When the Villain is the Wisest Character

[@sekijokes451]

"I realised that if Artorius wouldn't come and save my Mother at that moment. Then he'll never come back at all. Someone has to do something. Not a hero, Not a God, but someone."

[@jaieregilmore971]

Really shows the lesson of No one is coming to save you.

[@collection-o1n]

I don't understand what askeladd meant by that , can anyone explain please

[@D4RK_FL4M3]

​@@collection-o1n There are no gods or heroes that would save her, change is enacted by people. The only way to save his mother is by being the one to enact that change, being the one to save her himself.

[@curkinho]

I love how that way of thinking eventually influences the mindset of both Thorfinn and Canute, who realize that no one would come and save them from the hell they live in, so they have to create that desired paradise themselves. Their goal is similar, but Thorfinn's way comes from the kind teachings of Thors, while Canute follows essentially the same path that people like Askeladd and King Sweyn took

[@plunkwrld6954]

⁠​⁠​⁠@@collection-o1nI don’t really remember either but it was said by thorfin and he was talking about askeladd in the end of season one askeladd shares his real name which is atorius

[@starscreamapologist3003]

I love that Thorfinn’s three fathers each taught him how to be a true warrior: Thors planted the seeds with “you have no enemies” and “a true warrior doesn’t need a sword”, Askeladd showed him the futility of war and revenge, and Leif showed him an honest way to live and find true fulfillment

[@Wully02]

Three fathers and none of them acted like a real life viking, amazing.

[@starscreamapologist3003]

@@Wully02 almost like Vinland Saga is critiquing the senseless violence of the Vikings lol

[@Wully02]

@@starscreamapologist3003 I highly doubt most viking violence was senseless, infact I don't think you can call a Norseman who was senselessly violent a viking, given it was an occupation with specific ends.

[@brotherknight9484]

​@@Wully02I agree. I wouldn't call it senseless but I think we should understand that they lived in a culture that was extremely violent compared to our own. Their entire worldview was shaped around the possibility of violence and many of the warrior caste believed dying of old age to be beneath them. Raiding was an old tradition to them. So old we can possibly trace it back to the Late Neolithic and early bronze age. So it was a part of their life as a seasonal activity. Raids could be violent though something tells me it wasn't always the case as we have mention of simple cattle raids in Sagas, where they simply sneak onto the farm and make off with what they can without being discovered.

[@Wully02]

@@brotherknight9484 Of course, they were much more violent than we are, or at least more honestly violent. My point is that their violence wasn't senseless.

[@dawesome873]

"Go, and take those you've killed with you" --> "You're gonna carry that weight" man it all hits hard

[@elfofdusk]

it reminds me of a similar line from Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood "Remember every face you've killed, because they won't forget yours"

[@jakubrogacz6829]

​@@elfofdusk and is echoed in openning too

[@SomeOtherTroper]

@@elfofdusk FMA:B hits a lot different if you go into it knowing most of the funny characters you've grown to love are war criminals, and their various eccentricities are coping mechanisms for what we'd call some combination of PTSD and guilt. There's a reason Hawkeye's apartment looks the same as it did when she moved into it.

[@siriuslywastaken]

I haven't watched the video yet, but "you're gonna carry that weight" also shows up in cowboy bebop and I like that quote a lot

[@ironwolves6056]

Askeladd was one of most interesting characters in anime. And the him being welsh added onto that. Great video

[@aletheuo475]

Duw bendithia Cymru.

[@Utilizador-gs3lx]

And roman

[@blasphemer_amon]

Askeladd 🤜🤛 The Hound

[@Patar145]

"My name is Lucius artorius castus which means as the heir of artorius I am the rightful king of Britannia"- my twisted king 👑

[@collection-o1n]

why is him being welsh enhance his character ( genuine question )

[@Quasarnova1]

1:29 The first oath he makes was in the name of his father Olaf and Odin, and he breaks it. The second oath he makes in the name of his ancestor Artorius, and he keeps that oath. You wouldn't notice it the first time watching, but it shows where his loyalties lie.

[@hammurabii.3173]

Yep and iirc when he swears fealty to Canute he swears on Lydia his mothers name.

[@haydens8472]

This is such a damn good show

[@adamwhitney9996]

The scene where Askeladd talks to Thorfinn about the Roman Empire drives home the father-son relationship early on in the show. It is the first time the two have a one on one conversation away from the crowd of vikings, and while Thorfinn is being the typical, smug, edgy teen, Askeladd gives him a history lesson and introduces Thorfinn to a broader view of the world he lives in. It is probably the first time in awhile Thorfinn is given a moment to contemplate on something other than revenge and battle. It's a small intimate moment as these two killers consider their place within the twilight of history.

[@wherethetatosat]

Askeladd telling Thorfinn to be more like Thors and less like him. What a madlad.

[@pixilkiller2869]

while also saying you can only win against him by being him, the antithesis is even madder

[@jackwriter1908]

Evil Iroh... that's a pretty good describtion of Askeladd

[@onikai7055]

I wouldn’t say evil tho I’d say twisted

[@kash_1085]

Nah Askeladd was definitely evil

[@crocky6996]

Makes me wonder how Iroh was before Lu Ten died, would he be pretty similar to Askeladd?

[@jackwriter1908]

@@crocky6996 doubt it. Iroh became Iroh because of his loss. I kinda doubt that he was able to be someone with real wisdom. I am sire he was a decent father, but I doubt he would have been on the same level then the father he was for Zuko.

[@djzip9231]

@@kash_1085na

[@sashaborokowski8029]

Askeladd was such a great character. Even when dead he was still the GOAT. And Vinland Saga as a whole was excellent. It’s a show that I find myself musing about while driving or doing stuff around the house. It really sticks with you

[@misanthropicservitorofmars2116]

I constantly think about season 2

[@edge1247]

Holding siege until Season 3

[@Ash_Wen-li]

Askeladd is a great anti-villain. His goals may be noble (protecting the country his mother loves), but he embraces evil to achieve those goals. Even if he hates himself for it.

[@ZX-Gear]

I mean I realize that good and evil are subjective. In a way,you can justify any action given the right perspective. It is what we humans are good at.

[@seifer447]

​@ZX-Gear I'd argue that if you can justify any action, you lost your morality along the way. I'm not saying that people can't or don't, only that to do so they have become deeply damaged.

[@akmon3490]

Yeah sadly the author had a railroad approach and I didn't like how we got to Thorfinn's slavery arch PS and giving Askeladd a fulfilling death, really was hoping for a line like "you killed what I cared about, now since you're dying all I have left is to kill what you care about " no need to have higher implications just a pure moment of terror, but we all know that Thorfinn's mind wasn't there to notice what Askeladd cared about so the part that Thorfinn should say after that as Askeladd has died grabbing Thorfinn is "But I don't know what it is, how could I harm you as deeply as you harmed me when I don't know why you went off and died now"

[@HayatoByakurai]

@@akmon3490 You're just showing that you didn't get the story's themes and inner logic.

[@akmon3490]

@@HayatoByakurai nah , that's a loser's argument "you're wrong cause you didn't get it" , what I'm saying is that I get where the author wanted to push the story but I'm finding more enjoyable to see the discrepancies between human thinking and seeing Askeladd die with terror in his heart but at the same time Thorfinn to be so incompetent that he doesn't realize why Askeladd died. Do you get it? The author gave Askeladd peace at the end of the war that was his life, fulfilment in having defended his mother's country. I wanted to see him despair at seeing how the one he has wronged and has trained under him, the one which his waitering heart didn't kill, I wanted him to regret the time he didn't kill a child and despair as the child says that he'll take revenge by striking at what he loves as he couldn't kill him no more . And I wanted him to exhale his last breath before the child admits broken that "But I don't know what you love" And as Thorfinn sits there , with the corpse of his father's killer, for the first time in his life think about it, broken with tears running down his face to start going over how he lived the last years as a mercenary, to relive all the years of him watching with hate but never reason, for the first time I wanted him to reason. And I wanted him to fail in reasoning, for him to make the wrong conclusion, to get to right before Askeladd was killed, to replay the moment and come to the conclusion that Askeladd loved the prince, that's the only reason why Askeladd would let the prince kill him. I wanted them both to suffer one to agonize as he died for being too smart and drawing the wrong conclusion and the Thorfinn to finally get it through his thick skull that he needs to reason, that he failed to take revenge as he never thought he just felt. He'd been a weasel trying to catch a crow in flight. And for the first time think and fail, as the eagle catches the crow in his talons, the weasel to realize he should have gone for the crow's nest, but in his ignorance to go after the eagles nest and get shredded.

[@_-Bane-_Main]

I misheard Askeladd as “Ass Lad” and will now exclusively refer to him as such.

[@jackwriter1908]

Half the time I hear the name I hear _ask a lot_ instead

[@arcturus64]

Ass-Clad

[@WrottJackson]

Ass Lad! How ya doing buddy?

[@def3ndr887]

I watched the German dub so I find it weird seeing people pronouncing it as "Ass a lad" instead of "Eskelad"

[@mcn_silence3571]

Sub is king

[@dpolaristar4634]

Okay now that I'm on my computer and not my phone, on the video itself. I disagree with Askeladd killing Swain being one of his flaws and bad moments. In the context of the scene, Swain was giving an ultimatum where for Askeladd to save his people he would have to turn on Canute, if Askeladd was truly ends justify the means just for that one goal, he would have thrown Canute away in a heartbeat, but him killing Swain while making himself the bad guy so Canute could survive even after Askeladd's goal was achieved showed his virtue.

[@wilsonram39]

Gotta agree - it's one point where Askeladd dedicates himself to a purpose rather than to simply living, something mentioned earlier in the vid and hinted at in relation to Canute, but not elaborated on. Good point!

[@Snormite]

That's the moment where he lives up to the words "someone has to do something... Not a hero, not a God, but someone", some point out that it's the moment where he becomes Artorius because he was waiting for Artorius at the start of the story, then looking for him until he found Canute, and finally, he reveals his true name and takes matters into his own hands so Canute can be free to do what must be done. His sacrifice wasn't a flawed moment, it was the culmination of everything he is.

[@doodoo5594]

yh he specifically kills sweyn to protect people and in doing so also makes the decision to sacrifice his own life for those people too

[@brandonbackup873]

​@cristalido3640 Askeladd was born to be a true knight, but forced to be a viking.

[@chkcnchncy]

He wouldn't turn on Canute because he believes Canute is Artorius. He used to believe that Thorfinn was Artorius but he gave up after realizing he's too stubborn to be like Thors. It was first Thors (invited him to be the leader of the band), then Thorfinn (allowed him into the band), then Canute (Served him).

[@DarkKing009]

Finally, I've been waiting for years for a video like this. About my favorite dark mentor figure.

[@aidanhendricksen4832]

I promise, this time i won’t be a slave by the double stuffed oreos

[@solvdrage1456]

Askeladd is the GOAT. Vinland Saga is an absolute masterpiece.

[@joshuawells835]

In the end, Askeladd a.k.a. Lucius Artorius Castus became the very thing he hated - a Viking. His purpose was the preservation of Wales as neighboring England was being conquered.

[@Matty-Boy]

Askelaad made s1 of this show for me. After the village, he's just so Compelling to watch. I took his final moments with Thorfinn a little differently. In the last duel, he's frustrated and tired of playing the "game" with Thorfinn, do he goes all out breaking him. I think it was part frustration, part trying to protect Thorfinn (both to get him out of his obsessive revenge and away from the king). When they see each other again, he finally gets Thorfinn to see beyond his immediate hatred. "What will you do now?" Askelaad 's mind goes to Vinland, the place that they all recognize as Good. Askelaad could not rise out of the ashes, but he calls Thorfinn to leave his life of pain and hatred behind.

[@dman9987]

Love the Vinland Saga content. Hope there’s more on the way!

[@papertiger_22]

One of my favorite villainous dads is Viren from The Dragon Prince. He's a similar archetype to Askeladd except he doesn't view his actions as evil. He's a pragmatist; he does what is necessary. It's only when his daughter becomes just like him that he realizes how much damage he's caused, to the world and his family. That leads him to turn away from evil for her sake.

[@phantom9831]

Great description of Viren's personnality, and glad to see a follow The Dragon Prince enjoyers

[@jaieregilmore971]

I Like what you say about “killing Askeladd is the same as becoming Askeladd” same as saying “killing Vader is the same as becoming Vader” just notice how similar but different tone Askeladd and Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader stories,that they are both born as slaves,both lost their mother to savage beast both became savage beasts in the process done evil and both wanted their sons to be better than them.

[@whatitdomyhighpointofview3924]

Went from hating him to loving him. He earned my respect through & through. Every decision he made was calculated up until the end.

[@Ritallia]

Great video! Glad Vinland saga is being appreciated

[@fjwald]

The Ballad of the White Horse is an excellent poem/story for anyone who enjoyed Vinland Saga

[@Eilonwy95]

Great recommendation!! So many awesome quotes in that poem.

[@Seminooos]

I legit shed a tear while watching this. The character analysis and lessons within it were that powerful.

[@Chickenbowser]

Askeladd is the GOAT. Despite him being pretty objectively villainous his motives are understandable and even laudable. He wants to save his people and is willing to sacrifice those that aren't. He wants his surrogate son to be a better man than him and knows being a monster will only help to hammer home this lesson. Askeladd leaves me conflicted which is a feeling I love to have for characters in fiction.

[@kuturbie]

Seems like.., Eren?

[@Hackfraud1803]

The background soundtrack mix on this video is killer, especially with the content of the games they come from

[@michaelyoung7261]

13:20 “where are those thine accusers? … Go, and sin no more.” He didn’t say it is now as if you had never sinned; He said move on and leave the life of sin behind forever more. Come unto me all ye that are weary and are heavy laden and I will give you rest, for my yoke is easy and my burden is light. “Forget yourself and get to work”

[@hello-gx6oi]

He is finally talking about vinland saga I can't wait for a Thorfin video and his positive masculinity

[@ryanlippe6442]

The voice actor for Askeladd is my single favorite voice actor purely because of this show. Loved Askeladd

[@theorixlux]

This video is a digital double-stuffed. Thanks! Yeah Jupiter is amazing and its hard to find a good place to cut it out early. And you cant just fade out a master piece! Appreciated

2:22 he sees himself in thorfin

[@mannythegrandfather2291]

Yay! Vinland Saga!

[@nicholascouture4073]

Anyone else gonna talk about the choice of music for the outro? Great piece selection 🫡 Great video man can’t wait to see more :)

[@PhoenixD_Rising]

Vinland Saga is one of the greatest Masterpieces of our generation. Askeladd was incredibly well written. I cannot wait for season 3! Might have to give the show a fourth rewatch soon haha 😃

[@noskin3187]

When I saw you finished the video to Vinland Saga, I had high expactations and you exceeded them.

[@shogunkristina]

This explanation is so beautiful

[@Harvey_Mod]

Askeladd... what a character man. Was drawn to him even though he was despicable

[@blacknerdtalks7921]

🙌🏿 *PEAK* 🙌🏿 Askeladd is such a layered character.

[@codyallen43]

Damn, a Stormlight Archive in a Vinland Saga video? Consider my ass subscribed, great content dude 💪

[@qoganjacks146]

"Take those you killed with you" that's some Iroh level wisdom.

[@ThreadBareHope1234]

When I think of father figures, or even mother figures good and bad ones come to mind. I think terms like fatherly and motherly are a mixed bag of good, two edged, and bad traits. Especially sense my dad is emotionally immature and infantilizing me and my brother. (Not trying to rant). But I think unlike many good father figures he doesn't really encourage us to do anything of value, in an effort to one up my mother, who cant give anyone -- even her 3yo son -- a break. Edit: in media, I feel we need more narcissistic women, without fear of being too hard on moms. Not all matriarchs/patriarchs are bad, and we need to observe the sh^t ones without defending or excusing them. Any bullying ad emotional manipulation is a subtle and devastating bullying that we need to guard ourselves against. Also, Happy Spooky Month🎃

[@froggb0y]

Your monologue near the end to Jupiter actually had chills on my arm. Great video!

[@trevorable04]

You’re the coolest channel, bro.

[@DarkKing009]

Askeladd! The most dangerous Welsh viking in fiction.

[@bloodspatteredguitar]

Your solicitude for your music listening public is greatly appreciated, and Jupiter does fantastic things for the conclusions of so many of your videos. For this video, however, I'd have chosen Finlandia. Never fails to bring me to tears.

[@TheCyclingCardio]

Great analysis of Askelad character growth

[@Bman2302]

14:05 Never could get tired of Jupiter

[@wilsonriley1856]

And “I vow to thee my country” at that

[@jakebattles1985]

What’s Jupiter from?

[@wilsonriley1856]

@@jakebattles1985 "The Planets", by Gustave Holst

[@sethoates7460]

I've watched 62 animes at this point. There is a reason that Vinland Saga ranks in my top 3 favorites.

[@GwydionAE]

Honestly respect for letting the music play out to the end of that bit of "Jupiter" - such a fantastic song. Heard it playing in the bg and got a bit lost in it, and had to go back to listen to what you were saying. XD (Played it in band in high school, so also super nostalgic for me.) Love Vinland Saga and Askeladd - fantastic video about him!

[@KevinRavony]

Thanks for your videos! I learn so much from them. I can appreciate those works and stories so much more. Have a tiny support from this, take it!

[@master_samwise]

Thank you so much!

[@Christs_Apologet]

Great video with good wisdom. May Lord God Christ Continue on bless you

[@jvever4904]

Hell yes, more Vinland Saga videos in 2024! It's a fantastic manga and anime, but so many people sleep on it or don't make videos about it.

[@kuba2466]

great video, rewatching vinland saga with my friend and loving it just as much as the first time

[@moldfarmingLIVE]

even for shows i haven't watched, your analyses are captivating and inspire me to look into those shows more also jupiter at the end ❤ i haven't heard that beautiful song in awhile

[@eldwarf034]

Not only was he like an evil uncle iron for Thorfin, but for Canute as well, in the little time they spend together Canute reafirms and becomes convinced and entranced by the path he will follow and the means to walk it, all of that he learned from Askeladd including how to manipulate someone far more powerful like Thorkell. It really is crazy to think about how all of Vinland Saga is a direct result of Askeladd coming in as a "father figure" into the life of two men, one to clear his doubts, and the other one to correct his determination, beautiful indeed

[@TaylorCoffman87]

Everything got more intense for me when I recognized the Darksouls music.

[@prometheus_arrow]

Finally some askeladd appreciation 🔥

[@csernobillahun]

Light Stormlight Archive Spoilers: Yeah I hate Taravangian. He clinged to an outdated wall scrible so much he betrayed the rest of the world to save his city, undermining efforts to save way more than a city. That's not just wrong, that is an incorrect move.

[@darkking4748]

I like your bald head Mr smart Essay man.

[@dakotaricci8085]

Vinland Saga content, hell yeah

[@andyganzorig846]

great video. glad i stumbled upon your channel, keep up the good work.

[@pedropierre9594]

He is a very rare character he is neutral evil, where he will employ evil when it makes things easier and not be remorseful or sorry about it

[@aagoshchaudhary]

Honestly, one of my favorite characters of all time. Such an interesting and complex being and portrayal

[@leorosenberg8604]

The taravangin reference made my day. Thank you noble sir

[@darktobi2869]

This was such a great video. What a welcome sight

[@schauwn9941]

Nice touch with "We Praise and Ackowledge You, O God" for the outro song

[@yurenavila]

Oh my god finally a Vinland saga video, I remember asking for it ages ago

[@OGbornsinnerz]

Askeladd was so well written he carried the entire first season 💀

[@PhriekshoTV]

God Askelaad was ultimately such a fucking chad. Spectacular character writing

[@savionnbailey6737]

HAVENT WATCHED THE VIDEO YET BUT BROTHA YOU HAVE A NARRATIVE EYE

[@Thecoolguy463]

The scene of Askeladd talking to Thirston in his dream gives me chills everytime I see it.

[@Jourdan0311]

Love the bluey music in the background lol 😂

[@potatofarmergyro1720]

What an absolutely amazing character, one of my favorite villains of all time.

[@thatartsyunicorn]

3:55 God Bless this editor 🤣🤣🤣

[@theorixlux]

Having synonymous words in your script isn't bad because, especially in this case, it emphasizes the merc's desires. The note feels a tad superfluous, albeit it is a phunny note

[@Eilonwy95]

@@theorixlux Agreed. I think it was mostly meant for humor. Plus he is a bit critical of himself at times.

[@f.ah.c2114]

13:25 I will take responsability for what I have done, and if I must fall i will rise each time a better man... or so I've heard said.

[@goblinmoblin4869]

I like that you play the Lord of Cinders theme in the background

[@Roguebutler47]

One of the single greatest villains written

[@Ollie-u6s]

The dark souls music goes so hard

[@Sinhsseax]

I would like to make a comment about the video but the only thing I can think about is PLIN PLIN PLON. Good music choice.

[@NoRamNobiosNoService]

Great video

[@gmat4380]

"Editors note to the script writer" 😂😂

[@TECHN01200]

This is also a great showing in that we need both examples of what to do as we do examples of what to not do. Do not fight monsters lest you become one, for when you gaze into the abyss, the abyss gazes back.

[@beansworth5694]

Better to fight a monster and risk becoming one than to submit to their designs. For in the first case there is at least potential for being better (if nothing else at least a less evil monster), whereas in the second monstrous acts and motives are a given.

[@ElCalavera89]

I really like your videos man!

[@eliel14ful]

Vinland saga is really underrated, a seinen not only for the gore and brutality but also for the exploration of human morality...Askelad is a more realistic father figure, a flawed man trying to do what he thinks is right

[@thorfinnthegoatmc]

what surprised me is even Makoto Yukimura was shock that Askeladd did what he do in his last moments

[@See-BeeBee123]

6:41, God of War, Kratos' wife's theme? Can't tell for sure

[@yuhretro]

Askeladd literally became my favorite character. i shed a tear when he died

[@johnpaulgonzaga5997]

Askeladd is a product of his time. Context is king

[@themonkeandthesnek9997]

Was NOT expecting a Taravangian name drop in this vid

[@Aquwert]

Askeladd is one of my favourite characters in all of fiction

[@damnson2235]

Askeladd is by far the best manga character written. I think he was very aware that he would never reach the actualy goal he had in mind. He kept trying, but he knew he wouldnt reach his goal, of being a king of Wales, in the end, so he didnt care at what point he fails. At the end he gave in to his anger when Sweyn insults and threatens his people. He reached a part of his goal, keeping his people save for an extended period of time. The best he could do. His life didnt mean anything compared to the purpose he wanted to reach.

[@blacksage3429]

One reason he didn't kill thorfinn is because of the huge amount of respect he had for thors

[@Patson20]

He promised thors on his ancestor that he wouldn't kill his son and he never did

[@Organic_Organist]

Loving the Holst Jupiter theme, or shall I say, I vow to Thee, my Country.

[@CrossedKatana]

I think a large chunk of who he is can be defined by an old adage. You live by the sword, you die by the sword.

[@jigglystar5736]

Great video, I think a big reason Askeladd didn’t just kill Thorfin at the start was not just because he didn’t need to, but because he saw his young self in Thorfin which is emphasized when Askeladd gives Thorfin the chance to kill him in his sleep just like what askeladd did to his father.

[@KonaduKofi]

I rarely comment but great job

[@ramosaral]

It is pronounced 'a-shae-ladd' old norse, he is one of my favourite characters. Really deep and complex, fun and wise in his twisted ways :)

[@onikai7055]

9:21 is that the Halo 3 soundtrack?!

[@ThatGuy-a48]

Sounds like it

[@michaelirvin6749]

Let’s gooooo!!!Storm light archive mentioned

[@KatAlexis41800]

Anyone wondering, song at the end is Jupiter by Gustav Holst. Remember playing this in band, brought up a lot of memories.