Finding Vinland

This documentary follows the emotional journey of a teenage boy abruptly uprooted from his familiar life in Ireland and forced to relocate to Nigeria. Stripped of his friends, routines, and sense of identity, he struggles with isolation, cultural shock, and the frustration of adapting to a world that feels foreign. The bustling streets, unfamiliar traditions, and societal expectations weigh heavily on him, leaving him lost and disconnected. 

Yet, amidst the loneliness, he discovers an unexpected solace in anime, specifically Vinland Saga. The vibrant stories of perseverance, friendship, and self-discovery become his refuge, offering comfort and a renewed sense of purpose. Through these animated worlds, he begins to navigate his own reality, slowly finding his place in this uncharted territory. 

This deeply personal story captures the pain of displacement, the resilience of the human spirit, and the unexpected ways we find belonging. It’s a tale of struggle, growth, and the quiet power of storytelling to heal a fractured heart. 

This is the story of a young boy who lost his world and found a better one in the unlikeliest of places. 

When Mene was just twelve years old, his life changed forever. What was supposed to be a happy summer holiday in Nigeria quickly turned nightmare. Uprooted from everything familiar, my friends, my school, my sense of self, he was sent back to Nigeria, a country that was technically his homeland but felt utterly foreign. The chaos of Lagos streets replaced a relatively quiet lifestyle he knew back in Portlaoise; unfamiliar with social cues, and the way of life over there, they dictated every interaction, and the loneliness was so crushing, he could physically feel its weight. He wasn't just homesick, he was identity-sick, grieving a version of myself that no longer existed. 

The story deals with the journey of having to find a sense of purpose and belonging in an environment that feels foreign to him, confrontations of bullying, corporal punishment that he faced ensured that his smile and joy was taken away, losing that smile and joy forced him to cradle in a place of isolation, a place of darkness and despair. 

However, through the isolation and sadness, a blessing comes forth, he discovers anime. What began as desperate escapism became his lifeline, his therapist, and eventually, his person. No story impacted him more profoundly than Vinland Saga, a brutal but beautiful epic tale that didn't just entertain him, but fundamentally shaped my understanding of pain, purpose, and what it means to truly live. 

At first, he related to Thorfinn's rage. Like him, he was drowning in bitterness at my family for moving him to Nigeria , being in Nigeria was difficult, being angry at himself  for failing to adapt. When young Thorfinn mindlessly pursued vengeance, he recognized his own toxic cycles. When he screamed into the ocean, he felt that scream in my bones. But as the story unfolded, something miraculous happened: Thorfinn began to change... and so did he. 

The farmland arc shattered him and changed him, it was like a rebirth, a reawakening, a sense of purpose being unveiled. Watching this once feral warrior kneel in dirt, trembling as he chose pacifism over violence, he realized Transformation isn't about strength it's about Letting go of my resentment toward Nigeria, allowing himself to be in touch with his emotions wasn't a sign of weakness; it was the bravest thing he could do. Slowly, he began applying Vinland Saga's lessons finding purpose in creation rather than conflict, seeking that he no longer had "enemies" to fight but rather embark on a journey to find Vinland. 

This audio documentary details this change through raw authentic storytelling struggling through power outages while rewatching key scenes. 
This isn't just an anime documentary. It's a survival story. A love letter to the stories that save us. And proof that sometimes, change is inevitable and that all change isn’t bad, sometimes it might just help us find our Vinland, our peace, and our homes. 

This is my story. But it might just be yours, too.