Makoto Yukimura's acclaimed manga Vinland Saga concluded its serialization in July 2025 after an extraordinary 20-year run. The series has earned widespread praise for its gripping historical narrative and profound exploration of human nature.
Set in the turbulent world of 11th-century Viking Europe, Vinland Saga follows the journey of Thorfinn, the son of a renowned warrior, as he navigates cycles of violence, revenge, and the search for a peaceful land called Vinland. Despite its critical success and dedicated following, the anime adaptation has faced a notoriously difficult production path. WIT Studio produced and released the first season in July 2019, after which the project was transferred to MAPPA, which premiered the second season in January 2023.
In a recent post on X, Yukimura directly addressed the ongoing speculation about the anime's future. He wrote:
To all the Vinland Saga fans, thank you as always. I just learned a moment ago that there’s a rumor going around that season 3 of the anime Vinland Saga is currently in production. However, that information hasn’t reached me yet. I hope it’s in production… But man, animating Hild’s crossbow and stuff like that must be really tough, right?
He continued in the same thread:
But I think the rumor starts because there are many people who want season 3. Thank you. I am also one of those who want season 3. Now I have some free time, so I can help out on the production site with something. Like going out to buy lunch boxes or whatever.
Yukimura's candid message serves as a clear response to reports from several unofficial sources claiming that production on a third season is already underway. As of now, MAPPA has issued no official confirmation regarding the status of any further seasons. The creator's humorous offer to assist with minor tasks like fetching lunch boxes reflects both his deep personal attachment to the project and the newfound freedom he enjoys following the manga's completion.
The technical challenges Yukimura alluded to—such as animating intricate details like Hild's crossbow—highlight the considerable demands of adapting the story's later arcs. These chapters feature more complex action choreography, detailed historical environments, and emotionally layered character moments, all of which require significant resources and careful planning. MAPPA, currently managing a packed schedule that includes high-profile titles like upcoming seasons of Chainsaw Man and Dorohedoro, has yet to announce any timeline for Vinland Saga despite the studio's proven track record with dense, ambitious narratives.
The first two seasons of the anime covered the War Arc and the Slave Arc respectively, ending at the beginning of the Eastern Expedition Arc. This leaves substantial source material yet to be adapted, including some of the most philosophically rich and visually ambitious portions of Yukimura's saga. The series' reputation for blending historical accuracy with introspective storytelling continues to fuel hope for a continuation, even as production realities impose necessary delays.
For viewers eager to experience or revisit the story, both seasons of the Vinland Saga anime are currently available to stream on Netflix and Crunchyroll. These platforms offer multiple language options, including English dubs and subtitles, making the epic accessible to a wide audience while the industry awaits official word on the next chapter.
