Vinland Saga S2 Episode 18
Added 2025-02-13 17:11:37 +0000 UTCComments
Yo did he pull out a “ulfberht” sword? At the end??? Those swords are legendary
Armando
2026-03-02 17:43:25 +0000 UTCSure I'd like to see you be unbiased to you mum, the impact will be different based on relationships my guy it's the same here
Bromine Dog
2025-08-30 02:35:48 +0000 UTCUnderstandable crashout. "He deserve to die for this" I didn't hear that when we where in saison 1 with people doing 100 times worst multiple times without any other reason than pleasure and money. It's so frustratinng for me when people are so blatantly biaised T-T. "I would want to protect the baby" Yeah it was easy, just don't hide the guy who murdered many of your master man and run away with him, nothing really complicated. It's called consequences
Kindyh Bordat
2025-06-14 21:26:52 +0000 UTCI think it would've been better for them to meet on screen before the scene with Ketil finding her and it would've been fine. Like at east letting Leif see his face, confirm it and then still go to Ketil
Kate
2025-04-05 11:23:23 +0000 UTCI like to think of it as the difference between "Nice" and "Kind". Nice is surface level, and doesn't really require any work. Kind often requires work, sacrifice, and willingness to take the harder route to be truly kind.
Darthpenguin
2025-03-21 21:26:58 +0000 UTC“He wasn’t kind, he was just weak” is the message I took from his character too. Weak men are capable of some of the most cruel acts, especially when the going gets tough and they face adversity they’re not used to.
The Anime Dude
2025-03-16 17:11:40 +0000 UTCI really disliked how they skipped thorfinn and leif's reunion but I understand that it didn't fit the tone that was going on in this episode.
dylan martins
2025-02-20 02:01:15 +0000 UTCGreat analysis!!
Wes And Steph
2025-02-18 18:20:40 +0000 UTCIn my opinion, Ketil character writing is as good as Askeladd, or even better. It is a quite rare archetype in story telling, a character that have a glimpse of kindness but too weak to act on it, like most of us really. This weakness make him a character that is only kind when it is convenient. Once he is pressurred, he does not have the strength to be kind, since he never practice it. His heart is not strong enough to resist the anger.. Kindness need to be backed by strength. True strength and kindness is like how Thors sell his sheep to be true to his value. It is just simply Askelad is portrayed as a charismatic character. Understandably, people tend to like charismatic character no matter what atrocities he does.
James Jaya
2025-02-15 11:46:39 +0000 UTC@James Askeladd only have higher purpose once he meet Canute, before that he become viking since it is what he is good at. In my opinion, Ketil character writing is as good as Askeladd, or even better. It is a quite rare archetype in story telling, a character that have a glimpse of kindness but too weak to act on it, like most of us really. This weakness make him a character that is only kind when it is convenient. Once he is pressurred, he does not have the strength to resist the urge of violence, since he never practice it. Kindness need to be backed by strength. True strength is like how Thors sell his sheep to be true to his value. It is just simply Askelad is portrayed as a charismatic character. Understandably, people tend to like charismatic character no matter what atrocities he does.
James Jaya
2025-02-15 11:45:11 +0000 UTCHe’s not the same as Askeladd. He both escaped the cycle of violence and seeks to redeem his past actions. This is what makes him in my opinion the best character in the series. It’s a surprisingly biblical response to regret (wishing he didn’t do what he did) and repentance (changing the direction of your life and actions).
Whammadoodoo
2025-02-15 05:00:57 +0000 UTCI think it's heavily dependent on the context of these events solely from the viewer's perspective. We did not sit through episodes getting to know and like the innocents that Askeladd was so monstrous towards. Yes we see and hear of him doing these evil things but there is no attachment to those people. The characters he kills off that the audience do get a lot of backstory or screen time with are mostly "warriors" in their own right. I think its kind of like it's sad and angering when you see someone has done something terrible on the news, but it's a different level of emotion if it happened to someone in your family/ someone you knew personally.
Jeff
2025-02-15 02:40:56 +0000 UTCBut what do you think of Thorfinn? He did indirectly help Askeladd and his crew raid villages and such. If you've read the manga, then you know Thorfinn had done horrible things that he regrets.
James
2025-02-14 18:07:21 +0000 UTC@Rockycitygirl Whether good or bad, it's Askeladd's complexity and charm that draws people to him. People were also drawn to Kenny from Attack on Titan and they were drawn to him just because of his character. It's pretty obvious that the author wants us to see Askeladd not necessarily as bad, and if we're going to question why people like Askeladd so much, shouldn't we also be questioning if Thorfinn is a piece of shit character as well? In a way, Thorfinn did aided in helping Askeladd and his crew raid villages and rape women.
James
2025-02-14 18:05:25 +0000 UTC@Cait You're right, viewers will view characters in their own way just as Steph had said she kind of misses Askeladd whereas she wants Ketil to die whereas other people will disagree with how she views these characters.
James
2025-02-14 17:54:21 +0000 UTCketil is such a despicable human being, if you can only be kind if everyone in the world is kind to you. you weren't kind to begin with...
graves
2025-02-14 17:17:28 +0000 UTCResponding to those who commented on my take on Ketil/Askeladd - for those unaware, the Vinland Saga fandom praises Askeladd so much the guys nickname him Askechad and the girls call him daddy. Just because Askeladd is multidimensional doesn’t make him a better person than Ketil. It’s just fiction, so it’s okay to enjoy morally awful people - but the point I wanted to make is that if you like Askeladd and despise Ketil, it’s worth asking yourself why. Last point - Askeladd didn’t redeem himself in the end. The author certainly doesn’t think so - he put him in viking hell in episode 9 after all. Thorfinn saw him as a father figure more out of Stockholm Syndrome, not at all because he was a good dad. He kills dads, he’s not one. He never figured out what it meant to be a true warrior. He never escaped the cycle of violence. That said, he did help Thorfinn escape that cycle. Askeladd was an opportunistic, murderous rapist with an incredible ending to his life. Personally, I wish his character is less glorified, and rather simply appreciated for his arc and contribution to the phenomenal epic that is Vinland Saga.
Whammadoodoo
2025-02-14 15:55:39 +0000 UTC@James What you have said is pretty much true, yes it is the authors that shapes a character and present it to the viewers as good or bad. A author can write a character who has committed atrocities that would normally be unforgivable, but he can also give the character a bit of cool and funky personality, so it messes with viewers psyche into liking them. But come one man, just because an author wants to show a character in such a way, doesn’t mean you as a viewer have to see in that way only. That’s a very narrow minded way of seeing things. You are basically admitting that it’s okay to be attracted to a character even though he is a pedophile, rapist, murderer but because the author has shown he has an interesting past, it’s enough to offset that. On the side note, I’m really enjoying these conversation. Having to engage on such topics with such interesting people with different views, isn’t something you can always do on social media. Usually you get children or overgrown adults. 😩
Calt Being
2025-02-14 14:23:57 +0000 UTC@Moroni W “People don’t decide how much they like a character based off their morality.” This is pretty much false. Human beings tend to make connections with both real people and fictional characters, by trying to find something in them that they desire for themself. Whether it is being cool, funny, or any other trait they lack in themself. Whether you like it or not, It also shows how fragile our own morality is when picking a fictional character as a favourite. “Askeladd is my favourite character because he is cool and interesting, even though he has killed and raped 100s of woman, tore apart families, sold the children to slave owners and pedophiles”. I mean this is pretty bullshit excuse to give yourself and others by admitting your morality is so fragile, that you like a person just because he is portrayed cool and interesting.
Calt Being
2025-02-14 14:08:39 +0000 UTCThat's the whole thing, though - everyone can tell there's a clear difference between those characters for multiple reasons, but it's still somewhat paradoxical. One of them beats a woman once, and you wish him dead. Meanwhile, the other raided village after village with his men - killing and raping so many people that you probably can't even count them anymore (including women and children) - yet he's one of the most liked characters in the whole show. That's the "fascinating" part about it - it's not really about explaining why it's possible; it's the fact that it's possible at all.
Rockycitygirl
2025-02-14 13:51:10 +0000 UTCto the conversation of why ketil is so hated yet askeladd is beloved. I think it's about the character's story as a whole,we are introduced to askeladd as a pirate conspiring and killing our mc's dad,we don't expect him to be such a complex man with a weird noble cause,so the audience is surprised in a pleasant way,in a way it's like the enemies to lovers trope between the character and the audience. While we are introduced to ketli as a kind and gentle man who is cowardly but still is nicer than most,and if ketil din't beat arnhied people wouldn't hate him,it's just the fact that ketil's character becomes worse and worse the more we get to know him,opposite to askeladd. The audience feels betrayed by him Nobody is arguing the morality of fictional character,it's just that arnhied is a pregnant woman the audience knows and loves while the people askeladd killed were nameless men mostly. Plus askeladd is also much more charming and cooler in general.it's about likability not morality,i think. sry this was long
Vishwa Joshi
2025-02-14 09:20:30 +0000 UTCIdk how this is something you don’t understand. People don’t decide how much they like a character based off their morality. Askeladd is a very interesting and layered character. He was compelling to watch. No one says he isn’t a bad guy. Just like in any other show with villains that people adore. Ketil simply isn’t as likeable and he’s not as ‘cool’ or compelling as Askeladd. He’s a pathetic and cowardly character. Obviously he isn’t going to be liked the same way as Askeladd is. Again though, No one is making the argument Ketil is worse than Askeladd or anything like that.
Moroni W
2025-02-14 03:38:43 +0000 UTCFrom a writing perspective, you have to look at how characters develop from beginning to end. Askeladd was portray as a barbarian in the beginning, but later on, it was reveal that he was actually on a mission of higher purpose, and sacrificed his life to save Wales and Canute. With Ketil, he was portray as a kind slave owner, but there was something rotting or dark that was inside of him; people tend to imprint the last impression into their memory. Also, the manga artist, in an interview, had said that he intentionally wrote Askeladd to be a multi-dimensional character and to be a father figure to Thorfinn and while he hasn't said anything about Ketil, we can assume that he was written to be a simple character and nothing more; it's Askeladd's charismatic personality and complexity that intrigues people despite having him done horrible things. Ask yourself this, if we explicitly saw Askeladd beating a bounded women in the last episode of season 1, would people still be drawn to him? Probably not, and that's not what the author intended viewers to think of him.
James
2025-02-14 03:09:32 +0000 UTCMay be the most hard to watch scene in the show. Arnheid, the most consistently hurt character it feels like in the show. From her backstory, to all the gardar stuff, to her beating, to even the fact she had to be raped continually as his sex slave. And after all that she was happy to just have a few good laughs with Einar and Thorfinn . After all that she just wanted to raise Ketil’s kid since she had never been able to raise her own. Only semblance of potential good is that she didn’t die here and even that’s not necessarily a good thing. FYI- you should def rewatch your own reactions on ketil beating the children episode. It felt like you guys figured out so much about his character from that point. This fall of his character just felt almost ordained from that point
Moroni W
2025-02-13 22:55:31 +0000 UTCKindness born from weakness and fear of conflict doesn’t last. Even a worm will turn. Nietzsche says that a truly strong person has no need to abuse others because they have nothing to prove. But Ketil, who has suppressed his pride out of fear and amassed shame, eventually snaps.
Adam Young
2025-02-13 22:24:18 +0000 UTCHmm, I don’t really agree with this take. I agree on the fact that people like Eren and Lelouch are well written characters for their plot and beloved by people for it. But that’s not to say it’s right that people overlook that they’ve kill innocent people for their purpose. Not trying to judge fictional characters with real life morale is just an excuse to overlook the bad things about these characters. Just imagine yourself as a simple citizen getting killed because of a higher powers conflict.
Lark
2025-02-13 21:38:23 +0000 UTC@Hayate Of course, it matters what they do. A fictional character's greatness is shaped by their actions - what they do, why they do it, and how it impacts the story. Nobody ever said that bad or morally ambiguous characters can't be great. The key lies in perspective, justification, and emotional connection. Most people dislike characters who are purely evil with no depth or relatable motivation. A villain who kills just for fun or selfish reasons is despised because they lack redeeming qualities. But when a character like Lelouch or Eren commits atrocities, they are often framed as tragic, conflicted, or fighting for a cause they believe in. There’s a lot more to it, but ultimately, it’s the context, framing, and emotional depth that decide whether people root for them or just see them as the bad guy.
Rockycitygirl
2025-02-13 20:37:30 +0000 UTCBrother there’s a reason this anime is senine and not shonen. When discussing about fictional characters in such genre, morality and philosophy will always be talked about, that’s what authors want us to do. And don’t compare Eren with Askeladd. Eren killed others so he can save his own people. That seems like a very valid reason. I’m pretty sure you will do the same if there’s a threat to ur family. But on the other side, Askeladd has rapped, killed 100s of woman out of pure lust and rage. So What I’m trying to understand is, why someone who has done 100 times worse and is far evil than Ketil, is forgivable. What are the checkpoints you have to fulfil in order to offset such atrocities and become a fan favorite. And just because a fictional character is fan favorite doesn't make it's fans good people. After all there are pedophiles, criminals who have their own fan base and yet it doesn't make those people any good.
Calt Being
2025-02-13 20:37:23 +0000 UTCI had the same thought, to be honest. Askeladd and even Thorfinn, until recently, were horrible humans if you look at them objectively - far worse than Ketil. It's just that it's not usually thrown in your face. We mostly see how they fight and kill other men, which is considered "normal" for those times. The really bad stuff is usually not shown to us, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen. Obviously, Ketil is a piece of shit for beating her up, but I don’t even think he was just pretending to be good. He was probably genuinely a "good guy" by the standards of that era. He’s most likely dealing with mental issues as well and just snapped - after everything that happened on his last trip, and then coming back to find out that the only person he seems to trust wants to leave him too.
Rockycitygirl
2025-02-13 20:16:49 +0000 UTCIt doesn't matter what characters in fiction do. People like Askeladd because he's a great character, not because he's a saint. Many fan favorite characters like Lelouch and Eren killed thousands or millions. But they're great characters. Maybe don't try to judge fictional characters with real life morale
Hayate
2025-02-13 19:59:18 +0000 UTClol
Calt Being
2025-02-13 19:41:04 +0000 UTCOh shoot, you're right 🤣 its bloody thursday 🙆♂️ oh my days
Yellow_Flash
2025-02-13 19:40:26 +0000 UTCwednesday?? brother where you live
Calt Being
2025-02-13 19:39:43 +0000 UTCMan i love wednesdays cos of you guys 🤗
Yellow_Flash
2025-02-13 19:36:44 +0000 UTC100% with you. It still amazes me after the atrocities committed by Askeladd (raped 100s of mothers, sisters and daughters), and yet, no one seem to have a negative opinion about him and instead consider him as their favorite. On the other side, i'm not justifying what Ketil did to Arhneid is right, he is a horrible person engulfed in his weakness. But just imagine if some other person would have bought Arhneid? In a world where we have seen people far worse, Ketil isn't that bad.
Calt Being
2025-02-13 19:24:20 +0000 UTCHorrifying but good part about this show is that it takes a clear stance. No slave owner is a good one. Even the “good ones” are people who actively chose to own slaves.
shinomiya
2025-02-13 19:19:35 +0000 UTCI find it fascinating how beloved Askeladd is, despite having led a band of vikings to plunder village after village, rape women, and murder children. For years, possibly decades. In contrast to Askeladd, Ketil is a saint. When it comes to murdering innocent people, even Thorfinn is far worse - if you’ve read the Manga, you know what he’s done. So why do people judge Ketil so harshly? Any thoughts, guys? I genuinely don’t know. Beating up Arnheid is horrid but I’d rather Ketil visit my village than Askeladd or Thorfinn. They’d kill me, rape my daughter, and sell my wife. As awful as Ketil is, I reckon his response to finding out Arnheid tried to escape with her husband is realistic. He seemed kind to others not because he had inner goodness but because he was a coward, and his response to facing loss and stress was to prey on Arnheid. Ketil is not an unusually monstrous man. He is a painfully average reflection of human nature.
Whammadoodoo
2025-02-13 18:32:58 +0000 UTCTraumatic episode. You nailed it, Ketil is WEAK. This is the picture of weakness to react the way he did. And this is exactly what the author, Yukimura, wants to depict in the contrast with Thorfinn's ideal. It takes strength to not resort to violence the moment something upsets you on your path through life. That's where the real strength lies.
Araragi Senpai
2025-02-13 18:13:36 +0000 UTCFuck Ketil
James
2025-02-13 17:58:43 +0000 UTCThis hurt to watch
Uzair Ali
2025-02-13 17:24:38 +0000 UTC
