Vinland Saga tells one of the most compelling stories ever known in the history of any entertainment medium, and not just anime. It has arguably recreated the Vikings theme far more comprehensively than any other Western adaptations ever could.
Defying your typical anime-genre conventions, this epic tale speaks beyond the confines of Seinen manga to some of the most brutally hard-hitting universal themes that resonate very deeply with audiences worldwide.
Behind this masterpiece stands the proud visionary mangaka: Makoto Yukimura sensei. With his unique blend of gritty storytelling and philosophically rich dialogues, he has earned a surreal amount of worldwide acclaim. Interestingly, in a very recent interview, Yukimura-sensei himself gave us some deep insight into how he came up with the iconic line “I have no enemies”.
The Message Yukimura-sensei Wanted to Convey to All: None Of Us Have An Enemy
In a very rare interview with AnimeCorner, Makoto Yukimura shared some of the most insightful information and valuable details about his creative process of Vinland Saga. For so many fans, this powerful dialogue, “I have no enemies“, has resonated deeply with them, and Yukimura’s thoughts on this matter further offered a fascinating outlook into his vision.
This quote, ‘I have no enemies,’ if there was something that would trend, I’d want it to be something like this quote.
He hopes that if the idea of “none of us have an enemy” spreads throughout the globe, then the whole world be a better place to live in. This feeling is particularly intense in today’s rotting society, where the “sigma mentality” makes people think along lines of division and extreme hostility. The fact that Yukimura sensei’s work challenges this mindset shows the power of his storytelling, and fans have also been aware of that.
And I think it’s a good thing if the feeling that none of us have an enemy could be accepted by many people. I think that would leave a positive influence in this world, and if that happened, I’d be proud of it.
It serves a greater purpose, even beyond the world of Vinland Saga, as long as people can understand and share the underlying meaning of it. In a world where conflicts reign the ground, and polarization dominates the human psyche, Yukimura sensei’s message comes as a reminder of compassion and unity. As Vinland Saga nears its end, this iconic line will surely remain a part of its legacy forever, encouraging fans to reflect on the true meaning of life.
Yukimura-sensei Wasn’t Even Aware of The Widespread Virality of This Quote
Yukimura-sensei had no idea that this one line, “I have no enemies“, has been such a huge deal on the internet. The interviewer also had to educate him on the many memes and widespread virality of the phrase. This may come out as a bit funny, but it actually demonstrates Yukimura-sensei’s charming lack of interest in all digital things.
While the memes inspired by the line might be funny at times, the underlying concept of this dialogue goes way beyond anything. Yukimura-sensei’s vision for a better world would certainly come with the acceptance of this idea, and it would prove a crucial step on the way to achieving world peace. According to sensei, by embracing the fact that our conflicts are often rooted in misunderstandings, we may find a path toward a more harmonious, compassionate world.
Vinland Saga seasons 1 & 2 are available to watch on Crunchyroll.
