Q & A

I wanted to ask about Belarus. Does she have an
outdated personality like France? Should I consider her old appearance as
inaccurate?

I’ve said this before, but very
little is known about Belarus. She’s a bit of an anomaly, so I’m not inclined
to form a solid opinion on her.

Most of the canon information about
her personality is from an untranslated PC game that Himaruya created and posted
on his blog. As for any changes? She appears in a few non-linear strips and the
first three printed volumes but makes a marginal appearance in World Stars.

Where we do see her more often is in
the Holiday Events (e.g. in Halloween 2011 and Halloween 2013-2014 you get
larger glimpses than in the Christmas Holiday Events where she also appears).

Judging by her character there,
she’s still obsessed with Russia and has violent/ impulsive tendencies, yet
she’s also calm and almost…regal at other moments [x]. However, it’s nowhere near
to the same extent as some of the borderline insane information given from the
PC game.

(She mistakes Taiwan’s greeting as normal lol).

I’d prefer to have a recent arc of
chapters/ strip deliberately focusing on her before I assess what aspects of
her characterization have remained and/or if it hasn’t changed at all.

Since Mochis are versions of the countries they
represent, does that mean that America’s strange dad complex can be backed up
by the weird lettuce-daddy Mochi comic strips? Cause Lol, I hope so.

I really wanted to
say no to this but knowing Himaruya, that literally might be a factoring
reason lmao. Although you have to remember that this lettuce also once wanted to
take over the world, only to be eaten by Canadamochi [x].

Okay so this has been in my mind for a while. I
was reading over some chapters from the manga to establish notes for myself and
came across the terms ‘junior’ and ‘senior’ used. Specifically in the It’s a
Treasure Box Full of Countries and Ch. 201. I was wondering if it’s meant to be
out of age establishment (Hutt River calls Wy, Molossia, and Sealand juniors
and himself Wy’s senior) or ranks (Australia calls himself Canada’s senior but
could also mean age… )? What are your thoughts?

Most of the time it has to do with
chronological age.

Then again, you also have South
Korea asking Japan and China (who in the
series are older than him) to call him older brother [x].

I saw something saying that romano has more
arabic(?) blood than italy, that’s why he’s darker than him (hair, skin, etc)
but I wasn’t sure if it was someones headcanon or canon

It’s considered to be canon by most
since his hair still remains darker than Veneziano’s. It’s listed in his Hetarchive
article [x]. Some LJ posts also link to Japanese fans who have saved old trivia
information that Himaruya later deleted from his blog.

By the way, in one of your posts, you mentioned
that “in WW2 when he’s occupied by the Nazi regime, England takes France
into his home”. Can you show me which strip that’s in? (I can’t find
it…) Thanks!

It’s from Volume 5: “Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité and…”

I interpreted Taiwan’s unease around semi-exposed chests as her disliking how she is flat.

So you’re saying that she couldn’t concentrate because she felt insecure?

Edit: It’s a trope in anime where flat-chested girls in anime get distracted by female classmates with larger chests.

This post will explore how openly and inclusively concepts of
love and sexual attraction are depicted in the manga. While the nations don’t
have canonically assigned sexual orientations—of course, with the exception of Sweden—
it’s the fact that there is a representation of diversity within the series
that matters. Obviously, the term ‘Sexualities’ in the title is used very loosely
for lack of a better word.

In no way will these be all examples included in the manga, but this
should provide a good scope for understanding how Hetalia approaches human sexuality
and the capacity to love.

England:

England is once described by France as being aroused by anything [x].

Germany:

In the infamous Buon San Valentino strips, a series of
mishaps occur where Germany misinterprets his relationship with Italy to be a
romantic one and proposes to him (~~really???~~).
Regardless of the misunderstanding, what matters is that Germany was okay with
the idea of entering a same-sex relationship [x]. Not only that, but he had totally committed himself to it.

France:

In a volume 2 character note, France is said to go for “guys
and girls of all types”, including non-humans “as long as they’re beautiful.”

In the 2007 April Fools’ event, we also learn that he may
have a preference for “macho men.”

Italy Brothers:

Both are notorious for being girl-lovers, without a
question. It’s part of the Italian stereotype [x] [x].

On the other hand…

Italy admits to Germany in Buon San Valentino that his first
love was a guy, presumably referring to Holy Rome [x].

In a Volume 2 character note, it’s left open-ended on
whether Romano has a taste for men.

Bonus:

Spain quasi-proposes to Romano when gay marriage is legalized in his country [x].

Sweden:

Sweden remains as the only aph character to possess a canon
sexuality. He’s homosexual, but only feels this way toward Finland. It’s
one-sided, as Finland doesn’t reciprocate this sentiment [x].

Taiwan:

Strips have suggested that Taiwan may be attracted to women.

In the Christmas 2011 event, she’s unable to concentrate due
to the exposure of other female nations’ cleavage.

In the Halloween 2013-2014 event, she checks out other
female nations.

Aside from Greece, are there any other pairing hints with Japan?

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.

Before I go through case examples, I want to go over some
important ground rules pertaining to the subject of economics and how nations are
affected by it.

1) When a personification has a cold or is
physically unwell, they’re having problems with their politics and/or are
experiencing a recession.

2) An economic recession will impact a nation’s
health differentially depending on their economic standing.

Ex: During the
Great Depression, some nations were more affected than others, as designated by
greater negative signs.

3) If the nation itself is poor, so will the
respective personification.

With all that in mind, just like political independence and
a stable, functioning government, the strength of a nation’s economy is an
equally important factor in influencing the personification’s age. The best way
I can explain this process is that a nation’s age is a result of an amalgamation
of factors.

Some personifications will go through a gigantic growth spurt
in reaction to their country’s own surge in economic prosperity.

Other
personifications, while lacking official political recognition, are able to age
upon achieving and maintaining economic prosperity through high GDPs.

Lastly,
there are officially recognized nations who remain young as a result of poor and
inconsistent economic growth.

America:

Of course, I’ll start with the most obvious and well-known
example. America grew up quickly in tandem to his growing economy, despite lacking
independence from England.

“Because he was relatively tolerant of religion forms, America became a melting pot for various cultures, arts and crafts. Soon, he began to grow an industrial prowess and rivaled England himself.”

Meanwhile, Canada, who didn’t possess the same
economic strength, aged at a much slower rate than America.

The point to differentiate between the two brothers is the
impact that their economies had on their biological ages.

Chinese Autonomous Territories: Macau and Hong Kong

While they are presently considered to be autonomous territories under a one country-two systems mode of governance and therefore lack full
recognition as nations in themselves, Macau and Hong Kong’s strong industrial
economies allowed for them both to age.

This lack of official autonomy is depicted by both of them
living in China’s household.

Macau:

Macau was originally Portugal’s underling. He was East Asia’s
centralized and most successful trading port before being superseded by a
younger Hong Kong.

As such, despite being part of Portugal’s house, Macau’s
commercial success was enough to make him an adult.

That’s all we know, as he’s not given an exact canon age.
Now, he remains as an older brother figure in China’s house. Again, it’s his
economy that primarily contributed to his physical maturity.

Hong Kong:

Hong Kong was little when he became English territory.

Becoming an economically-successful trading port is what contributed to his growth.

However, because he’s not a nation-state in himself,
this would explain why he’s 16-17. If he did become a full-blown nation, the
consistency in this rule would likely have him age again.

Historically, Macau’s a lot older than Hong Kong – this might
offer a plausible explanation for their differences in age.

Taiwan:

This one’s a bit tricky and controversial given the testy
disputes regarding China’s claim of sovereignty over a self-governing Taiwan.
Nonetheless, there’s still an economic factor that accounts for the reason why
Taiwan is older in age [as opposed to a small child]. She’s also a strong
industrial power, despite not receiving international recognition.

On the other hand, Taiwan was officially recognized as China
in the UN before losing its seat in 1971. This also may have had an impact on
Taiwan’s age, although since none of this is presented in canon, all I can do
is speculate.

Latvia:

Not only was Latvia historically repressed politically, but
his agricultural economy isn’t doing all that great today either. Both of these
factors account for his young age, regardless of how long he’s existed
chronologically.

Moldova:

As one of the poorest countries in Europe, it’s no wonder
that Moldova’s growth has been stunted.

In sum, while economic sufficiency and success is only one
of the factors that allow a personification to age, it’s influence has a strong impact.

Misconception: China
hates Japan

Reality: While he
does hold against a grudge against Japan for betraying him in WW2, he’s deeply
affected by it.

We all know the scene. Japan stabs China – literally and
figuratively – in the back. You’d think this would generate hatred on
China’s part…

…but this couldn’t be anymore true.

China raised Japan. He was there with him through everything.
He protected Japan from other nations, like Mongolia, only to receive nothing
for it.

In other words, China’s heart was broken. A telling scene in
which this is confirmed is when China drinks away his sorrows and breaks down
into tears as he recounts what Japan has become.

Unfortunately, we are not provided with much insight on how
Japan and China fare in modern times, as we don’t get many moments where they
exclusively interact with each other.

Misconception: China
is weak

Reality: He
possesses immense strength, but because of his age he lacks stamina.

Ex: This strip
illustrates America’s perception of China’s innate strength and/or capacity for
it.

Despite this, however, because he’s lived for so long, China’s
physical body has aged and weakened. This is an exception to the rule of a nation’s
political and economic situation affecting their physical strength.

The physiology is more applicable to how they lead their
daily lives.

Ex: He’s referred to as a grandpa in modern times, and tires easily.

Ex: In another modern
strip, he’s affected by his population’s growing obesity rate and subsequently
gains weight despite his efforts to circumvent this.

This can be taken as another demonstrative impact of his
physiology age given that older people also have trouble shedding weight.

It’s still important to note that he’s nonetheless referred
to as a powerhouse [for obvious political and economic reasons.]

Accurate Conception:
China is likely an Ancient.

He’s lived for approximately 4000 years. Given that Quintillus, a Roman emperor, was once
seen to be holding a baby China, I would say that this pretty much confirms his
status as an Ancient.

This is aside from the fact that Quintillus can time travel
– the timelines correspond without the need for him to do so. Point is, this is a more concrete example of how old China is.

Misconception: China’s
rude and stand-offish.

While he can be petty and complain like a disgruntled old
man in comparison to some of the younger nations, China is probably one of the most
wholesome characters in the series.

Ex: He acts as a
mentor to Taiwan, Macau, and Hong Kong. The latter two live with him.

Ex: When Hong
Kong wants to leave China’s house, China begs for him to stay and promises to
stop cleaning Hong Kong’s room so often.

Bonus Facts:

He doesn’t like to lose.

He believes in fortune + luck and is able to see ‘monsters.’
Monster culture is just another way of Hima naming a nation’s ability to see magical
creatures.

Ex: He compiles an index of monsters. While it does contain
regular creatures, it also bears real monsters.

Not to mention that the other nations expressed fear towards
China in “Hetalia of the Dead” as they believe that he’s fully capable of summoning
dark spirits.

Amazing character, right?

Italy:

Is able to see Japanese arcana/ youkai/ spirits.

Encounters a divine being in a dream + meets Japan as a child in said dream.

It’s hinted that he summoned Finland
when the Allies and Axis got shipwrecked. Obviously, there was no communicative
technology available at the time.

Japan:

Has powers of clairvoyance.

Made contact with Italy in the latter’s
dreams well before they had first ‘met.’ (see above).

Created mind-reading
technology

As a result of his people not
believing in the supernatural as much after contact with the West, he loses his
ability to see youkai/ kappa spirits.

However, in modern strips it’s hinted
that his people’s belief in the supernatural has returned. It would follow that
he believes in them too, as he cleanses spirits and holds many superstitions.

Russia:

It’s hinted that he may have demons
haunting him/ some kind of tangible (not mythical) curse.

Ex: England’s fairies and magical friends
leave the moment Russia arrives at the 2013-2014 Halloween Event. They feel a “dangerous aura.”

England:

Can see
and communicate with ghosts, fairies, and any other magical creatures.

Can perform magic.

Has the
ability to make anyone but America see and believe in ghosts and spirits when they visit his place.

America:

Can only
see magical fairies/ unknown beings on Halloween.

Norway:

Can see
and communicate with magical beings.

Uses
his cross clip to communicate with a troll.

Iceland:

Can also see
Norway’s magical friends, but refuses to acknowledge this ability.

Romania:

Does fortune-telling.

His ability to
perform magic is left open-ended here…

…but since he’s in
the magic club, whose other member (England) does perform actual magic, I’d confidently assume that he’s also able to.

China:

Holds a
lot of superstitions + believes in fortune and good luck

It’s
hinted that he can summon supernatural beings/ spirits.

The other
nations believe that China has prediction powers and can defeat monsters.

He is
shown to go searching for monsters at one point, filling out a “monster index.”

Taiwan:

Does
fortune-telling + doesn’t believe in bad luck.

We all know Prussia’s
East Germany, and yet, Hima hasn’t directly referred to him as such. He’s only
been referred to as East and is also stated to have fallen under Russia’s
control after WW2, working unprofitable jobs.

It’s like Hima enjoys toying with us, leaving hints literally
everywhere. But, I mean, it’s not like he would make a hint so obvious that he would make use of a symbolic
wall in the strips…

DAMN IT, HIMA. SERIOUSLY?!!

And lest we forget about this beautiful strip, where Taiwan
and Hong Kong are moving furniture. Move it to the east and west, you say? Well,
wouldn’t that be a convenient excuse
to sneak in another Berlin Wall reference and have Germany or Prussia pop out
of nowhere.

Well played, sir.

Well played.

Note: This post will be looking at potential hints of female pairings or same-sex attraction, as requested. For the most part, the nations I will be mentioning have in fact shown attraction to males too. A more complete post on the nations’ sexuality will eventually be made, though. The examples shown are not all of them either. There are plenty of them, believe me.

Okay, let’s get it out of the way right now: Monaco and Taiwan
are hitting up the charts with their heavily hinted – but not confirmed – attraction
to girls. It makes me incredibly happy to see this possible representation in the
comics, and I’m even more excited to share it with you all.

First, there’s the 2011 Christmas event. There, Taiwan
states that she is unable to concentrate due to the amount of cleavage the Western
female nations are showing. Monaco then reassures her and sweetly waves it off.
Taken alone, this may not seem significant, but you certainly see progress with
Taiwan as you flip forward into later strips.

Now, let’s go over some panels included in the Halloween
2013/2014 event. After spotting Belarus from afar, Taiwan literally exclaims “Gorgeous
lady at 12:00 o’ clock!” and then proceeds to complement Belarus with notable
excitement.

And then comes Ukraine.

I mean, there’s really not that much to say. You can see it
for yourselves: there’s a clear blush on Taiwan’s face and she looks just a little
bit too happy to see Ukraine’s (breasts), don’t you think?

Don’t believe me still? Here’s Taiwan blushing, complementing Vietnam,
and just looking plain elated to be surrounded by them. She doesn’t seem to be
so shy about these feelings anymore.

There also appears to be this scheme where Taiwan purposefully
made Vietnam’s costume smaller and tighter than what it should be, as the costume
is her size as opposed to Vietnam’s – Taiwan is significantly smaller than Vietnam.

Lastly, there’s Monaco, who comments that Ukraine looks “modestly
sexy.” Again, when taken on its own, it doesn’t seem like much.

However, when asked if she would wear a revealing costume,
Monaco says that she’s better at being an onlooker and is then compared to an
old man by Taiwan. I don’t know, I read this as Monaco embodying something akin
to a male gaze…an appreciative male gaze. There’s also the stereotype that old
men are more perverted; obviously this isn’t the case, but it’s a pretty common
gag.

Take what you want from what I just presented, but I personally
believe there is enough evidence in the strips that at the very least hint at the
existence of same-sex attraction among the female nations.