Hetalia Axis Powers

[airichan623]

Yeah so I'm curious what you guys think of it. I find it an absolutely hilarious take on world history, being a history buff myself.

But does anybody actually find it rascist? (thats wat it got kicked of japanese network tv for- koreans got mad) I think they make fun of everyone equally- and I find America simply hilarous and strangely self depicting of the United States.

So thoughts? And for fans, favorite characters? Moments?

[goldenspines]

The show simply personifies the countries as characters according to their stereotypes. Therefore, people should not be mistaken and think that all Japanese people are quiet, all Italians are not very bright and yell "Pasta!" all the time, or that all Americans love being the most important all the time (oh wait lol).
The idea behind the show is interesting and gets a bit crazy and it does follow some historical events.
A majority of the fanart for the show is a definite downside and made me avoid the series for a very long time.
Concerning racism, I suppose some people could find it racist. But I have yet to see any examples of racism in the series, other than portraying the characters as how they are stereotyped and not always how they really are.
The important part about the show is to not take the it too seriously.

One thing I do enjoy about the series is the ED and the fact that eventually all the countries will sing a version of it.

[minakichan]

I think the Korean government just overreacted and thought it was racist particularly since it's from <s>America</s> Japan. If any countries should be complaining, they should be... Italy and France. Heh.

[Chaos Aroura]

I don't really find it racist. It defiantly uses stereotypes, but then again, there are a lot of other things that do too, movies, tv shows, books, music, you name it.

I enjoy what I've seen of APH, but I fully agree with goldenspines. I steer clear of all fan art and fanfics of it.

[wildpurplechild]

Hetalia is really funny, but some things in the beginning I didn't understand. I also can't find episode 10 and up

[Chaos Aroura]

Hetalia is really funny, but some things in the beginning I didn't understand. I also can't find episode 10 and up

It is pretty hard to find it to watch it... and if you do find it, it isn't good quality or good subs.

[airichan623]

It is pretty hard to find it to watch it... and if you do find it, it isn't good quality or good subs.

try megavideo

[Shao Feng-Li]

I don't think stererotyping is quite the same as racism anyway. People from different countries do tend to act certain ways. Racism is about superiority and inferiority. I dunno though.

It's one anime I'd like to see. Sounds like a blast Even if it seems to be slash fodder. Stinkin' fan girls.

[Chaos Aroura]

Shao it is a blast! I love it.

One of my favorite parts is when Italy is all "Pastaaa!" in the first episode. Major steryotype right there. But I mean, it's not like "oh all of the people from {insert name of a country here} are {insert evil-ness that is not appropriate, therefore I won't type it}" It's all innocent fun. Like all Italians like pasta and all French men flirt constantly.

[airichan623]

yes me too and i love the show but I hate how the yaoi fangirls ruined it, for me on youtube.

America cracks me up, but it definitely tells you what Americans are stereotyped as in other countries.

And I love the raising of Japan by China. It's so true and so hilariously depicted.

[Chaos Aroura]

i love the show but I hate how the yaoi fangirls ruined it, for me on youtube.

True. But then again, you can copy and paste that onto almost any anime out there.

[Wyntre Rose]

Ok, so at the risk of looking like a total ignoramus...Hetalia isn't a BL/yaoi title? Is it all in the minds of the fangirls? The way I've heard it described, I figured there was no way it could be taken any other way...but from what I've read on this thread, it makes me wonder if maybe it's not as bad as I'd heard...

[goldenspines]

Ok, so at the risk of looking like a total ignoramus...Hetalia isn't a BL/yaoi title? Is it all in the minds of the fangirls? The way I've heard it described, I figured there was no way it could be taken any other way...but from what I've read on this thread, it makes me wonder if maybe it's not as bad as I'd heard...

Here's the thing, yaoi fangirls will take anything (and I do mean anything) in anime (or even off some random poster or something) and run with it. The fact that Hetalia has mostly all men for the countries and every country has a relationship with another country, like they do in the real world (for example, England dislikes Germany, America and England somewhat have a father/son relationship, etc...) can be easy bait for a twisted fangirl's mind.
Granted, some scenes in the series can get a bit awkward (e.g. At one point, France wants to join up with England so they can become stronger to fight against Germany, so France asks asks England to marry him. England refuses, good man.) But, so far, nothing awkward has happened with the countries/characters that has gone out of their stereotyped personality or history (e.g. Italians are stereotyped for being huggable. So yeah, Italy hugs people on occasion.) So that is something to be aware of.

I do not think the orginal mangaka of the series intended for Hetalia to be yaoi; s/he made it to be more of a fun and crazy view on history (maybe kids in Japan weren't learning that much history, so they were looking for a solution? XDD; ). So yes, all the BL is in the fangirls' heads. Hard to believe, I know. Or maybe not so much? o.o Therefore, ignore all the fanart, watch the first episode and see for yourself.

EDIT: Just in case anyone asks, I didn't put spoiler tags because there's nothing to really spoil in Hetalia. XD;

[airichan623]

I do not think the orginal mangaka of the series intended for Hetalia to be yaoi; s/he made it to be more of a fun and crazy view on history (maybe kids in Japan weren't learning that much history, so they were looking for a solution? XDD; ). So yes, all the BL is in the fangirls' heads. Hard to believe, I know. Or maybe not so much? o.o Therefore, ignore all the fanart, watch the first episode and see for yourself.[quote]

I agree with Goldenspines, but with one exception: there is the strange relationship between "Chibitalia" and the "Holy Roman Empire." Apparently is seems a lot more homosexual in the manga (which I believe isn't even translated online). In the anime, they are both male, though chibitalia was dressed like a girl by the poor (and slightly fangirlish) Hungary. However, after a small scene where HRE does a classic "goodbye scene" and Chibitalia gives him a painting. It does seem almost gay, but its appearance in infrequent and Holy Roman Empire never returns afterwards.

ps. on another note, belarus' love for russia could be seen as incestuous, but I don't think so because these are countries-no parents.
Just an FYI from a fan.

[Mr. Hat'n'Clogs]

So I've watched the first two episodes, and this show is freaking hilarious. Pretty awesome if I do say so myself.

[airichan623]

I absolutely love Hetalia. I've talked to some people from other countries about what they think of the series and some say that a few of the stereotypes are not correct, but they find it very enjoyable.

And it's very true about the fangirls. I should know, I used to be one. However, I do still like looking at fanart and fanfics that have historical significance and are not all about pairing two characters together (no matter how much it really does look like they are a couple). It's nice when fans of Hetalia write or draw historical events that the comics have not touched on yet. I kinda use Hetalia as a starting point for more research about a culture and it's history.

However, one thing that I wish they would touch on more in the series is how religious Poland is. Almost 90% of Poles are Catholic. Religion is huge in Poland and that has only shown up once in the comics and it was to make fun of Poland for it.

Is there anything else that anyone else wants to see in the Hetalia series that hasn't shown up yet?

I wanna see more interactions b/w America and Japan. And I want to see England's imaginary friends again.

[Wyntre Rose]

Just noticed on ANN...Funimation just licensed 52 episodes of Hetalia. Hoping they stream it before it's released, since it looks like it will be a while before the DVD's are available.

http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-01-08/funimation-gets-hetalia-the-sacred-blacksmith-anime

[Makachop^^128]

lol I love the show ^^ I think they tease everyone really myself.

[KeybladeWarrior]

Looks like a show that is worth watching. I wonder if we will see Vic Mignogna voice Italy?

[Chaos Aroura]

Looks like a show that is worth watching. I wonder if we will see Vic Mignogna voice Italy?

I've heard several people wonder that one. He'd do great as Italy!

[Bobtheduck]

True. But then again, you can copy and paste that onto almost anything even remotely famous out there.

Fixed.

There is a difference, though... It's like how both tap water and cigarettes can cause cancer and neither definitely will. There's no real question about which is safer.

[airichan623]

i vote yuri lowenthal as russia.
luci christian as chibitalia or as liechtenstein.

[knightlee]

This looked like a great series, but I too was scared away by the fangirl following. Man. Must they destroy everything? Maybe once I finish a few of the other animes on my list I'll take a look at this one.

[TopazRaven]

I also don't like the craze fangirl nonsense, they just want to turn every character into a depraved sex maniac. The madness.

Hetalia fangirls can be scary, but can't that be said for the fandom of every series? Also, as for the sex crazed bit, that actually can be true for some of the characters...Like France for example. Lol. I'm not trying to be a smart pants I swear! I actually agree with you for the most part.

[Lynna]

I haven't watched it yet, but apparently my classmate who watches it was getting a C- in Social Studies and now she's getting an A

[TopazRaven]

Hetalia is very lovely when it comes to helping you understand history better. xD

[ABlipinTime]

i've watched 13 episodes so far. Nothing too much to handle. Very funny at times.

[Rusty Claymore]

Germany! Germany! Italy just formed an alliance with us! WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DOOOOO!!!!

[Beau Soir]

I really enjoy Hetalia! The only scary thing is that when I went to Japan with a tour group of mostly Americans, I saw the stereotypes for Japan and America come painfully true. x__o