Animes Similar To Vinland Saga. Vinland Saga’s riveting narrative is a unique experience, but few other anime series have striking similarities that promise comparable levels of entertainment.
The story of the saga revolves around Thorfinn, a young boy whose life undergoes dramatic changes after the tragic death of his father. Raised among Viking mercenaries, he embarks on a relentless quest for revenge. Thorfinn’s journey is not easy, as he must navigate a world full of dangers and without a chance for rest.
The appeal of the Vinland Saga lies in its carefully composed historical background, which immerses the viewer in the lives of the Vikings and their tumultuous wars. It combines this wealth of history with a deeply moving and authentic personal narrative. The series effortlessly combines action-packed scenes and intricate drama.
While finding the perfect anime comparable to the Vinland Saga may be difficult, there are some amazing series that include core elements that make it truly special.
List of Animes Similar to the Vinland Saga
1. Attack on Titan (2013)
In a world where humanity is on the verge of extinction due to flesh-eating titans, the remains of civilization are hidden behind colossal walls. These titans have a terrible taste for human flesh, not out of necessity but apparently out of pleasure.
After a century of peace behind these insightful walls, a giant Titan manages to break through the supposedly impenetrable outer wall, forcing humanity back into a desperate struggle for survival against these man-eating monsters.
Similar to the Vinland Saga, this anime series has similar themes: a cruel world where survival means facing and killing threats. A strong desire to take revenge on terrible enemies. Stunning visual aesthetics, created by the same studio.
If you appreciate these elements, then you are obliged to watch both of these shows.
Read Also: 15 Best Animes Similar To Attack on Titan
2. Dororo (2019)
The greedy samurai master, Daigo Kagemitsu, is willing to sacrifice everything for power, even abandoning his faith to make a pact with the devil. The twelve demons fulfilled his request, but at a great price.
When his eldest son was born, the child had no hands, nose, eyes, ears, or skin—and yet he remained alive. Thrown into a river, he is rescued by a healer who gives him prosthetic AIDS and weapons, allowing him to survive and seek revenge on the Demons.
Similar to the Vinland Saga, the narrative centers on themes of revenge, tragedy, and self-discovery. The biggest parallel is the transformation of initially innocent individuals, subjected to terrible tests, into unrecognizable monsters, obsessed with and blind to their past and future. The corruption of the main characters spreads like a ferocious force until they face the consequences.
3. Berserk (1997)
Guts, a formidable warrior known as the Black Sword, roams as a mercenary, carrying a large sword. His loyalty was to the highest bidder, and he avoided prolonged bonds until he met an army of eagles.
After a brutal battle with this group of mercenaries, their leader, Griffith, becomes interested in Guts and challenges him to a duel. Griffith quickly defeats Guts, who is mortally wounded.
Guts awakens in the Eagle Troop camp and confronts Griffith in another duel. The stakes are different this time around: Guts will have to join forces with the Eagles if he loses. Due to his injuries, Guts loses the fight and becomes a member of the group.
Similar to the Vinland Saga, Berserk has something in common. They are set at a similar time and have a harsh and enigmatic atmosphere. Both series focus on deep character development and complex narratives.
4. 91 Days (2016)
In the town of Lawless, Angelo Lagusa witnessed tragic events as a child. His parents and younger brother were victims of cruel acts by the Vanetti mafia family. Scarred by the loss of his loved ones, he abandons his name and hometown, taking on a new identity as Avilio Bruno.
Seven years later, a mysterious letter summons Avilio to return to Lawless, giving him a long chance for revenge. He meets Nero, the son of Don Vanetti, and seeks to forge a friendship with him, drawing on skills that have been secretly honed over the years.
Set in the Prohibition era, 91 Days Chronicles Avilio’s dark and bloody journey toward revenge, meticulously eliminating everyone involved in his family’s tragedy.
Similar to the Vinland Saga, the series has a historical background with a singular focus on revenge. In the Vinland Saga, the protagonist’s father was killed by a Viking, while in 91 Days, his father was killed by the mafia.
5. Golden Kamuy (2018)
In the early 1900s, in Hokkaido, after the Russo-Japanese War, Saichi Sugimoto diligently searched for gold. Nicknamed Sugimoto The Immortal for his bravery on the battlefield, the former soldier seeks wealth to fulfill his promise to his fallen comrade: support his comrade’s family, especially his wife, who needs eye care abroad due to her deteriorating eyesight.
A coincidence led Sugimoto to the story of a man who massacred a group of Ainu and stole a treasure trove of gold. Before being arrested by the authorities, the man hid the location of his gold somewhere in Hokkaido.
The only clue is a coded map tattooed on his cellmate’s body, promising him his share of the treasure if they manage to escape and find him.
Although Golden Kamuy includes more humor (in contrast to Vinland Saga, which has less comedy), it is similar to Vinland Saga, both of which are exciting adventure stories with tough characters in snow-blowing landscapes.
If you value this type of story, either of these two series would fit on your watch list. Both series have interesting characters and feature moments of moral ambiguity, making you waver between supporting the protagonist and the antagonist.
6. Ringing Bell (1978)
Chirin, a newborn lamb, and his mother enjoy a peaceful life in the pasture, protected by a fence around him along with their herd mates. Here, they play and graze on delicious clover leaves, enjoying the peace. Their idyllic life is shattered when Wor, a wolf, attacks them under a blanket of darkness, taking the life of Chirin’s mother.
Struggling to come to terms with her mother’s death, Chirin vows to become a wolf, unaware of the sacrifices this transformation entails.
Similar to the Vinland Saga, the series centers on the theme of revenge, where the loss of a parental figure prompts the protagonist to train under the antagonist in order to acquire the strength needed for revenge, eventually resulting in incredible physical strength.
7. Kingdom (2013)
During China’s Warring States period, a tumultuous epoch that spanned 500 years, many empires rose and fell, paving the way for succeeding generations of rulers and generals to compete for supremacy. From these endless wars emerged seven powerful nations.
In the kingdom of Qin, Xin, an orphaned slave involved in war, undergoes rigorous training with his best friend, Piao. Both of them had big dreams of becoming great generals in heaven. However, fate separated them when Piao was called to serve at the Royal Court by one of the King’s vassals.
Similar to the Vinland Saga, the series is strongly linked to the historical period, with war as a central element. They have a common revenge theme and present scenes where Agdan is strong and mature.
If you’re a fan of the Vinland Saga, Kingdom is a series worth exploring. Kingdom is also set in ancient China during the Warring States period, in line with the Warring States setting of the Vinland Saga. In addition, both main characters are strong and strong-willed.
8. The Heroic Legend of Arslan (2015)
In 320, the Kingdom of Pars, led by the ruthless King Andragoras III, was engaged in a fierce war with the neighboring Empire of Lusitania. Although different from his father in many ways, Arslan, the young prince, embarks on a journey to prove his mettle on the battlefield.
However, a betrayal by a trusted official resulted in the destruction of Pars’ forces and the siege of the capital, Ecbatana. With his kingdom in disarray and his life in danger, Arslan is forced to flee. Aided by the eminent general Daryun, Arslan embarks on a quest to gather allies and reclaim his homeland.
Similar to the Vinland Saga, this series is a story of war in the medieval era in relation to politics, heritage, and beliefs. They feature well-formed and identifiable characters, each of whom experiences significant growth throughout the storyline.
Keep in mind that both series do not yet have a conclusive animated ending at this time as the source material is still ongoing. However, both storylines offer a meaningful and enjoyable journey, including well-animated battles and daily moments full of reflection.
9. Mushoku Tensei (2021)
Despite a life filled with abuse and bullying, a 34-year-old loner still finds the determination to do something courageous, only to end up in a tragic accident. However, his fate takes a strange turn when he awakens in another world, reborn as Rudeus Greyrat, a baby who has loving parents.
By preserving his memories and knowledge from his previous life, Rudeus quickly adapts to his new reality. With the mind of an adult, he begins to show amazing magic abilities, surpassing all expectations.
With the guidance of the sorceress Roxy Migurdia, he honed his skills, learned swordsmanship from his father, Paul, and formed a close friendship with a girl his age, Sylphiette.
This fantasy world is characterized by incredible storytelling and a careful tempo, featuring incredible character development. The main character, Rudeus, is not very strong, and the storyline shows consistent growth in strength and character.
His side characters have a dual dimension, each with their own flaws and challenges. Similar to the Vinland Saga, though not as detailed as the Vinland Saga, Mushoku Tensei takes on surreal themes and presents a thought-provoking story.
Read Also: 15 Best Animes Like Mushoku Tensei
10. Akame ga Kill! (2014)
Night Raid plays the role of the secret assassination arm of the Revolutionary Army, an insurgency that unites to bring down Prime Minister Honest. The insatiable greed for power, combined with the inexperience of the little emperor, had driven the country into poverty, disunity, and ruin.
Despite their expertise as seasoned assassins, the members of Night Raid realize a moral dilemma as they take lives while eliminating those who stand in the way of the revolution.
Revenge is a driving force that can transform and mature the individual.
Akame ga Kill! and the Vinland Saga intersect with this theme. Similar to the Vinland Saga, the series features somewhat naive protagonists, Tatsumi and Thorfinn, who are tormented by a burning desire for revenge after witnessing the loss of their loved ones.
11. Saga of Tanya, The Evil (2017)
Tanya Degurechaff, famous for her ruthless tactics and outstanding tactical intelligence, earned the nickname Devil from the Rhine. Behind his simple appearance lies the soul of someone who challenges Being X, who claims to be God.
This daring challenge resulted in Tanya being reborn as a little girl in a magical war-torn world. Determined to challenge Being X, Tanya intends to rise through the ranks in her country’s military amid global conflict, where Being X becomes a major obstacle to the peaceful life she once knew.
However, his clever maneuvers and fighting skills inadvertently made the mighty empire one of the strongest nations in human history.
Similar to Vinland Saga, the anime depicts a brutal battlefield with a focus on fierce battles, which are shown through striking art and animation. In addition, a child takes center stage as the main character in both series.
12. Jormungand (2012)
Jonathan Jonah Mar, a soldier boy raised in a war-torn neighborhood, has a deep hatred of guns and the people who trade with them. When Koko Hekmatyar, an international arms dealer, recruits Jonah as one of her bodyguards, he is forced to use a weapon despite his reluctance.
Working alongside Koko’s team of former Special Forces soldiers, Jonah’s mission is to safeguard Koko’s bold ambition for world peace, a goal fraught with danger due to the nature of his arms trade.
Jormungand chronicles the journey of Koko, Jonah, and their crew as they explore the world, engaging in arms deals under the banner of the international shipping company HCLI. Because Koko’s trade violated international law, she had to constantly evade local and international authorities while doing business with military forces, private military contractors, and militias.
Similar to the Vinland Saga, the anime’s narrative centers on a young protagonist with fighting skills. Jormungand focuses on a modern army boy, while the Vinland Saga follows a teenage Viking. In addition, the deuteragonists in both stories share similar characteristics, such as cunning strategy and leadership of military forces. It should be noted that the name Jormungand comes from Norse mythology, which many characters in the Vinland Saga believe
Read Also: 15 Best Animes Similar To Jormungand
13. Demon Slayer (2019)
Since the death of his father, Tangirou Kamado has been in charge of supporting his family. Living in simplicity in the remote mountains, the Kamado family enjoys considerable peace and happiness.
One day, Tangirou went to a nearby village to earn an income by selling charcoal. On his return, night falls, forcing him to seek refuge in the house of a stranger, who warns him of a flesh-eating demon roaming the forest at nightfall.
When he returns home the next day, Tangirou is faced with a terrible scene—his entire family has been ruthlessly slaughtered. To make matters worse, the only survivor is his younger sister, Nezuko, who has turned into a flesh-eating demon hungry for blood.
Although Demon Slayer and Vinland Saga have many differences, including genre (historical), level of violence (Vinland Saga is much more violent), and personalities of their protagonists, Similar to Vinland Saga, the series offers a solid reason to enjoy: both fall into the shonen category. The main characters in both series are masters at fighting. Family relationships play a central role in the main plot of both.
In Demon Slayer, the protagonist is motivated to rescue and work with his younger sister despite her inhuman transformation, while the protagonist of the Vinland Saga seeks revenge for the death of his father.
Read Also: 15 Best Animes Similar To Demon Slayer
14. Angolmois: Notes of the Mongol Invasion (2018)
In 1274, having conquered most of the known world, the Mongols turned to Japan. Their first step towards a full invasion of the mainland was the conquest of Tsushima Island. Kuchii Jinzaburou and a group of exiles are sent to the island at the request of Princess Teruhi. There, they face enormous challenges, and the fate of Tsushima depends on the outcome.
Similar to the Vinland Saga, the show has many of the same story elements and themes. Both are about individuals struggling to survive and fight in a foreign land. Wait for the battle between armies, naval warfare, sword fighting, and strategic war.
Although Angolmois offers a compelling narrative, the Vinland Saga excels in character development and storytelling. However, both series are fun choices for those looking for historical war drama.
15. Hunter x Hunter (2011)
Hunter dedicates himself to completing dangerous missions, from exploring uncharted territories to tracking down rare items and monsters. To become a hunter, one must pass the hunter exam, a high-risk selection process in which many applicants suffer injury or even death.
Each ambitious participant in this famous exam has their own motivation. For 12-year-old Gon Freecss, his main motivation is to find his father, Ging, who is also a hunter. Gon believes that he can reunite with his father by following in his footsteps and becoming a hunter.
Although the two series are set in very different worlds, they are both well developed and enthralling. Even supporting characters who wouldn’t normally be memorable become memorable, and their background music is iconic. Similar to the Vinland Saga, in this series, the protagonist experiences a personal struggle and is accompanied by complex characters of a harsh and interesting nature.
Unlike the darker shows, these two series avoid glorifying violence and instead convey themes that condemn it. In addition, the quality of the animation is very special.
Read Also: 15 Best Animes Similar to Hunter x Hunter
For those of you who love the anime Vinland Saga and are looking for anime similar to Vinland Saga, then the list above is a recommendation for some selected anime similar to Vinland Saga, which you might be able to watch. Thank you very much for reading this article, and see you in the next article. Enjoy watching, and have a nice day.
