Tag: aph America

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Counter to the large misconception that Hetalia is racist,
Himaruya’s work goes through great lengths to evoke a sense of familiarity in readers.
Many of us are immigrants or have parents/ grandparents who were immigrants. It’s
a common fact of life, but what I’ve always admired about Hetalia is that there
isn’t an asymmetric power imbalance between the personification and their
citizens. By that, I mean that the personifications experience many of what we
all go through. Our experiences are reflected in their own, allowing for a
greater sense of relatability and stronger affective responses.

That said, let’s go over some examples.

America:

Growing up, America grew accustomed to being left alone for
long periods of time. When it came to the settlement of the Wild West, he could
no longer be a “crybaby.” It’s stated that this experience hardened him.

Source: Hetarchive (Bamboo Thicket, eng trans., Oct 9th, 2010) + Hetarchive, Notes & Etc.

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Ex: He didn’t have many possessions.

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Source: Hetarchive, Miscellaneous Extra Book. 

Ex: He would travel on foot for days in order to reach the
polling stations.

Source: Hetascanlations, World Stars 156.

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The most insight we are given on the impact that this part
of his life had on his personality is when England questions if America mass
produces to compensate for the poverty he experienced as a young child/ adult.

Source: Hetarchive, Christmas Event 2011. 

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Lithuania:

Lithuania’s immigrant experience stemmed from poverty as
well. Post–WW1, a large percentage of his population left the country to seek
work in America. Lithuania was no exception to this and went to live with
America. There, he did America’s clerical work and basically acted as his personal
assistant.

Source: Hetarchive, Lithuania’s Out-Sourcing pt. 1.

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The strips depicting Lithuania’s out-sourcing will always
have a place in my heart, as he and America develop a close friendship. Both
were lonely after losing close friends and partners (i.e., England and Poland).
It was overall a good healing experience for them, but especially for
Lithuania, who had previously lived with Russia.  

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Of most importance is that this arc illustrates how America
was and still continues to be built on the backs of hard-working immigrants who
want nothing but a better life for themselves.

Romano:

Romano’s immigrant experience is probably the most profound
concerning character development.

First, some contextualization is needed. Romano had previously
been living with Spain. Just when it’s said that he grew comfortable living
there, he was abruptly reunified with his brother and they were forced to live
together after centuries of minimal contact. It is because of this historical
rift that this same fragmentation is reflected in their personal relations.

Source: Hetascanlations, World Stars Chapter 20.

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Rather than relying on Veneziano to support him, Romano
decides to seek employment overseas in America during the Second Industrial
Revolution.

Source: Hetascanlations, World Stars 58.

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It’s a scary and foreign place to him. He’s on his own and
must navigate things for himself. Not only that, but America immediately puts
him to work in a janitorial position. Keep in mind that Romano was notorious
for not keeping up with chores at Spain’s house.

Source: ibid.

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To ease and process
his anxiety, Romano relies on the one person who has ever really felt like home:
Spain. Romano’s determination to work sparks surprise in Spain. Again,
Romano was not exactly known for having a good work ethic.

Source: Hetascanlations, World Stars 73.

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This experience of being an immigrant instilled a work ethic
in Romano. He learned to become a hard and diligent worker, albeit only when he
wants to. Still, it’s an improvement! Eventually, he finds a better job
tailored specifically for him and becomes America’s cook.

Source: Hetascanlations, World Stars Chapter 59 & 121. 

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Of most importance is that Romano’s time in America is still
translated and seen in his present-day personality. Being an immigrant profoundly
impacted him in the sense that he learned not only what hard work is but also
the rewards of it. I would also argue that the latent themes of this arc mark
Romano’s progression into adulthood, as he and his brother had just received
their independence.

Source: Hetarchive, Christmas Event 2011.

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All in all, the source material shows how Hetalia is
anything but xenophobic and racist. Anyone who has read the comics would know
that.

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Q & A

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Hullo, I believe
there was a strip showing the 3 older brothers of England but is it possible
for you to tell me who is who of the 3 I found Scotland but am confused bw
Northern Ireland and Wales it’s awfully carking

Hi! There is no such strip. They have no official character
designs. Some people mistake this image to be them, but nothing’s been confirmed.
Although, it’s similar to Himaruya’s hypothetical-character design of what
Scotland would look like.

Sources: Hetarchive (Bamboo Thicket, eng trans., Sept 28th, 2014) + Hetarchive (Bamboo Thicket, Feb 9th, 2011).

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Okay, sorry to
bother you with my person. Bur i really want to hear someone’s thoughts about
this. So you know how Poland always laughs/jokes or is just a big child
sometimes? I think that’s just a persona that he puts to hide his true
identity. I think he is actually really scared and hurt most of the time. (You
can even say that he is depressed) After so many wars, partitions and
betrayals. He developed trust issues- and deep down believes he can only count
on himself. (liet doesnt know this)

You’re not bothering me! 

What you said is pretty much canon except for the fact that
Lithuania is aware of Poland’s anxiety. The two are close and consider each
other to be partners. 

I’ve also done a post illustrating Poland’s bizarre coping mechanisms [x]. 

Source: Hetarchive, Volume 2 character note.

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I love reading your analysis on hetalia! I had
a question and thought you’d have the answer. So, in one of the strips, grandpa
rome is shown visiting romano in his dream. People use this to show how he
loves both romano and veneziano. But the thing is, the first thing he tells
romano is to get along with his brother. Like he’s not saying anything about
romano, but he’s talking about his brother even in his dream.

I’m not saying rome doesn’t love him because he
hopefully does, but that strip shows him caring more for italy, proving
romano’s point of him favouring italy more than himself. I’m not seeing how
people use this as evidence of rome loving them equally. Am i reading this
wrong..? 

Thank you! I don’t
really believe in saying a person’s interpretations are wrong. Although, my
interpretation is different.

I think the dream
sequence is Rome recognizing that the two brothers getting along are in both of
their best interest. He simply tailors his encouragement to them.

Source: Hetascanlations,
World Stars Chapter 54.

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There’s also the fact
that Romano cries tears of joy when Rome visits him.

Source: Hetarchive (Bamboo Thicket, eng trans. April 5th 2011).

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Hi! After reading most of your post about
relationships between brothers it pretty much seems that the majority of them
are pretty rocky. But which one do you think is the best brothers’ relationship
and which one’s the worst? Sorry for my English btw, love your blog 😀

Your English is perfect???! Thank you! 

Honestly, the worst are probably the Italy brothers. Even Japan and China are capable of cooperating. As for the best? Recently, I’d have to say America and Canada. They even have a cooking show together!

Source: Hetascanlations, World Stars Chapter 272.

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Hi Ella, what do we know about Romano and his
relationship with the mafia? It still pisses me off whenever people put them
together in some way, even with mafia au fics, I can’t stand it. 

He hates the mafia. They have no affiliation together whatsoever. I have a longer post on that here [x],

wherearemyglassesbro:

Guysssss you know what I want more of? Nations doing celebrity things? I mean, it’s canon that Alfred is in Amazon commercials so what else can nations do??

They could be in commercials or make cameos in music videos and movies? How fun is that?

Alfred 100% will be in an Alexa commercial like ‘Alexa, reorder my American flag tank top’ and he’ll get it just in time for a barbecue only to have mustard spilled on it so he has to order a new one, using Alexa too?

Or Arthur making a background appearance in one of the Harry Potter movies and living his dreams? He gets to have his own fuckin wand oh my lord

And Laura(Belg) advertising Belgian chocolate over seas and recording the commercial in different languages cause she speaks so many????

What about Kiku voicing a background character in an anime or a cartoon? And getting to go behind the scenes to meet the animators and just kinda be a kid for a day?

Francis getting to be in a magazine for high end brands cause he’s not only a huge fan and wears that kind of stuff all the time but he also is just…Magazine material? You can BET that he’ll mail all of his friends a copy too oh jeez

Nations are people too and get excited over this kind of stuff!!! They’re used to being beheaded by their people and now? They get to do fun things!! 🙂 🙂

Did you mean…canon 😀 ?

Romano didn’t make the cut for the movie, so he and Prussia decided
to make one together (It didn’t work out, but it’s the thought that counts.)

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Source:
Hetarchive (Bamboo Thicket, eng trans., Feb 14th, 2015).

America makes films all the time but is too afraid to show
them to England, his greatest critic.

Source: Volume 2.

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America and Estonia make a film together. It’s a collaboration with several others nations!

Source:
Hetarchive, Estonia and Russia’s Gentle Argument.

America has a cooking show on ‘Hetatube’.

Source: Hetascanlations, World Stars Chapter 272.

It’s true. Aside from the example you gave, there are many instances showing that he’s not fond of America.

Sources: Hetarchive, In just two minutes you can grasp the exterior of the European Economy + Hetarchive, Lithuania’s Outsourcing Series (The Great Depression) + Volume 3 + Hetarchive (Bamboo Thicket, eng trans., Nov 3rd, 2013). 

Although, what’s interesting is that America’s pets (and other pets) are fond of Spain. 

Source: Hetarchive, April Fools’ 2011 Event.

Q & A

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I was thinking over your arguement, and it
spurred this idea. It’s more of a what if theory, but I was thinking, and
forgive me if I’m bothering ya, what if HRE was still alive when Germany was
born? This being based on your point that a nation can live for sometime after
dissolution. So what if there was still enough for HR to still be present when
Germany was born in a separate body, and he died sometime after his birth.
Would that even be possible? lol As I said, crazy theory.

You’re not bothering me!
I account for this in my Holy Rome theory [x].

The fact that Germany is
born as a young child because he had an existing body can be taken literally.
The existing body was Holy Rome; he suffered from amnesia after switching
titles, having become Germany.

It explains why they’re
the same age, why they look exactly alike,  and why they’re both wearing nightgowns (Holy
Rome was sick and didn’t die right after his dissolution; I propose that he’s
in a nightgown because he’s standing up from his bed for the first time + he’s
also coming out of hiding given that he was secretly being held in Prussia’s
house).

Yes, I’m aware that a nightgown is a device used to convey youth in the series. However, in this instance, Holy Rome being sick and wearing a nightgown could also be foreshadowing his rebirth. 

Source: Hetascanlations, World Stars Chapter 12 & 187.

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Edited photo, Source Hetscanlations: Germany, World Stars Chapter 12 (left), Holy Rome, World Stars Chapter 187 (right). 

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Do you think a nation’s physical strength is
proportional to its military strength( It’s a headcanon of mine)….I want your
opinion

You’re on the right track, but you have to think about what causes the military strength. 

It’s predicated on their economic and political strength overall. Longer post
on this with more proof here [x].

Hey, i have a question that’s been bugging me
for quite a while. It’s about America and Canada. As i’ve seen in your
theories, America grew up alone, but then i’ve seen other material that states
that America and Canada grew up together. There’s a kind of contradiction
between these two materials. Can you tell me which one of them is the true one?
Thanks!

It is a contradiction. You’re right. But, it can also be worked around. Canada and America were
introduced to each other by England, but they were also able to travel on foot for
their own visits.

Sources: Hetarchive, Fly Canada-San, Fly! & Hetascanlations, World Stars Chapter 180.

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Canada’s statement of
them having been together since they were born could just be a messy way of
saying that they’ve known each other for so long.

Source: Hetascanlations, Chapter 178. 

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out of all the countries who do you think is
the most lonely?

Probably England. His
characterization is very much invested in his alienation from other nations,
both emotionally and geographically.

Source: Hetascanlations, World Stars Chapter 194.

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Okay I swear on my life,
I’ve read a comic strip where Taiwan takes Vietnam to this meeting among anime
fans for subs vs dubs and Vietnam is disappointed saying something like “Oh
it’s a bunch of anime fans.” Like did I dream that??

No lol. It’s from Volume
6.

Source: Hetarchive.

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What do you think is the biggest cause of misconceptions in the
fandom?

There are many, but this is something I’ve recently been
looking at:

Aside from cultural misunderstandings—ex: when people from
the English side of the fandom take the word “onii-chan” literally. England and
America are not biological brothers, it’s a Japanese term of endearment and
affection—there are inconsistencies in the translations!

Let’s use an example from Volume 5. Remember that scene
where an American soldier asks if England and America are brothers and the two
get all flustered?

This is from the official official English translation and print version, licensed by
Tokyopop through Right Stuf inc.

England’s response:
“What the hell are you talking about? I’m more like a mentor maybe? Or an old
boss?”

Hetarchive’s third
party translation:

England’s response:
“You, what are you saying? So even if you’re saying I’m like his older brother,
it’s got nothing to do with that!”

Even though this example says “like” a brother means the
same thing, it’s not as definitive as the first version. It would be easier for
someone to make the conclusion that they are actually brothers when they’re
not.

Don’t get me wrong either. Words can’t describe how incredibly
grateful I am to those who run Hetarchive! This whole side of the fandom wouldn’t
exist without their amazing work!

All I’m saying is that anyone who really wants to know their
material need to their research.