emotional I even teared up with your summary of some of the events 😭😭 just so good

[@anudarib]

This was one of the most beautiful video essays I have ever watched

[@HoshinoAquamarine7777]

I was waiting for this video! Once again, its one of the best videos on Vinland Saga i have ever seen and I can see that you put so much work into it. Thank you so much

[@S_O_O_C]

Just finished watching Season 2 after watching Chainsaw Man and Rewatching Season 1 with my GF, Ive never read the manga but i would not have expected that such an action and spectacle based Anime will turn into something so slow-paced and thoughtful... and still pull it off masterfully! All the character development felt so natural. For me the bad piece of writing was how fast Knut was turned at the end. It sorta makes sense, and it was an impactful moment seeing Knut essentially shocked back to his former ways by Thorfinns behaviour, but the whole thing sorta happened within 15 minutes, there could have been some more leadup in how he is actually morally batteling with the weight of the crown, instead of just being subdued by it.

[@jamesharrison2763]

Canute wasn't battling the crown before thorfinn. He was falling deeper into it and knew it. Thorfinns actions made Canute remember what he was supposed to be, and look at what he had actually become. I would say the dialogue should have shown this a bit better so I kind of agree with you in principle really. That's what I got from it anyway, I guess everyone has an opinion man!

[@voidcheque7019]

5:25 love this lol. "Viking Jesus".

[@NOVA6SIA]

This is single-handedly one of the best stories ever told and you did an amazing job never sellyourself short

[@ricekrispies1917]

One of my favorite things about this series is that it is literally structured around Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey storytelling structure. So many of the ideas and tropes align between the two seasons alone, it's incredible. Even better that there are various character arcs on their own "hero's path" coinciding or conflicting with his

[@haanis5458]

Two pieces of media have helped me alot through a very dark period for me mentally. He period where i just felt depressed and defeated. Those two pieces of media were Vinland Saga and the Kingdom Hearts series. Both in kind of similar ways. Vinland Saga has taught me to better myself as a person. To be a strong and kind person. To not hold any grudges against anyone. And Kingdom Hearts has helped me to try to be more optimistic and naïve in a good way. To have a faith in the good in humanity no matter what. These two together with Six Feet Under have shaped me into the person i am right now

[@Christian-yv6cw]

Fantastic analysis and video, the best I’ve seen so far about Peakland Saga

[@SamuraiGekko]

My friends want me to always read the manga and be up to date on stuff but anime just hits different and Vinland Saga Season 2 was something special, the animation, ost and we’ll just everything. It was an almost perfect show. “I have no enemies.”

[@vitelo25miki23]

Great work, great video!

[@phynt4366]

thank you for remiding me about my favourite manga and showing amazing scenes from its anime

[@MusicManOfSimplePleasures]

I was about to rant for no Olmar, but nicely saved at the end....it is in the beauty of simplicity for his change

[@yonatanfarias-chavez9599]

As someone who deals with PTSD season 2 just broke me to the core and built me back up what a beautiful depiction of facing any type of adversity and not being over cole by it !

[@mondelester]

11:25 Imo it wasn't a bad idea that Olmar wasn't killed off at all. If anything, Olmar represents youthful insecurity (compared to Ketil's similar personal case) as much as Thorfinn does with self-forgiveness in the making along with Einar and Canute to their own. Olmar was one of the many (even to this day and age) who are deluded by the idea of masculinity about what it takes to be a real man, considering that he was raised with life handed to him on a silver platter. In the end, Olmar learned better than that thanks to Thorfinn. This is what I also loved with this show. Even such a garbage character I once thought he was in the story can redeem himself like that.

[@jvever4904]

Wonderful video! Season 2 is so masterfully created and underrated.

[@icomeinpeace3756]

That Canute shift in season was soooooo unexpected. The divergence bewteen Canute and Thorrfinn. MASTERPIECE

[@eddied6807]

Awesome video and truly vinland is easily in my top shows ever. Though kinda wish you had a talk about his scene with askeladd. That that whole scene is full of mixed emotions and was well done💯

[@arizonaicesuntea9922]

Honesty, I'd say Snake is more like an Anti Hero. He does do questionable things, like staying with Ketil, and Kill Armhide's husband. He never did anything truly evil. He's a good man who just does questionable things. To call him a villain would just ignore the good he did. He stopped Ketil from killing Arnhide (or at least he tried), he treated the slaves like human beings, stopped Fox from killing Thorfin, looked after his men, and looked after the Old Master.

[@NotUnymous]

How can a murderer be a Hero? You sound confused. Thorfinn is a hero the moment he escapes the circle of hate, reflect, suffers for the evil he did and decide to do good.

[@orendafni]

Anti-hero is not a hero The Punisher is a classic anti hero and they are a killer ​@@NotUnymous

[@overschiet3664]

Underrated channel

[@kriichan6100]

I love this anime so much. Every arc is written beautifully. When I finished watching season 2 I was left in awe and also empty because I was so immersed and invested in this world. Amazing writing, amazing anime. I hope we get season 3 soon.

[@nichtdeintyp76]

Great Video, keep up the grind big G

[@darktobi2869]

Nobody does Vinland videos and it sucks because I love watching them so thank you for this please do an video on Canute

[@P1nkgandalf]

Great video like always.

[@Subhankarapd]

If there was any single season of any show that changed many of us perspectives in life then this is the season of Vinland saga. Great work buddy love from India ❤

[@Quon_the_Destroyer]

Damn great video and what a damn great work of art Vinland Saga is

[@terceljiminez1556]

Vinland Saga is so amazing that im getting tears just watching this video about it! Absolutely beautiful Series in every respect.

[@russelljconquerslifehawkey]

I really hope this wins anime of the year. I know it probably won’t, but God it was so good.

[@braydows8378]

Love this video

[@Imgettingthere]

Im really glad you realized how good vinland saga is. There is a AMV that really shows how much emotion goes into the show. Its called "Dont Panic" by Fin. Really good stuff I highly recomend it.

[@shade0636]

Great season. My only criticism is the pacing of one or two specific episodes but otherwise it was masterfully told.

[@twisted_nyte1176]

Which episodes? Curious

[@shade0636]

@@twisted_nyte1176 Episode 16 and 17. I thought they were good but it wasn't necessary to use as much time as they did to contribute what they needed to. In 16s case it feels like they stretched out Arnheid's conversation with Thorfinn and Einar just so they could end the episode on a cliffhanger before the fight. I also don't like that the conversation between Canute and Thorfinn was cut in half between two episodes. The cut between them is so harsh, it feels like it would have hit harder in a singular episode.

[@Nandomo00]

​@@shade0636I think it's the first time I've read any criticism of Vinland saga 2 that makes sense

[@Bojoschannel]

Yeah, had the same problem with other episodes where they really stretched some scenes or made them up completely, which i kind of understand since they had to reach 24 episodes and the material wasn't enough

[@fvrlit]

I’m sorry but I skipped gardars death bro had no reason to have that much screen time he prolly did I just didn’t like him all that much

[@hadkkd0872]

Not only vinland saga is a masterpiece, but also this video👍🏻

[@jeangonzalez1181]

great video bro

[@onionman_]

"I have no enemies" is equivalent to "Love thy enemies", not a step further.

[@aliismael7000]

Watched this video right after the first one, fire stuff

[@PsychologyStud]

Another well made, beautiful video!! 👏🏿 👏🏿 👏🏿

[@Fappsu]

Wonderful summary.

[@dms-f16]

You have no enemies, friend. No need to run. Keep on making cool stuff. ❤

[@FunnyDie-wu7jt]

Such great video❤

[@SirToaster9330]

"This video is rated S for spoilers" I'm stealing this lol

[@siddhantchauhan1975]

The thing tho ketil didn’t free the male slaves out of the goodness of his heart but rather, he did that then hired them to work in his farm. It would make the slaves work harder and them still serving him once they’re free. His good deeds were to serve himself, hence the reason y he’d never get rid of arnheid as freeing her won’t benefit himself. His father said that Ketil was greedy, so once all his wealth and farm was threatened to be lost, lost it.

[@DoTheAstralPlane]

Fantastic and thorough analysis

[@Mifey05]

"fills him with hope" right as i notice the background music sounds like an undertale ost. somewhere during Thorfinn vs Canute it sounds like Once Upon A Time

[@obriensam550]

great vid

[@fares_dn]

Beautiful video for a beautiful piece of fiction

[@Jsmoochie]

Well made, thanks for the video and your insight.

[@umangar9340]

I cried in the end. This was indeed a masterpiece ❤

[@murasaki.4106]

the path of pain ost killed it fr fr 💯

[@hamothemagnif8529]

I can see how some might not like the slower pace and reduced “action” (especially after the first season), but i loved both seasons. I can’t think of a single show that i’d hold in higher regard (a non-anime show).

[@tjanimations7932]

when i first watched this season i was a bit disappointed no more fighting happened until i realized how deep thorfinns story truly went and honestly it kinda changed how i watch anime i general

[@Elpingme]

It was so wholesome watching sn2 even just for the progress on the farm lol.

[@sargekatyusha-1029]

great video xD love Kettle, Leaf and Gelling

[@xzhto3167]

Yeah, i also really wanted to see the reaction of his family to what he went through throughout these years

[@Michael44413]

Great video

[@Tanikoshugo]

It took a while for me to realize that Canute is actually Knut (pronounced similarly to "Suit", but with a Kn). A common name here in Sweden.

[@Earthquakeize]

Just a small note on the pronunciation of Ketil. the K is pronounced like Th so more like Th-etil. Great video

[@eve938]

A fantastic analogy....Thank you so much.

[@arthurmorganhimself]

this show is genuinely one of the best written pieces of fiction i’ve ever had the pleasure of being able to bare eyes and mind to.

[@melonworms5566]

Best review i have ever heard

[@yeeyeeedits]

I love season 2 so much and this is a great video

[@xtrevoreonx]

I don’t feel that Leif’s presence was necessarily a plot convenience. He had multiple reasons to be there, both personally and professionally. He was late a few years prior, but knew generally that Thorfinn had been sold at the market in the region. It was established throughout the story that he was absurdly motivated to find him. It’s not unlikely that he sort of spergs out and probably probes just about anyone who owns slaves if they own or have seen someone of thorfinn’s description.

[@gandhy6570]

Great video, good job

[@jordanhurst6555]

I never really viewed snake as a bad guy. I also think things are more gray in this anime than black & white

[@mistapoli]

It seems like he did nothing especially cruel for the time period, he’s no better or worse than the average Viking morally. Where he stands out is in his honor and loyalty.

[@bluefire_icecube1177]

Out of all the animes ive watched. vinland saga the farmland arc made me cry the most. Not bc of the tragedies but because i could empathize with a character who has held onto hate and is now trying to break free from it

[@More_John]

0:04 Pure vessel ost 😍

[@RafikiafReKo]

One scene I think that also crucial to Thorfinns change was the farmhands, where Einar gets rightfully pissed off that they are making their life a living hell just because they are slaves. The dynamic is a reoccuring theme through out life and in media, in A Silent Voice our protagonist is effectivly the farmhand. But the real truth in both cases, the farmhands and the slaves are in the same position, the system incentivizes them to be cruel and to keep them down. It's almost as if Ketil created a situation where he didn't need to be harsh, because the system itself took care of that for him. Oppression through lower standing people isn't new, but like you said, Vinland Saga is one of the few that really wants to delve deep into it and hammer home why not just slavery, but the world itself creates this while not removing agency from people like Pater.

[@icysaracen3054]

Season two reminded me of the ending of the movie The Shawshank redemption