Vinland Saga is one of the best anime series of all time. Based on the historical manga by Makoto Yukimura, it tells the epic story of Thorfinn, a young Viking warrior who seeks revenge against Askeladd, the man who killed his father. Along the way, he gets involved in the political turmoil of England and Denmark and meets various historical figures such as King Canute and Thorkell.
The first season of Vinland Saga aired in 2019 and covered the first four arcs of the manga: War Arc, Slave Arc, Eastern Expedition Arc, and Kingmaker Arc. It ended with a shocking twist that changed Thorfinn’s life forever. Fans have been eagerly waiting for a second season ever since.
Thankfully, their wait is almost over. In June 2021, Twin Engine released a new trailer for Vinland Saga Season 21, which revealed that it will premiere in January 20232. The trailer also showed some glimpses of what to expect from the next season.
But how different will it be from season 1? And more importantly, how better will it be? Well, according to director Shuhei Yabuta3, it will be “a completely different story”. He also said that he wants to “deliver a work that surpasses expectations”.
In this blog post, we will list 10 things that make Vinland Saga Season 2 better than Season 1. These are not spoilers, but rather reasons why you should be hyped for the next season. So without further ado, let’s get started!
Contents
1. A Different Tone and Theme
One of the main differences between season 1 and season 2 is the tone and theme of each arc. While season 1 focused on war and revenge, season 2 will explore themes such as slavery, freedom, redemption, and peace4. It will also show Thorfinn’s growth as a character and his quest to find his own Vinland.
Season 2 will adapt the fifth arc of the manga: Farmland Arc. It will take place mostly on Ketil’s farm in Denmark, where Thorfinn and Einar work as slaves. There, they will encounter new challenges and opportunities that will test their resolve and morality.
Season 2 will offer a different perspective on history and humanity than season 1 did. It will show how war affects not only those who fight in it but also those who suffer from its consequences. It will also show how people can change for better or worse depending on their circumstances.
2. A New Setting and Characters
Another difference between season 1 and season 2 is the setting and characters of each arc. While season 1 took place mostly in England during its invasion by Denmark, season 2 will take place mostly in Denmark during its civil war. This means that we will see more of Danish culture and politics than before.
Season 2 will also introduce new characters that will play important roles in Thorfinn’s journey. Some of them are:
- Arnheid: A former slave who works as Ketil’s mistress. She has a strong personality and a sharp tongue.
- Snake: A mysterious man who claims to be a warrior but acts like a thief. He has a grudge against Thorfinn for some reason.
- Thorgil: Ketil’s eldest son who returns home after fighting with Thorkell. He is arrogant and violent but loyal to his father.
- Gardar: Arnheid’s husband who was sold as a slave by Ketil4. He escapes from his master with Hildr’s help.
- Hildr: A young girl who lives near Ketil’s farm with her father Halvor. She has a talent for making crossbows.
3. A More Mature Storytelling
Another thing that makes Vinland Saga Season 2 better than Season 1 is its more mature storytelling. While Season 1 was already a dark and realistic portrayal of the Viking era, Season 2 will go even deeper into the psychological and moral aspects of the characters and their actions. It will show how Thorfinn struggles with his past trauma and his future goals. It will also show how Einar copes with his new life as a slave and his friendship with Thorfinn.
Season 2 will also explore the themes of slavery and freedom in more depth. It will show how different characters view their status as slaves or masters, and how they try to change or accept it. It will also show how freedom can have different meanings for different people, and how it can come at a price.
Season 2 will also have more emotional moments that will tug at your heartstrings. It will show how Thorfinn reconnects with his father and his enemy in his dreams. It will also show how Einar learns to love again after losing his family. And it will show how Canute faces his destiny as a king.
4. A More Faithful Adaptation
Another thing that makes Vinland Saga Season 2 better than Season 1 is its more faithful adaptation of the manga. While Season 1 was mostly faithful to the source material, it did make some changes and omissions that some fans were not happy about. For example, it skipped some scenes from the War Arc that showed Thorfinn’s childhood and Askeladd’s backstory. It also changed some details from the Kingmaker Arc that affected Canute’s character development.
However, Season 2 seems to be following the manga more closely than Season 1 did. The trailer for Season 2 showed many scenes from the Farmland Arc that were faithful to the manga panels. The director also said that he wants to “respect Yukimura-sensei’s work” as much as possible.
This means that we can expect to see more of the original story and art style of Vinland Saga in Season 2. We can also expect to see some scenes that were not shown in Season 1 but were important for the plot or the characters.
5. A More Beautiful Animation
Another thing that makes Vinland Saga Season 2 better than Season 1 is its more beautiful animation. While Season 1 had amazing animation quality for a TV anime series, it did have some flaws and inconsistencies that were noticeable to some viewers. For example, some scenes had choppy movements or low frame rates. Some characters had off-model faces or expressions. And some backgrounds had bland colours or textures.
However, Season 2 seems to have improved its animation quality even further than Season 1 did. The trailer for Season 2 showed some stunning scenes that showcased the animation skills of the studio. The movements were smooth and fluid. The characters had expressive faces and gestures. And the backgrounds had vibrant colours and details.
The studio behind Vinland Saga is Wit Studio, which is known for its high-quality animation works such as Attack on Titan and The Ancient Magus’ Bride. They have proven their talent and passion for Vinland Saga in Season 1, and they seem to have surpassed themselves in Season 2.
This means that we can expect to see more of the beautiful animation that Vinland Saga deserves in Season 2. We can also expect to see some breathtaking action scenes that will make us feel like we are in the middle of a Viking battle.
6. A More Epic Soundtrack
Another thing that makes Vinland Saga Season 2 better than Season 1 is its more epic soundtrack. While Season 1 had a great soundtrack that matched the mood and atmosphere of the story, it did have some limitations and repetitions that were noticeable by some viewers. For example, some tracks were reused too often or did not fit well with certain scenes. Some tracks were also too quiet or too loud compared to the dialogue or sound effects.
However, Season 2 seems to have improved its soundtrack quality even further than Season 1 did. The trailer for Season 2 showed some new tracks that sounded more epic and powerful than before. The music was composed by Yutaka Yamada, who is known for his work on Tokyo Ghoul and Great Pretender. He has proven his talent and versatility for Vinland Saga in Season 1, and he seems to have outdone himself in Season 2.
This means that we can expect to hear more of the epic soundtrack that Vinland Saga deserves in Season 2. We can also expect to hear some new themes and motifs that will reflect the characters and their emotions.
7. A More Loyal Fanbase
Another thing that makes Vinland Saga Season 2 better than Season 1 is its more loyal fanbase. While Season 1 had a good reception and popularity among anime fans, it did have some challenges and obstacles that prevented it from reaching a wider audience. For example, it was only available on Amazon Prime Video, which is not as popular or accessible as other streaming platforms. It also had to compete with other anime series that aired in the same season or year.
However, Season 2 seems to have overcome these challenges and obstacles thanks to its loyal fanbase. The fans of Vinland Saga have been supporting and promoting the series since Season 1 ended. They have been creating fan art, fan fiction, memes, videos, podcasts, and more. They have also been spreading the word and recommending the series to their friends and family.
The fans of Vinland Saga have also been showing their appreciation and gratitude to the creators and staff of the series. They have been sending messages, comments, reviews, ratings, awards, donations, and more. They have also been expressing their excitement and anticipation for Season 2.
This means that we can expect to see more of the loyal fanbase that Vinland Saga deserves in Season 2. We can also expect to see more interaction and engagement between the fans and the creators.
8. A More Hype Trailer
Another thing that makes Vinland Saga Season 2 better than Season 1 is its more hype trailer. While Season 1 had a good trailer that introduced the main characters and premise of the story, it did not reveal much about the plot or action of the series. It also did not generate much buzz or attention among anime fans or media outlets.
However, Season 2 had a hype trailer that showed more of what to expect from the next season. The trailer was released in June 2021, which was almost two years after Season 1 ended. It was also shown at Anime Expo Lite, which was one of the biggest online anime events of the year.
The trailer for Season 2 showed some scenes from the Farmland Arc that were faithful to the manga panels. It also showed some glimpses of the new characters and settings that will appear in Season 2. It also had a catchy song called “River” by Anonymouz that matched the mood and theme of the series.
The trailer for Season 2 also generated a lot of hype and excitement among anime fans and media outlets. The trailer was viewed millions of times on YouTube and other platforms. It also received positive feedback and comments from fans and critics. It also made Vinland Saga trend on social media and news sites.
This means that we can expect to see more of the hype trailer that Vinland Saga deserves in Season 2. We can also expect to see more reactions and discussions about the trailer and the series.
9. A More Rewarding Experience
Another thing that makes Vinland Saga Season 2 better than Season 1 is its more rewarding experience for the viewers. While Season 1 was a great experience that introduced us to the world and characters of Vinland Saga, it was also a long and hard journey that tested our patience and emotions. It had many tragic and heartbreaking moments that made us cry or rage. It also had many cliffhangers and twists that made us wait or wonder.
However, Season 2 will be a more rewarding experience that will pay off our investment and dedication to the series. It will have many satisfying and heartwarming moments that will make us smile or cheer. It will also have many resolutions and revelations that will make us understand or appreciate.
Season 2 will be a more rewarding experience because it will show how Thorfinn’s journey comes full circle. It will show how he overcomes his past demons and finds his true purpose in life. It will also show how he influences others with his actions and words.
Season 2 will be a more rewarding experience because it will show how Vinland Saga’s story reaches its climax and resolution. It will show how the historical events and characters that we have seen in Season 1 will affect the fate of England and Denmark. It will also show how the mythical land of Vinland that we have heard about in Season 1 will become a reality.
Season 2 will be a more rewarding experience because it will show how Vinland Saga’s themes and messages will resonate with us. It will show how the series explores the meaning of life, war, peace, freedom, love, and more. It will also show how the series inspires us to find our own Vinland in this world.
10. A More Anticipated Finale
Another thing that makes Vinland Saga Season 2 better than Season 1 is its more anticipated finale. While Season 1 had a good finale that wrapped up the Kingmaker Arc and set up the Farmland Arc, it did not have much impact or closure for the viewers. It also left many questions and mysteries unanswered or unresolved.
However, Season 2 will have a more anticipated finale that will conclude the Farmland Arc and lead to the next arc of the manga. It will have more impact and closure for the viewers because it will resolve many of the conflicts and issues that were raised in Season 1 and Season 2. It will also answer many of the questions and mysteries that were left hanging or hinted at.
Season 2 will have a more anticipated finale because it will feature some of the most memorable and iconic scenes from the manga. It will feature some of the most emotional and dramatic moments that will make us cry or cheer. It will also feature some of the most epic and action-packed moments that will make us gasp or awe.
