Thorkell's Axe

Lore & Background

Thorkell's axes are central to his identity as a warrior who fights purely for the love of combat. He is the brother-in-law of Thors (brother of Thors's wife, Helga) and the great-uncle of Thorfinn (brother of Thorfinn's maternal grandmother), having worked with and highly respected Thors before the latter's defection. This history results in a fondness for Thorfinn, despite their opposing roles in battle. During his service as a mercenary, Thorkell supported Prince Canute's bid to become king of the Danes, eventually remaining under Canute once he ascended to the throne. His weapons are not merely tools but extensions of his desire for the ultimate challenge against other Vikings.

In Their Own Story

Thorkell engaged in two separate duels with Thorfinn, dominating each encounter through sheer force. In the first duel, Thorkell lost two fingers to the young warrior's attacks. He later faced Thorfinn again and lost an eye during that second engagement. Despite these injuries, his reputation for strength remained unbroken, cementing his status as a formidable figure who could challenge even the most skilled opponents while sustaining significant damage himself.

Reader's Guide

Thorkell typically wields a pair of axes in combat, though his greatest asset is his vast physical strength rather than the specific mechanics of the weapons. The series does not provide details on the material composition or specific dimensions of the axes beyond their role as primary armaments. To effectively wield them, one must possess the colossal power that Thorkell holds, as he is considered the strongest warrior in the story. The narrative notes that 4000 men are insufficient to stop him, suggesting his fighting style relies on overwhelming force that no standard army can counter.

Did You Know?

• Thorkell is the brother-in-law of Thors and the great-uncle of Thorfinn.
• Thorkell lost two fingers in a fight with Thorfinn, not with Thors.
• Thorkell lost an eye in a later battle during the war in England, not in a second duel with Thorfinn.
• One character believes that 4000 men are not enough to stop Thorkell.
• Thorkell's character is based on the historical Jomsviking lord Thorkell the Tall.

Narrative Structure and Thematic Evolution

The manga series Vinland Saga by Makoto Yukimura contains a mixture of historical, apocryphal, and invented characters. The major characters are of Danish descent—Vikings brought to England to assist King Sweyn's invasion. The series is divided into four story arcs focused on Thorfinn, who initially seeks revenge against Askeladd for the death of his father, Thors. Later arcs show an older Thorfinn questioning his sins and seeking Vinland, a land where people can live in peace, though he struggles with starting anew due to encounters with people from his Viking past.

Character Design and Visual Storytelling

Yukimura designed Thorkell to be more comical than Thorfinn, making battles involving him more enjoyable to draw. While Thorfinn is drawn with a serious expression in the first arc and self-deprecation in later arcs, Thorkell serves as a contrast. Yukimura paid specific attention to drawing hands, influenced by Katsuhiro Otomo, claiming they are more expressive than faces. This focus highlights traits like the cuts on Thorfinn's hands, which signify his history of fighting alone.

Historical Adaptation and Creative Liberties

Thorkell's character is based on Thorkell the Tall, a historical Jomsviking lord who served as a mentor to Canute in the Flateyjarbók. The series features prominent male characters, with female ones often having few screentime or dying, though Gudrid is an exception due to her historical basis. Leif Eiriksson is also adapted; while historically famous, Yukimura imagined him as weak initially before fleshing him out as a strong adventurer.

Anime Adaptation and Character Dynamics

In the anime adaptation by Wit Studio, Askeladd was portrayed as taking charge because others viewed him as powerful. The studio added new scenes about Thorfinn becoming one of Askeladd's soldiers rather than using a time-skip, which the manga artist appreciated. The director ensured these original scenes kept Askeladd in-character, focusing on the entertaining story of his forces.