Makoto Yukimura’s epic viking manga, Vinland Saga, celebrated its 19th anniversary on April 13, 2024. To mark the special occasion, the author shared a message on his Twitter handle.

In the tweet, Yukimura acknowledged his initial underestimation of the story’s length. Initially estimating a ten-year timeline for the series, the mangaka humorously pointed out his own poor planning as the narrative extended far beyond his initial projections.

“Today is the anniversary of Vinland Saga. 19 years ago, on April 13, I published the first chapter in Weekly Shonen Magazine. At the time I thought it would take me about ten years to finish it, but 19 years later, I still haven’t finished it! That speaks to poor planning on my part.“

Despite the delay, he revealed that that the series is nearing its end.

“But the final chapter is not far away. It will be over, even for a slow writer like me. Even if it is late, someday you have to finish your work.”

Vinland Saga is a Japanese historical manga series written and illustrated by Makoto Yukimura. The series is published by Kodansha, and was first serialized in the boys-targeted manga magazine Weekly Shonen Magazine before moving to the monthly manga magazine Monthly Afternoon, aimed at young adult men. As of June 2023, its chapters have been collected in 27 tankobon volumes.

By August 2022, Vinland Saga had over 7 million copies in circulation. The series won the Grand Prize of the 13th Japan Media Arts Festival in 2009 and the 36th Kodansha Manga Award for Best General Manga in 2012.

A 24-episode anime television series adaptation, animated by Wit Studio, aired on NHK General TV from July to December 2019. A second season, animated by MAPPA, aired from January to June 2023.

Source: Twitter