Vinland Saga watch order
In 11th-century Europe, young Thorfinn joins the Viking mercenary band of Askeladd, the man who killed his father, hoping for a fair duel to avenge him. What starts as a revenge story turns into one about what it means to live without violence. Adapted from Makoto Yukimura's manga.
First time? Watch Season 1 (24 episodes), then Season 2 (24 episodes). The two short extra scenes, episode 6.5 and episode 18.5, are optional; if you want them, watch each one between the episodes its number suggests.
Story order
Story order and release order are the same. Season 2 is split here only so the two short extra scenes can sit exactly where they belong.
- Vinland Saga (Season 1)
The prologue and war arc (manga chapters 1–54). Thorfinn fights for Askeladd's band while England is invaded by the Danes and Prince Canute is drawn into the war. Made by Wit Studio; it ends with Askeladd's death.
- Vinland Saga Season 2, episodes 1–6
The start of the farmland (slave) arc, now animated by MAPPA. A new character, Einar, is enslaved and sold to Ketil's farm in Denmark, where he meets a hollowed-out Thorfinn.
- Episode 6.5: Drowning in the Shadow (optional)
A roughly two-minute anime-original scene MAPPA released between episodes 6 and 7: Thorfinn, back in his raider days, cuts down men in a village and then finds a family hiding in a house. Optional, but it sharpens what episode 7 is about.
- Vinland Saga Season 2, episodes 7–18
Thorfinn's nightmares and slow recovery, his friendship with Einar as they clear land for their freedom, the story of Arnheid, and Canute's growing plans for Ketil's farm.
- Episode 18.5: Same Old Story (optional)
A one-to-two-minute clip released on MAPPA's YouTube channel: Ketil rallies his men before Canute's army arrives. It was cut from episode 18 and leads straight into episode 19. Optional.
- Vinland Saga Season 2, episodes 19–24
The battle for Ketil's farm and Thorfinn's face-off with King Canute. Season 2 ends the farmland arc (around manga chapter 99–100) with Thorfinn ready to head home to Iceland.
Release order
Season 1 aired July–December 2019. Season 2 aired January–June 2023, with episode 6.5 posted online in February and episode 18.5 in May.
- Vinland Saga (Season 1)
The prologue and war arc (manga chapters 1–54). Thorfinn fights for Askeladd's band while England is invaded by the Danes and Prince Canute is drawn into the war. Made by Wit Studio; it ends with Askeladd's death.
- Vinland Saga Season 2, episodes 1–6
The start of the farmland (slave) arc, now animated by MAPPA. A new character, Einar, is enslaved and sold to Ketil's farm in Denmark, where he meets a hollowed-out Thorfinn.
- Episode 6.5: Drowning in the Shadow (optional)
A roughly two-minute anime-original scene MAPPA released between episodes 6 and 7: Thorfinn, back in his raider days, cuts down men in a village and then finds a family hiding in a house. Optional, but it sharpens what episode 7 is about.
- Vinland Saga Season 2, episodes 7–18
Thorfinn's nightmares and slow recovery, his friendship with Einar as they clear land for their freedom, the story of Arnheid, and Canute's growing plans for Ketil's farm.
- Episode 18.5: Same Old Story (optional)
A one-to-two-minute clip released on MAPPA's YouTube channel: Ketil rallies his men before Canute's army arrives. It was cut from episode 18 and leads straight into episode 19. Optional.
- Vinland Saga Season 2, episodes 19–24
The battle for Ketil's farm and Thorfinn's face-off with King Canute. Season 2 ends the farmland arc (around manga chapter 99–100) with Thorfinn ready to head home to Iceland.
Explained
What are episodes 6.5 and 18.5?
Two very short official extras released online during Season 2, not full episodes, so most streaming services don't list them. Episode 6.5 is an anime-original look at Thorfinn's violent past; episode 18.5 is a scene of Ketil addressing his men that was cut from episode 18. Neither is required, but both take only a couple of minutes.
Season 2 feels slow. Can I skip it?
No. Season 2 swaps battles for life on a farm on purpose: it's where Thorfinn faces what he did as a warrior, and everything after it in the story depends on that change. There's no filler or recap episode in either season.
Why do the two seasons look different?
Season 1 was made by Wit Studio and Season 2 by MAPPA, but the director (Shuhei Yabuta) and writer (Hiroshi Seko) stayed the same, so it's one continuous adaptation. Season 2 picks up after Season 1's ending, with Thorfinn now a slave on Ketil's farm.
Where do I continue in the manga?
Season 2 ends around chapter 99–100, the start of the voyage home to Iceland. Pick up from about chapter 100 if you want to see what happens next. The manga ended in July 2025 with chapter 220, so the whole story is out.
Is there a Season 3?
Not yet. As of early October 2026, no third season had been officially announced; a rumor in January 2026 was answered by Makoto Yukimura saying the news hadn't reached him.