Canute (Vinland Saga) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Canute |
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| Vinland Saga character | |
Canute, as drawn by Makoto Yukimura
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| First appearance | Vinland Saga |
| Created by | Makoto Yukimura |
| Voiced by |
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Canute (クヌート, Kunūto) is a character from the exciting manga series Vinland Saga. He is a 17-year-old prince of the Danes. At first, Canute is very shy and depends a lot on his helper, Ragnar. Because of this, and his strong Christian faith, the tough Vikings often make fun of him.
But everything changes after Ragnar dies. Canute becomes a completely different person. He grows strong and acts like a true king. He dreams of creating a perfect world, a utopia, on Earth. To make this dream come true, he plans to take over his father's throne and become the King of the Danes.
Canute's character is based on the real King Canute the Great. He was a very important Danish ruler of England in history. Many people like Canute's journey from a scared prince to a powerful leader. His story shows how he becomes a strong ruler, much like the real King Canute.
Creating Canute
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The creator of Vinland Saga, Makoto Yukimura, based Canute on the real King Cnut. However, Yukimura said he imagined Canute's personality himself. He didn't do a lot of research for every part of Canute's story.
Yukimura created Canute to be a contrast to the main hero, Thorfinn. While Thorfinn learns many new values, Canute shows that other people have different ideas. Canute's power in the second part of the story shows how he changes the world Thorfinn lives in. Yukimura wanted to show how their different ideas clash when they meet again. Thorfinn decides to find his own way, instead of following Canute's path.
Yukimura's editors often told him not to draw Canute with a beard. They thought it would make him less popular. But Yukimura disagreed, saying that most men had beards during that time. Interestingly, Thorfinn shaves his beard when he grows up. Yukimura did this because he didn't want Thorfinn to look too strong.
Kensho Ono is the Japanese voice actor for Canute. He first thought Canute was shy, but then he "wakes up." Ono felt Canute was a very important character after Ragnar's death. He realized Canute had to change to survive. The director wanted Canute to sound noble, like a prince. His voice needed to show his pride and how he was different from others.
In the English versions of Vinland Saga, Jessie James Grelle voices Canute for the Crunchyroll dub. Griffin Burns voices Canute in the Netflix dub.
Canute's Journey
Canute starts as a 17-year-old prince who is very shy. He relies completely on his helper, Ragnar. Askeladd's group works as soldiers for King Sweyn. They are part of the Danish invasion of London. Thorkell the Tall captures Prince Canute. Askeladd's group then captures Canute from Thorkell. They plan to sell him for money. The young hero, Thorfinn, becomes Canute's bodyguard.
Askeladd makes sure Ragnar dies. This forces Canute to become more independent. Canute questions his feelings for Ragnar. After this, his personality changes completely. He becomes strong and kingly. He develops a big dream: to create a perfect world on Earth before God returns. This new attitude helps him stop fights between Thorkell's and Askeladd's groups. He brings them under his command.
To achieve his dream of a utopia, Canute plans to overthrow his father, Sweyn Forkbeard. He wants to take the crown of the Danes. Askeladd eventually sacrifices himself. He kills King Sweyn during a meeting. This happens when the king announces his plan to invade Wales. Askeladd pretends to be crazy, and Canute kills him. This allows Canute to become king of Dane-controlled England without anyone questioning it.
As King, Canute leads his troops in the war against Ethelred II for the English throne. He punishes his soldiers severely if they treat English peasants badly. Canute meets Floki and Thorkell. Thorkell is upset he can't behead Earl Eadric of Mercia. But Thorkell respects Canute's plan. Eadric offers Canute treasure to leave Mercia alone. Canute refuses. He demands Eadric swear loyalty and bring Ethelred's head. Canute then lights huge fires across the land to show his power.
Both Ethelred and his son Edmund die within three years. By 1018, Canute is recognized as the King of England. Canute sometimes sees visions of King Sweyn's head. These visions accuse Canute of doing bad things to become king of Denmark and England. Canute practices fighting with Wulf, his guard captain. He defeats Wulf, earning respect from his men as a warrior.
However, Canute faces a problem. He doesn't have enough money to run his lands in Denmark and England. He thinks about taking farmland from rich landowners to pay for his army. Canute prepares to march on Ketil's farm with over 100 men, including Floki's Jomsvikings.
After his first victory, Canute stops Floki and his Jomsvikings from robbing the farm. He wants to take it over without damage. Thorfinn approaches Canute's camp alone. A huge Jomsviking named Drott the Bear Killer stops him. Drott makes fun of Thorfinn's request to talk to the king. Thorfinn realizes he cannot change Canute's mind. He says he will travel far away from the king's reach.
Canute is surprised but accepts Thorfinn's choice. He decides not to follow his father's harsh ways. He changes his plan to forcefully take farms. He even pulls his troops out of England. This avoids a possible uprising and earns him respect from the English nobles.
Images for kids
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Canute, as drawn by Makoto Yukimura
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A historical image of King Cnut
