The following post will examine Denmark and Norway’s
relationship. It serves to summarize their dynamic, which, while complicated,
is still nonetheless a friendship. For those wishing to characterize them in a
romantic relationship, these strips will also be useful tools to incorporate into
your works.

I’ve organized their relationship into three themes: Childhood
Nostalgia, Rocky Waters, and Nexus of Inseparability.

Childhood Nostalgia:

The first theme is particularly important because it sets
the framework for how the two associate with each other. Because they were
childhood friends, Denmark believes that Norway still thinks of him as his best
friend [x]. 

Meanwhile, in the same character note section, Norway is
noted to “somberly pick on Denmark” despite the latter not noticing this [x]. In
other words, Denmark isn’t aware of Norway’s quips or criticisms, while it’s
left unspecified how Norway truly feels about Denmark. What I’ll show soon is
that Norway does care about Denmark but is also easily agitated by him,
remaining externally aloof in their interactions.

Overall, a panel that bests captures their dynamic is this
one. The prompt is what they would be like as
elementary students. Of particular importance is that they’re closely depicted
together [x]. There’s a reason for that…

Rocky Waters:

This theme is in reference to how the sea has been used as a
metaphor for time in the series. Historically, Denmark and Norway have had
several ups and downs in their relationship (e.g., fighting against each other,
fighting with each other, and being separated by force).

As mentioned above, the two were childhood friends.

One thing that fans don’t often mention is that Himaruya’s acknowledged
that his depiction of Denmark and Norway’s union gives off the “impression that
Norway is completely disinterested in Denmark.” Not only that, but he goes on
to mention that the two were in actuality working together very well at that time [x]. 

Ex: They fought together side by side [x]. 

He also makes note of Norway’s oppression leading up to
their separation and how the two drifted apart afterwards. Denmark even went so far as to throw a
tantrum and send a letter that cut his ties with Norway when he had heard about
the latter’s new union with Sweden.

Ex: This panel depicts their mutual poor relations in the
aftermath of their separation [x]. 

On the topic of Norway’s oppression and the poverty/
turmoils he experienced under their union, it’s important to recognize
that Denmark was initially unaware of this.

Ex: He cries when he realizes the delipidated living
conditions Norway experienced because of him. In this strip, Denmark had
originally been tasked with increasing taxes onto the Norwegian population but
was unable to follow through with it [x]. 

Ex: He becomes distressed when a naval blockade prevents him
from reaching Norway [x]. 

Lastly, even though Norway may come off as indifferent and
make several jabs at Denmark, he still expresses concern for him. It’s not that
he doesn’t care at all. What confuses a lot of people is that Norway will act
indifferently one moment and then express concern for Denmark in the same
scene.

Ex: Norway tells Denmark not to worry about him. He then reassures
him by admitting that he knows Denmark was trying his best despite his
impoverished circumstances [x]. 

Ex: Denmark doesn’t want to look uncool in front of Norway
and engages in a fight with Sweden that he knows he’s going to lose. Norway
makes a few remarks about Denmark’s well-being but is waved off as a worrywart.
It’s only after Denmark is defeated that Norway goes back to the trope of
remaining indifferent…which brings me to my next point [x]. 

Nexus of Inseparability:

The most resounding theme of their relationship is that the
two are inexplicably bound to each other, regardless of how many ups and downs
they’ve experienced.

What I haven’t seen anyone point out is that while one of
Norway’s hobbies is to “gently poke fun” at Denmark (vol 4), this stems from a Norwegian
stereotype.

Although Norway is perturbed by the fact that Denmark thinks
they’re best friends, he’s resigned to it. He isn’t exactly the type of person
to say something as explicit as that, which is why the phrase “competent
partner” was probably used [x].

Make no mistake either. Denmark irritates Norway, but the
two always end up together.

Ex: Iceland chides Norway for being contrary to  Denmark, as it’s completely
ineffective. Denmark is described as a person who ignores unkindness, so Norway’s
jabs go right over his head [x]. 

As is the same for anyone who wants to depict the Nordics,
Himaruya touches on how historical tensions between them have been replaced by
cooperation and closeness in the present [x]. 

Conclusion:

All in all, it would be a misnomer to claim that Denmark and
Norway hate each other or that it would be impossible to depict them in a romantic
relationship. Just be mindful that they’re not buddies like Denmark sees them
and that they have a complicated personal dynamic stemming from their history together.