From Kodansha:As a child, Thorfinn sat at the feet of the great Leif Ericson and thrilled to wild tales of a land far to the west. But his youthful fantasies were shattered by a mercenary raid. Raised by the Vikings who murdered his family, Thorfinn became a terrifying warrior, forever seeking to kill the band’s leader, Askeladd, and avenge his father. Sustaining Thorfinn through his ordeal are his pride in his family and his dreams of a fertile westward land, a land without war or slavery. The land Leif called Vinland. 542cc
Note: Was nominated for the 2008 Manga Taisho award. Won the Grand Prize in the manga division of the Japan Media Arts awards in 2009. Won the 36th Kodansha Manga Award for Best General Manga in 2012.
28 Volumes (Ongoing)

Well i gotta say, i havent even started reading this manga yet, but after reading that description i just gotta do it. I'm from Norway, and the tales of the Vikings are just ordinary here. + Askeladd(en) is a guy from a folktale, my fathers name is Thorfinn. gets me laughing 😉 i wont submit a rating ofcorse, until after i've read it
this is surely one of the best mangas i've ever read. the art is just amazing, story is undeniably neutral and if i ever start to try to describe the epic feeling this manga's characters give, i won't be able to stop. =P anyway, enough fapping, if you like historic mangas, this is definitely for you; even if you don't like them, you should try this one. =P
I just can't describe it properly. It's amazing how one guy from Far East can relate such intricate knowledge of Dark Ages period through manga. Not only historically, but action-wise Vinland Saga is exceptional. All fights and battles are done in a way that takes my breath away. I lack words to recommend it, just try it yourself. And if you like Vikings, you're definitely in for a treat 😀
I can understand why someone might dislike Vinland Saga, which features a potentially unsympathetic anti-hero, his Machiavellian contemporaries, and plenty of emphatic gore. However, any criticism regarding the manga’s originality, or lack thereof, deserves a response, particularly when the so-called clichés are fundamental plot threads found not only in most shonen/seinen manga, but in film and classical literature, as well. Why not accuse Shakespeare of being uninspired for incorporating Greek mythology in his work? My point is that Yukimura Makoto is in good company, and it seems a bit churlish to fault him for the few unavoidably familiar elements in an uncommonly intelligent plot. The political intrigue is well crafted, and Thorfinn and Askeladd’s relationship is more complicated than any simplified notion of the former’s vengefulness might imply. Also, the oft-lamented flashback is interesting (in my humble opinion) and essential to the story for introducing Thorfinn’s suitably iconic father—a multi-dimensional legend worthy of his son’s iration and ours. Many popular titles are redundant in their mindless and melodramatic application of manga tropes and conventions. Vinland Saga is not one of them. I think fans of the genre would actually appreciate the degree to which the story does embody certain recognizable traits. I would hazard to add that, contrary to BimboSilly’s assertions, one does not have to be new to historical action adventures or a Norse fanatic to enjoy the series. Even if the plot is not to your taste, the art and exposition are laudable and hardly worth the lowest rating possible.
... Last updated 16 years ago
idolizing father- check, parent's death - check, revenge - check, 1+1/2 volume flash back- check, Exceptionally talented fighter on his path to become the greatest- check..
Trust me, if you
a> have a fascination for vikings
b>are or know about Vikings
c> havent read that many historical war mangas/comics or just have a fascination for such mangas/comics
d> all of the above
Then you will love this manga otherwise its not something that you have never seen before... I prefer the english movies though- they have the funny parts...
... Last updated 17 years ago
great manga.
nice clean artwork and GREAT story, some nice twists.
definately worth following.
IMO this is one of the best ongoing seinens right now, and probably ever.
... Last updated 15 years ago
I'm a viking myself lol. It might be a bit slow, but I wouldn't take away a single . This truly is a masterpiece. Recommended to everyone. Both artwork and plot are magnificent. One of those few 10/10 mangas out there (perhaps I'm being this generous 'cause I love vikings though 😛 ).
I was really hesitant to read this Manga because I Studied the Vikings in College. I figured this series was just some cheap "Vikings are Bad, Grrr" kind of Manga. It's not. I was Pleasantly surprised and I enjoyed every minute of reading this series (as I write this its not complete yet) and look forward to reading even more as its Scanlated.
The Art is Top notch, absolutely Gorgeous in its Execution.
The Story is Based on the REAL occurences in the 11th century, Down to the Feelings of the Christians towards the "Heathens" and the way the Vikings felt to toward the "Cowardly Christians".
This story has it all, in all one of the Best Manga I have EVER read.
At first I didn't want to read this manga and ed it up a bunch of times thinking "well it'd probably move too slow and won't be any good". Then one day I got bored and decided to give the first few chapters a shot... then by the time I realised it I had finished all of the scanlated chapters.
Vinland saga is the kind of manga that once you start reading you find it really hard to stop. It grabs you with the action and the story and keeps you reading it whether you want to or not.
Lets put it this way: I'm not an emotional person and I pride myself on that, and this manga had me tearing up when thorfinn's dad dies.
Amazing manga. Art style reminded me of Gantz, though it is much more intricate than Gantz was in the earlier chapters. And the way the story is told, aka first introduce character in the present then continue with long flashback of character's past, is very fitting.
However, if you haven't read either of those two mangas I compared it to, I can simply say that this is an amazing Seinen, definitly worth a read.