Vinland Saga is a gripping tale that started as a manga by Makoto Yukimura way back in April 2005 and wrapped up its 28th volume on July 25, 2025. The anime came out in two parts. The first was in 2019, made by Wit Studio, and the second followed in 2023, created by MAPPA. Altogether, there were 48 episodes.
Critical acclaim and awards
Critics seem to really enjoy both seasons. People couldn’t stop talking about Season 1. The animation was sharp, the story clicked, and the characters looked just right. People noticed how Season 2 tackled tough topics like slavery, the idea of non-violence, and what was going on in each character’s head.
Vinland Saga was crowned Best Drama at the fourth edition of the Crunchyroll Anime Awards. The character Askeladd, who played the villain, was up for Best Antagonist, and the series itself ended up getting quite a few nominations too. In 2023, IGN gave Season 2 a big thumbs-up by naming it the Best Anime Series of the year.
Sales and popularity signals
As of August 2022, this manga had quietly and steadily sold over 7 million copies worldwide. Even though it’s doing pretty well, not many people know about it yet.
One fan argued: “I feel like this kinda upsets me because this is such a surface level summary of how well written Thorfinn is… [People] just hopping on the bandwagon.”
Some people feel like Vinland Saga hasn’t quite caught on yet in Japan, even though it’s got a loyal bunch of fans. A viewer pointed out, “It’s not something well-known in Japan. I talked to a Japanese friend, and they said they’d never heard of it.”
Even though it’s on Netflix, Crunchyroll, and Prime Video for the whole world to watch, only a small but deeply loyal group seems to love it.
Personal Take: Why I Think It Matters
I recently rewatched the anime, and once again, I was completely caught up in Thorfinn’s journey; from a revenge-fueled fighter to someone searching for a more peaceful life. The second season showed his bond with Einar in such an honest and touching way, it almost felt like watching two friends you know. I’ve watched so many movies rehash the same old revenge story, but in this one, it actually makes sense. It slows down, not for effect, but because that’s what the moment calls for. Silence has a way of sneaking in and making everything feel more real.
What Are Fans Saying on Social Media?
One fan shared a thought quietly, almost like a whisper, saying they felt Vinland Saga was becoming too popular now. It’s attracting folks who, in their view, might not truly grasp the depth of its story. All anyone talks about lately is Thorfinn’s ‘I have no enemies’ line, and they stop right there.
Someone once said, “When I was in Japan, I asked a store clerk about this manga. He had to check it in the system first, but he told me that since it has over 27 volumes published, it’s probably quite popular and successful.”
Why It’s Being Called a “Hit”—But Not a Tsunami
Hit-Level Quality:
- Season after season, year after year, it’s been praised by almost everyone who watched it closely.
- This show bagged the Best Drama award at Crunchyroll and was also crowned Best Anime Series for Season 2 by IGN.
- It’s got all the right stuff: deep, meaningful ideas, characters you’ll never forget like Askeladd and Canute, and storytelling that paints history in full color.
Why it’s not a mass-market blockbuster:
- Even though it sold 7 million copies, it still doesn’t hit the same massive level as Demon Slayer or My Hero Academia.
- Funny how even in Japan, where you’d expect it to be well-known, people still don’t talk about it much – at least, that’s what some folks on Reddit are saying.
- Some fans nicknamed Season 2 the “Farmland Saga” because it slowed down so much, and those who were hoping for nonstop action were honestly kind of let down.
Final Verdict: Hit, Not Flop
To say Vinland Saga flopped would be way off the mark. It’s won hearts, collected awards, and even critics have given it a big thumbs up. It still hasn’t hit the big leagues of anime popularity just yet. This story doesn’t rush you. It’s carefully made and quietly powerful, like something that grows on you with time.
If you’re in the mood for an anime that mixes drama with soul-searching and shows characters who grow beautifully over time, this one really stands out. If you’re hoping for action-packed fights in every single episode, then this show might not be the best for a casual binge.
What’s Next?
Season 3 might not show up until 2026 or even later since the studios have their hands full with other shows right now. Looks like they’re going to adapt the Eastern Expedition arc from the manga, where we finally meet Sigurd, Hild, and the fierce Garm.
Now that the manga is wrapping up around July 25, 2025, there’s a good chance we might finally get to see the full adaptation. Vinland Saga might not be winning all the awards or sitting at the top of every anime list, but it’s won over people’s hearts like an old friend you didn’t know you needed.
More than a tale of vengeance, it’s one of setting things right and moving on. It hits all the right notes when it comes to quality and heart, but it hasn’t really taken off with the masses.
