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!
PART 2
Loneliness–
Ex: During the Second Industrial
Revolution, Italy breaks down crying when England asks him for help, citing
that it had been a long time since someone had last trusted him. At the time,
he had just unified with Romano, so their relations were even rockier than they
are now.
Fear of being useless and
unwanted, abandonment–
Ex: When Germany makes an
alliance with Russia, Italy gets anxious and suffers from a nightmare. He imagines that his allies, Germany and Japan, want nothing to do with him.
Ex: He makes Germany reassure
him several times that he’s not hated.
Discontentment with looks–
Ex: Italy panics when he gains
weight. Germany has to reassure him by drawing up a poll that confirms that it’s okay for handsome Italian men to have a bit of stomach.
Ex: He worries that he’s not
macho enough.
Fear of being alone + single–
Ex: He never married.
As such, no matter how much he
tries to convince himself that he likes being alone, the fact that he cries
when he sees Austria and Hungary on Christmas proves otherwise.
Fear of being weak + inferior–
Prussia’s life cycle is full
of peak and weak moments.
When he’s weak, he’s meek and
down in spirits.
When he has power, he becomes
cocky and will degrade others to make himself feel better.
Inferiority over being
compared to his brother–
Fear of being alone +
inability to make friends–
Ex: He’s put-off by America’s ability to make friends.
Ex: He grows disheartened
when many nations are unable/ choose not to visit him during the New Years’ break. A blizzard plays a part in this too.
Ex: He’ll call anyone his
friend, even General Winter who abuses and attacks him on an annual basis.
Discontentment over looks–
She doesn’t like her big
chest. One strip in Volume 2 is literally titled:
“I Hate my Big Boobs!”
Ex: During the 2013-2014 Halloween
Event, others point out that her costume is too tight and restraining. (It’s to prevent
them from bouncing).
When other nations point this out, she grows uncomfortable and tells them not to mention it.
That said, you can’t say that
these characters don’t have their flaws or complexes, hardly any of which that
you see depicted in the anime. So no, Hetalia isn’t simple. The fandom didn’t
make it any deeper than what it already was.
Sure thing!
Post coming up tonight!
Russia taking back Lithuania
after the Great Depression + America’s reaction as Lithuania calls out for him.
Canada crying when Seychelles
remembers him as a member of the G8.
Germany promising Italy that
he values their friendship by giving him a cross necklace.
…
The relief on France’s face
when he realizes that Jeanne d’Arc has been reborn into a happier life
Of course,
being immortal affects how the nations experience time. They’ve lived for
centuries/ millennia and experience time at a much faster pace. A year, let
alone a decade, for a human is nothing to them.
Ex: Canada once
spent an entire weekend in a trance, staring into Kumajiro’s eyelashes. [x]
Ex: Because time flows differently for him, by the time America visits his child/ later teen friend Davie again, the latter’s had both children and grandchildren [x].
Interestingly,
the nation’s immortality can also rub off on other beings.
Ex: Pets like
Hanatamago, Pochi, or the Gilbird’s have extended lifespans as a result of
being around their owner nations. Should they separate, they would become
normal pets again. [x]
Ex: The
situation with humans is similar, but not quite the same. Unlike pets, humans
have a stronger developmental capacity to perceive time. It’s likely for this
reason that being around a nation for too long would cause them to go mad. The
drastic warping of time would be too much to handle.
From what we’ve
seen in the strips, immortality is depicted to be more of a curse than it is a
blessing. There are several instances where nations have expressed regret over
their existence.
Ex: Germania
and Rome, as fallen ex-nations, experience relief over not having to deal with
wars and their leaders.
Ex: As an
Ancient in his own right, China romanticizes about the past, wishing that the
world was the same as it was 4000 years ago.
Ex: Italy
admits that he sometimes gets bored of seeing the same people every day [x]. Also
notice how his boss recognizes that immortality isn’t beneficial in practice,
as Italy’s had to endure countless painful memories and experiences.
Ex: The nations
have gaps in their memories [x].
While it would
be impossible for them to remember everything, as they’re not perfect immortals
and can get injured and die, the fact that Russia claims that it’s good that
they don’t remember all the bad in their life may allude to an unconscious repression
of memories.
Still using
Russia as an example, given how he’s historically been tortured and punished by
his bosses, it’s easy to understand why he wouldn’t want to remember everything.
He likes all delicious food [x] and thinks that homemade cooking is the best.
He has no problem eating other foods like sushi or burgers, even in his own country when Germany visits him.
It’s not that he’s cocky either. He gets smug when he’s good at something, but low-spirited and dejected if he’s not.
Just for further reference, I’d like to point out that’s he still considerably insecure in recent strips.
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.
Ellawritesficssometimes 