Manga Review: Vinland Saga Book Four by Makoto Yukimura
SPOILER WARNING: This review contains spoilers for earlier volumes. If you have not read them, please see my earlier reviews.
This manga’s main protagonist to this point has been Thorfinn, a young Viking serving in the mercenary band of Askeladd. Years before, Askeladd treacherously slew Thorfinn’s father Thors, and the boy has sworn vengeance in a fair duel. Recently, they’ve become involved with politics, clashing with the legendary warrior Thorkell the Tall (who turns out to be Thorfinn’s great-uncle) over the fate of Prince Canute, son of King Sweyn Forkbeard.
As of this volume, Canute has manned up, earning the respect and temporary service of both Thorkell and Askeladd. Thorfinn tags along for his own reasons. They come into the camp of King Sweyn, where the politics become hot and heavy.
Thorfinn meets a figure from his past, who offers him a last chance to turn away from the path of vengeance. And then in Chapter 54, “End of the Prologue”, several of the subplots come to a head in a climax that isn’t shocking (It’s a Viking saga, everyone expected a bloodbath) but still manages to be surprising.
The next chapter finds us in Jutland (part of Denmark in modern times), with a new viewpoint character. Einar has recently been enslaved, and is sold to a landowner who needs some forest land cleared. Einar is less than happy with the whole slavery thing, but he meets one of the characters from the prologue, who has changed greatly.
Much of the focus in this volume is on Askeladd, whose full background is finally revealed, and whose complex motivations make him a key player in Prince Canute’s plans to take the throne. We also see a fair bit of Canute himself, as he swiftly grows into the role he must play to stay alive. Thorfinn, on the other hand, is mostly characterized by his refusal to turn from his destructive path; it seems likely he’ll have more development in the next volume.
In addition to the expected violence, some of which is quite graphic, there’s a bit of female nudity, and some implications about owners of slaves sexually mistreating them. A fair amount of strong language as well.
The art and writing continue to be excellent. Highly recommended for fans of Viking stories.
I haven’t read any of the Vinland Saga books, but they sound perfect when you need some fast action combined with visuals.
Oh yes, they are certainly action packed, and well-drawn which helps keep track of what’s happening during fight scenes.