Unveiling the Epic Depths of Vinland Saga's Upcoming Seasons: Beyond the Boundaries of Seasons 1 & 2

WARNING: This article includes major spoilers for the manga of Vinland Saga. Despite raising profound questions about social issues in its first two seasons, Vinland Saga's upcoming seasons will explore even weightier topics. The series' graceful approach to discussing these challenging subjects has captivated a multitude of viewers. Season 2 recently concluded and is a strong contender for anime of the year due to its introspective nature. If Mappa remains faithful to the original manga, it is anticipated that seasons 3 and 4 will delve even further into real-life themes.

Vinland Saga's past two seasons have been overwhelmingly successful, boasting an average rating of 8.7 on MyAnimeList and amassing hundreds of thousands of devoted fans. Given its immense popularity, an announcement for season 3 is simply a matter of time. Fortunately, a tweet from the show's character designer, Takahiro Abiru, provides a hint: "Thorfinn's journey will continue." With knowledge of the manga's storyline, fans can eagerly anticipate a season that surpasses its predecessors in depth and complexity.

Vinland Saga Season 3 Can Tackle Forced Marriage Through Gudrid

Gudrid, a young widow, is set to make her debut in the early episodes of Season 3. She is being coerced into a marriage with Sigurd, the son of Halfdan, who had previously traded livestock with Thors in exchange for a runaway slave in Season 1. Marrying Sigurd will secure Gudrid's family a more comfortable life by forming a connection with Halfdan's wealthy family. However, Gudrid has aspirations beyond simply becoming a wife and remaining in the village. She is a rare individual of her time, being a woman with a strong desire to explore the seas.

Eventually, Gudrid is wedded to Sigurd, but just moments before their physical union, she stabs him, without causing a fatal injury. Gudrid, in a state of panic, flees to Thorfinn, Leif, and Bug-Eyes, who are preparing to leave the island. Recognizing that this is her only opportunity to pursue her dreams, Gudrid implores them to allow her to join their voyage. After persistently convincing them of her capabilities, Thorfinn agrees to let her accompany them on their journey. Over time, Gudrid and Thorfinn grow closer and eventually marry. Like many young women around the world, Gudrid initially found herself in an unwanted marriage. However, she refuses to accept her fate and manages to accomplish her dreams, serving as an inspiration to others.

Sigurd's Vinland Saga Story is About Living Up To Parental Expectations

Many individuals struggle with meeting the expectations placed upon them by their parents, and Sigurd, the son of Halfdan, can personally relate to this experience. Halfdan, being an affluent and esteemed figure on their island, has already established external expectations for his son to follow in his footsteps. However, Sigurd's situation is far more complex. His father has never acknowledged him, never praised him, and has never engaged in meaningful conversations or expressions of love towards him. Sigurd attempted everything within his power to earn his father's approval, even going as far as pursuing Gudrid in an attempt to regain his dignity. Unfortunately, all of his efforts proved to be in vain.

Following an arduous and perilous journey, Sigurd eventually returned to the island, a transformed man. While he still harbored love and respect for his father, he was no longer bound by the burdensome expectation of constantly pleasing him. Paradoxically, Sigurd's newfound indifference towards his father's approval garnered him the respect he had always longed for, as his father finally recognized his worthiness of inheriting his wealth. Sigurd proceeded to marry his childhood friend and start a family. Vinland Saga effectively demonstrates that clinging onto the expectations and approval of others is detrimental to one's well-being and that true happiness can only be achieved once you let go.

Future Seasons of Vinland Saga Will Be About Redemption

In Season 2, Thorfinn Karlsefni experienced deep remorse for his past life of violence and plundering. Consumed by guilt, he had resigned himself to a life without redemption, until a chance meeting with Einar altered his perspective. Determined to renounce violence and utilize his strength solely for protection, Thorfinn underwent a profound transformation. Even the astute King Canute, the mastermind of Vinland Saga's political landscape, was taken aback by Thorfinn's remarkable evolution and newfound kindness. Yet, despite his genuine change, the sins of his past remained irreparable.

During the Eastern Expedition Arc, Thorfinn and his companions encountered Hild, a skilled hunter whose father had been killed by Thorfinn during Askellad's raid. Identifying him as the culprit, she surreptitiously poisoned the food she prepared for them. In order to obtain the antidote for his friends, Thorfinn was compelled to confront Hild in combat. With the advantage of terrain, Hild emerged victorious, and just as she was about to deal the final blow, Gudrid interceded, imploring her to spare Thorfinn and affirming his transformation. Heeding her father's teachings, Hild chose to release Thorfinn. In a sign of forgiveness, she decided to accompany their crew as a watchful observer, assessing whether Thorfinn's change was sincere. Ultimately, she forgave him.

Vinland Saga Has a Story Arc About Gender Dysphoria

If the anime surpasses the manga's storyline, future seasons of Vinland Saga will explore the theme of gender identity through the character Cordelia. Originally born as Thorkell's son in Ireland, Cordelia was raised as a girl by her mother to protect her from being sent to war, a traditional practice at the time. When Thorkell arranged a potential marriage for Cordelia, her mother fled with her to keep her true gender a secret. Cordelia eventually became Halfdan's slave, adopting the name Halvar given by Thorkell, although it made her uncomfortable.

Upon hearing Thorfinn's plan to seek a new life in Vinland, Cordelia saw this as an opportunity to embrace her true identity and name. She chose to accompany him to Vinland, revealing her name as Cordelia. In a heartwarming moment of acceptance, Thorfinn wholeheartedly embraced Cordelia and referred to her by her true name. While Thorfinn may have once been indifferent or disrespectful towards Cordelia's identity, his decision to welcome her warmly shows how much he has grown.

Vinland Saga tackles current themes with skillful entertainment and viewer engagement. It provokes contemplation on the nature of reality and moral judgement, which contributes to its large fanbase. Thorfinn's inspiring journey towards redemption resonates with individuals who may believe their mistakes are unforgivable. By diligently atoning for his actions as a teenager, Thorfinn sets a commendable example. With the potential to match the quality of the manga, future seasons of Vinland Saga promise to elevate this already remarkable series, adding complexity and intrigue. Stream Vinland Saga on Crunchyroll.