Thorfinn and The Dangers of Vengeance (Vinland Saga) | Anime no Iesu

Vengeance and Vikings are a risky combo!

Vengeance is a dangerous thing. It doesn’t matter the reason or feeling. It can infect and destroy anyone. Even a young Viking. 

In this blog post, we’ll break down Thorfinn’’s drive for vengeance (from the Vinland Saga anime series) and 4 reasons why vengeance is a bad idea.

In a hurry? Skip to the section you want to read by clicking any of the links below:

1. What is Vinland Saga?
2. Who is Thorfinn?
   
3. What is vengeance?
4. What does vengeance have to do with Thorfinn?
5. Lesson of the Day
6. 4 Reasons Why Vengeance Is A Bad Idea
7. Conclusion

Spoiler alert:  Content here will reference a few episodes from Vinland Saga season 1. If you haven’t watched that season, now’s the time to turn back. Lol.

If you are ready to read beyond this sentence, then let’s dive in!

For this blog post, I’m here to show you something you may have never seen before: How Jesus can talk to you through the amazing world of anime and show you how to grow based on those lessons. 

Today, we’ll be talking about the V word. Not Volunteering. Not Voltron. Not Vampires. Vengeance. 

I’m going to show you how dangerous vengeance can be and why you want to know about it.  We’ll explore this subject from the lens of this awesome anime series.

What is Vinland Saga?

Vinland Saga is an interesting historical anime based on the manga series by Makoto Yukimura.

Trust me. You’ve never seen Vikings like this in anime. This one’s almost like Assassin’s Creed meets Vikings.  

The feels and chills on this anime are just amazing and I’d recommend it if you’re looking for a good anime to watch. 

If it’s not on your anime watchlist, make some room! Especially if you love Vikings. 

Who is Thorfinn?

So who is Thorfinn? He is the only son of Thors, a former Jomviking warrior. In this anime series we see him, his father and family all, you know, enjoying fun and happy times.  

Thors is definitely Thorfinn’s hero. The clues are all there that he really loves his father. 

Soon, Thorfinn gets dragged into  some old issues related to Thors. When Thorfinn sees his dad get killed in front of him by Askeladd and his crew, all of that love for his father instantly transmutes into pure hatred. 

The thing about hatred is that it can sit still inside a human being. It’s way too corrosive an emotion. It'll burn, blind and destroy you.

Blinded by his new-found hatred, Thorfinn now seeks vengeance and believes he will only get it when Askeladd dies by his own hands.  

What he doesn't know is that vengeance controls the one who seeks to use it. 

What is vengeance?

Vengeance: Revenge taken for an insult, injury, or other wrong. (Obtained from Wiktionary)

The 2nd definition is really interesting. It mentions having “desire” for revenge. This clearly highlights what happens when anyone is hit with a traumatic incident. Such trauma can ignite a desire for revenge in a person’s heart. 

The French origin of the word vengeance refers to avenging a wrong or insult. 

To sum it up, vengeance is all about payback. Hurting someone because you were hurt by them. No matter the price. 

What does vengeance have to do with Thorfinn?

Let me put some context to this. Thorfinn is a textbook example why vengeance is a bad idea. 

If you think about it, he stopped being a boy when his father died. Thorfinn becomes a slave to vengeance and it brings him nothing but pain and misery. 

Look at all the bad stuff that happened to him throughout the series. Broken bones, killer at a young age, separated from his family, anger issues, beaten multiple times and...still no closer to getting his vengeance. 

How many people did he kill on the road to vengeance? 

Seriously. Let’s take this in: Thorfinn was only seeking vengeance because his father was killed, right? With his skills, Thorfinn’s kill count might be at least 99 (if not 100). 

This is a hypothetical number. Let’s be realistic. Let’s call it 50. 50 possible fathers that Thorfinn has slain (he never killed any women). If any of them had children, those kids could literally become another Thorfinn and seek to kill him the way he seeks to kill Askeladd. 

There are no heroes when it comes to vengeance. Only casualties, misery and immense pain for everyone involved. 

Here’s where it gets interesting: 

Vengeance will only make you worse, not better. Seriously! That’s what Jesus is trying to teach you through this anime.

Vengeance isn’t logical. Think about it. Thorfinn couldn’t think clearly whenever he fought Askeladd because vengeance was clouding his mind. 

This guy literally rode back to fight Thorkell (a beast btw) just because Askeladd might die before Thorfinn got to kill him. Just crazy. 

Here’s a sad one: When Leif finally found him and offered to take him back to his family, Thorfinn still chose to follow Askeladd because of his vengeance. 

Do you know why he lost it when Askeladd died? It’s because ever since his father died, Thorfinn’s identity or sense of self was rebuilt around killing Askeladd to get his revenge. 

That pillar of glass is what has held up Thorfinn through the pain and misery. So when it shattered with Askeladd’s death, Thorfinn’s identity also shattered as well. 

Vengeance is that weak. It promises much and delivers little.  It cannot undo the past. It can’t bring anyone back to life. 

Askeladd died and Thors still didn’t come back to life. 

Lesson of the Day

There are no heroes when it comes to vengeance.

Only casualties, misery and immense pain for everyone involved.

I’ll say it again. There are no heroes when it comes to vengeance. Only casualties, misery and immense pain for everyone involved. 

Those who are strong choose forgiveness over vengeance. 

If you are caught up in vengeance or know someone who is, that’s okay. 

I’m glad you’re reading this blog post. Let Jesus help strengthen your heart so you can choose forgiveness over vengeance today. Start with these 4 reasons why vengeance is a bad idea.

4 Reasons Why Vengeance Is A Bad Idea

Reason #1: Vengeance can blind you

This one is so clear when you see how quickly Thorfinn loses his cool when he gets angry. 

Thorfinn was so lost in his vengeance that he forgot he still had a family. He didn’t become an orphan after Thor’s death. His mother and sister were still alive. But vengeance blinded him to all that. 

Vengeance can cause you to have tunnel vision and do immensely dangerous things so you can fulfill it. 

Think of the amount of times Thorfinn put himself in danger..all because Askeladd promised to duel him after. 

This actually leads into our second reason why vengeance is a bad idea. 

Reason #2: Vengeance can leave you vulnerable to manipulation

Thorfinn’s need for vengeance was something that Askeladd used to manipulate him throughout the series. 

It was like Thorfinn was a lone wolf and vengeance was his leash. Any time Askeladd tugged on his leash (i.e. offered a duel), Thorfinn would do anything to make it happen. 

You also saw how Askeladd could easily anger Thorfinn, knowing that it would throw him off his game during a duel. 

That’s the issue with vengeance. It exposes your heart and leaves you completely vulnerable. 

You won’t see it (cause you’re angry) but others can and some of them might be more interested in what they can take from you than helping you heal. 

Something to think about. 

Reason #3: Vengeance can rob you of purpose

This one is major. 

Every human on this planet was created by God to achieve something purposeful. There’s a problem here on Earth that you (point at camera) were born to solve. 

It takes time to do that. Time you won’t have if you’re busy seeking vengeance. 

I believe that Thorfinn was destined to do so much. He definitely got derailed by Thor’s death (who wouldn’t?). 

The price of his vengeance was his childhood. Think of the amount of years Thorfinn threw away because of this. Time that he will never get back. 

Vengeance robs you of purpose because it steals the time meant to be invested in finding your purpose. That’s how dangerous it is. 

Reason #4: Vengeance does not undo the past

 This one is a cold hard fact. 

Thorfinn might have wished it wasn’t true but it is.

Even if he had been able to kill Askeladd, it wouldn’t have brought his dad back from the grave. 

Getting vengeance does not turn back the hands of time. 

You’re still hurt. Even if you get your vengeance, you’ll still remain hurt. Do you know why? Because vengeance does not equal healing. 

If you’re considering vengeance, I want to say this to you: Please don’t do it. There’s a better way. 

Jesus can teach you how to heal from the issue and forgive whoever hurt you. .

If you have that courage, please join me in this simple prayer below and start that journey towards a vengeance free life: 

Jesus, take over my heart. Help me to hand over the pain of vengeance to you and live a free life! Help me to walk the true path of forgiveness. Amen.

Conclusion

Those are my 4 reasons why vengeance is a bad idea. 

I want you to know that you are not alone. There are many people going through issues with vengeance but please don’t suffer in silence.

I really believe that knowing about the dangers of vengeance can help your life and transform so much about your world.  

I really believe that you can heal completely and grab hold of your destiny which is buried beneath that pain in your heart. 

Please drop a comment below and let me know your thoughts on this. Suggestions? Questions? Send me an email at animenoiesu@gmail.com. 

See you next time!