The term “seinen” in anime refers to a series targeted for mature audience access. Among the numerous great ones, such as Berserk and Monster, Vinland Saga is often regarded as one of the best new-gen seinen anime series, in recent memory.
The anime immerses viewers in the brutal world of Vikings, offering a thrilling and action-packed experience. It follows the story of a young boy named Thorfinn and his story of vengeance. While both Vinland Saga and One Piece emphasize the impact of war, Vinland Saga conveys a powerful message that elevates it beyond Eiichiro Oda’s masterpiece.
How Vinland Saga‘s Author Sets Their Manga Apart from Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece
Vinland Saga navigates new territory, delivering a captivating story rooted in Vikings and historical fiction. While Season 1 portrayed Thorfinn to be consumed by revenge, Season 2 followed our beloved protagonist’s quest for inner peace.
After the hunt for peace by Thorfinn in Season 2, Makoto Yukimura gets hundreds of accolades for their excellent narrative.
As fans wait for any updates on Season 3, Yukimura recently announced that the manga will soon conclude. In an interview, the mangaka reflected on his years of dedication and the journey that brought Vinland Saga to life. He said:
I started to write the story almost 20 years ago. Back then, the world was a much more peaceful place compared to nowadays. Back then, somebody told me we should be thinking about war when there is no war. And this is something that I have kept to my heart, and I have been doing since.
In Season 1, an epic tale of widespread violence rushes the viewers directly into the blood-drenched world. Injected with the tinge of vengeance, Thorfinn was presented as a ruthless, brutal teen who didn’t have anything else but revenge in his head.
Through Thorfinn’s character in Season 1, Yukimura depicts the adult theme of bloodshed and war.
However, as the series unfolds, so does Thorfinn’s character, and by its conclusion, he is a wise, patient young man who has realized his days of violence are in the past.
This message of shifting focus from bloodshed to the pursuit of peace is the main message Yukimura hopes for the audience to take away from his story. To this, Yukimura added:
You know, thinking about war when there was no war for almost 20 years, and now time has caught up in a way that the world unfortunately is a sadder place than what I could ever have imagined. So now is actually the best time to read my work: what I always wanted to write about has always been the message of peace and compassion.
Vinland Saga depicts the brutality of war. However, it stands out with a unique mix of action and introspection as Thorfinn attempts to find peace in a world that celebrates violence. Thus, giving it a unique message that distinguishes it from One Piece.
Exploring the Key Differences Between Vinland Saga and One Piece
Enthralling fans for over 25 years, Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece narrates an epic tale of friendship and adventure, captivating generations of viewers. However, if someone dives deeper into the One Piece universe, they will encounter mature themes such as racism, slavery, and even human experimentation.
Ultimately, the story is a massive tapestry of freedom and independence, with Oda-sensei presenting Luffy as a symbol of hope and liberation, rather than peace or self-discovery—at least for now.
Vinland Saga‘s portrayal of peace and personal growth sets it apart, cementing Yukimura’s legacy as a legendary mangaka in the industry.
Nevertheless, Vinland Saga stands as another seinen genre masterpiece, after Berserk. The manga also speaks deeply about morality and ethics, its philosophical undertones add to the story’s richness.
Vinland Saga and One Piece are available to stream on Crunchyroll
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