Q: Hey!! I dont know if you do asks like this, but
i was wondering on how you would characterize Canadian provinces and
territories? Seeing as youre Canadian and a professional regarding all things
hetalia, as well as a super good writer, i feel like youd be a really good
person to ask!! Thank you for reading this and im sorry for bothering you;;!!
A: You’re not bothering me, no worries, and thank you very much! I just feel a bit awkward when people ask me how exactly to characterize a character/ personification. I strongly believe in artistic interpretation and don’t want to limit anyone’s creativity. You do what you feel is right and exercise discretion like you would with any other fan creation. I don’t want to impinge on your muse.
Q: How strong is America?
A: Strong enough to lift a full-grown buffalo [x] and drag around a Rolls Royce [x].
Q: The “oni chan” thing is true! In Japan, it’s
common for children to call older kids (especially teens) by oni/ onee chan/san
out of respect and adoration. They don’t need to be siblings at all.
A: Say it louder for the people in the back.
Direct translations and different cultural connotations have caused so much unnecessary fighting in the fandom. What amazes me is that the explanation was explicitly given in a translator’s note too. [x]
Q: Why do people think Spain would cheat on his
S/O? That would be completely out of character for him. Oh, on the Germany
thing. Is it possible given the pre-existing political body, the already
existing economic and political situation, Germany past the “baby”
state and skipped to childhood? I know fans of the Germany= HRE theory may not
like it, but I don’t like my home being that child.
A: Man, I don’t know. I focus on canon material, not whatever we crazy fans come up with. It is completely out of character for him, though.
Ex: He had his heart broken by his separation from Austria and is still clearly affected by it during the War of Austrian Succession. When Italy chooses Austria over him, notice how he claims to be dumped again. [x]
Not to mention that Romano finds him weeping afterward.
As for Germany’s existing body, I’ve mentioned this in a post before. Basically, the nations are cultural personifications that include the political.
Even if they’re dissolved, the personification will still exist until the culture completely dies out [x]. This is likely why Holy Rome didn’t die right away after his dissolution, albeit being sick. The body of people he represented still lived on.
I’m personally of the belief that Holy Rome is Germany [x]. There’s a lot of evidence substantiating the fact that he’s indeed Holy Rome but is suffering from amnesia.
However, I totally understand where you’re coming from.
I think what’s important to differentiate here is that the Holy Rome you see in the older strips was just as exaggerated and crude as old characterizations of other countries like France and Austria were. If you look at chapter 187 of World Stars, the Holy Rome depicted there is much tamer.
Side note, I don’t see a point in people denying that Holy Rome is Germany without any grounds/ evidence to base this on.
The denial for the sake of, well, denial, doesn’t do anything for me, I’d like evidence! My opinion isn’t set in stone either. I just haven’t seen someone put up a good case proving why Germany isn’t Holy Rome. Regardless, everyone is entitled to their own opinions, thank you for sharing yours.
Q: You mentioned North Italy helped a lot with
Germany’s friendship building, but what about Japan? Didn’t he help too? He’s
not the left over of an hot fudge sundae.
A: If you go back to the post, I say that Italy brings out the kindness in Germany. Italy does the same exact thing with Japan, who he views to be too formal.
The Axis learn new things and complement each other in their friendship. In that sense, Japan and Germany, as recluses, learn to open themselves up to the idea of friendship and companionship within their trio. They were always kind and considerate. Italy just has a knack for bringing out the best in people.
If Italy was to be removed from the dynamic, I really don’t think that you’d see the same kind of development between Germany and Japan.
The relationship that Italy and France bear is subtle, but
it’s nonetheless there. What this post will explore is the reason why Italy
holds France with such fondness.
Additionally, because they grew up together, France is one
of the select few nations who know how secretly vulnerable and insecure Italy
is, regardless of the cheerful front that the latter puts up to hide this from
others.
The two of them both grew up in Rome’s household. It’s for
this reason that Italy refers to France as “big brother” or “onii-chan.” Again,
it’s important to remember that in this context, the title is an expression of
affection or adoration.
There was a latent period in which Italy had no
contact with Holy Rome and France.
When he does meet them again, Rome had just passed away.
Although France protected Italy from being bullied by Holy Rome,
he himself also bullied Italy and later joins the campaign to conquer the
weakened Italian Peninsula.
After falling under Austria’s rule, Italy didn’t get to see
France for a long time.
He’s still under Austria’s rule and lacks independence
here, but he’s aged considerably since the last time they had last seen each other.
Of course, France has one of two reactions.
One, excitement to see Italy.
Two, an eagerness to make Italy French territory.
Still, having lived with Italy for a considerable time,
France is fully aware of how fragile Italy is.
While this is a deleted strip and should not be taken as
canon, the fact that Hima once depicted France to brave it out and break the
news of Holy Rome’s dissolution to Italy, not to mention the conflicted look on
his face, proves that he cares about Italy’s emotional welfare above his own.
I say this because it was France who caused Holy Rome’s
dissolution. Just imagine the shame and pain he would have had to go through in
confessing this to Italy, who loved Holy Rome. France was a role model for Italy
and to have that image destroyed by the death of the loved one could have put
their entire relationship on the line.
Non-canon material aside, Italy’s canonically noted to be
one not to hold grudges.
Let’s explore how this carries into his adulthood.
I’ve said this before, but it’s important to recognize that
while the nations’ interactions are influenced by their present political
relations, that doesn’t in whole
affect their personal lives.
As people in their own right, the nations’ opinions of each
other is predicated more on the past. Put another way, they have a personal history
together aside from politics.
This would explain why Italy refers to France as onii-chan both
in his childhood as he was being conquered by the latter and later in the world
wars.
Ex: Both find themselves shipwrecked on Seychelles during
WW2. While France is skeptical at first, the two agree not to pick a fight with
each other and to drop the political personas that would have designated them
as enemies.
Ex: When engaging in a gossiping smear campaign against the
Axis, France stops short and claims that Italy isn’t that bad of a person.
England still implants false ideas into Italy’s head anyway,
claiming that Germany hates him.
The reason that I believe that France is so hesitant to
attack Italy with words is because he knows how sensitive he is. It was incredibly
perceptive and considerate on his part.
Ex: Right after being told this by England, Italy clarifies
with Germany if he really does hate him. Of course, he doesn’t.
The insecurity stems from the fact that Italy needs
reassurance and does not hold a confident opinion of himself. He believes
England when he’s told that he’s useless.
This isn’t the first that we’ve seen of Italy’s insecurity
over his friendship with Germany.
Ex: He worries that he’ll be left behind when
Germany forms an alliance with Russia. He himself fears that he’s useless,
weak, and troublesome to his allies and has a nightmare about this.
That’s a tying theme of Italy’s characterization. He
experiences constant anxiety over the fact that he’s a hetare – a useless and weak individual. You can see why France was so opposed to doing
anything that would influence Italy’s already poor opinion of himself.
The closeness of their relationship further comes to light
when we learn that France is the first person Italy calls to voice his concerns
over Germany not liking him.
Italy trusts France so much that he takes his first
sarcastic piece of advice to heart – he did call in the middle of the night,
after all.
France later gives real advice after Italy calls him again.
The two still get along really well, although the hints of
this relationship remain to be subtle in nature.
Ex: When France attempts to get closer with Germany, he
cites that Spain and Italy – his other
close friends –don’t care for aesthetics. What’s important here
is that France appears to consider Italy as a close friend.
Ex: He comes to Italy’s aid when Romano refuses to cooperate
with him.
In sum, France and Italy’s relationship, while not made to
be obvious, remains strong.
It’s more like I’m confused that the fandom portrays Italy as this super confident person, when in reality he’s incredibly insecure. Like, this is the one time where it would be appropriate to amp up the angst and you choose not to???
Unlike in fanon depiction, Germany’s anger isn’t senseless and inherently
driven by aggression. While Germany’s short temper may have originated from aggression,
having been reared in a hostile environment, his anger later shifts to an expression
of frustrated confusion.
What this post will also explore is how Germany gets in
touch with his kinder, softer, and sentimental side, as well as his troubles in
expressing this aspect of his person.
To understand why Germany was so aggressive and angry, it’s
important to situate his life.
Germany’s childhood was not a healthy one. He was reared in
an atmosphere of constant war, hostility, and aggression. As such, he didn’t
learn how to trust and form healthy relationships with others, but rather, he
learned to view others with distrust and suspicion.
Ex: When Germany
first meets Italy as enemies in WW1, notice how suspicious, paranoid, and
hostile he is of Italy. Regardless of the fact that they’re in a war, Germany’s
reactions here are over the top.
Likewise, when Germany became frustrated with Italy, he
would use physical force. His childhood was primal in that the use of physical
force was wrongfully normalized.
Ex: Germany would put
Italy into headlocks when he fell out of line.
What you’ll see is that as Germany’s relationship with Italy
deepened into a true friendship, Germany not only learns how to be receptive
toward others, but his temper diminishes significantly. He still has a short
fuse, although in no way does he see aggression – verbal or physical – as an
appropriate method of communicating.
Ex: He begins
hugging Italy, albeit being confused by this.
As mentioned above, Germany’s friendship with Italy changed
him dramatically. Italy was the first person that indirectly taught Germany
what a healthy relationship entails.
To put things into perspective, Germany’s understanding of
relationships was so warped from his past that he needed Austria to clarify
what his relationship with Italy was.
Before asking this, he had also bought a manual on relationships.
The running gag of Buon San Valentino is that Germany panics
over whether Italy is his friend or “partner.” It’s a big misunderstanding on his part.
What’s important here is that as Germany confronts his
relationship with Italy, he comes to realize how he had normalized hostile
relationships. His relationship with Italy confused him because he hadn’t been
used to experiencing something so pleasant or “fun.”
Additionally, Italy causes Germany to experience emotions that
he’s never felt before. He never felt anxiety on the battlefield, meanwhile, his
friendship with Italy causes him to experience it. Even more extreme, is that he’s uncertain if what he experiences with Italy is happiness.
How I interpret this is that
war was something that Germany was used to; receiving unequivocal affection was
foreign and strange to him, which would explain why it produced so much panic and confusion. Similarly, happiness was not something he had learned. He’s experiencing it for the first time.
The last thing I want to mention here is how Germany’s anger
shifts to a frustration over being confused.
As Germany experiences these new emotions – confusion, shame, happy, and heartbeat– he gets angry as a result of his inability to process/
handle them properly.
Ex: Germany getting mad at Italy for flirting with girls, as
he had mistakenly perceived their dinner to be a date. The ellipses are
extremely important here as it demonstrates how overwhelmed he is.
These new emotions make him feel vulnerable and confused,
resulting in him losing his composure. For someone as ordered as Germany,
losing this sense of composure is terrifying, especially since he doesn’t like to
show weakness.
This refusal to show weakness still persists in modern
times. Perhaps this is yet another link to his do-or-die war-ridden past – it’s
a primal instinct.
Ex: I find it interesting that when Germany experiences confusion at Italy’s behaviour, it’s his mind that explodes.
Ex: When Germany’s misunderstanding is taken a step further
and he proposes to Italy, the shame of the event is enough to cause him to
blackout. We are then introduced to a pan-in on his brain, which reveals another
surplus of emotions that Germany is experiencing for the first time.
The progress in Germany’s character, then, is that as Italy
inadvertently helps Germany learn how to form trusting relationships, Germany’s
inherent hostility and distrust of others disappears. This is especially the
case following both world wars, as he no longer has to keep up his guard.
Another problem that Germany faced was that even when he
attempted to reciprocate Italy’s affection, he came across as angry and
intimidating.
Ex: Germany scares Italy just by asking him if he’s all
right after a training session and if he needs anything to drink. Italy interprets
this as Germany being angry with him.
The irony with Germany is that even though he learned how to
get over the majority of his anger and hostility, he has trouble expressing
himself.
While he may have mellowed out and calmed down considerably…
…he still comes off as angry and troubled to others.
On top of that, he also has trouble smiling. It’s something
that doesn’t come naturally to him. Just like he read a manual on
relationships, he’s once shown to be reading a manual on how to smile properly.
It’s something that he’s still working on and isn’t very easy to undo. Point
is, he’s trying.
Ex: He still has difficulty receiving praise from others.
That said, I want to end this by pointing out that however
poorly Germany expresses himself, his actions are what is truly important in
proving how sweet and considerate he is.
Ex: He loves his dogs.
Ex: He loves baking, especially with friends.
Ex: He’ll come to his friends’ aid without any question or
deliberation, no matter how ridiculous the request.
Ex: He worries about others more than himself. This is
especially relevant when you consider that he’s pretty much holding up the EU.
All in all, to portray Germany as a strictly angry character
doesn’t do his personality any justice.
Yes, he may have been
an angry and hostile character, but you have to situate that with his childhood
and understand that he’s evolved past his initial distrust of others. Germany
has always been an inherently kind person – all it took was another person,
Italy, to bring this side out of him.
It’s a tedious process, but Germany’s slowly opening himself up
more and more as the strips progress. For a person who was born in a primal
environment, of course it’s going to take some emotional priming before he’s
truly ready to show all sides of himself.
Italy: I’m going to go flirt with those girls over there.
Germany: Why are you telling me this? Do what you want.
Also Germany:
It bothers me a lot too! What a lot of people don’t realize is that much of Germany’s initial hostility and aggression stems from a distrust of others. Germany grew up in war, which affected how he formed relationships with other nations.
In other words, Germany’s aggression and hostility was all he knew until he met Italy. His short-temper, as I’ll soon show, is also more of a frustrated expression of confusion than it is true anger; it just comes out that way.
What I love about Germany’s evolution is that as his friendship with Italy blossoms and he learns to trust others, he taps more into his sweet and sentimental side and can express affection, albeit the fact that he’s still working through this and is a bit awkward in his execution.
Honestly, Germany is probably one of the sweetest APH characters out there. I believe that his earlier depictions are structured on purpose to emphasize how he’s achieved progress in relating to others. He really mellowed out after the world wars.
Unfortunately, he’s still seen as angry and intimidating because of his appearance. He also hasn’t quite mastered wearing his kindness on his face…sorry, I got a bit carried away haha…
Post on Germany’s ‘anger’ coming up tonight!
Misconception:
Japan’s emotionless
Reality: He’s shy,
but far from emotionless.
Due to his hikikomori phase, he became used to
communicating with others by reading their minds – he has clairvoyant powers.
Ex: Italy and
Romano initially believe that Japan doesn’t like them because of how contained he
was.
Ex: He’s an
introvert that taps into his extrovert side for business. He’s able to smile and
keep up with pleasantries. Like a true introvert, he’s drained after these
interactions.
Additionally, Japanese cultural display rules for emotion
are vastly different and more reserved than Western nations.
Fun fact: Nowadays, nations that are more reserved
emotionally in public tend to express themselves online in private more,
especially through the use of emojis. The Japanese
have some of the most innovative and creative use of emoticons.
Japan is very active online and has an Instagram account.
He
also has an appreciation for cute things, although he doesn’t realize it.
Ex: When he offers to wash Berlitz, he goes a bit overboard.
Ex: He asks to take a picture of England and America after they put on cat ears.
Misconception: He’s
weak because he doesn’t voice his own opinions.
Reality: He’s
tactful and is extremely careful with what he says out loud.
Ex: Following
WW2, he agrees with what America says, likely because it served to his own
benefit.
If you think about it, it’s amazing how within a decade
after the dropping of the atomic bombs, the Japanese were able to emerge as an industrial power large enough to compete with the United States.
Japan’s intelligence and resilience should be looked at as a
source of strength. It’s also important to mention that before his defeat, he
had pretty much ruled the Eastern Pacific.
Japan’s not always composed either. It’s said
that because he keeps his opinions to himself, he’ll “explode with 100 years
level” and that caution should be taken when this happens. [x]
Ex: He vehemently
opposes the idea of Germany forming an alliance with Russia during WW2.
Misconception: He’s
anti-social.
Reality: He’s extremely social, albeit not overtly.
Ex: He takes great lengths to set aside time to visit his
friends.
Ex: Japan has his own way of expressing
his happiness.
Misconception: He’s
inconsiderate.
Reality: He goes
out of his way to help others. It’s for this reason that he’s probably the most
considerate and sincere APH character.
Ex: He learns Western greetings and attempts to practice
them despite how much it sparks up his anxiety over maintaining his personal
space.
Ex: He helps England with artistic design during the Second
Industrial Revolution.
He also makes sure to praise and commend England for his
efforts, not to mention that these compliments are all genuine.
Bonus facts:
Due to his old historical chronological age, Japan’s body,
while appearing young on the outside, is actually old with age.
He’s a photo-lover.
Although Italy doesn’t remember this, Japan first
communicated with Italy in his dreams. This is the first time we see Japan’s
clairvoyant powers depicted.
He works so hard that even Germany worries about him.
He’s able to perform cleansing and purification rituals.
A pretty neat and complicated character, eh?
Ellawritesficssometimes 