In 2022, Vinland Saga’s creator Makoto Yukimura did a joint interview with Attack on Titan’s mangaka Hajime Isayama, where they discussed each other’s works. While talking about Vinland Saga and Attack on Titan, Isayama made a big revelation when he talked about his favorite character from Yukimura’s magnum opus.
During the interview, Isayama revealed that his favorite character from Vinland Saga was Thorfinn, who is the protagonist of the series. Thorfinn, when introduced, was a small kid who always dreamed of going on an adventure, and when he was able to fulfill this dream, his life took an unexpected and dark turn. The series is based around Thorfinn’s struggle.
Thorfinn being Isayama’s favorite character comes as a shock to Attack on Titan fans because Isayama has mentioned multiple times that he doesn’t usually like the protagonists from a manga or an anime. He even once pointed out that his favorite character from his own magnum opus was Reiner Braun, who controlled the power of the armored Titan in Attack on Titan.
Hajime Isayama Reveals Why He Likes Thorfinn From Vinland Saga
The 2022 interview between Makoto Yukimura and Isayama was translated and shared by @AttackonFans, a fan account on X (formerly Twitter). During the interview, Isayama stated that Thorfinn is his favorite character from Vinland Saga, and he even gave a reason for it.
Isayama stated:
“It’s Thorfinn, after all. It’s not often that the main character is the one I like the most in a manga, but Thorfinn is exceptional. He progresses as he repeatedly destroys and builds. Thorfinn, who always carries the guilt since the slave chapter, is full of humanity, making him very appealing.”
Isayama confessed that he finds Thorfinn appealing because the character has grown continuously in the series, and despite his negative aspects, he is still full of humanity, which makes him a better main character. This was quite unconventional, as even Eren Yeager, one of the most prominent anime protagonists, couldn’t achieve this feat despite being the main character of Isayama’s own masterpiece.
Hajime Isayama’s Favorite Character from Attack on Titan Was Not Eren Yeager
During the K Manga launch event, Attack on Titan’s creator, Hajime Isayama, revealed that while Eren is a great character as a protagonist, he still prefers Reiner Braun over him. This was because Isayama put a lot of effort into mapping out Reiner, and the complexities of his character were quite visible during the series.
Isayama stated:
“I’d have to say, Jean. No, it’s Reiner. He’s someone I put a lot of thought into creating. He turned out completely different from what I expected. I enjoyed drawing him.”
Isayama’s revelation about preferring Thorfinn over Eren is a big compliment for Vinland Saga and Yukimura. There is no doubt that Eren is one of the best-written protagonists in the world, and for the creator of Eren itself, appreciating another main character is something that can’t be achieved easily. While Attack on Titan has ended its journey, Vinland Saga fans are still waiting for season 3.
You can watch Vinland Saga and Attack on Titan on Crunchyroll.
