Thank you!
I had to split the German brothers because there was too much information to fit into one post, Norway I can’t do because we don’t have insight into his childhood, and France I’m still working on, so Germany it is!
A post on the impact of Germany’s childhood coming up tonight!
How I look at it is that
it’s not my problem if people make blind judgments about the anime/manga
without fact-checking. What matters is that YOU and others in the fandom know
that Hetalia does anything but promote nazism, fascism, and political
corruption.
I’ve gotten a bit of
hate, but you’d be surprised by how much of it was fixed once I linked them to
a couple of my posts. You can’t argue against fact. There’s no room for
interpretation or opinion in the strips that have always been there, yet people
completely ignore.
I’ve said this before,
but if enough people get over the fact that Hetalia is ‘cringey’ – mostly fanon
anyway – and just enjoy it because you enjoy it, I can guarantee you that it
would spark more interest and bring in more people to the fandom. Then, they
can see for themselves how misconstrued their perception of the series was.
Back to hate,
personally, even though I don’t get much, I don’t care when I do. I just don’t
answer. I’m sorry that you feel that way, but my advice would again be trying
to divert your enjoyment of the series away from what other people think of it.
And, if you do decide to post, we’ll be there to support you.
Misconception: He
hates Greece
Reality: They don’t
truly hate each other, even though they say they do. Their actions prove otherwise.
Ex: They’re
compared to cats and dogs.
Ex: They bicker
and get into fights whenever they see each other, often creating disputes out
of nothing [x].
+
Nonetheless, they have made some advances in their
relationship.
Ex: Turkey’s form
of ‘bullying’ Greece is taking the latter to a bathhouse and massaging his “stiff
bones.”
Ex: It’s also important to remember that Greece lived with Turkey for a considerable part of his childhood, up until he gained independence in the 19th century.
Ex: During the
Christmas 2007 event, Greece offers that France strip him instead rather than
taking off Turkey’s mask [don’t ask], even though Turkey later appears with the
mask off anyway. What matters is that it’s hinted that Turkey possibly isn’t
comfortable with taking off the mask – Greece’s expression is indicative of
that.
…
Misconception: He’s
the bad guy.
Reality: He was a
world superpower just like other European empires at the time.
What likely made him
‘evil’ in fanon is that he came between Spain and Romano.
Ex: There’s
literally no difference between Austria conquering Veneziano and Turkey’s
attempt to conquer Romano, and yet Turkey’s selectively depicted as the villain
in fanon.
He’s not
particularly malicious either.
Ex: He promises not to kill Romano (the weapon he brandishes is all show) and later leaves to get porridge instead of resuming his battle over Romano with Spain [x].
Misconception: He’s
obnoxiously cocky and arrogant
Reality: He was
cocky and arrogant in his prime but has mellowed out and become more docile
with age. While his stubbornness has remained, he has a sensitive side too.
Ex: Romano thinks
of him as a scary old fart [x].
Ex: Depending on the
character note, he’s either referred to as an old man or an uncle-type figure. Point
is, he’s considerably older than most of the other nations.
Ex: Despite his
old age, he still exercises feats of strength when least expected. In this
case, his success in stopping a pick-pocketer was enough to impress Germany.
Ex: He attempts
to force himself into an EU meeting. In other depictions, it’s also shown that
not being granted a membership in the EU is upsetting to him [x] [x]
Not much is known about why he covers his face with a mask. Regardless,
there are times where he’s spotted without one. For the most part, when his
face is revealed it’s either shaded or partially turned to the side.
There are some times, however, where his full face is shown.
Hima’s linked to a couple drawings on his blog, where if you click on them, the
mask comes off [x] [x].
He’s a good salesman.
In a bizarre fan request, Hima depicts Turkey – as the origin
of Santa – visiting Iceland dressed as Santa. It turns out to be a dream. Mental indeed,
Iceland [x].
He has a good relationship with Japan.
He’s considerably
muscular + well-built [x].
Although, Hima also said that Turkey would be “just as fine”
with a bit of stomach sticking out and depicted him as such [x].
It’s completely normal for him not to be wearing that much
clothing.
He’s part of the Gourmet Food Club.
All in all, Turkey’s bad reputation stems in large from his
portrayal in fanon; it wasn’t the series itself that depicted him like this. There’s
literally nothing that differentiates him and his actions from other empires in
canon.
*Britney Spears’ ‘Toxic’ comes on*
Me and Friends: NO.
Also us:
In the prime of his empire, he’s depicted as this malicious
villain when in reality he’s like:
“I could totally crush you LOL, but nah, I’d rather go eat
some porridge.”
Spain, probably: “Is this guy for real?”
While I don’t have a theory on Turkey, I wouldn’t mind clarifying some misinterpretations of his character. I’ve also grossly portrayed him in the past, falling into the trope of depicting him as the villain. So cringey.
What I like about him most and find interesting is his age. Like China, he’s one of the few examples where the personification’s body itself has become old.
Characterization post on Turkey coming up tonight!
Anon 1: I’m biracial and hardly go outside, fight me 👏 👏
Anon 2: Yes, I do, and I’m very sorry about that. I have well over
500 now…
It’s literally impossible to
answer them in a timely fashion given that I soon have summer school (I’m
taking courses ahead of time), work, volunteering, working out, writing fics,
researching, writing posts, doing the security clearance for my student
placement, and renovating/ cleaning my new home.
I really do appreciate how
engaging you guys have all been, though! It makes me feel bad, but I can’t
always answer asks right after I post something. I queue most of my posts.
I know it may be frightening
for some people, but I’d rather that you comment on a specific post rather than
sending in an anonymous ask if you need something clarified/ have a rebuttal.
Not only will it guarantee you a swifter answer (I message the person and
provide links too), but it helps keep the discussion of the topic in one
place.
Anyways, I’ll have time to do
more Q and As soon!!
Side note: Y’all need to stop apologizing for
asking me something. I’m very grateful, and if anything, I should be thanking
you.
Anon 3: Thank you ❤ ! It depends what we’re talking
about. Completing the post takes about three hours. Half of the time is spent
writing and editing the post, the other half is spent compiling all the panels
and putting the post together.
On the other hand, some
prompts take me months due to the heavy volume of requests, whereas some can
literally take me a day. If I’ve already memorized the locations of all the
relevant strips, then I don’t have to look through my notes, go digging for
evidence, and, of course, review the material again.
I’m always working on several
posts at once and draft outlines. That’s why I ask that people send in the
requests even if it may take me a while to get to them. As I’m searching for
other strips, I’ll often come across relevant material and mark it down ahead
of time 🙂
A lot happens in 4000 years. For one being to experience it,
let alone endure all its hardships, and still manage to find moments of joy and
reasons to smile is incredible.
That said, I’d like to take this post to go over how strong
China is in all facets. He’s not weak, nor is he lame. In fact, he’s likely one
of the richest characters in the series considering everything that he’s been
through.
As mentioned, China’s lived for several millennia.
Now, imagine how painful that would be for him to bear.
Every time a country experiences an economic recession and/ or political struggle
(e.g., war) their health declines, they get scars, and their bodies begin to
ache [x].
This is especially the case for China, who’s had a particularly
rough history [x].
Ex: As early as when he first meets Japan, China’s still
considerably old, despite being dubbed as “Young China.” He’s spotted complaining about the aches and pains that his
country’s political struggles cause him.
Ex: After Japan betrays him, it’s hinted that China’s
developed several scars on his back. Point is, he’s endured.
Ex: While America’s perception may be exaggerated, the fact
that he, as someone bearing super strength, thinks that China is strong is
pretty telling. It’s a clear acknowledgment of China’s strength.
Ex: In the “Hetalia of the Dead” strips, other nations show
fear at the prospect of China being able to summon a dark spirit.
On the other hand, due to how long China’s lived, his
physical body has aged.
Ex: He tires and gets worn out easily.
Ex: He’s stiff from age, albeit flexible in weird places [x].
While he may be “lazy” in his everyday life [x] and regardless
of how much it tires him, China still pushes through with “feats of strength.”
Ex: He’s a sore loser and stubbornly tries to touch his toes
when stretching.
Ex: He goes to world meetings and events at the cost of
getting fatigued.
Back to history, China’s ability to cope and function from
all the adversities he’s faced is unarguably a strength in itself.
Despite being betrayed by Japan [x], he eventually overcame his grudge.
In the present, he
and Japan are sometimes spotted working together.
Ex: He works on strengthening his diplomatic ties with
Japan.
Ex: He asks Japan to design him a New Years’ postcard [x].
Ex: In a character note, it’s explicitly stated that his history
has made him thick-skinned. He’s “tough mentally.”
No one likes change, but it’s inescapable, especially for
someone like China.
Ex: On several occasions, he’s been shown to be melancholic and
upset over how drastically the world has changed.
Obviously, he’s become an economic superpower in modern
times, and while his old age prevents him from assuming the same physical strength
as a younger country in a similar position would – like America – the strength
is in his performance.
Ex: He’s very up-to-date with technology and squashes
competition for production costs [x] – although unmentioned, this is at the
consequence of terrible working conditions for his people. It’s important to
recognize that.
Ex: He’s referred to as a powerhouse, regardless of the fact that he gains weight due to rising Chinese obesity rates.
Ex:There’s also this beautiful sequence where Hima draws out a scenario from a movie he watched. China holds America as collateral until the latter’s
debt owed to him is paid [x].
In sum, while China may be weakened by old age, he’s far
from lame and he’s anything but a plain character. If anything, the series
could really use a lot more of him.
In later depictions, his interactions with South Korea are hilarious [x].
Ellawritesficssometimes 