Denmark/Norway

Denmark/Norway is a common pairing featuring the countries Denmark and Norway. It is sometimes referred to by fans as DenNor, taking inspiration from the first three letters of the nations' names.

History
Denmark and Norway grew up together, apparently having shared history as Vikings. At the time of the Kalmar Union, Denmark ruled over all five Nordic nations, but everyone (beginning with Sweden and Finland, followed by Norway and Iceland) left him in the end. Denmark believes to this day that the two are best friends, but Norway is said to not feel the same. Norway teases Denmark, but Denmark is completely oblivious.

Dano-Swedish Wars During Their Union
In a strip during the Dano–Swedish War of 1657–58, a war between Sweden and the union of Denmark-Norway, Denmark and Norway stare out across the frozen sea, remarking at how cold it is. Denmark suggests they go back inside for a game of chess, to which Norway remarks with concern that they are in a war, which they shouldn't be taking lightly. Denmark tells him not to worry about it, as nobody would cross a frozen ocean to fight them.

They are soon proven wrong as they see Sweden approaching, having just crossed the ocean to fight Denmark in the March Across the Belts. Denmark is afraid, but puts on a façade of bravery for Norway, who remarks with concern that they are defenseless and that it is hopeless. Denmark tells him not to worry, and faces Sweden, who quickly attacks and defeats him. Norway aloofly notes that he has some dirt under his nails, looking away from Denmark's defeat.

Dano-Norwegian Realm
Directed to:  Episode 128: Nordics à la Carte 

In a strip during the old days when Norway was under Denmark's rule, or officially a part of Denmark-Norway, Denmark's ruler orders him to raise the taxes on Norway, making him embark on a journey to Norway's house. When he arrives with his group, he is dismayed upon the state of the house, calling it a "total wreck". Norway quietly peeks from the door and tells him with annoyance not to call other people's house a wreck. Nevertheless, he invites them in.

Upon entering, Denmark is once again taken aback by the dire situation the house holds. Noting the old-looking structure of the house, Denmark asks Norway if his house is a bit too old. He offers to send him a new one since it must be tough living like that. Norway waves him off, saying that there are things more important than his house. For one, they were getting attacked so often, mostly by Sweden, which was 'pathetic'. But Norway then states that he knows Denmark is trying his best, and that 'that kinda thing is no problem.'

Now in tears, Denmark tries to hug Norway and tells him not to struggle alone and hide things from him, as Norway tells him that he's too noisy and plants his palm on Denmark's face to prevent an incoming hug. The Danish official tells Denmark to get to the point. But instead of saying that he's there to raise taxes, Denmark says that they came to Norway's house because they're best friends.

Still crying, Denmark repeats how his friend is such a nice person, while the noble suggests to keep the taxes at the same amount to the King. In the episode, the narrator explains that as Denmark realized that Norway was trying his hardest too, the tax raise was put on hold for quite a while.



Battle of Lyngør
In the strip about the Napoleonic Wars and the Gunboat War, it is shown that Britain set up a naval blockade, separating the countries of Denmark and Norway. Because of this, Denmark is unable to send any food to Norway, who suffers as a result. Denmark is visibly distressed, as is Norway, though Norway claims he is fine.

After The Dissolution of the Dano-Norwegian Realm
After the end of the Gunboat War, in the Treaty of Kiel, Norway was ceded to Sweden. Himaruya states that when Norway entered this union with Sweden, Denmark sent him "a letter or something in which he threw a childish tantrum and cut their ties, after which the goodwill towards Norway seemed strangely decreased, but that’s another story."

Present Day
There are very few comics featuring both Denmark and Norway, and none exploring their relationship exclusively. The few times they do appear together usually depict some teasing, bickering, or comical violence from Norway while Denmark remains obliviously blithe. In the strip "The Nice Products that Come From Scandinavia Are...", Norway is seen to openly criticize his Danish counterpart, though his jab at Denmark's volume has no affect and he replies with a cheery "I see!"

In the "Nordic Lines" strip, Norway doesn't hesitate to strangle Denmark with his own tie when the Dane asserts that the other Nordics should call him 'big brother.

In the strip about the Norwegian Butter Crisis of 2011, Norway remarks that he is out of butter and wonders how he will survive Christmas. Denmark arrives, exclaiming that he will save Norway's Christmas, to Norway's slight surprise. Denmark says that cutting out butter without lessening sugar content isn't good for one's diet, and he expresses his disbelief that Norway wanted to lose wait, as he felt Norway was never chubby to begin with.

Norway responds by saying that if Denmark is so health-conscious, it is best to not offer him any cake, to which Denmark responds that he would definitely eat cake, asking him to please bake one.



Hetalia Fantasia 2
Directed to: Hetalia Fantasia 2

The Hetalia Fantasia 2 Drama CD includes the most we've heard yet of Denmark and Norway as they bump into Japan and Germany. Denmark is enthusiastic and makes boasts about adventuring and beating up monsters, but Norway flatly counters they stand no chance without a healer, that they're lost, and/or that Denmark's an idiot. Denmark seems oblivious to the idiot remarks as he vehemently protests the statements on being lost.

When Denmark bumps into Japan and Germany, Norway says he's not good with meeting new people and is going back until he realizes who the strangers are. Denmark starts to tease that Norway prefers it be just the two of them, but gets cut off by another strangling as Norway threatens to equip all his curse items now. Norway easily carries on a friendly conversation with an uncomfortable Japan while keeping the hold on Denmark and asks about a command to attach a leash, around which time Denmark says he gives in. He laughs and says Norway's easily embarrassed while Norway denies it coolly. Norway also teases Japan about not liking him or Denmark when Japan is politely resistant about the four of them teaming up to search for Italy and Iceland.

When Denmark compliments his "best friend's" weapon (a book) as looking cool Norway replies that it's to hit the Dane's pinkie toe with. Once they find Iceland the three are clearly relieved to be reunited and Norway heals Iceland even though the latter protests that he's not a child. Norway fondly replies that he still is, but when Denmark starts to say something about how Iceland's their little bro, Norway smacks him and coldly orders the Dane to find Sweden and Finland already. This drama CD is also the first time the two's voices are heard and shows the hot blooded/cold mannered foil extends to Denmark's enthusiastic, loud, annoying voice in contrast with Norway's unwaveringly stoic, quiet, velvety one.

Gakuen Hetalia
Directed to: Gakuen Hetalia Alternative Universe

In the anime episode, Denmark and Norway are both in the Nordic Club with the other Nordics (Sweden, Finland and Iceland). When Denmark spreads his legs and claims that he wants the camera to showcase his best side, Norway dubs the Newspaper Club to simply smack him

Historical Relations

 * Denmark-Norway Relations
 * Denmark-Norway


 * Royal Dano-Norwegian Navy


 * Danish humanitarian aid to Norway during WW II


 * Treaty of Copenhagen (1660)

Fan Speculations
From the fanon view, the two countries have a long history together with two unions, the second stretching over four hundred years from before the Kalmar Union until the loss of Norway to Sweden (to make up for the loss of Finland to Russia) in the Napoleonic Wars. Norwegians have referred to the union with Denmark as the "four-hundred year" night, and fans make of that what they will.

Many stories feature unrequited love, usually on Denmark's end. In depictions where they're a couple, they might be exactly the same as the comic portraits extended into a relationship, complete with the comical violence and obliviousness. Those traits can be toned down into a less slaptstick and more affectionate relationship, though still with some level of tensions and roughness on one or both ends.

Others take a much darker approach like the most common depiction of the Denmark/Sweden pairing, having Denmark victimize Norway and exhibiting a cracked mentality. This is generally due to turning Denmark's Viking past, rule during the Kalmar Union, and subsequent wars against Sweden to mean that the character himself is violent, unstable, and sadistic no matter how much he loves and fears losing Norway. He can still have a joking, cheery and oblivious aspect to him during these darker depictions. The flip side, with Norway being abusive and Denmark devoted but victimized or happily oblivious, can sometimes be found as well. There are quite a few Denmark/Norway fanfictions with one of them, but usually Denmark being hurt or upset from rejection, or otherwise.

In any depiction, regardless of the level of serious or comical violence, Norway's roughness towards Denmark can be directly attributed to real Norwegian resentment over the four hundred years of Danish-dominated union between the countries. Pairing or not, the two characters are seen as great foils for each other given Norway's more cold personality matched against Denmark's jocular, headstrong tendencies.

Another famous trope is when Denmark, Norway and Iceland appear as a family. This strikes after a request on how the nations will appear if they're school kids. The family is dubbed as the Anko Family by most fans.

Trivia

 * Hidekaz Himaruya states that he loves the change in Denmark and Norway's relationship after Norway and Denmark were "separated by force", likely referring to the blockade during the Gunboat War and subsequent events.


 * In a Q&A post on Himaruya's blog, a fan asks what the term "anko" means when Norway uses that term for Denmark. Hima responds, "It’s a nuance that means big brother. He says 'anko', but it’s more like a classmate relationship."


 * In a character bio, Norway is shown to have a hobby of gently poking Denmark.



Webcomics: Extra Stories

 * The Nice Products that Come From Scandinavia Are...
 * Wordy Nordic Comic
 * Halloween 2011
 * Butter Crisis!
 * Hetaween 2013

Other Responses
The relationship between Denmark and Norway was parodied by the Danish artist Humon in the Hetalia Personality Swap strip of Scandinavia and the World, which is unrelated to Hetalia and is a comic of other nation personifications.