Vinland Saga

The story features a Middle Ages war between England and Denmark over land settlement and revenge. The primary characters are Vikings and Danish warriors, with a large supporting cast of characters of English, Frank, and Norse descent. The complexities of war are shown from both sides, specifically the widespread negative impact and the existence of anti-war sentiments. Many characters are based on real-world historical figures and Scandinavian legends. Christianity is a driving force --sometimes to help others, but sometimes to harm -- and is frequently ridiculed by Vikings. The few female characters are all side roles.

Battle scenes are graphic, showing blood, corpses, dismemberment, bladed weapons, and characters dying. Characters enjoy violence (e.g. soldiers laugh while torturing a Christian monk they eventually kill). Children witness war; some play-act battles while others fight in real battles. People are sold into slavery and brutally treated. A parent spanks a child as punishment. Characters talk about killing themselves to escape dire circumstances. Sexual violence is implied in discussions between soldiers and an image of a man carrying a woman away from a burning village.

In one scene, a child's bare bottom is exposed. Characters are shown bathing, with backsides clearly shown. Frontal nudity is brief but censored.

Language includes profanity ("s--t," "hell," "bastards") and verbal threats ("die," "I'm gonna kill you"). Soldiers imply sexual violence in how they discuss women and children during battles. Characters describe people from other nations as "scum."

A warrior eats a mushroom that acts like a steroid, giving him increased strength and fighting ability. Characters drink wine and beer.

Parents need to know that Vinland Saga is a historical fiction series about the perils of war and revenge. Violence is frequent. Most scenes involve gruesome battles between armies or one-on-one combat, with bloody and graphic depictions of stabbings, dismemberment, beheadings, and death. Thorfinn (voiced in the English dub by Aleks Le and Laura Stahl) is only 6 years old when he witnesses his father's murder and is forced into war. Montages show him learning to kill -- first animals, then people -- while still a small child. The context of war in the Middle Ages brings up depictions of slavery and implications of sexual violence, suicide, and prejudice against others based on religion and nationality. Characters curse ("s--t," "hell") and verbally threaten others. Nudity involves characters backsides; a child's bottom is shown when he is spanked by a parent, and adult's backside is shown when bathing. Although graphic, the series ultimately questions violence and promotes a complex look at war that aims for peace instead of fighting.