Misconception: America is lazy and doesn’t take anything
seriously.
Reality: He’s an extremely diligent worker. He didn’t just
magically become one of the world’s top powers.
Misconception: Russia is a psychopath.
Reality: A psychopath
thinks only in terms of themself, has subdued and withdrawn emotions, is
narcissistic, doesn’t understand the consequences of their actions, is extremely
manipulative, and routinely lies.
Russia, while maintaining a child-like personality and not
being able to understand the consequences of his actions all the time, is an
extremely emotional and sensitive individual. He cares about others and wants to
befriend them, but has trouble healthily expressing this.
Misconception: America and Russia must hate each other,
because, ya know – the Cold War.
Reality: Russia and America get along very well, but like to
tease and make passive jabs at each other.
Misconception: The Italy brothers prefer guys.
Reality: They tend to flirt with girls more, despite the
obvious Spamano and Gerita hints in the strips.
Misconception: The nations are portrayed as dumb.
Reality: They play a key role in the intellectual revolutions
their countries experience. They’re all geniuses (some more than others, arguably), having been shown to pioneer and
invent various technologies.
When you think of Italy, what immediately comes to mind is a
charming, womanizing, and fashionable individual, someone who’s full of smiles,
laughter, silly pranks, and overall joy.
On the other hand, I don’t see Italy’s anxious, flighty, and
insecure side depicted all that much. Italy isn’t always confident and flashy,
as he’s often low on money, but, nevertheless, there are brief moments in the
strips that reveal how truly broken he is on the inside.
This post will go over some of these insecurities, traumas,
and intrapersonal conflicts.
What you’ll see is that several people leaving Italy over
the course of his life has affected and devastated him in more ways than one;
he’s clingy, but is afraid that he’s being a burden; he keeps lots of private
secrets; and, perhaps most important of all, he’s terrified of being alone.
In “Axis Powers Jokes,” Italy lets his anxiety best him and
worries that his contribution in his alliance with Germany isn’t up to par. He
claims that there isn’t any reason for Germany to like him, and is unable to
get any sleep because of this.
Italy’s worry grows, and he crosses over the border into
Switzerland – in the middle of the night, mind you – to confirm whether Germany
likes him or not. When asked, Germany reassures Italy and puts the latter’s
mind at rest. What I want people to pay attention to is this isn’t the first
time Italy’s asked Germany this question.
There
are some real self-esteem issues present in Italy, and as the strip progresses
this becomes even more evident. Immediately after, Italy gets Germany to repeat
his answer again, except this time more clearly. If that wasn’t enough, he then
requests that Germany say this several times over.
Notice now how uncertain and unsure Italy is of himself. He
wants to make sure that he’s liked by the people around him. That way, from his
perspective, they won’t have any reason to leave him.
In Chapter 7-8 of World Stars (the webcomic), Italy gains some
weight, and of course, this rouses him into another fit of panic. Despite
Germany’s reassurances, Italy still worries to the point that Germany has to
pull out a poll which concludes that most people don’t care if a “handsome
Italian man” has a bit of stomach fat.
Italy’s trouble with relationships didn’t start with Holy
Rome, either. Italy and Romano don’t exactly have the greatest brotherly bond.
Albeit complimenting Italy when the former can’t hear him, Romano explicitly
puts down his brother, often enough to cause quite a large rift between them.
There’s also the fact that Romano left Italy during the second Industrial Revolution, just so he wouldn’t have to rely on him. Which
leads me to my next point…
During this same time, England comes to Italy for help on
attaining better designs for his manufactured goods. Italy’s reaction here is
crucial.
It seems that Romano leaving Italy has deeply hurt him, even
if he doesn’t vocalize these feelings. It’s also important to mention that
Italy hasn’t even met Germany at this point, as this time period ends just
before WW1.
With Ancient Rome and
Holy Rome dead and Romano overseas, as well as not having the best relations with Austria and Hungary, Italy likely grew very lonely during this period. He didn’t
really have any support.
That said, there’s a lot more to Italy than reveals the eye.
Hmmm. I’ll go with the less obvious and underlying ones.
-The Italy Brothers’ eyes
-Germany’s inability to smile.
-Germany’s love for Italy’s climate and culture + his deep interest in Roman history (*cough Holy Rome)
-Japan’s clairvoyance abilities + his limited memory
-Russia’s curse
-America’s dual personality
-China and Japan’s old age
-England’s alienation
-France’s loneliness and overcompensation as a Big Brother figure
Misconception #1: Romano swears only using the word
bastard.
Misconception #2: Ugh! The fandom’s got it all wrong! They exaggerate
how much Romano swears!!!
Reality: Romano swears a
lot, but has a very…colorful language.
Yes, exactly 🙂 Some of the prejudices you mentioned are captured in the strips too! This particular panel takes place during the Industrial Revolutions.
Note: This is not
a theory. All I am doing is presenting canon information to help people better understand
the topic at hand.
Despite all the countless evidence explaining why Italy and
Romano remain as separate personifications, it seems as if the entire fandom
has conveniently forgotten about this. Shame on you all for pulling a Germany
and becoming amnesiacs!
Nah, I’m just kidding! But really, the number of strips that
explain why they’re separate personifications is overwhelming if you add them
all together. First, let’s start with the strip that makes this reasoning as plain
as day.
In chapter 20 of World Stars (the web comic), Hima states that the Italy brothers
are separate personifications not just because of regional differences, but
also because of their difficult cultures (which includes different dialects)
and histories.
On example of these differences, Romano has Spanish and some
Arabic influence, whereas Italy Veneziano has German blood in him. This is likely
attributed to how they were continuously conquered and divided by larger
foreign powers (ex: Spain, HRE, the Austro-Hungarian Empire).
Hima was also very careful to differentiate Italian Unification
from German Unification. The Italy brother’s unification process was rushed and
forced. It was artificial and symbolic more than anything else; in reality, it
wasn’t true unity.
Meanwhile, while the other German nations were also separate
personifications, their unity was a much smoother process and established more
solidarity throughout the country. It’s for this reason that only one
personification, Germany, was needed.
You can even tell that Hima was a bit frustrated in having
to explain this all to the readers (again),
as he finishes the scene with these sassy panels:
Honestly, given how many times Hima has stated these
differences and distinctions throughout the series, I would be annoyed too.
After this strip, however, the reasoning for why there are two Italian
personifications is 100% obvious.
You’ll see that Hima has been explaining these differences
right from the very start. Without further ado, let’s go over some of the many examples provided.
Due to Spanish influence, those in the island of Sardinia “still use Spanish.” Although, others have informed me that this influence is only in the dialect and that Sardinians don’t actually speak Spanish.
Here, Hima makes a clear distinction between the cultures,
personalities, and economies of the North and South.
Oops! More Spanish influence on Southern Italy (cuisine).
A small map that reveals what the regions are known for.
North Italy = Arts, Cars, and Tourism
South Italy = Primarily agriculture + has a mafia problem.
Although, it’s important to mention that North Italy has also had things stolen from him by the
mafia. Point is, the mafia is a much more prevalent problem in the Southern
half of the country, especially with kidnappings.
All right, I think I made my point. Both Italy brothers are
here to stay, so you don’t have to worry about one of them fading away any time
soon.
Well, you guys asked for it, so here it is 🙂 Believe it or
not, it’s not even a theory. What I will present later is nothing more than
canon information. Hima must have reiterated the fact that both Italies are
different from each other close to thirty times (if I’m going by my old notes,
I’m sure there’s much more). That’s why the North and South require a separate personification.
In other words, there is no one true Italy. Both Italies will continue to exist and neither
will fade. You’ll also see that even Hima got a bit fed up with people asking
for an explanation, despite how clear he’s made it that they’re different! He’s
explained it all throughout the strips (old and new), but it seems that people have ignored
it, because angst, am I right?
That said, there really shouldn’t be any theories out there
speculating that one Italy will fade in light of the other one remaining. Their
situation is much different from the German brothers, especially with the
cultural and historical notes that Hima provides for their dual existence.
Me: Hetalia is just a phase, I’m not going to get attached.
Also Me:
In both his and his brother’s character notes, it’s said
that if their curls are pulled, it will cause an involuntary physiological
(bodily) response. Italy Veneziano will say “Ve”, whereas Romano will make a
purring “chigi” sound.
We know that the different parts of a nation are reflected
in their human body. For example, America’s Nantucket or Austria’s Mariazell
ahoges. I say this because I believe that the physiological and verbal response
pulling the curl causes is in reference to a specific body of land, or rather a
part/ governmental organ of the nation.
Yes, “ve” is also an Italian verbal tick/ dialect, but what
you’ll see with Hima is that he likes to play around with words, give them double
(sometimes several) meanings, and make puns out of them. In Italy Veneziano’s
case, I believe the same logic applies.
In other words, ‘ve’ could be attributed to the dialect and the city of Venice, which is commonly
believed to be North Italy’s first title as a personification. Although, if it
is in reference to a dialect/verbal tick, North Italy doesn’t say it nearly as
much as China does with his “aru”, which makes me think of it more in terms of a
reference to a body of land, rather than speech.
Anyways, in Romano’s case, I think it’s a reference to the
Palazzo Chigi in Italy’s capital, Rome. It’s where the Prime Minister of Italy
resides. The point here is that we already know that Romano does his fair share
of work for his government.
If that’s the case, then this reference only reiterates his
purpose as a second personification for Italy. This, of course, is in addition
to him representing the cultural differences of those from the southern regions
of the nation.
Further, we know that Ancient Rome left behind a legacy.
Italy inherited his charm, artistic aptitude, and wealth. Meanwhile, it’s not
very clear what Romano inherited from Ancient Rome… not unless you do a bit
of digging. What I’m arguing is that Romano inherited the role of governance
from his grandfather.
That doesn’t mean to say that North Italy doesn’t do his
share of government work either, because he does, just not nearly as much as
Romano nor with the same amount of commitment.
So? What about them hints?
When visiting Italy from heaven, Ancient Rome remarks that
Rome (as his capital) acted as his heart. Well, what if Romano inherited that?
Italy Veneziano is likely a reference to Venice as stated above, and as such,
Romano is just as likely to be derived from Rome – where the governing happens.
If you take a closer look at Ancient Rome, he resembles both Italy brothers depending on the emotions he’s experiencing.
It’s not just Italy Veneziano who looks like Ancient Rome. Some of Romano’s expressions makes him a near clone of his grandfather.
Hard to tell the difference, right? Overall, it would seem
that Romano inherited quite a bit from Ancient Rome, contrary to popular
belief.
Ellawritesficssometimes 