11 Best Anime About Vikings You Need to Watch
We have already talked about the various ideas and concepts embodied in various manga and anime titles. Whether it’s an actual (sub)genre or just a motif that is recurring in the series, you’ll find anything that comes to mind in anime. Some of these motifs might not be that common, and they might be quite rare, but we’re certain that you’ll find a couple of titles, at least, to satisfy your needs. One such topic are Vikings, the famous Norse warriors, and that is what we are going to talk about in this article.
Namely, this article is going to be a list of the 11 best anime about Vikings, albeit in various contexts and settings, so don’t expect just pure historical titles. They won’t be ranked in any way specific way, rather just listed with some basic production and plot-related information so that you know why you should watch them and what they are about.
1. Vinland Saga
Original Run: July 7, 2019 – present
Number of Episodes: 24
What it’s about: Combining historical figures and events with many fictional elements, Vinland Saga is the story of the life of a young Icelandic man, Thorfinn Thorsson. This son of an illustrious repentant warrior will see his life turned upside down when his father is assassinated by pirates led by the cunning Askeladd. Driven by revenge, Thorfinn will follow and then integrate this gang, with the displayed desire to eliminate his father’s assassin in a loyal duel. Thorfinn’s vengeful quest is the common thread of the story’s prologue.
It will lead him, in particular, to participate in the invasion of England by the Danes at the beginning of the eleventh century. This part of the story brilliantly treats various subjects such as war, politics, and religion, and paints a convincing and human portrait of the daily life of the populations victims of the war but also especially of the warriors, far away from the clichés usually conveyed by the Vikings.
Why you should watch it: Vinland Saga is definitely the best Viking-related anime you’ll find on this list. It is a historical work and one of the most popular anime of its time, and due to the fact that it is a seinen title, it allows for more realism in depicting the brutality of the setting. It also gives us precise historical insight into the everyday lives of Vikings.
2. Ronja, the Robber’s Daughter
Original Run: October 11, 2014 – March 28, 2015
Number of Episodes: 26
What it’s about: The robber-captain Mattis and his wife Lovis give birth to their first child on a stormy night. They call it Ronia. Mattis loves his daughter more than anything. She likes going to the Mattiswald, the forest that surrounds the robber castle of Mattis. There she experiences a lot of adventures. One day Mattis arch-enemy, robber captain Borka, moves with his robbers to the other half of Mattisburg. Mattis is angry.
While Mattis and Borka argue, Borka’s son Birk and Ronja become friends. Mattis can’t understand it at all, which is why Ronja and Mattis are now arguing. Ronja then moves into the forest together with Birk. They live there for a while until Ronja’s father apologizes to Ronja and accepts Birk as a family member. The rival gangs of robbers join forces, and Mattis becomes captain of both gangs.
Why you should watch it: Ronja is a much simpler take on the subject than Vinland Saga but it is, nonetheless, a true Viking story. Based on a book by famous child author Astrid Lindgren, this CGI anime is something that both older and younger fans can enjoy at the same time.
3. The Mythical Detective Loki Ragnarok
Original Run: April 5, 2003 – September 27, 2003
Number of Episodes: 26
What it’s about: Loki is banished from the gods by Odin and transformed into his younger self. He collects evil energies that he needs to transform into his true form and return to the god realm. That’s why he opens the Enjaku detective agency. There his son Yamino (Jormungand) is at his side. His first client is Mayura, a schoolgirl who asks him to help a school friend who is sure a serial killer is watching her. She is so infatuated with mysterious things that after the case is closed, she joins Loki’s detective team herself.
Why you should watch it: Well, this one is technically not a Viking-related anime series, but it is a modern take on Norse mythology and features a lot of the lore from Norse mythology – and it is quite fun at that – which is why we have decided to put it here on this list for you to try out.
4. Val × Love
Original Run: October 5, 2019 – December 21, 2019
Number of Episodes: 12
What it’s about: Takuma Akutsu has always had a spooky face; it started when he was a little child. Because of this, he receives frequent disregard from his peers and only draws undesirable attention, such as that of gang members and thugs. As a result, he suffers from social anxiety and struggles to have meaningful conversations with others. She is even given the epithet “Akuma” (Demon) due to this trait and his frightening appearance, which only serves to further his terrible image.
When Takuma saves Natsuki one day, Odin, the lord of Asgard, gives him a visual warning that the world would descend into anarchy if they don’t put an end to the demons. Odin then tasks his daughters, the nine Valkyries, with going to Earth to aid him in his goal. Odin then assigns her a task: as love is supposed to be the main spring of the strength of a maiden, she must demonstrate that love can save the world.
Why you should watch it: While composing this list, we have come to understand that true Viking anime titles are really hard to come by, which is why we are listing titles that take inspiration from Norse mythology as well. Val × Love is one such title and it has a lot of elements from Norse mythology, although you shouldn’t really expect any brutality usually associated with Vikings.
5. Record of Ragnarok
Original Run: June 17, 2021 – present
Number of Episodes: 12
What it’s about: Every thousand years, all the gods, all pantheons united, meet in Valhalla, the paradise of souls, during an assembly presided over by Zeus, the supreme Greek god, in order to decide the fate of humans. However, that year, it was almost unanimously decided to destroy humanity. But the Valkyrie Brunhild interrupts the conference and proposes to the gods to measure themselves against mortals during the Ragnarök tournament, to determine if they are really worth destroying.
This tournament will pit 13 gods from various mythologies against 13 powerful humans who have made history. If humanity wins at least seven of the 13 duels, then the gods will spare humanity. But faced with the extraordinary abilities of gods such as Zeus, Poseidon or Shiva, the human representatives will have to surpass themselves to hope to have a chance of winning. For this, they can count on the help of the Valkyries. By the principle of Volund, each of the 13 sisters will fuse with one of the 13 mortal fighters and take on the form of a weapon capable of injuring the gods. This is how the gods will realize as the tournament progresses that humans are not as weak as they thought.
Why you should watch it: Record of Ragnarok is also not a true Viking title and while it does draw heavily from Norse mythology, it is quite liberal with its take on mythology. There is something for everyone in this Netflix title and while the topic is not 100% identical, the brutality and the fighting atmosphere are something that Viking fans will definitely enjoy.
6. Warlords of Sigrdrifa
Original Run: October 3, 2020 – December 26, 2020
Number of Episodes: 12
What it’s about: In 2020, all life on Earth is in danger due to the strange alien “Pillars” that have appeared. Even atomic weapons could not stop them, but everyone was spared by the entrance of a kid who identified himself as Odin and bestowed “heroic wings” in the form of airplanes and the ability to use pillars of defense on the chosen ladies, whom he called Valkyries. S-rank Valkyrie Claudia is sent from Europe to Japan in 2025 after conquering the Pillar there. In the fight against the pillars, she joins three other females. Ragnarok is nevertheless drawing nearer by the day.
Why you should watch it: Well, this is as close as you’ll get to a Viking title without the show actually being a Viking title. The Valkyries here are fighter pilots sent by Odin to Earth and there is more than enough action to satisfy one’s needs. Still, it’s very much a fantasy title rather than anything else, so don’t expect too much if you want a true Viking story.
7. Digimon Xros Wars: The Evil Death Generals and the Seven Kingdoms
Original Run: July 6, 2010 – March 25, 2012
Number of Episodes: 79
What it’s about: The athletic and kind-hearted boy Taiki Kudō hears a strange melody and soft cries for help one afternoon. When he responds, the Digimon Xros Loader appears, and he and his friends Akari Hinomoto and Zenjiro Tsurugi are drawn into the world of Digimon. There they see an army attacking a village. Shoutmon had called for help and, together with Taiki, manages to push back the army by fusing Digimon with the Xros Loader, a so-called Digi Xros.
The army belongs to the Bagra Empire, which wants to conquer the whole digital world. From then on, Taiki, his friends, and their Digimon fight against the army of Bagramon. A year after defeating Bargamon, the Taiki, along with a friend named Taigiru, discover a world between the Digiworld and the human world, the DigiQuartz. From a mysterious old man (later revealed to be Bargamon, but now siding with the humans), they receive the Xros Loader. He also tells them that the remaining power of Bargamon mixed with the digital power of the human world, creating Quartzmon, which wants to turn the human world into DigiQuartz and thus wipe out humanity, and it is now the team’s task to stop it.
Why you should watch it: Okay, sure, Digimon Xros Wars is not a Viking title, but the second part of this saga actually has a mini-arc associated with Olegmon, who is a pirate/Viking Digimon, and the Olegmon episodes are a great take on Vikings from the perspective of the Digimon franchise. It’s child friendly, but still worth a watch. The episodes in question are 40 and 41.
8. One Piece
Original Run: October 20, 1999 – present
Number of Episodes: 1011
What it’s about: Twenty-two years after Gol D. Roger’s execution, the interest in the One Piece treasure is waning. Many have given up on it, some even wonder if it really exists. Although pirates are still a threat to the locals, the Navy has become more effective in countering their attacks on all four seas: East Blue, North Blue, West Blue, and South Blue.
However, this change did not deter Monkey D. Luffy, a young boy, from wanting to become the successor to the legendary Roger. He will thus set off on an adventure, giving himself the first objective of creating a crew in order to reach the Grand Line sea, where the fever of the “great wave of piracy” continues to rage, and where many big names in the piracy are in pursuit of the One Piece, supposed to be on the last island of this great sea, Laugh Tale.
Why you should watch it: One Piece is also not a direct Viking-related title, but this pirate anime and one of the best ever is something that Viking fans will enjoy. The New Giants are characters inspired by Vikings so if you want to see them exclusively, you should just pick those episodes.
9. Digmon Adventure:
Original Run: April 5, 2020 – September 26, 2021
Number of Episodes: 67
What it’s about: In August 2020, there were widespread network disruptions in the Japanese capital Tokyo and its surroundings: traffic lights flashed excessively and irregularly, and advertisements on screens were filled with illegible text. Also, because the causes are unclear, cyberterrorism is quickly mentioned in the news. One of the main characters, fifth grader Taichi Yagami, is preparing for an upcoming summer camp while his mother and younger sister Hikari are staying in Shibuya District. With the addition of Koshiro Izumi, he learns that his family is in danger. So both rush to Shibuya to rescue her.
When Taichi reaches a train platform, he suddenly finds himself alone on the web; with a palm-sized device and a creature in front of him, which turns out to be his partner Digimon Agumon. Both must quickly defend themselves against numerous hostile Algomon. After defeating their opponents, Taichi’s family is out of danger; Meanwhile, he and his Digimon meet Yamato Ishida and his partner Gabumon, with whom they want to work together to eliminate further disruptions in the network for which the Algomon are responsible.
Ultimately, they encounter an ever-evolving Algomon, to which they nearly succumb when Taichi’s and Yamato’s partners merge into and defeat Omegamon. Separated from Yamato and the Digimon, Taichi returns to his world and a few days later, goes to summer camp with Koshiro, from where they are taken to the Digital World.
Why you should watch it: It’s Olegmon again, yes, but this time it’s a completely different Digimon series – the reboot of Digimon Adventure. This one is definitely more pirate-themed than the one from Xros Wars, but as Olegmon does look more like a Viking than a pirate, we have decided to list it here as well. It is a bit different than the Xros Wars episodes, but it features ice, snow, and a great fight. The episode in question is 60.
10. The Transformers
Original Run: September 17, 1984 – November 11, 1987
Number of Episodes: 98
What it’s about: In 1984, after the eruption of the volcano, the ship’s main computer, Teletraan 1, is reactivated, which with enough power, sends a low-altitude probe and begins to scan primitive human technology vehicles, such as jeeps, trucks, guns, planes, etc. Teletraan 1, having little energy, only repairs the nearest robot, who si, unfortunately, a Decepticon named Skywarp.
He then makes the computer only repair the Decepticons; Megatron seeing that his enemies seem to be eliminated, leaves them and prepares to gather enough energy to conquer Cybertron. While leaving the ship, Starscream mistakenly makes Teletraan 1 repair an Autobot. Luckily it was Optimus Prime and then the rest of the Autobots. Optimus Prime leaves the ship ready to destroy the Decepticons, during which he meets the dominant race on the planet, humans.
Why you should watch it: Not many people know that the original Transformers were actually a Japanese-American co-production and can thus be classified as an anime. A two-part episode, “Dinobot Island” (Season 2, Episodes 3-4/19-20 in total), actually gave us some Viking barbarians who came through a time portal to the modern world and caused a lot of trouble. It was short but sweet!
11. Vicky the Viking
Original Run: January 31, 1974 – April 8, 1976
Number of Episodes: 78
What it’s about: Vicky is a little boy with strawberry-blond, shoulder-length hair who lives in the small Viking village of Flake with his parents Ylva and Halvar, the village chief. Not a typical Viking boy, he is fearful by nature and not particularly strong. But he convinces with his distinctive intelligence, with which he supports adults and friends again and again in apparently hopeless situations and helps them to find a solution.
Together with Halvar and his ship’s crew of more or less “strong” men, Vicky experiences new dangerous or funny adventures in every episode. At first, he has to assert himself against the skepticism of the team but quickly develops into the mascot without which the Vikings no longer want to travel.
Why you should watch it: Vicky is actually a German-Austrian-Japanese co-production and is one of the more popular children’s anime series from the 1970s. It is a Viking title in every aspect and while it is child-friendly, it does depict the whole lore in an intriguing way.