A new season of Vinland Saga. Vinland Saga's 1st season aired in 2019, yet this sequel is just as amazing, if not better, than its predecessor, despite having a lot less action and more attention to characters in the arc it focuses on, the Farmland Arc.
This is my first review of an anime. Note that this review is purely from an anime-only perspective.
Naturally, spoilers for season 1 will appear, so please read at your own discretion.
STORY: 10
Vinland Saga has always had an amazing story, and so far it's been simply captivating. It should be noted that season 1 is considered as the prologue of
...
this tale, and season 2 is where the "real" story begins.
In the first episode we see this season's deuteragonist Einar's story and how he winds up in Ketil's farm. The show does a very good job of attaching the viewer to characters they just met, which not a lot of shows can claim of doing as well. The next 2 episodes show us a lot more of the new Thorfinn, who is broken and sullen from the climax of season 1, where Askelaad, the man he had made his life's purpose to kill, was killed by someone else. Despite how early we are on the season, Vinland Saga has managed to easily enrapture its audience.
The series' pacing has considerably slowed down compared to last season, with fights and plot developments left and right at a breakneck pace. Season 2, in contrast, seems to be focusing on its characters for the time being. Action scenes aren't nearly as commonplace and the show takes a more SoL-oriented turn. However, none of this takes away from Vinland's strength, which is drawing its viewers into its beautiful yet horrifying world. The season paves the way for some serious character development, but might turn off some viewers who were attracted to Vinland Saga for its showy fights and lightning action and pacing.
The story takes a more dismal turn at some parts, largely focusing on death and its consequences. Topics such as "what it means to live" are briefly brought up.
CHARACTERS: 9
The characters in VInland Saga have always been one of its strong points, and this season has done nothing but exemplify that point. Thorfinn, our main character, is a broken war veteran who has lost his life's purpose and lives for the sake of living. On the other hand, Einar lives everyday in the hope of a better tomorrow, despite his dark past. This stark difference in the outlook of life between these two characters is highlighted in many different scenes, such as when Einar tries to make conversation with an unwilling Thorfinn, who seems to only answer questions he deems necessarily demand an answer. 3 episodes in, the show doesn't boast of too many fleshed out side characters yet, although Snake, the head of the bodyguards, and Arnheid definitely show potential to be very interesting.
ART: 8
Season 1 was done by Studio WIT, which did an incredible job of animating Vinland Saga. This time, the reins have been handed over to MAPPA, yet the team animating the series has stayed mostly the same. The backgrounds look absolutely divine and it shines through in almost every frame. Each cut looks more breathtaking than the last.
Some still shots have been used in scenes where motion would normally be expected, which is a slight step down from season 1. The characters, in some scenes, notably stand out as simply drawn in contrast to the highly detailed backgrounds they stand in. They look slightly strange in some shots, but it doesn't take away from the experience exceedingly.
SOUND: 8
The soundtrack doesn't stand out flashily but is able to deliver impact successfully when necessary. Some tracks were able to greatly enhance certain scenes where not too much was going on. The OP is stunning in both visuals and music, and notably, both the OP and ED are sung in English. The ED is also quite good in both the visuals and music department, though I personally prefer the OP.
The voice actors do a very good job, adding a weight to its characters that so differentiates anime from manga as a medium. No voice actors in the cast stand out greatly however, but they work together as seamlessly as a well oiled machine, with each voice actor breathing life into their character.
ENJOYMENT: 10
This season of Vinland Saga has been an amazing ride so far, with each episode exploring different facets of its character's personalities. Each episodes seems to transport the viewer into a different world, the world of the Vikings. Episodes feel like 2 minutes instead of 25, and keep the viewer longing for more every week. This season may not be as appealing to people who like more fights in their anime, but I nevertheless recommend that they try a couple episodes out before passing judgement.
Although we're just 3 episodes in, if the manga readers can be taken seriously, it's certain that the rest of this season will be just as amazing as it is so far, and I cannot wait for it.
I highly recommend Vinland Saga Season 2 to anyone who watched its first season. It may take an episode or two to get into, but once you've started you can never go back
Thanks for reading my first review!
Jan 24, 2023
Vinland Saga Season 2
(Anime)
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A new season of Vinland Saga. Vinland Saga's 1st season aired in 2019, yet this sequel is just as amazing, if not better, than its predecessor, despite having a lot less action and more attention to characters in the arc it focuses on, the Farmland Arc.
This is my first review of an anime. Note that this review is purely from an anime-only perspective. Naturally, spoilers for season 1 will appear, so please read at your own discretion. STORY: 10 Vinland Saga has always had an amazing story, and so far it's been simply captivating. It should be noted that season 1 is considered as the prologue of ... |
