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Vinland Saga's Makoto Yukimura Shares Opinion on Violence: 'Consider Attack on Titan'

Do we have to adapt the Gundam "Wow cool robot" meme for Vinland Saga?

Do we have to adapt the Gundam "Wow cool robot" meme for Vinland Saga?

Probably not the best idea to contrast it with Attack on Titan though, since that is also a story that is trying to say violence is bad…

This is perfect timing, as I just started Vinland Saga. I love the arc Yukimura has given Thorfinn, and while I get why some wish to have a more violent story given how the first saga is all about war, the story brilliantly moves on from that, making it clear that it does not matter and should not poison Thorfinn’s mind. Probably not the best idea to contrast it with Attack on Titan though, since that is also a story that is trying to say violence is bad…

Fingers crossed for an adaptation of the Eastern Expedition saga.

I get his point though. AoT has an anti-war/violence message...but does so by reveling in its grotesque violence. The irony is actually a fascinating one. When fans complain there is no action - meaning that the violence is the draw - it betrays the subconscious desire of many for that violence. We may accept a message of nonviolence, but we nonetheless are entertained by it.

Yukimura is a cut above though, just my opinion. I love all of Vineland Saga.

It’s pretty presumptuous to say the AOT mangaka is reveling in its violence.

ZiharkXVI wrote:

I get his point though. AoT has an anti-war/violence message...but does so by reveling in its grotesque violence. The irony is actually a fascinating one. When fans complain there is no action - meaning that the violence is the draw - it betrays the subconscious desire of many for that violence. We may accept a message of nonviolence, but we nonetheless are entertained by it. Yukimura is a cut above though, just my opinion. I love all of Vineland Saga.

It’s pretty presumptuous to say the AOT mangaka is reveling in its violence. And honestly, enjoying fictional violence has no correlation to promoting actual violence. Being entertained by a story with violence does not mean one can’t also wish for a non-violent world.

The problem is we don’t live in a world made entirely of moral people, and thus violence is often required to defend ourselves against people carrying out violence against innocent people. A story that depicts that is not necessarily promoting violence or reveling it, but simply being an honest portrayal of humanity.

A story naturally requires conflict most of the time to work. Violence is often an element of conflict. And when the source of said violence comes from massive monstrosities, *gasp*, the violence might be kind of intense, whuduthunk.

doctordoom85 wrote:

It’s pretty presumptuous to say the AOT mangaka is reveling in its violence.

Admittedly, I haven't watched it since season 1 and never read the manga. But, well, the basic concept is that the world is overrun by gigantic impossibly fast zombies that eat people alive, and the only way to stop them is to fly around with grappling hooks like spider-man, slicing them to bits with one-atom-thick anime swords. spoiler[Or by transforming into a giant zombie yourself.] I don't see any possible way to portray that without reveling in violence, regardless of the intended message.

Gemnist wrote:

Probably not the best idea to contrast it with Attack on Titan though, since that is also a story that is trying to say violence is bad…

"Trying" is the key word. AoT certainly tried... *cough*

Your opinion of fictional violence having no correlation is complete guesswork

ZiharkXVI wrote:

Your opinion of fictional violence having no correlation is complete guesswork

Well, by that logic, I could easily say Vinland Saga promotes violence simply because it has violence in it. Doesn’t matter if the author says otherwise, that doesn’t prove it objectively.

See? It’s presumptuous to say any series promotes violence unless it flat out says it does. It comes off as slightly moral guardian-y, and lord knows that behavior most of us are beyond tired of. How about taking a stand against real violence, and not worry so much about the fictional story about people turning into kaiju and wrestling each other?

And yes, CLEARLY the violence was what made AOT so popular. The animation, directing, music, characters, story, etc. were all clearly mostly irrelevant in it becoming popular. CLEARLY.

doctordoom85 wrote:

ZiharkXVI wrote: Your opinion of fictional violence having no correlation is complete guesswork Well, by that logic, I could easily say Vinland Saga promotes violence simply because it has violence in it. Doesn’t matter if the author says otherwise, that doesn’t prove it objectively. See? It’s presumptuous to say any series promotes violence unless it flat out says it does. It comes off as slightly moral guardian-y, and lord knows that behavior most of us are beyond tired of. How about taking a stand against real violence, and not worry so much about the fictional story about people turning into kaiju and wrestling each other? And yes, CLEARLY the violence was what made AOT so popular. The animation, directing, music, characters, story, etc. were all clearly mostly irrelevant in it becoming popular. CLEARLY.

You keep saying things I am not saying. I never said the story wasn't good, etc. I just stated fighting is what attracted the audience. They likely stayed because of competent writing.

And I used the logic of "I don't know and neither do you". All I did was point out an opinion of yours on the correlation in interest (because you can't really prove/disprove it) and tell you yet again I didn't say that anime violence causes actual violence. I don't believe that to be true.