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Recently on X (formerly Twitter), an anime fan by the name of @AmedusX started a conversation when he said Thorfinn from Vinland Saga is a better main character than Naruto Uzumaki. This got the attention of both the fandoms and now we have an all-out online war between the two.
What makes this comparison so contentious is that both the fandoms are almost completely different in every way: genre, themes, character development, and target audience. Both series are great in their own right but which main character is better could be impossible to answer objectively. But the debate continued with fans from both sides defending their favorite characters.
X user's take on Thorfinn being a better protagonist than Uzumaki Naruto causes debate between the two fandom
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The idea that Thorfinn could be considered a better main character than Naruto has got the series' fans going wild and they are likening the comparison to that of apples and oranges. Both the series are great, however, they cater to completely different demographics and themes.
Vinland Saga, a historical drama set in the Viking era follows the journey of Thorfinn, a vengeful young man seeking to avenge his father’s murder. The series goes deep into morality, and violence. The series is a far cry from the more lighthearted action-oriented world of Masashi Kishimoto's series.
Naruto is a coming-of-age story that follows the adventures of a young ninja as he navigates friendship, personal growth, and his quest to become the Hokage. The series is known for its battle scenes, memorable characters, and themes of determination, perseverance, and the power of bonds.
Comparing Thorfinn to the Orange Hokage is, to many, an exercise in futility. They are too different in narrative focus, character arcs and target audience to be judged on the same scale.
How the two fandoms reacted to the statement by the X user
The tweet by @AmedusX went viral and Vinland Saga fans started supporting the claim while the other fandom started disagreeing. The debate escalated and both sides defended their favorite protagonist.
"Im a naruto fan and even I agree Hell it’s not even a slight on the character either, half of the shonen lineup doesn’t touch thorfinn’s character," said a fan.
"bro thorfinn is a better mc than every shonen mc," another fan said.
"Hot take? Literally he's not a Hot take, he was a pretty good character long before, Naruto ruins his entire build, while Thorfinn is S+ tier," added another
Vinland Saga fans said Thorfinn’s complex character development, his struggles with his own violent nature, and his quest for redemption make him a more interesting and layered protagonist than the overly optimistic Jinchuriki. They praised the series’ gritty realism and Thorfinn’s journey from a vengeful youth to a more introspective and pacifistic warrior.
"Naruto changed people lives from kid to adulthood thorfinn is a great written character but only a fool would believe the former isn’t better written when you look at him in his entirety," a fan said.
"Nah but Naruto has impacted way more kids than Thorfinn. This is almost equivalent to saying Guts is better than Goku. It doesn't really matter how deep the writing is, both can be seen as inspirational to a lot of people," said another fan.
"Naruto does everything better than thorfinn people in the comments over hate Naruto," added another.
The Hokage's fans on the other hand highlighted the depth and impact of their protagonist’s journey from an outcast to a leader and symbol of hope. They championed his determination, his ability to inspire others, and his world-changing impact. The debate expanded beyond the protagonists and fans of both series started arguing about the series itself, the narrative, and the supporting cast.
Final thoughts
The debate between the two fandoms underscores the diversity of anime protagonists, each with unique strengths appealing to different audiences. This clash highlights the rich landscape of anime, where no single "best" character exists— only a tapestry of compelling heroes, each inspiring and captivating in their own way.
