Adika

Vinland Saga took me on a trip. The first thing we get treated to is one of the most grounded fights in an animated show I've seen in a while. There's no supernatural powers, only either straight hand-to-hand combat with swords and shields or arrows firing through the battlefield. The action is well animated even with cgi, movements are fluid, the entire battle goes smoothly, and it's just cool to see overall. The story is well written from the main character, to the antagonists and even some side characters. Every action done by the characters have consequences, good or bad. The storyboarding is amazing, the camera angles, the way it's drawn, the way it flows is all fantastic. Season 2 however, does a completely different take on season 1 where it takes a slower pace and becomes less action. We get to see an older Thorfinn, not one built on revenge, but one that doesn't see in senseless violence. Season 2 and the message, morals, lessons it teaches you about war and it's aftermath is amazingly written however, I can see why people wouldn't like the tonal shift between the two seasons. Overall, a genuine 10/10 joy to read/watch, I was never not invested.