How do we respond to an imperfect world which makes us suffer? The root of society is seeking a better future for the people within it, but there are many ways to tackle this. Authoritarian solutions, one ruler holding power through force, are often against this base idea, but a few stories analyze characters seeking to be good authoritarians. They’re usually utilitarian characters who use power to destroy power, having a kind heart but “doing what must be done” to achieve change against slow, idealistic methods. Let’s discuss if there is any validity to this idea; that is, could one great man with the goal for utopia actually carve it out through force?

Vinland Saga, likely one of the best recent anime, received a season two in 2023 on both Netflix and Crunchyroll, expanding the characters of Thorfinn and Canute greatly. Set some years after Askeladd changed the course of history against king Sweyn, Thorfinn has been sold into slavery and once prince Canute is King of England, soon to be of Denmark as well. Each seeks to create a paradise or utopia on earth, either against god or simply out of kindness, but these characters take very different paths in Vinland Saga Season Two. Thorfinn, with Einar’s help, wants to create a nation where those sick of a cruel world can flee, while Canute seeks to create one through force and sacrifice, like taking the farm of Ketil or poisoning other kings. Canute is certainly leading a utilitarian revolution, however he does minimize the costs as much as possible. So we ask in this anime video essay; could the good authoritarian actually carve out a paradise or utopia? We’ll analyze the king’s actions and discuss their implications to reach an answer.

0:00 Introduction
2:10 The Crown Calls
7:44 The Best Worst Way
15:11 Utopia on Bodies
20:38 Two Paths
33:52 The Good Tyrant

An anime analysis video essay explaining Vinland Saga (Season 2)

#anime #vinlandsaga #canute #professorviral