Episode 48

"Home" (故郷) is the forty-eighth overall episode of the Vinland Saga anime and the twenty-fourth and final episode of Season 2, produced by MAPPA.

Synopsis
Thorfinn returns to his homeland Iceland with Einar for the first time in ten years on Leif's ship. Thorfinn enjoys temporary happiness after being reunited with his older sister Ylva and her mother Helga. In order to save oppressed lives, he begins to talk about his determination to embark on a new journey. A shadow of his deceased father, Thors, could be seen in his expression.

Summary
Thorfinn's group reach Iceland. Einar confirms its indeed quite cold and seeing how low the sun is, he isn't surprised there is no farming, since they days are short. Leif explains that its winter now and during the Summer, the days are long and on some places some people grow wheat, but its not enough to feed the island-dwellers. Einar wonders if all island-dwellers are shepherds and ranchers, but Leif states that some are craftsmen and fishermen, because there isn't enough pastureland for everyone to raise livestock. Thorfinn is surprised to learn this as well, which surprised Einar, since Thorfinn grew up here, but Thorfinn explains he was just a kid. He tries to state how many years he was gone, but then starts to wonder how old is he himself.

They reach Thorfinn's village, but the villagers don't recognize Thorfinn and can't even recall that Ylva had a brother. One of them asks Thorfinn to say his name, but as its been quite a lot of years, Thorfinn doesn't recognize the person and guesses wrong. They find him suspicious and wonder if they should tie him up, but decide to let him see Ylva, who is currently arguing with the Norwegian merchant.

Ylva is angry at Berge for his greed as he charged them more. Leif then calls Ylva, telling her that he finally found Thorfinn. Thorfinn tries to hug her, but she kicks him, stating she doesn't know any Thorfinn. Leif explains its her little brother and she recalls that he may have been called that, but states he died when he was a kid. Leif tells her that he is alive and have told her before that he met him in York, but Ylva thinks that he made that story up, just to cheer them up. Ylva gets annoyed at Thorfinn to tricking Leif into believing he is her brother.

A bit later, Leif tell Thorfinn that they should go to his house and that Helga will recognize him. Thorfinn states that he barely remembers their faces, so its no surprise that they have forgotten him. Bug-Eyes finds Thorfinn to be lucky as after a decade he can still go home and meet his mother, unlike him, who doesn't even know where she is. He asks Thorfinn if he wants him to play the role of the son, but Thorfinn thanks him and decides to meet up with Helga.

They meet Helga, who initially stands shocked. Bug-Eyes then acts like he is Thorfinn, but the rest scold him for joking around in such moment. Leif tries to point out who is the real Thorfinn, but Helga had recognized him already. She places her hands on his head and while crying of joy, she notes how much has he grown up. Thorfinn also cries and apologizes for everything. A bit later, Ari had heard that Thorfinn is back and comes back to see him, and the two hug. Einar prepares to leave and join Leif, but Helga tells him that he should stay and if he is Thorfinn's brother, then that makes him her son. Ylva returns complaining about another merchant. She then sees Thorfinn there and grabs him, wondering why is he there and if he is trying to scam them. Helga stops her, telling her its really Thorfinn. That surprises Ylva, since Leif didn't lie to them, but she gets angry and punches him, asking him where has he been all this time. Thorfinn barely stands up. Einar wonders if he is fine and Thorfinn states he is used to be punched, but then falls on his knees knocked out.

That night, Thorfinn tells his family about everything he experienced in the past 16 years, from the death of Thors to his departure from Ketil's farm. While he only told the key points and spoke matter-of-factly, everyone was left without words after learning his story of hatred and strife, death and destruction, despair and regret, sadness and rebirth. Thorfinn believes that his sins are heavy and wishes to go to Vinland to create a peaceful land. Helga supports him, telling him to do it and explaining that there are many people who wish to escape this world, like she and Thors who escaped from Jomsborg. As this is large-scale endeavor, Leif tells him that he will need people, livestock, materials, boats and it all comes down to money. However, Leif intends to help him out.

Later, Thorfinn visits the grave of the nameless slave that his father once saved. Einar joins him and wonders to whom the grave belongs. Thorfinn explains that once his father saw a dying slave and decided to save him, trading eight sheep for him. Einar is surprised to hear how high the price was, but guesses that Thorfinn got his good nature from his father. Einar then heads back inside, since its too cold for him. Thorfinn then sees a younger version of himself asking him where the people who want to run away from here go. Thors then taps Thorfinn on the shoulder, stating that he already knows the answer. Thorfinn and Thors then appear in a large wheat field.

Characters in Order of Appearance

 * Einar
 * Thorfinn
 * Bug-Eyes
 * Leif Ericson
 * Berge
 * Ylva
 * Helga
 * Ari
 * Thors Snorresson (flashback)
 * Askeladd (flashback)