Imagine Vinland Saga reimagined for an adult audience, with all the gritty, brutal realism laid bare. But the cost of that rawness came at the expense of the art style, rough around the edges. Despite that, when it comes to character depth, especially the supporting cast, it stands head and shoulders above the series I’m comparing it to. There’s just a similar vibe between the works, paradoxically enough. I get that this title currently feels like a reflection of Russia — grim and oppressive. But even in this world, despite the brutal executions of those who falter, rebellion was possible. In a way, this dystopia might offera future that’s still better than the one under Putin’s reign.