Thors
From Vinland Saga
Thors is a supporting character in Vinland Saga, Thorfinn's father, once feared as the Troll of Jom, the Jomsvikings' strongest captain, who gave up war to raise his family in Iceland. His death at Askeladd's hands starts the whole story. He is voiced by Kenichiro Matsuda in Japanese and Greg Chun in English (Netflix dub).
About Thors
Thors, called the Troll of Jom, was the Jomsvikings' strongest captain until he faked his death to live quietly in Iceland with his family. A warrior who came to hate war, he teaches his son that a true warrior needs no sword and that no one has enemies. Cornered by Askeladd's trap, he wins the duel, then trades his life for his crew, the sacrifice that defines Thorfinn.
Appearance
Thors is a tall, heavily built man with dark hair, a strong jaw and calm, tired eyes. Even in simple Icelandic farmer's clothes he carries the unmistakable presence of a lifelong soldier, and old comrades recognise the Troll of Jom in him instantly. He is almost never seen raising his voice or his fists, his stillness is the point: this is the strongest man in the story choosing, every day, not to fight.
Personality
Thors is gentle, patient and quietly philosophical. Having seen war from the very top, he concluded that it makes men into tools, and he teaches his children that a true warrior needs no sword and that no one truly has enemies. He is not naive, he knows exactly what violence costs and what it buys, which is why his refusal of it carries weight. As a father he is warm and playful, the centre of his family's small, peaceful world.
Background & Story
Thors rose to captain in the Jomsvikings, an elite Viking order, and earned the name Troll of Jom as their most feared fighter. Weary of killing, he faked his death in battle, married Helga and settled in Iceland to raise Ylva and Thorfinn far from war. Years later the Jomsvikings discovered he was alive and forced him to rejoin the invasion of England under threat to his village. On the voyage, Floki's hired killers, Askeladd's band, ambushed his ship. Thors defeated Askeladd in single combat without killing him, then surrendered his own life so his men and his son would be spared.
Powers & Abilities
- Unmatched Strength and Skill: In his prime Thors was stronger than Thorkell and beat Askeladd cleanly in a duel, fighting bare-handed against armed men without being touched.
- Weaponless Fighting: True to his beliefs, Thors fights to disarm and disable rather than kill, knocking out a ship's worth of warriors with his fists alone.
Key Relationships
- Thorfinn: His son, who idolised him and spent a decade avenging him before finally understanding what his father tried to teach him.
- Ylva: His daughter, who inherits his steadiness and keeps the household standing after his death.
- Askeladd: The mercenary hired to kill him; Thors defeats him in their duel and Askeladd never forgets it.
- Floki: His former Jomsviking comrade, whose resentment leads Floki to order his murder.
- Leif Erikson: An old friend of the family, who carries Thors' dream of Vinland to Thorfinn.
Quick Answers
Why is Thors called the Troll of Jom?
It was his battle name as a Jomsviking captain, earned as the order's strongest and most feared warrior before he deserted to live in peace.
How did Thors die?
Askeladd's band ambushed his ship. Thors won his duel with Askeladd but gave up his life in exchange for his crew and his son being allowed to live.
Who voices Thors?
Kenichiro Matsuda voices him in Japanese. In English, Greg Chun voices him in the Netflix dub and Jason Douglas in the Sentai dub.
