The Most Violent History Series of All Time is Officially Streaming on Hulu

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Disney and intense violence haven’t typically been associated with each other, but that’s changing now that Disney owns Hulu. Fans who enjoy action-packed historical shows like *Vikings*, *Black Sails*, and *Shogun* are in for a treat. Hulu is bringing back what many consider the most violent historical TV series ever made: a classic anime.

Even if you typically prefer live-action shows, Vinland Saga is considered a stunning visual experience. It stands out for its realistic historical setting, compelling characters, and consistently excellent animation – the characters feel more relatable and complex than in many live-action series. It’s an ideal anime for those new to Japanese animation. Season 1 is currently available on Hulu (with both original Japanese audio and English dub), making it the perfect time to discover this emotionally powerful and ultimately uplifting story.

Vinland Saga’s Brutal Realism Surpasses Even the Goriest Live-Action Series

Unlike most Western cartoons which are made for kids, anime in Japan often caters to adults. *Vinland Saga* is considered “seinen,” a type of entertainment specifically created for young adult men aged 18 to 40. Because of this, the show doesn’t shy away from violence or mature themes – it features intense action and isn’t afraid to show it.

The Vinland Saga anime is based on the manga by Makoto Yukimura, and it carries over the manga’s intense and violent themes. This isn’t a show for those who are easily disturbed, as it features both graphic violence and a brutally honest story. The series draws inspiration from the story of Leif Erikson, a Norse explorer who is believed to have reached and settled in America centuries before Christopher Columbus.

The first season of *Vinland Saga* focuses on Thorfinn’s youth, a brutal period of Viking raids and warfare. The show realistically portrays the violence of battle and explores the internal conflict Thorfinn faces trying to balance the life of a Viking – with all its killing and destruction – and his own sense of morality. Ultimately, the story suggests that these two things are incompatible. Beyond the compelling narrative, many fans consider the action sequences in *Vinland Saga*, especially in Season 1, to be a major highlight.

Season 1 of *Vinland Saga* features incredibly well-done fight scenes that are better than most live-action historical dramas. The battles feel realistic for an anime, but the animation allows for exciting, slightly exaggerated moments that are visually impressive without feeling unrealistic or introducing any supernatural elements that would detract from the show’s historical accuracy.

Hulu Has The Chance to Finally Do Vinland Saga Justice

Watching *Vinland Saga* Season 1 was a truly thrilling experience – it’s packed with action and really sets everything up for what comes next. While Season 2 takes a different turn, focusing more on the characters themselves, I think it’s a really strong continuation, but it definitely builds on the heartbreaking events of the first season to reach that point.

If you want to watch beyond the first season of *Vinland Saga*, you’ll need a Netflix or Crunchyroll subscription, as Hulu hasn’t added Season 2 yet. However, fans are hopeful it will become available on Hulu soon, and having the show on the platform helps it reach more viewers.

Fans wanting to watch *Vinland Saga* have faced a confusing situation. While both seasons were on Crunchyroll, only the Japanese-subtitled version of Season 1 was available there. To hear the original English dub of Season 1, viewers had to use HiDive, then switch back to Crunchyroll for Season 2. Netflix also has both seasons dubbed, but it’s a different dub than the original. Now, Hulu is offering the original English dub, and fans are hoping Season 2 will soon be added, making Hulu the one place to watch the complete *Vinland Saga* with the preferred dub.

The debate over whether the Senpai or Netflix dub of *Vinland Saga* is better comes down to personal taste. While many viewers praise the effort put into the Netflix dub, others prefer the Senpai dub’s more authentic Norse pronunciations. Regardless of which version you choose, *Vinland Saga* remains one of the greatest historical drama series ever made, animated or live-action. Hopefully, Hulu will soon give this incredible anime the complete streaming platform it deserves.

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2025-10-19 03:45