Manga of the Week - ヴィンランド・サガ

Image by Suzuki Kensuke

Testing to see how weekly series show up this template.

Title: ヴィンランド・サガ, Vinland Saga

Author: Yukimura Makoto

Genre: Seinen, Action, Adventure, Drama, Historical

Serialized in: Kodansha Morning Two, Afternoon

Total Volume Count: 8 (ongoing)

Summary from MangaUpdates:

Thorfinn is son to one of the Viking's greatest warriors, but when his father is killed in battle by the mercenary leader Askeladd, he swears his intent to have revenge. Thorfinn joins Askeladd's group in order to challenge him to a duel, and ends up caught in the middle of a war for the crown of England.

The series was nominated for the 2008 Manga Taisho award. In 2009, it was awarded the Grand Prize in the manga division of the Japan Media Arts awards.

Kenn's Comment: Not for the faint of heart. Also, it can get pretty bloody and violent, so the usual warning is in effect. Don't read this if you're under 13. Compared to last week's Ubel Blatt, this one is relatively tame. Anywho, it's nice to see a realistic viking story. I recently watched a program on the History channel about the vikings, and the details in the manga are pretty darn accurate to what I've learned. If you like shounen heroes like Naruto or Ichigo, you're out of luck. The main character (Thorfinn) is nothing like them. And yes, this is an award winner. The Japan Media Arts Award is an award given to media under five catergories: Art, Non-interactive digital art, Interactive Digital art (games, etc.), Animation and Manga. Vinland Saga is the grand prize winner of the 13th JMAA. ;D Summer Wars was the grand prize winner in the Animation one. Forgive any typos. I haven't gotten my glasses back yet.