Vinland Saga is a historical, adventure-epic manga by Makoto Yukimura. The first 8 volumes were adapted into a 24-episode anime season by Wit Studio. Season 1 was one of the best anime of 2019, so the much-awaited 2nd season of Vinland Saga was one of the most anticipated anime of 2023.

This season covers the “Slave Arc”, volumes 9-14 into 24 episodes by studio MAPPA. Despite the studio change, much of the original staff from season 1 have worked on season 2!

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Set in 11th century Europe after the events of the 1st season, the young warrior Thorfinn’s main reasons to keep struggling and fighting for are gone now. Feeling empty he abandons his warrior self and is sold into slavery all the while being plagued by nightmares of his past actions.

This season's core focus is the rehabilitation of the main character and to start moving the series to its end conclusion… reaching Vinland.

If you are looking for an action-packed season with more dual knife-wielding, war fights, and Thorkell Hanma going on rampages you will be very disappointed. There is still lots of blood and heavy themes, and regarding themes they are even heavier here than in the first season.

Vinland Saga Season 2 is criticized by some as slow. There is less action and more character drama. This arc is popularly called Farmland Saga, why? Almost all of season 2 takes place on a farm. Imagine the farmhouse in Walking Dead Season 2, but good... really fucking good.

Despite there being far less action, this season is shockingly better and more amazing than the already amazing 1st season. Yes, it’s that good.

I personally do not like using the term “Peak Fiction” in reviews, as it can be cringy or full of bias, but for Vinland Saga, it feels appropriate for the level of writing it has delivered.

This is a season that will make you curious about what happens next in its plot, it will impress you with rich characterization of its characters, immerse you with its drama and tragedy, it even made me cry more than once. It also fills you with hope and lots of badassery... plus lots of farming!

The direction is seriously incredible. The staff was able to create some fantastic scenes with the wonderful art and animation. Full of dedication and love, it especially shows in the anime original content that additionally fleshes out existing scenes. 1/3 of episode 17 is anime original and it’s universally accepted even by manga readers to be great. The nightmare scenes are visually stunning and the fight scenes that are included have amazing choreography.

The sound design is great, everything sounds appropriate and the soundtrack is equally as good... especially the piano OSTs. The voice acting is S tier, the entire cast is amazing. Uemura Yuuto as Thorfinn and Saco Mayumi as Arnheid deliver performances that left me impressed.

It is very apparent that the staff really love and understand the source material. The dedication would make any author start crying from how fortunate they were if they received such an adaptation.

Thorfinn has one of the best rehabilitation and transformations I’ve seen in media. His character progression and development throughout the two seasons are masterful. Seeing him abandoning his old warrior self to become a true warrior like his father.

Einar is best boy, a contrast to Thorfinn in the way they grew up, but both are the same regarding the uncertainty of their futures. Their relationship is wonderful, genuine, and wholesome. Being the main source of help for Thorfinn's mental health and their first real friend.

Canute returns with an amazing glow up. His role in the story is as interesting as ever, after becoming king it is very fascinating seeing how the crown has started affecting him and his end goals.

Vinland Saga is not just war and Vikings, the story is about trauma and showing the never-ending cycle of violence constructed by those believing they have enemies worth killing. Vinland Saga is an amazing, beautiful, epic story.