Uncovering the True Origins of Vinland Saga
Uncover the historical accuracy behind the captivating anime series, Vinland Saga Explore the true story, delve into the characters' historical roots, witness the portrayal of Vikings, and unravel the gripping England-Denmark conflict
Vinland Saga is rooted in real history, as it is set during the Viking Age. The series follows the journey of Thorfinn, a young warrior seeking vengeance, capturing the essence of this historical period.
The series is set during the Viking conquest of the British Isles in the early 1000s, and features characters such as King Canute and Leif Ericson who are based on real historical figures. What may surprise you is that much of the popular anime is directly inspired by history books, from the characters to the plot points. Let's take a closer look at how much of Vinland Saga draws inspiration from real historical events.
The true story of Vinland Saga
To start with, it’s important to understand where Vinland Saga actually comes from.
The anime is inspired by two historical Icelandic texts called the Vinland Sagas: The Saga of the Greenlanders and The Saga of Eric the Red. These texts were written between 1220 and 1280 AD and describe events that took place around 970 and 1030 AD, providing different accounts of the Norse voyages to Vinland.
Vinland, derived from the term Wineland after Leif Eriksson's discovery of grapevines in North America, is believed to refer to eastern Canada, as depicted in the anime. Speculation surrounds the Viking ruins discovered in L'Anse aux Meadows, thought to have been constructed by Leif and Thorfinn during their voyages. The Vinland Sagas provide the most comprehensive and precise accounts of Norse exploration of the Americas, and the anime is inspired by these texts, incorporating their characters and events.
Vinland Saga characters in history
The characters in Vinland Saga are part of what makes this series so fascinating. Especially considering that many are based on real-life historical individuals.
1. Thorfinn
Several characters in Vinland Saga are based on historical figures such as Sweyn Forkbeard, Thorkell, Askeladd, Wulf, and Gudrid. However, for the purpose of this article, we will focus on only a select few for a more in-depth analysis.
Studio MAPPA
The series revolves around Thorfinn, the main protagonist who starts off as a lively young boy aspiring to be a great hero like his father. However, his life takes a drastic turn when Askeladd, the antagonist, cruelly kills his father, leading Thorfinn to be coerced into joining Askeladd’s crew and being compelled to commit brutal acts of violence.
The character is based on Thorfinn Karlsefni, an Icelandic explorer recognized for his expeditions to Vinland. In history, Thorfinn is the great-grandson of the Viking Thord Bjarnson, who journeyed to Vinland around 1010AD after hearing tales from another explorer named Leif the Lucky.
Makoto Yukimura’s portrayal of Thorfinn shares some traits with his namesake, such as a passion for exploration. However, a notable difference is that the only known detail about the real Thorfinn's childhood is that his father was a prosperous merchant.
2. King Canute
Studio MAPPA
The anime introduces King Canute as a young prince who transforms into a formidable leader, mirroring the historical figure who conquered England and expanded his rule to other lands. Like his counterpart, the Viking King Cnut, Canute is depicted as a legendary ruler on the path to eventually becoming King of England, Denmark, and Norway in the series Vinland Saga.
3. Thors Snorreson
WIT Studio
The anime portrays Thorfinn’s father, Thors Snorreson, also known as the Troll of Jom, as a fearsome warrior among the Jomsvikings who becomes a more peaceful man after the birth of his children, ultimately sacrificing himself to protect his family. In historical accounts, Thorfinn’s real father lacks the legendary status depicted in the anime, and little is known about him aside from raising Thorfinn in Iceland. However, the real Vinland sagas suggest the possibility that he may have been a former warrior, given claims of Thors’ lineage descending from the great Viking and son of Ragnar Bjorn Ironside.
The portrayal of Vikings in Vinland Saga
Similar to Michael Hirst’s widely acclaimed History channel series Vikings, Makoto Yukimura’s Vinland Saga opts to authentically depict the Vikings as documented in historical texts.
The Vikings are often misunderstood as savage seafaring warriors from Scandinavia who invaded Europe from the 9th to 11th century. However, Vinland Saga offers a more complex portrayal, highlighting their origins as farmers in their homeland. The anime also acknowledges their violent tendencies while balancing this with a more nuanced representation.
The England-Denmark conflict
The fight over who will be the next king of EnglandCanute vs Harald pic.twitter.com/gGVWCbjxoe
The anime also highlights the lesser-known Jomsvikings, who were legendary Viking conquerors in the 10th and 11th centuries. However, chieftains such as Sigvaldi Strut-Haraldsson and Thorkell the High have not received as much attention as other great leaders, such as Ragnar Lothbrok and Erik the Red.
The anime Vinland Saga is inspired by real-life sagas and portrays the Jomsvikings as mercenaries for the King of England, driven by their love of money and war over their belief in the gods. However, the mangaka takes creative liberties, including the leadership of Thorkell the Tall instead of Thorfinn's father, Thors.
Canute and Thorfinn, powerful historical figures, are depicted in the anime with a complex relationship that resembles friendship as they strive for peace in Europe. In reality, they never met, but the anime allows us to imagine what could have been. Vinland Saga, created by Makoto Yukimura, is a historically accurate anime that blends real events with imaginative storytelling to create an exciting narrative.
While you’re here, make sure to check out our other anime coverage below:
Editor's P/S
As an enthusiastic fan of the anime series Vinland Saga, I am thrilled to learn about its historical accuracy and the inspiration drawn from real-life events and figures. The series' portrayal of the Viking Age, the England-Denmark conflict, and the characters' historical roots adds depth and authenticity to the narrative. It's fascinating to see how the anime incorporates elements from the Vinland Sagas, such as the characters of Thorfinn, King Canute, and Thors Snorreson, while also taking creative liberties to enhance the storytelling.
The attention to historical detail in Vinland Saga is commendable, as it brings the Viking era to life and allows viewers to connect with the past in a captivating way. The anime's exploration of themes such as vengeance, loyalty, and the pursuit of a meaningful life resonates deeply with me, and I appreciate how it delves into the complexities of human nature. Overall, Vinland Saga is a masterpiece that successfully blends historical accuracy with engaging storytelling, making it a must-watch for fans of historical anime and Viking culture.
