Tag: aph Lithuania

image
image

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.

image

Ex: He didn’t have many possessions.

image

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.

image

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. 

image

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.

image
image
image

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.  

image
image

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.

image


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.

image
image

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.

image

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.

image
image

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. 

image
image

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.

image

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

image

Q & A

image

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).

image
image

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.

image

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.

image
image

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

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

image

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.

image

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],

Q & A

image

Hello! I was wondering if you knew if Prussia
was a different nation before he was the Teutonic knights? I think I read that
somewhere but Im not sure

Hi! This post should
help. It discounts the notion that Prussia was originally a Baltic by charting
the history of the different titles he’s held throughout his life [x]. 

Hello! I read somewhere a couple years ago,
that once Italy thought he was chubby and ate only a bite of pizza? Something
like that hahaha I remember reading some kind of list of canon things and found
about that

Hi! Yes and no. It’s not the
pizza that made him fat. He just so happened to be eating the pizza when he
realized it.

It’s about the
demographic relationship he has with his people. He gained weight due to rising
obesity rates.

Source: Hetascanlations, World Stars Chapter 7. 

image
image

i hope this isn’t a
dumb question, but ive always wondered if there was any info in canon about how
the nations get around to see each other in their respective countries so fast
😮 it seems kind of inconvenient for everyone to be so far apart from one
another!

Not a dumb question, but please refer to my post
directory next time. I have an in-depth post on that here [x]. 

Basically, aside from water/ continental distances, it’s possible for nations
to teleport and traverse to other nations on foot.

Ex: Lithuania stumbles across Greece during the Halloween 2013-2014 event.

image
image
image

eLLa. hELp. I
remember it, but can’t find it anywhere. It’s an ask Himaruya answered where he
states what kind of house America would live in as well as some other
characters. I can’t find it.

 It’s from this blog post on Bamboo Thicket, July 3rd,
2008.

Source: Hetarchive, eng trans.

Question: Boss’s house seems very big, Poland’s is a castle, Japan’s is a quite detached single-family Japanese house, but what kind of homes do the rest live in? Are there any who live in apartment buildings or high-rises?

Response: “That’s a good question. They live in homes that match each era
and culture, economy, and also their moods, so it’s not like they’re permanent,
but I feel like Italy maybe is living in the same house that he’s remodeled
again and again.

America lived in a log cabin at first, and next was an austere English-style
building in the suburbs, then recently moved to an apartment building near New
York, and he seems to move quickly and randomly.”

hi js got back into hetalia after like 2 years and i never
really looked at hima’s blog and the later mangas before so i dont really know
about how he works things out, but when i js checked, hima’s been on a hiatus
(?) for half a year already, has he had breaks this long or is it possible
hetalia wont be updated anymore.

Hi! Welcome back, and yes. If you look up the timelines on his blog updates, he went through a long period of blog inactivity
during 2012. I’m not comfortable on speculating anything, sorry!

image
image

The following post aims
to give a concise breakdown of America and Lithuania’s relationship. Since the
material can be used for both shipping and friendship purposes, I’ve tagged
things accordingly. In analyzing their relationship, I’ve sorted it into three
main themes. Let’s go over them.

Structure:

An overarching theme of
their relationship is structure and the previous lack thereof. Lithuania moved
in with America post–WW1 for employment purposes as his country was
experiencing an economic recession.

Source: Hetarchive, Lithuania’s Outsource pt. 1

image
image

Nonetheless, it’s
important to understand where the two were coming from emotionally prior to the
move.

America was living on
his own, having just recently come out of isolation. He still wasn’t on good
terms with England and hadn’t coped with the feelings of grief and bitterness
that accompanied his declaration of independence.

Point is, America was
lonely.

Ex: During an overseas visit
to Japan for trading purposes, America attempts to befriend a whale. He also
declines England’s offer—who was able to read into America’s covert
loneliness—of friendship. Note that this takes place a little bit before, during the Meiji era of Japan.

Source: Hetarchive, Black Ships Have Come.

image
image
image

Lithuania had it a lot tougher. His empire with Poland had been annexed, culminating in him being
forcefully torn from Poland by Russia. In Russia’s home, Lithuania was likewise
forced into servitude. We also learn that in between the world wars, where he
had briefly gained independence from Russia, Lithuania had accumulated several
scars on his back from the abuse he underwent at the hands of the former.

Sources: Hetarchive, Hetare 4: Pact of Steel + Hetarchive, While You Were Gone.

image
image
image

In light of the turmoil America and Lithuania both experienced, the personal and positive experience of living with someone gave structure to lives that had for too long revolved around the chaos of
politics.

This brings me to my
next theme.

Companionship:

The two became best
friends when they lived with each other. Both experienced the loss of a partner
(America, England, and Lithuania, Poland), so to find a friend in these times
was crucial for them in establishing a sense of normalcy in their lives.

For once, work didn’t
take priority and they were able to relax, enjoy each other’s presence, and essentially become best friends.

Lithuania cooked for
America and basically organized his whole life as he took up a clerical/ assistant position.

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

image

Other peak examples of
their friendship would include:

America’s pets taking a
liking to Lithuania and competing for his attention.

image

Lithuania sleeping with
America, since the latter was too scared to sleep alone having just watched a
horror film.

image

Source: Ibid + Hetarchive, Lithuania’s Out-sourcing pt 2.

Coping & Respite:

Lastly, the two’s
friendship was very much a healing experience.

America’s home provided
Lithuania with the sanctity of a healthy, stable, and safe environment—the polar
opposite of Russia’s home. He also felt comfortable enough to confide in America about his separation from Poland.

Source: Hetarchive, Lithuania’s out-sourcing pt. 1 + pt. 2.

image
image
image

Similarly, Lithuania
helped America cope with his separation from England.

Ex: When Lithuania first
moves in with America, we learn that America drinks coffee in spite of his
grudge towards England.

Source: Hetarchive, Lithuania’s out-sourcing pt. 1.

image

This grudge is touched
on again in the Cleaning out the Storage strip, where we learn that America had
shoved away items that reminded him of England (e.g., toy soldiers, a gun from
the revolution, and a suit that England gave him).

The strip involves
America cleaning out the closet—a metaphor for airing out his past and making
peace with it—and reliving his life with England as his parent figure.

Source: Hetarchive, Cleaning out the Storage.

image
image
image

After he’s finished
cleaning, Lithuania is perceptive enough to offer America coffee and the two serenely
enjoy the drink in America’s backyard. The nature is particularly important
because it shows how grounded and calm America has become as he decides to open
up to Lithuania.

The fact that America
drinks coffee too is symbolic in itself, as it shows that while his grudge and
spite are still present, there’s the hope and prospect that things will get
better as he matures. Essentially, Lithuania has become the familiar shoulder
for America to lean on.

image
image
image

In sum, while short-lived
and ending on the sad note where America became too poor to be able to host Lithuania
(following the Great Depression), the two shared a relationship that was full
of genuinity and sentiment.

The sadness on America’s
face as Lithuania is torn away from him says it all; it’s an arc in the manga
that I’ll always appreciate and have a soft spot for.  

Source: Hetarchive, Lithuania’s Out-sourcing pt. 3. 

image
image

Q & A

image

Ok, so one thing that I always wondered is
where do countries fight during a war? Like, what branch of the military? On
what front? For how long? Or do some leaders not let their countries fight? I
am confizzled, Queen Ella

(I’m not a queen ^^)

There is no specific branch that they fight
for.

Ex: They’ve fought in the trenches, the sea, and the air. 

Source: Volume 3,  A Battlefield’s Kickoff + Hetarchive, Hetare 3: Nonagression pact + Hetarchive, Germany & Cohabitation

image
image
image

Do you think america would participate in the
hook-up culture of today (especially with the incredible ease of todays tech)
or do you think he would steer clear of it? I can’t figure out what he would
do. On one hand its very common in american teen culture but on the other hand
I think either his experience as an immortal being and/or his eating disorder
may impact how he engages in that arena. ((I’m not making a remark on all
people with eating disorders – just Al himself)) – thanks!

Mmmm. I’m not comfortable making speculations
on that since there isn’t much canon information to work from.

I do know that the nations refrain from spending
too much time with humans. Time is distorted around the nations (regarding
their aging), so humans who are around the nations a lot will have their
perception of time become so warped that they’ll go insane.

Source: Hetarchive (Bamboo Thicket, eng trans., sep 18th, 2013). 

It’s also possible for nations to have friends.

Source: Hetarchive, Little Italy Back in the Days.

image

Make of it what you will!

Curious for your thoughts on things- not to be
crude, but do nations ever hook up? The strip “Frequency” having to
do with Greece and Japan made me wonder about if they actually are able to or
not, and if they do, what are the implications behind it?

Other than the Japan and Greece scene you
mentioned, there isn’t any other mention of nations hooking up. But, there’s a
whole arc in volume 1 discussing the nations’ sexual drives.

Sources: Hetarchive, Lazy Comic District + Volume 1. 

image

+ 

image

Lithuania is a great guy and deserves better
thing to happen to him : Facts

No objections.

Source: Hetarchive, Cleaning out the Storage.

image

I’ve realized some more parallels between
Chibitalia/HRE and Italy/Germany.Italy feared HRE as a child but would also
climb into bed with him and the whole river bath situation.He also warmed up
enough to him to love him back-one can only assume that thanks to BSV and the
fact that they kissed goodbye.Italy does the same stuff to Germany,sleeping in
the same bed as him and bathing with him along with other similar stuff.History
likes to repeat itself,huh?

Sharp eye! I’ve done posts mentioning all of those!

[x] [x] [x] [x] [x] [x] [x]

image

Yes. There are the ancients who died (e.g., Rome and Germania) permanently. They reside in Heaven. 

Source: Hetarchive, Grandpa Rome’s Visit Home.

image

Then, there’s the phenomenon where personifications can die and regenerate.

image

Source: The Ruler of Scandinavia and The King of Eastern Europe, Volume 3.

(France is shot by Switzerland.)

Source: Hetarchive, Christmas 2007 Event.

image

Source: Hetarchive, Hetare 4: Pact of Steel.

image

Source: Hetarchive, In just two minutes you can grasp the exterior of the European economy. 

image
image
image

The following post aims to give a concise breakdown of
Lithuania and Poland’s relationship. Since the material can be used for both
shipping and friendship purposes, I’ve tagged things accordingly. In analyzing
their relationship, I’ve sorted it into three main themes. Let’s go over them.

Balanced Imbalance

A core theme of Poland and Lithuania’s relationship is that
the inequality (for lack of a better word) of their dynamic is what balances them out so well. In other
words, while Poland may weld most of the power in their relationship, it’s this
imbalance that makes it both strong and palpable.

Poland is known for being extremely shy
and anxious towards strangers. He felt this way before meeting Lithuania—to the
point that he was crying and begging for the event not to go forward. However, during their first encounter he became strangely receptive to Lithuania.

Source: Volume 3, The First Time the Poland Rule Was Used.

image
image
image

We later learn from an observer that Poland joked around
more with Lithuania than he had previously.

Source: Volume 3, the Legend of the Iron Wolf

image

The power imbalance mostly has to do with how Poland treated
Lithuania. He perceived himself to be the lord and Lithuania, the lackey.

Source: ibid.

image

Other instances of this would include:

Ex: Poland not listening to Lithuania as the latter recites
folklore to him.

Source: Ibid. 

image

Ex: Poland had a tendency to slack off in his duties.

Source: Volume 3, Tannenberg – The Aftermath

image

Nonetheless, the two functioned very efficiently.

Ex: They fought together.

Source: 

Volume 3, The Ruler of Scandinavia and The King of Eastern Europe.

image

Ex: They traded together.

Source: Volume 4, At Netherlands’

image

What you’ll see in later sections is that regardless of
these idiosyncrasies in their relationship, the two made a lasting and inseparable
impression on each other.

Divorce vs Nostalgic
Obligation

This theme involves their forced divorce and the subsequent
end of their empire.

Lithuania was forcefully torn away from Poland. As he begs
for Poland to help him, Poland watches and points out how funny Lithuania’s
face looks. While I attribute the crudeness to the fact that this strip was
created in 2006 and that Himaruya’s characterizations weren’t as sophisticated then as they are now, it’s still material I have to work with.

image

Source: Hetarchive, Main Storyline Chapter 4

This bitter divorce created a lot of resentment in
Lithuania, who became Russia’s servant in the aftermath.

However, a counter for Poland’s behaviour comes later in the
“While you were gone strip,” where he sees the abuse and torture that
Lithuania was subjected to in Russia’s home. In
that case, perhaps Poland didn’t realize the grave implications of what it
would mean to be under Russia’s rule.

Source: Hetarchive, While you were gone.

image

We then learn in a character note that Lithuania was so damaged that he was rehabilitating with Poland during this time (i.e.,
the years between WW1 and WW2). The note
also goes on to mention that although Lithuania may be dragged around by
Poland, he seems to be enjoying himself.

Source: Volume 2

image
image

Lithuania’s resentment is revealed in two instances:

1)     
He feels like he’s in paradise when he moves to
America and lives in the latter’s home in exchange for work, citing how living
with Poland wasn’t exactly the most pleasant option.

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

image

2)     
After being invaded by Russia once more,
Lithuania hears of Russia’s plans to invade Poland. He goes through a series of
conflicted of emotions and flashbacks, calling Poland a bastard for letting
Russia capture him in the past. Regardless, he still has it in his heart to
warn Poland and worry about the latter’s well-being.

The nostalgic obligation, then, pertains to how Lithuania
and Poland’s past, grey and muddled as it may be, still makes them feel a sense
of obligation and duty to look after each other.

Source: Hetarchive, Main Storyline Chapter 4. 

image
image
image

Restoration and
Reconciliation

Although touched on in the last theme, the two haven’t let
the past get in the way of their relationship.

Ex: Poland stands
up for Lithuania and protects him from Russia during a world meeting.

Source: Volume 1, Meeting of the World.

image
image

Ex: Lithuania
doesn’t attend meetings for the Choral Club (in the Gakuen AU) because he’s too
busy showing Poland around.

Source: Hetarchive (Bamboo Thicket, eng trans., July 10, 2011)

image

In sum, whereas political and personal relationships are concerned,
Lithuania and Poland’s has been able to triumph through many obstacles. Their dynamic
has proven to contain considerable resilience as they continue to be life-long
friends.

image
image