The Case for Vinland Saga Season 2 as Anime of the Year 2024 at Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2024

Anime fans were disappointed when Vinland Saga season 2 did not win any awards at the Crunchyroll Anime Awards, despite being nominated for five. Many hoped it would at least take home the Anime of the Year Award, but that honor went to Jujutsu Kaisen season 2 instead.

This decision sparked outrage among fans online, who believed that Makoto Yukimura's series was the best anime of the year. They were surprised to see a shonen anime like Jujutsu Kaisen win the award for the second time since its debut.

So, was Vinland Saga season 2 actually more worthy of winning the Anime of the Year Award at Crunchyroll Anime Award 2024?

Disclaimer: This article reflects the author's opinion.

Vinland Saga season 2 was more deserving of Anime of the Year Award than Jujutsu Kaisen season 2

Thorfinn as seen in Vinland Saga (Image via MAPPA) - Vinland Saga season 2 was more deserving of Anime of the Year Award than Jujutsu Kaisen season 2

Vinland Saga season 2 should win the Anime of the Year Award over Jujutsu Kaisen season 2. This is because Vinland Saga season 2 is eligible for the award based on its entire season.

Fans may not know this, but the Crunchyroll Anime Awards actually have two rounds to determine the winners. In the first round, a group of selected journalists and anime enthusiasts from around the world act as judges for the awards.

These judges choose the potential nominees for each category. The top six nominees selected by the judges then move on to the second round, where fans can vote for their favorites to ultimately decide the winners.

Satoru Gojo as seen in Jujutsu Kaisen season 2 (Image via MAPPA)

Satoru Gojo as seen in Jujutsu Kaisen season 2 (Image via MAPPA)

The process takes time because there are many judges worldwide. The first round finished in October 2023. This means that only the first 10 episodes of Jujutsu Kaisen season 2 were eligible for nomination. This includes the Hidden Inventory Arc and the first five episodes.

Fans tend to believe that the most exciting parts of the anime came towards the end of the season. This could mean that those who voted for the anime may have overlooked this fact due to lack of information.

Yuji Itadori as seen in Jujutsu Kaisen season 2 (Image via MAPPA)

Yuji Itadori can be spotted in season 2 of Jujutsu Kaisen, with an image provided by MAPPA.

Meanwhile, Vinland Saga season 2 made its debut in the Winter 2023 anime season and continued airing until the end of June 2023.

It can be said that Vinland Saga season 2 lost to Jujutsu Kaisen season 2 due to fan biases and lack of information. This means that the entirety of the anime was under consideration.

Despite this, there's good reason to believe that Vinland Saga season 2 was far better than Jujutsu Kaisen season 2, even if the shonen anime's entire season were to be considered.

Thorfinn and Einar as seen in Vinland Saga (Image via MAPPA)

Thorfinn and Einar as seen in Vinland Saga (Image via MAPPA)

Vinland Saga season 2 focused on the Slave Arc from the manga. This arc was pivotal in illustrating the transformation in Thorfinn Thorsson's character.

Previously, Thorfinn was a member of Askeladd's group and committed numerous atrocities. His sole motivation was to avenge his father by killing Askeladd. However, Askeladd's death left Thorfinn adrift without a purpose in life.

Thorfinn had been burdened by the weight of his past actions, feeling the need to atone for the lives he had taken. With the support of his newfound friend Einar, he found the strength to move forward and leave his violent past behind.

He made a promise to himself to never cause harm to anyone again, culminating in a powerful moment where he declared, "I have no enemies." The second season of Vinland Saga was a masterpiece of storytelling and animation, captivating audiences with its epic tale.

Unfortunately, the outcome of the Crunchyroll Anime Awards was influenced by fans who treated it more like a popularity contest, leading to the show's defeat.

Related Links

Editor's P/S:

As an avid anime enthusiast, I found this article thought-provoking and largely aligned with my own perspective. While I appreciate the recognition that Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 has received, I believe that Vinland Saga Season 2 was truly deserving of the Anime of the Year Award at the Crunchyroll Anime Awards.

The article's analysis of the judging process highlights a key issue: the limitations of basing the award on only the first half of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2. The latter half of the season showcased some of its most compelling moments, which may have been overlooked by voters due to the staggered nomination process. In contrast, Vinland Saga Season 2's consistent excellence throughout its entire run undoubtedly contributed to its superior overall impact.