It’s a testament to the quality of an adaptation that, even when it is clearly cutting corners in terms of animation (and has been since episode 15, probably saving the budget for the climatic action sequences that lie ahead), it still manages to produce an episode as thrilling as this, which manages to nail most of the story’s big (and small) moments.
One moment, however, that I was somewhat underwhelmed by — it being one of my favorite scenes in the manga — was Askeladd’s farewell speech to his men. It simply didn’t carry the same impact the manga panel had, in part due to them interrupting it with reaction shots and then showing only his mouth instead of his entire face. His expression and delivery also felt a little off in the anime, since he looked and sounded a little too serious, when in the manga he appears to boast a slight smirk, as if he’s — in spite of the gravity of the situation — relishing the opportunity to finally lay bare his true feelings to the men he’s despised for so long.
And the Amazon translation wasn’t the best here either: “I actually hated you guys. You worthless Danes. You’re worse than pigs.” In Japanese, he clearly qualifies his hatred with the word shinsoko, meaning “from the bottom of one’s heart”, making the sentiment that much stronger. Also, one of the insults he levels at the Danes is angu, which can be roughly translated as “feeble-minded” or “thickheaded”. Basically, he’s insulting their intelligence, which also doesn’t come across with a simple “worthless”.
Thankfully things pick up big time after that (and before, with the beautiful flashback of Askeladd as a, well, lad, along with his mother, voiced by Ohara Sayaka). Bjorn proves that, despite his own frustration with Askeladd’s stand-offish nature, he is the only man in the band truly loyal to their leader, and his rage at the others’ betrayal was brought to life in glorious fashion with the intense close-up shot of his bloodied face and his formidable declaration of war in true Viking style.
Speaking of great close-up shots, Askeladd and Thorfinn had their own shortly thereafter, in a sequence that definitely ranks among my favorite scenes in the show thus far. With his schemes and ambitions now crumbling before his eyes, the bloodied Askeladd desperately clutches his sword as he reminisces his mother’s words on King Artorius’ return from Avalon. Who would have guessed that the cunning and pragmatic Askeladd of all people would be moved by such a sentiment? But it’s clear that this idea of serving a worthy king that can protect his nation and save his people is one that means a great deal to him.
The music here is absolutely fantastic too, and perfectly segues into Thorfinn’s arrival on the scene, which is first accompanied by the resounding neighing of his horse (the most unfortunate beings in all of Vinland Saga) and then by his own primal scream of fury upon seeing Askeladd’s condition and impending doom. It’s a powerful moment of twisted irony, seeing the young kid who’s been led so far astray with the death of his father desperately rush to the aid of the man responsible for that very tragedy.
All of this intricately sets up his long awaited rematch with Thorkell in exciting fashion, after the latter shows us just how scary he can be by mind breaking poor Torgrim, in a (fortunately rare) moment where again the anime fell short in doing justice to the manga’s very expressive and creative panel. Nevertheless, the stage is now set for David and Goliath to go at it again, with Askeladd as the victor’s prize. Another week, another cruel cliffhanger. Needless to say, I have high hopes for the next episode (hell, that’s going to be the norm from now on), and sure hope all the budget-saving will pay off in style for the upcoming battles.
Sea of Writings 
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