Vinland Saga Stuff

[hearthesea.wordpress.com]

Hey guys. Here are some thoughts on Vinland Saga in connection to violence, if anyone is interested.

(I felt like blogging about this after reading the latest chapter, which seems to signal dark events on the horizon. It feels like the 'Farm Arc' has come to an end, or is at least nearing that point.)

Comments

[etrangere]

Which brings us to something that's a frequent problem in depiction of violence in artistic media that try problematize violence (also works with sexual objectification). It's pretty damn hard to portray in a way that isn't exploitative, that some readers (if not the majority) will not read as cool and enjoyable in itself. Even if you go in extreme directions by ramping up the gore and horrific aspects, there's always some people who'll just enjoy that. Even if Yukimura's intent was a journey into condemning violence, isn't the fact that some many in his audience have embraced that portrayal a proof of failure in storytelling from his part?

[ext_559391]

Thanks for reading, etrangere. The point you raise is exactly what was on my mind, too -- that strange contradiction between the anti-violence theme and the violence as something that actively attracts people to read the work in the first place. Slippery ground

Also:

[ext_559391]

(I've also edited the bottom of my blog post and linked to your comment on this page, if that's okay -- I thought it was great food for thought. Let me know if you want me to take it down, though.)