I’m currently working on a mega post that compares literally every example of the parallels between them (e.g., dialogue, expressions, replicated scenes).
For now, this is what I find to be the most interesting.
We know that pets in canon live longer if they’re around a nation, as the latter’s immortality rubs off on them, right? [x]
Well, doesn’t Holy Rome’s dog look a lot like Berlitz?
VS
I don’t recall Wy being involved. I think this is the strip
you’re talking about [x].
Australia did ‘research’ on Japanese people. This entails
watching a clip from Naruto – a joke, obviously.
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.
There are too many moments, but this one comes to mind [x].
England draws a portrait for Japan when the latter sends him a Christmas card. He wants to reciprocate by appealing to Japan’s culture. It’s a wonderful example of how thoughtful, sweet, and considerate he can be, even if the end result isn’t quite perfect.
Thank you, and 100% canon! It’s a request from the 2013-2014 Halloween Event [x].
He’s also spotted wearing a ninja outfit when he stars on America’s cooking channel to make sushi.
To begin with, I want to emphasize how important it is to
recognize that Hetalia is not a series that believes in permanent grudges. Regardless of
the betrayals that occur in the manga, the grudges that the nations bear rarely
if ever remain.
This doesn’t go to say that grudges can’t last for a long
time, because they do and for good reasons. What I’m getting at here is that
while the nations are cultural personifications – representing their citizens,
not just the government – they’re also people just like you and me.
How the nations associate
with each other is influenced by their political relations. On the other hand,
to say that, because of these rocky political relations, the nations in
question inevitably hate each other is a shallow way of understanding things.
Their pasts together extend beyond their present situation. They’ve
lived for several lifetimes and have their own memories and experiences; there are
other factors to take into account that influence how they view each other on a personal level. To view and associate are two
very different things that are wrongfully equated together in the fandom.
I say this because you’ll see moments where enemy nations
drop their political masks and treat each other as friends.
Ex: After being stranded on Seychelles during WW2, Italy invites
France to his side of the island and asks not to pick a fight. Italy still
fondly refers to France as Big Brother, a title that originated from their
childhood spent together in Rome’s house.
Ex: When he occupies Rome, rather than treating the Italy
brothers with hostility, America politely asks them to make him authentic Italian
cuisine.
Ex: Italy excitedly greets Austria after his annexation,
despite having recently fought him in WW1.
What this post will explore is how grudges held by the nations
subside with time.
That said, let’s go over some examples.
Of course, I’ll get the most obvious one out of the way
first. America’s declaration of independence was experienced as a personal betrayal to England.
Ex: He’s noted to have had a stormy temper in the decades
following America’s independence. [x]
Ex: While it’s not explicitly stated, it’s alluded that
England is talking about America when he claims to have suffered from 100 years
of heartbreak.
Of more importance is that aside from their volatile political
relations, America still demands to see England when he hears that the latter’s
fallen ill as a result of the war.
Notice how distressed and panicked America is here. He even
tries to force his way into the house, despite being barred entry by
Canada. Again, the personal triumphs over the political.
As mentioned, with time, a lot of this anger and resentment disappears.
Ex: England takes the leap and attends America’s centennial
celebration.
Ex: The two are now able to tease each other void of any
spite.
There’s a rocky period in their relationship after Netherlands attempted to unify them into one Kingdom. Belgium declares her
independence instead.
We learn from his bunny how upsetting this “fight” was for
him. He copes by constantly keeping busy.
This one is definitely the most difficult betrayal to
digest. It’s easily the most brutal scene depicted in the manga.
Japan stabs an unsuspecting China in the back during WW2.
What I want to place particular emphasis on is the fact that even though China
knew that their political relations were tense, he still personally trusted Japan, even as the katana was pulled out.
Additionally, notice how Japan’s face goes blank before he
stabs China. To me, this appears that he’s emotionally removed himself from the
situation.
In the aftermath of this betrayal, we see China drunkenly
crying as he realizes how war has changed Japan. Russia’s response to this is
crucial.
Nations don’t remain as enemies
forever.
It’s the good memories that last.
Even though China developed a grudge against Japan, it doesn’t
last.
Ex: In a more recent strip, China attempts to strengthen his
diplomatic ties with Japan.
Following the abolition of their empire, Lithuania falls
under Russian control. As Lithuania’s forcefully dragged away, Poland doesn’t
answer Lithuania’s pleas for help and instead laughs at his facial expression.
Because of all the fond moments they shared together,
Lithuania resents Poland for this, but he doesn’t hate him.
If he did, then he
wouldn’t have warned Poland of Russia’s plan to invade him in WW2.
All in all, the point to take away from this is that while
hatred exists in the manga, it doesn’t persist. Political relations may influence
the nations, but in no way does it define them in whole.
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?
*Friend does something stupid on the internet*
Me: Be a good friend and don’t take a screenshot.
Also me:
Mhmm. There’s an instance where Taiwan gives Japan chocolates for Valentine’s Day. Italy and France’s wink-wonk reactions allude to something more.
Ellawritesficssometimes 