10 Most Shocking Betrayals In Anime History

Vinland Saga revolves around some incredibly dark subject matter. The manga is hailed as one of the greatest works of literature and is compared heavily to the epic saga told in Berserk.

In the finale of the first season, things seem to be going well for the "heroes" of the story.

The main character, Thorfinn, met an old friend of his father Leif Erikson (yes THAT Lief Erikson). Akeladd, Thorfinn's adoptive father, is about to gain more power and proceed with his master plan after helping protect the son of the King of Denmark, Canute.

Then the King of Denmark ruined everything by insulting the memory of Askeladd's mother, enraging Askeladd to the point of killing the King right in front of innocent Canute. The fight that follows seems almost certainly in Askeladd's favor and fans were certain he would be able to escape like always through sheer brutal skill.

Then seemingly out of nowhere, Canute's blade pierces into the side of Askeladd. The wound at first seems to be hardly fatal, and yet it is enough to fell the mighty warrior. Canute had seemed to be close to Askeladd and Thorfinn, so his actions at the end came as quite a shock.

Canute's betrayal of Askeladd helped to ensure that Canute would ascend to his throne with ease as the boy who avenged his father and killed the kingslayer, inadvertently robbing Thorfinn of his vengeance that had been building for over a decade.