The Legendary "Askeladd" | Vinland Saga | Character Analysis

WARNING: SPOILERS FOR VINLAND SAGA SEASON ONE
SKIP TO 08:44 FOR THE ANALYSIS
In this video I try to discuss and analyse the very complex and complicated character, Askeladd. Is Askeladd a hero, villain, anti-hero, or an anti-villain? That is the question I try to answer in this video. Drop a comment on what type of character you think Askeladd is, and if you enjoyed the video. I'm open to any criticism and suggestions so please fire away!
Links:
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Second channel: / @moreradman1809
Twitter: / thankyouinoue
Discord: / discord
Definitions:
Hero: tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.ph...
Villain: tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.ph...
Anti-hero: tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.ph...
Anti-villain: tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.ph...
Music:
00:00: Death Note OST - "Death Note"
03:08: Death Note OST - "L's Theme"
06:06: The Promised Neverland OST - "Norman's Theme"
09:06: Bensound - "Elevate"
12:27: Gintama OST - "Madao"
14:34: Kevin MacLeod - "The Descent"
17:41: The Promised Neverland OST - "Emma's Theme"
20:33: The Subways - "We Have To Go"
26:00: Hiroyuki Sawano - "ERENtheCoordinate"
31:24: Vinland Saga OST - "End of the Prologue"
Thumbnail by the homie @Force0p on Twitter.
Vinland Saga belongs to Makoto Yukimura and WIT Studio, all rights reserved.
"Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favourite of fair use."
#VinlandSaga #Askeladd

[@trinfamous5639]

Askeladd could have easily told Thorfinn in his final moments that Floki was the one that hired him to kill Thors, but he doesnt, he would rather him move on and become a true warrior.

[@Dani-yt8nk]

woa..I forgot that. Maybe King that asked Floki to kill Thors. In the end it doesnt even matter since Floki and king also dead.

[@lilshekels69]

@@Dani-yt8nk floki aint dead tf?

[@wagnar]

@@Dani-yt8nk Floki isn't dead but Thorfinn learned on the manga he was responsable for his father's death and still gave up on his revenge at the end when he could killed him. Revenge isn't part of Thorfinn anymore.

[@Hero-wc6gq]

@@wagnar brah

[@meltedtrash7167]

Spoilers bruh

[@alexandremarques3265]

Askeladd saw in thors beauty. The reason he hates so much viking and admires romans it s bc he perceive romans as civilized man who brought beauty and civilization and only fought for that. And perceive the vikings as horrible monsters who only fight for pleasure and money, he sees them as if they were animal beasts uncivilized. And when he meet Thors who had an ideal he saw beauty in him. He saw discipline control and wise temper. He saw a personification of a greco-romain ideal.

[@khadidjahannache5919]

How do you know bruh

[@JC-sk1gz]

That’s why he asked Thors to lead him and his me

[@user-ze1sy6hl2b]

@Alexandre Marques the irony is that Vikings where more civilized than the Romans. Also although he hated his Viking side, Askeladd died like a true viking: he fought until the end to protect something that was dear to him and died with his sword on his hand. On the other hand, Romans were usually preferring to commit suicide not because they wanted to protect their honor (like the samurai in Japan) but because they didn't want to face the difficulties of a poor and hard life.

[@breakmanradio2530]

Well to him his father, who was a terrible human being, personified Vikings. And in the way same way he saw his father destroy his mother (his personification of beauty), the Vikings destroyed the Anglo-Saxons, and the Anglo-Saxona destroyed Rome. Not saying his worldview was "wrong." But it was heavily influenced by the relationship between his father (destruction) and his mother (beauty).

[@darktobi2869]

Just like the scene where Canute sees beauty in Thorfinn

[@ziggymcdougal]

I think the fact that there's more to Askeladd than meets the eye became evident as early as when he asked Thors to take command of his group. Even during my first watch I felt as if he was asking this 100% seriously. And it's clear on second viewing that he probably meant what he said since he was perfectly content with killing his group so he could put a trustworthy man in canute on the throne. If it weren't for Thorfinn's fantastic development after prologue, he'd easily be my favorite character in the story.

[@mauser98kar]

It struck me only now that Askeladd swore to Thors on the name of his father and Odin, former of which he definitely hated and the latter he likely hated, giving his attitude towards norsemen and their culture in general. Meaning he made an absolutely empty swearing.

[@dirksharp9876]

Or, he was just being truly honorable in swearing by his father and Odin as that was the proper form. I don't think he had anything against the old gods per say but in making such an oath, that was something Thors would respect. Notice how he didn't go back on his word to Thors. Also he was overcoming his own hatred, which was a recurring theme in Vinland Saga.

[@user-ik9bl8xv2f]

And he swears to artorius in one of the duels with thorfinn. I think it was the second one. Which stands out cuz I think the first one with thorfinn he said Odin

[@graylyhen9490]

If there could be a single word for Askeladd it would be "effective". He was a man of his time, for better or worse. He was a man of the world he lived in

[@CdeMaDaejsAripi]

One ironic thing about all this is that Askellad's mother was saved by Artorius after all🤣

[@beastvicious8672]

Askeladd is such a great character! Agree he's the best of 2019! You really did him justice here, delving deeper into the many various aspects of him. But as a dane, i also have conflicted feelings about him. Why don't you like us Askeladd, WHY?

[@nocapp_]

because of his father and how he treated his mother, therefore making him hate danes

[@beastvicious8672]

@@nocapp_ Yeah i understand Askeladd's circumstances.

[@wunderpal9206]

@@beastvicious8672 Its more about the fact that the vikings fucked the Walshe.

[@breakmanradio2530]

Probably all the raping and pillaging and slavery. BUT that being said, Vikings weren't "evil" any more so than the English or any other civilization on Earth. Almost every civilization of every race, color, and creed engaged in such things. Exceptions noted. But Africans, Middle Eastern, Asian, South American, native North American. If you study history, you see the line between good and evil limes within the heart of every human being. Good and evil isn't separated by ethnicity, gender, or any immutable characteristic. People who don't understand have a childlike understanding of the world.

[@chidoman1595]

Don't take it so hard he only likes the welsh

[@miche9611]

This is a very good analysis, but, in my opinion, there is something missing: The obsession of Askeladd for the "Age of Twilight". (SPOILERS BELOW) Askeladd feared a future when all the men would behave like Vikings, greed, mean, with no sense of beauty and peace. He told Thorfinn about that in one of the middle episodes (I think the tenth, but I may be wrong), but the boy was too single-minded to understand. That's the reason Askeladd spent his adult life searching for the righteous king, a substitute of the Artorius of the myth that would bring a new era of peace. He knew he was not a candidate for that position, and tried to find someone else for many years. Thors was a possible candidate, and, indeed, Askeladd asked him if he wanted to become their leader. But Thors did not want to become a leader, and, with regrets, he had to kill him. After several other years, Askeladd was desperate and tried the last gambit: Creating an Artorius-like figure from scratch, forcing prince Canute to take his fate in his own hands. In fact, Askeladd died for his country and for prince Canute, the one that, in his mind, would bring a stop to the Age of Twilight. (SPOILERS BELOW FOR WHO DID NOT READ THE MANGA ) Unknown to Askeladd, Thorfinn would eventually grow to become a better embodiment of the righteous leader than Canute, a real-life Artorius who tried to create heaven in an island far away west of the Ocean. Not Avalon, but Vinland.

[@motionnss]

One thing I find interesting about Askeladd’s character is he’s half Viking, therefore he has committed atrocities that would suite the title of a Viking, however he still acts in a calm and collected fashion which shows his other Roman side

[@cosmicklutz1675]

Beautiful, Askelad and Erwin are two truly legendary feats in character writing

[@EdmondDantes_64]

same

[@kk_cinevlogs]

What about Griffith and guts ,Johan liebert , friend

[@SkullKnight1]

What about meruem, chrollo, arnheid, lelouch, reiner, eren.

[@Lasikisal]

What about Kaneki, Deku, Boruto, Bakugo, TenTen, Goku, Bobobobobobobo, and Deku?

[@gamerstheater1187]

He's more comparable to Eren

[@aagaa7352]

Faxx Askeladd such a Goat, Vinland Saga best anime of 2019!!

[@ogBruce]

This is the one bro. Great editing, great music, great references used to further your point, all around good stuff. Askeladd is one of the most complex characters ever written and you did a good ass job at expressing but still yet explaining that.

[@ogBruce]

@@R7dman Kept me interested the whole time man, best one so far. Keep it up.

[@joefixitwilliams2397]

Amazing review. I truly despised Askeladd in the beginning but ,just as you said, came around to respecting him greatly. He’s shown he can be patient yet highly adaptive to any situation. His whole quest began with vengeance & ended with vengeance. After while I saw him at the protagonist & thorfinn as the antagonist.

[@williamcompitello2302]

True. Thorfinn started to get cringey at the end of season 1.

[@cun_0092]

21:00 it's similar to a train at a junction. Two lanes 1 lane has 3 people and other has 1 person. The driver cannot stop train and in this process either he kills 1 person or 3. It's similar to his case when going through winter, either he ignores the village and risk starvation or he pillages the villages and ensure the continuation of his mission. That's why it's so interesting to read this manga. It's not idealistic but it's the mix of idealism and realism. He also did NOT enjoy beating child thorfinn He was really dry in those kind of situations and still keeps on.

[@turugasairam2886]

The best character analysis I have come across till now in my life..I actually never thought of askeladd so high till I went through your analysis..amazing..very inspiring work..keep it up...

[@TejasSharma_Music]

You, my friend deserve more than 4k subs. Awesome breakdown of such a complex character like Askeladd. I would love to see analysis videos on other characters in and beyond Vinland Saga. 😊

[@andrewwynne6934]

Askeladd, in the end, proves that someone can be a Hero and Villain at the same time.

[@algorithmgeneratedanimegir1286]

One persons hero is another's villain. This has always been the case.

[@SatsukiTheSavage]

This is your best video so far. You have improved tremendously editing wise and as for your points, you had a great mixture of examples, quotes, facts, and your own perspective. Great video mane.

[@pearlsandpendant]

30:00 you just had to play favorite piece of music while talking about THAT scene the tears won’t stop falling- I liked his character from the moment he first showed up, partly because he was voiced by same VA of MADARA UCHIHA and welp, he reminded so much of him so I’ve taken a liking to him already. The more I followed his actions and thoughts the more I got so invested in him and boom-it all paid off in that freaking final episode

[@hmredfield98]

Askeladd and Thorfinn are also opposites. They have similar motivations in killing the person that killed their beloved parents/ruined their lives, but the way they went about it was different. Askeladd played the game, he joined his fathers family became one of them, feigned love. Finally Askeladd killed his father in his sleep and blamed his half brother. He always had this intention but went about it in the complete opposite way that Thorfinn went about his goal. You can always see what’s on Thorfinns mind. Instead of killing Askeladd in his sleep he wishes to fight Askeladd one on one in broad daylight and in an honorable duel. I believe that this difference is what Askeladd is referring to. He tells Thorfinn in their final fight that he instantly knows that Thorfinn is going to go for the neck because he sees it in Thorfinns eyes. In the end they are both ruled by their emotions but have different methods.

[@abdulsalamjama2174]

Amazing video audio on point editing on point 10/10 video

[@jackr1110]

This was an amazing character review of 1 of the best anime characters 👏. Very well done

[@danielmugisha3725]

Amazing video agree with you on everything askeladd is just spectacular.

[@unatortilla698]

Crunchyroll really jinxed too hard with best antagonist award

[@ChaunchoCYM]

28:40 "Askeladd dies doing what he did best, killing father figures" :)

[@rarox0945]

Underrated comment.

[@rarox0945]

By this point Askeladd even dies killing a 2nd "father" to Torphin lmao.

[@galvatron77]

Super awesome analysis my friend!!!!! ✊🏾😎‼💯

[@infinitezer3950]

Underrated , couldn't have asked for better :)

[@niello5944]

A little correction. I don't think most readers ever hate Askeladd. I attribute it to some differences in portrayal as well as the difference in the introduction. Unlike the anime, the way the readers were introduced to Askeladd was someone who wears an easy-going front but is actually cunning, and despite their friction, was still more or less on the same side as Thorfinn. His conflict with Thors and their interactions in the manga were portrayed more clearly than the anime with some parts trimmed out. Oh, and better translation than Amazon's error-prone one.

[@cokecan6169]

I never hated him because I thought there was an understanding that people back then were a lot more ruthless.

[@josecuervo3351]

Brilliant character analysis!

[@agentd.0096]

Great analysis

[@mightybryan1033]

Everything Askeladd said was Facts even when he was raiding and told a villager that his own people (Saxons) originally destroyed Britannia. He doesn’t care if that villager had nothing to do with it cause him and his mother were treated less than human even though they had nothing to do with it. When he kills King Sweyn it is so intense cause he really is the only human who deserves to be the King over all the land that the English and Danes are fighting for. R.I.P Lucius Artorius Castus the King of Britannia

[@lawrens8648]

That was perfect!

[@holloify_tensa_zangetsu]

He'll yeah I just got into vinland and once the end of season 2 hit me(within days) it became my 2nd favorite. "I have no enemies" Is my 2nd to "The Blade is Me"

[@twoface3629]

when askeladd reveals his name to be lucius artorius castus was it all an act so he can kill the king or was it his real name ?

[@sergioleone4116]

Askeladd to me is a man who is no slave to anything, he was a man of idea which is in fact is himself

[@Canaanitebabyeater]

What about his obsession with Artorias, or rather the idea of a great king like Artorias and finding said king? He continually references his ancestor, holds his name in high regard and tries to mould Cnute into becoming an Artorias-like king. He’s a slave to his ancestry and what it holds (ex: it’s ties to Wales) and ultimately leads to his death.

[@sergioleone4116]

@@Canaanitebabyeater its his story and motive to change. he did not choose to born like that. he noticed first when he was a boy from her mother, she was delusional and lost, cannot escape. then he knew what was all about and started to live like he wanted to, waiting patiently for someone better, and finally change the world. remember he did not think twice killing his crew, did not think twice killing his father. well he could hide his identity and live however he wanted but he choose the other path, facing the truth and changing it to his preference. it was his idea and will. most free thing you can have. if you chose to run away from the truth, you are the slave to fear, i hope it make sense. i think the anime made it so clear. and of course, its all my thought so i might be wrong but you cannot change my idea by simple words.

[@Canaanitebabyeater]

@@sergioleone4116 interesting view, reading it in more detail opened my eyes a little

[@pinkunohana0413]

"A true warrior has no need for a sword". ~Thor Askellad began to change when he met this guy. The fact that Askellad has the ability to tell what kind of a person by just looking at them. He even told Thor to be their Leader and really meant it. He knows Thor can bring peace and Askellad was into it since he grew up in slavery or unfair world. Askellad saw it on Prince canute what he saw from Thor and this time decided to follow and give himself to him or become servant. As well as Thorkell saw the same eyes as he saw from Thor in the eyes of Prince Canute. That's why Askellad was so desperate to change things since he's getting old and doesn't have enough time left. Bjorn one of his loyal servants notice it as well that askellad was being desperate. In the end, askellad understand what being a true warrior is. A true warrior brings peace and choose it always. There is no need to choose violence because everything leads to futile. Askellad send his two former members who betrayed him away and gave them gold and made them a promise that won't go in battle field again. ASKELLAD Killed the king to end violence and sacrifice himself for the sake of the Prince Canute and his Homeland(wales).

[@MYTHNL90]

Excellent analysis! Please do yourself a favor and read the manga as well! You can start right where the anime ends (start with book 5) but I really suggest starting from the beginning, because the manga is just that good and deserves a full read. Either way you can't go wrong.

[@goldsnafuu]

Season 2 coming baby!!!

[@azlanahmad5736]

This video was really well written.

[@Fukuro14]

Great Video. Very Informative. I suggest you skip the intro/definition part and do it as briefly as possible (as you mention them). I believe it's also the viewers duty to educate themselves on the subject at hand. Putting links to the definitions in the description is already good enough. Keep up the good work though.

[@ymmijchen9310]

I love how you use attack on titan soundtrack. Aot and Vinland are my top 2 anime. Great video man!!

[@awoo4489]

Vinland saga aoty 2019

[@awoo4489]

@@R7dman keep the vids flowing 2020. watch it be your breakout year

[@Gobonastick]

That's some sick music 💨

[@narutaku8972]

wow 0 dislikes, u deserve this and so does my man askeladd. for me he is by far the best character and vinland saga the best anime in 2019

[@timothymoore8549]

This most recent episode where Thorfin states he doesn’t hate him anymore is the moment he really needed. It’s a shame they couldn’t have somehow reconciled.

[@maiskolben965]

good video!!!!

[@GAB-uo1gs]

Is it just me but Askeladd is like Kenny from Attack on Titans. Kenny too also said that were slaves to something were just on something to make us keep going.

[@GAB-uo1gs]

*we're

[@syedahamed7650]

Agreed

[@Blvck_Buddha]

Watching this scene and seeing Thorfinn get his revenge stolen from him like that absolutely killed me inside. I know that feeling of being robbed like that and I hated it. Everybody says revenge isn't worth it and Yada Yada but I figured out that all those people were dead wrong about revenge being hollow and "not worth the trouble." Getting my revenge and fixing the problem I went through felt liberating and I felt like I could really tackle what life has to throw at me. It gave me confidence.

[@storiesbeneaththesurface1942]

Best character of all time !

[@Visionary4787]

How am i just now finding this goodness

[@ethanirizarry856]

Love the video but you said there are spoilers for Vinland saga. But u did not mention Berzerk, AOT, and other animes you mentioned which i was looking forward to watching.

[@youngoutlaw5150]

Every protagonist is also a antagonist, which means everybody’s a hero some are vigilante& villains in someone else’s story, depending if they are friend or foe

[@rxyzin.1508]

sometimes death is a kindness.

[@askeladd6115]

Askeladd really is a legendary character, one of my favourites

[@joelmonsion1639]

Wow didnt tell me their would be AOT spoilers

[@taosifrahmantummin4724]

Man this Madao ost hits hard

[@holloify_tensa_zangetsu]

Bruh!!! I didn't even think about the swearing on castor opposed to oolof I remember saying to myself "why I'm not hating askkalad?" And this was before we knew the bloodline. Another is in the farm arc..when I was cursing canoute and said "thorfinn gonna fuck you up" and I got upset....I just saw thorfinn put violence away but I then wanted it him TO kill. And I realized how this is a GOATED SERIES. Man it really hard because idk if Bleach or vinland saga are my favorite of all?😢THERE BOTH SO GOOD

[@FanyusAnonymous]

Thought I was going mad at @6:34 because I thought someone in my house was playing Norman's theme... Now I'm sad );

[@gullad1537]

W

[@ThinkAlienly]

I think you got many things wrong by picturing Askeladd as an honourable man and a protagonist rather than an antagonist. Askeladd is Evil but he is a Machiavellian evil, he does not kill for the sake of killing, he simply was surviving and enjoying that in the process and most importantly with a great sense of purpose

[@gamerstheater1187]

I love that some of the GOATed Anime characters died virgins, guess that makes them relatable

[@paulanaya2503]

So, he did think he wouldn't have become a slave?

[@komodokisaragi9398]

Nah he's not anti-hero or anti-villain, he's a walking reality check 🤣🤣🤣

[@GiganFTW]

Aahhh rouuuuu gaaaaa!!!!!

[@jabera2305]

I don't think darthvader is a typical villain in the category you put him in . Contrary to popular belief , vader is a nuanced character when you read the comics and delve deep in the the original trilogy .

[@krasmazov5748]

Anti-villain in real life: Stalin, Mao Zedong and Polpot

[@aarohalme1020]

1:32 L isn't really the best representation of an antagonist being a good guy, since he's quite selfish and often does morally questionable acts, even if on the good side.

[@keithunderwood8803]

I love the Punisher but the Punisher is a serial killer. His victims are villains. Like all serial killers they have a victim type.

[@keithunderwood8803]

Askeladd 100% the anti-villian to the main character anti-hero.

[@mr.knightthedetective7435]

Askeladd is the true protagonist of Vinland saga, and Thorfinn is the antagonist. Let's check the facts: 1) Askeladd never wanted to be a part of Thors assassination, he even suggested Thors should be assassinated by someone from his clan. 2) He had to kill Thors because if he didn't Floki would kill him in Thors place. 3) Askeladd showed honor to Thors. 4) Thorfinn blamed Bjorn for taking him hostage but it was *his* fault for coming there in the first place and getting in his fathers way. 5) Thorfinn antagonised Askeladd by calling him names. 6) Askeladd gave Thorfinn numerous chances to duel him, although by bribing Thorfinn. Despite bribing Thorfinn in his own expanse, Askeladd forged Thorfinn into a warrior. 7) Thorfinn was a jackass who beat his piers. 8) Despite his dads numerous lessons on "violence is never the answer" and "no one has an enemy" Thorfinn stubbornly persisted seeking vengeance against Askeladd. 9) Thors didn't give two shits about being assassinated. He must've seen coming a mile away anyways because he committed a treason. Side note: Askeladd is not a villain, he's not a hero either, not even an antihero nor an antivillain. Askeladd is a well-written character and Thorfinn is a flawed character.

[@MA-yu2ss]

Lol almost every point on this list is wrong. None of this changes that Thorfinn is the protagonist 😂

[@nocapp_]

@@MA-yu2ss exactly🤣🤣

[@mariamariasantos7219]

This comment is so stupid I lost brain cells. Your “facts” are all wrong 😑🙄

[@joonaspenttila201]

Intresting to hear you enjoyed the 14th episode for me that was by far the worst episode in the series it didnt move the plot foward and didnt really show any new sides to any of the main cast it just felt like a huge waist of my time and if im to ever rewatch the season im 100% skipping that

[@treysmith7649]

Askeladd is evil af

[@far5079]

He is well written character unlike main one

[@gabyocampo94]

It's an ok analysis. Very superficial and quite biased by fanboy perspective.

[@Umbra2079]

You saying the wrong words at times made this video hard to understand

[@MinecraftAOE]

Man hearing Askeladd pronounced that way somehow irritates me.. I was under the impression, after hearing his name in the anime, that it was pronounced Ash+eladd.. Which also fits its meaning