Hulu Just Added “The Most Violent” & “Historically Accurate” Action Series of the Past Decade

Spartacus fans have a major reason to celebrate this Winter season, as the eagerly anticipated House of Asher will finally drop on Starz in December. But, before the fan favorite historical action series releases in less than two months, Hulu has come in hot, adding one of the best historical action shows of all time to its streaming library. Not only is the hit series, which debuted in 2019, a must-watch for Spartacus fans and fans of the historical action sub-genre, but it also contains one of the best redemption arcs ever written — who doesn’t love a good redemption arc? We’re, of course, talking about Vinland Saga, the Viking-set action series, and it just set sail for the shores of Hulu.

The first season of Vinland Saga is now streaming on Hulu. The anime is based on the best-selling manga by Makoto Yukimura, which recently came to an end after 20 years of publication. Season 1 was animated by WIT Studio, with MAPPA stepping in for Season 2. Both seasons are acclaimed by fans and critics, but the first season is undoubtedly the most action-packed of the two, and (providing the rest of the anime remains faithful to the manga), it will be the most action-heavy in the entire show. Don’t let the fact that it’s animated put you off, Vinland Saga is a grounded, emotional, and absolutely brutal look at Viking culture that’s way more historically accurate than Vikings, and (somehow) even more brutal than Spartacus — albeit, without all the gratuitous nudity. Anime series tend not to receive many reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, but users of the popular My Anime List have hailed Season 1 of Vinland Saga as “one of the most violent and best anime ever,” and praised everything from the “historical accuracy” to its “peak writing.”

For those who have never seen nor heard of Vinland Saga, the story follows Thorfinn, a young Icelander and the son of the mighty Thors the Troll, one of the greatest warriors in the history of the Jomsvikings. After leaving his life of war behind, Thors is called back to action and dishonorably killed by the mercenary Askeladd. Swearing to seek honorable revenge against Askeladd, the young Thorfinn finds himself thrown headfirst into the Viking invasion of England. Kodansha described the story:

“As a child, Thorfinn sat at the feet of the great Leif Ericson and thrilled to wild tales of a land far to the west. But his youthful fantasies were shattered by a mercenary raid. Raised by the Vikings who murdered his family, Thorfinn became a terrifying warrior, forever seeking to kill the band’s leader, Askeladd, and avenge his father. Sustaining Thorfinn through his ordeal are his pride in his family and his dreams of a fertile westward land, a land without war or slavery… the land Leif called Vinland.”

‘Vinland Saga’ Season 1 Is Just the Prologue

WIT Studio

At the time of writing, only the first season of Vinland Saga is available to stream on Hulu. Season 2 hasn’t been confirmed to stream on the platform. But it is highly likely in the near future. Although, don’t expect to return to the same story in Season 2.

The second season adapted the insanely successful Slave Arc from the manga. Without diving into plot spoilers, Season 2 drastically shifted the tone and style of the series. Season 1 was an action-heavy adventure across England. But Season 2 slowed things down to reflect on Thorfinn’s actions, and to try to move beyond a life of violence.