Askeladd (Japanese: アシェラッド, Hepburn: Asheraddo), whose full name is Lucius Artorius Castus (ルキウス・アルトリウス・カストゥス, Rukiusu Arutoriusu Kasutusu), is a fictional character from the manga Vinland Saga by Makoto Yukimura.

Askeladd, the leader of a band of a hundred Vikings, bargains with Jomsviking commander Floki to kill the deserting warrior Thors.

Manga author Makoto Yukimura commented that while most Vinland Saga characters were made to assist the protagonist Thorfinn, Askeladd was an exception.

[5] Yukimura claimed that due to the Vikings being famous for committing violent deeds, he decided to write a story where Askeladd's group murders an innocent Christian family in order to generate a major shock within the readers.

At first, it was difficult to grasp the image of the character, but as he acted, he was made to feel the human way of life that is moved by the past and changes occur again depending on the reality in front of him.

[9] The ADR director of the Sentai dub, Kyle Colby Jones, said Askeladd was going to be Wald because he has "that perfect temperament to be an outright bastard but still likeable".

Thorkell makes peace with Askeladd, who decides to take down King of Denmark Sweyn Forkbeard with the aid of his son, Canute.

[17][18] His mother gave him the name Lucius Artorius Castus, the legitimate king of Britain, but he received the nickname Askeladd (covered in ash) as a boy while working for a blacksmith.

[22][23] However, upon deciding to bring peace to his friends and family, Thorfinn has a hallucination of Askeladd and Thors when talking with one of his mentors, Leif Erikson.

[26] Rebecca Silverman for Anime News Network praised the design of Askeladd for how appealing he is: "He practically oozes underhanded nastiness without being drawn as an exaggerated farce of a man".

[29] Despite calling him a villain that "steals every scene" he is featured in, Anime News Network noticed that Askeladd granted Bjorn's last wish of having a warrior's death, something commonly known in Norse culture.

[30] Askeladd's humanity is further explored through his relationship with his underling Bjorn, whom he kills in combat after he suffers a major wound but gives him a dignified death fitting of what Vikings want to experience.

[31] In The European Middle Ages through the prism of Contemporary Japanese Literature, Maximen Denise from the University of Tours noted that the main motivation featured in the manga also explores his desire to have power similar to "those who desperately struggle to find their homelands in the 21st century 'medieval' Japan".

[32] Den of Geek said that while Askeladd committed several crimes in the story to the point of being portrayed as a psychopath, there are several actions he takes, like protecting Canute or his usage of Thorfinn across a decade, as a surprising difference that makes the character feel less antagonistic and instead heroic.

[34] According to Ashley D. Lake from UC Riverside, Thorkell, Thorfinn, and Askeladd are described as war veterans who seek Thors' answer to what makes them true warriors.

[37] UK Anime Network found him enjoyable due to how he takes Thorfinn and, more importantly, Canute, which makes a major change in the narrative.

[38] The Escapist Magazine said Askeladd appeared to share several parallels with Thorfinn and Canute in the anime's first season as the three of them seek revenge against their parents, and the narrative instead shows that none of them gain anything from such an act.

[39] Askeladd's death was praised for the impact he makes on Thorfinn, as the dying warrior sees his subordinate in a sympathetic form during his last moments.

As a result, the reviewer said that, "To put it bluntly, Askeladd's death scene is probably the single best moment of the series" due to the impact it has on Canute and Thorfinn.

[41] Golden Kamuy artist Satoru Noda said Askeladd is his favorite character from Vinland Saga, as he exudes Yukimura's personality the most.

[42] Hajime Isayama, the creator of Attack on Titan, was surprised by Askeladd's death, most specifically by how Wit Studio animated it in the season finale.