Thorkell (Vinland Saga)
A Jomsviking commander who loves war and fights with childish glee.
Thorkell, also called Thorkell the Tall and Thorkell the Invincible, is a fictional character in Makoto Yukimura's manga Vinland Saga. A Jomsviking commander who switches allegiances between Danish and English forces before allying with Prince Canute, he later joins the older Thorfinn in a plot to reform the Jomsviking. Created as a contrast to the series' serious fighters, Thorkell embodies the Vikings' love of violence and childish personality.
Quick Facts
- Series
- Vinland Saga
- First
- Vinland Saga chapter 18
- Creator
- Makoto Yukimura
- Portrayer
- Takeshi Hayashino (stage play)
- Voice
- Japanese
- Akio Otsuka
- English
- Joe Daniels (Sentai Filmworks dub)
- Patrick Seitz (Netflix dub)
Facts from the source article.
Creation
Thorkell is modeled after the historical Thorkell the Tall, a man noted for bravery and build. Makoto Yukimura imagined that such "monsters" were common in the Viking era, both famous and unknown. The design evokes a villain from young readers' manga who relies on a single skill and can be easily defeated, but Yukimura made Thorkell more unique, giving him a sense of immense strength. He was created as a representation of what Vikings stood for. Despite being introduced as a grandfather, Thorkell acts like a child in all appearances, yet Yukimura avoids making him look uncool or stupid, believing younger readers would enjoy him because they are also prone to violence. Yukimura finds Thorkell refreshing because he never hides his true emotions and is always shown enjoying his actions. The anime adaptation added a first scene where Thors fights alongside Thorkell before retiring. The team was careful adapting the first fight between Thorfinn and Thorkell, though writer Hiroshi Seko considers Yukimura's version stronger. When the fourth story arc began, Yukimura reflected that Thorfinn highlights how people can change, unlike Thorkell, who does not want such change. Thorkell is an exception to the series' violent first arc, providing comedy through his cheerful characterization that turns violence into humor. Yukimura regards Thorkell as an ideal madman, with his obsession for fights highlighting this concept. During the Merchant arc, Yukimura felt it was a gamble to write Thorkell as a warrior because elders fighting was unusual in the Norse period due to lower lifespans.
Role in Vinland Saga
Thorkell is a general of the Jomsviking mercenaries and uncle-in-law of Thors, father of protagonist Thorfinn. He leads a band called the Death Seekers, who share his love of war. This love leads him to kidnap Prince Canute, son of Danish King Sweyn Forkbeard. Thorkell duels Thorfinn twice: first defeating him despite losing two fingers, then later losing an eye when Thorfinn attacks him in rage after Thorkell assaults Askeladd. Thorkell makes peace with Thorfinn's group to aid Canute in killing King Sweyn. When Askeladd feigns madness to kill the king, Thorkell tries to face him until Canute kills the Viking. Thorfinn attempts to kill Canute but is stopped by Thorkell. In the second story arc, Thorkell continues as a warrior but is disappointed by Canute's growth, expecting a prosperous utopia. In the third arc, set in the Baltic Sea, Thorkell meets an adult Thorfinn and explains the Jomsvikings need him as leader. Thorkell joins Floki's team against Vagn's side, but after Vagn is killed, he fights the murderer Garm for a battle; the fight ends in a draw and they befriend each other. Thorkell accepts Einar's proposal to declare war on Floki and goes along with Thorfinn's plan to disband the Jomsvikings. After success, Thorkell challenges Thorfinn to another duel if he wants to leave, but Gudrid confronts Thorkell, and after making her confess she loves Thorfinn, Thorkell quits the duel, telling Thorfinn to take care of her.
Reception
Critical response to Thorkell was generally positive. Anime News Network noted he represents a more exaggerated style of action and characterization, surpassing Thors in a comical yet dark fashion as he ignores his own wounds. 4Gamer.net enjoyed his introduction fight against Thorfinn for the animation choreography. Anime UK News said that while Thorkell initially appears as a main antagonist for taking Canute, the narrative avoids black-and-white morality because Askeladd's forces are also violent to civilians. Thorkell's fight against Thorfinn was nominated at the 4th Crunchyroll Anime Awards in 2020 for Best Fight Scene but lost to a fight from Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. Manga News found their first meeting interesting for both the fight and their relationship, as Thorkell is fascinated by Thorfinn's skills and remains interested due to their connection with Thors; the site felt Thorkell only cares about war but retains a sense of war that makes him reliable to his soldiers. The Fandom Post lamented that Thorfinn is not changed by knowing Thors or being related by blood. Anime News Network described Thorkell's "psychotic enthusiasm" as both charming and terrifying, making him one of the most appealing fighters in the first story arc. Manga.Tokyo recognized his fighting skills despite wounds from Thorfinn. Screen Rant cited Thorkell and his fight scenes as among the best parts of the first arc and looked forward to his return in the second season.
More in Characters & Warriors
Elsewhere in Vinland Saga
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