Makoto Yukimura’s award-winning Vinland Saga is the #1 manga I look forward to reading every every few months when a new volume is released. Why? Well, maybe because it's maybe the best historic - fact and fiction story I've ever read. After all the it's-amazing blah blah blah praises I've heard from the anime community, I finally decided to give this manga a go a couple weeks ago and once I started, I just could not put the manga down. Who knew that a mere manga about Vikings-love-revenge could result in one of the greatest tragic stories ever both inside and outside of the manga community. From the historic settings to the masterfully developed characters to the captivating plot, this manga doesn't leave anything out.

I'm sure most of you have read Berserk and loved it considering it's one of the most popular, and highest rated manga here on mal; I'm going to tell you that Vinland Saga is much more violent, touching, deep, romantic, enjoyable and to an extent, sinister. Vinland Saga takes us back in time a thousand years, to the world of the historic Vikings. What did Vikings do back in the day? They conquered and slaughtered. Sure the entire manga isn't all realistic and doesn't follow history exactly, but Vinland Saga still stays true to it's reality-based horrors and battles; you could call a realistic mythology.

The basic outline of the story follows the adventures and misadventures of a young viking, Thorfinn's path to revenge, love, betrayal, and redemption. After witnessing the murder of his father as a boy, Thornfinn swears revenge against Askeladd, his father's murderer as well as Thornfinn's cunning commander. But Thornfinn's reason for joining Askeladd's band of Vikings isn't solely for his revenge, there are hidden deeper meanings of Thornfinn's reason for life that date back to his past in Iceland and the mythical country that's said to be peaceful and perfect to the west of Iceland - Vinland. But in the midst of his revenge and search for this mythical land, he gets caught up in the middle of a great war for the Crown of England.

What do I love about the plot? Not only is it mind-blowingly genius, and absolutely captivating, but there's absolutely no sugar-coating anything, no cute, childish crap, no bullshit. There is only the harshness of reality back in the 11th century. What's the first thing we get to see in the manga? People being turned into Slaves, Mass Murder, Torture (More people get their eyes cut out in beginning than I've ever seen combined from any other stories), Rape, and a supposedly heroic main character who sits back, watches, and laughs at the horrors unfolding before him. This is portrayed perfectly, for War in reality, isn't one where some main character decides to befriend a couple enemies through compassion, and suddenly they go super-sayan and end up defeating their enemies-a greater army because they have "the will to win"... No, War is a disgusting event in which everyone that's part of it will end up suffering, and Vinland Saga portrays that to it's finest. The first half of the manga truly depicts and draws the reader into horror-the world of the Vikings. The plot is my favorite historic-drama story I've ever read, it's just on a whole new level of greatness. It strives to teach the reader's about the Viking's history, while keeping us entertained by adding fiction and allowing the readers to not only read it, but live it. You think this story is only about revenge and war? Oh how you couldn't be more wrong. The Viking's were merciless, but that doesn't deny them from being a human being does it? It's an instinct for survival of their own. What does it mean to be a human? To have a conscience, to show compassion, to love others and to have others love you back? Thorfinn's brutal journey to revenge (think, there must be a reason Thorfinn's father was murdered right? What do you think that reason is? That is an ongoing mystery in the series~) yet maintain his humanity and experience a magical thing called "love" sets the tone for what's to come for this masterpiece~ But beyond just the story, the themes and philosophical questions brought up in the story keep the readers thinking, which is half the fun in reading. The psychological emotions that the characters experience translates directly to what the readers feel: This series just takes psychological minds to a whole new level. This manga has officially made me a fanboy.

But truth be told, the "character" aspect of this manga is the greatest part of this story. The first thing that really stands out about Vinland Saga is the writer, Yukimura Makoto’s ability to weave together the characters’ past and present to create a deeper understanding of the characters’ motives and characterizations. The reader gets to go on a grandiose journey from 6 year old Thornfinn to adult Thornfinn and learn all about his history, as well as the history of the Vikings-events that happened in real life during the 11th century Europe. Anyways, all the characters are multi-faceted and intriguing, especially the two main characters, Thornfinn and Askeladd. Everyone is developed to their maximum potential.

Askeladd, did you know that that name is derived from a North European Folk Tale hero, Askeladden? I sure as heck didn't, until I read about it. From the get-go of the series, we see the evolution of Thorfinn from happy child to bitter teen because of what Askeladd did to Thorfinn's father. So obviously the first thing we think is that Askeladd is the bad guy. But as we delve into his past, and how/why he became the cruel, mercenary man that he is currently, more questions arise about the concept of evil/good and right/wrong. Askeladd's design and development is one of the most memorable character developments I've ever seen. Thornfinn isn't much different at all. Thornfinn, is he even a hero? Certainly he's a morally ambiguous character whom can't be distinguished as purely good or bad; it's left to the readers to decide for themselves accordingly to their own beliefs and ideals whether what Thornfinn is doing is truly righteous or evil. He's awfully similar to Light Yagami in many ways; absolute power corrupts absolutely. It's disturbing how true this saying is. Thornfinn too starts off as an innocent boy and as tragedies unfold one after another in his life, his ideals and personality changes, turning Thornfinn into one of the most ruthless main characters of all time, and this anti-hero is who we're supposed to root for. Mmmmm, fascinating indeed.

Hah, the art puts every single other manga's art to shame. I proclaim Vinland Saga as the manga with the best art. The art just adds onto the realism aspect of this masterpiece. The detail put into each character's (Viking's) portrayals should be lauded. Holy Moly, absolutely stunning. Askeladd practically oozes underhanded nastiness without being drawn as an exaggerated farce of a man with his emotionless wrinkled up face alongside his intimidating Viking beard. Thornfinn looks like a wild savage beast trying to find his humanity yet at the same time prioritizing his revenge above anything else, including his own life. The portrayal of the historical setting is a true work of art~ Every volume, the art just improves too~ The memorable vicious, gory scenes are all beautifully portrayed as well, without hiding anything - perfect.

This is the single-most enjoyable manga I have ever read, period. I'm sure you won't be disappointed either~