Note: This post
can be taken as both a friendship and shipping post, so I’ll tag it
accordingly. I say shipping in the sense that this material would be useful tools
to incorporate into characterizations should anyone wish to write this pairing
more in tandem to canon.

A trend I’ve noticed in the fandom is that many people are
quick to dismiss the possibility of Japan and England sharing a good
relationship. I suspect that the anime’s portrayal of them in WW2 has a lot to
do with this conception. That said, what I seek to prove is that their
relationship—more specifically friendship because that’s what it is—extends before WW2. The two are and were actually very close allies.

That said, I’ve organized their relationship into three main
themes. All themes are linked to one another and contain substantive parallels
between their characters.

Loss of a Brother
Figure:

Both England and Japan experienced the pain of losing a
brother figure. Japan lost China, who raised him, and England lost America, who
he raised. While Japan’s historical isolation extends into the time where he
and China were still personally involved with each other, there is nonetheless the
unique parallel that both countries have experienced personal isolation.

Ex: China
developed a grudge after Japan betrayed him in WW2. Please note that the grudge
has since eroded away in the present.

Source: Hetarchive, The Story About the Early Days of China and Japan.

England and America both experienced a substantial loss and
tear in their personal relationship following the Revolution. This has also
since been rectified in the present.

Ex: America drank coffee in spite of his grudge over the
Revolution.

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

Ex: England dreams about raising America, an echo of his
latent and longing desire to live in the past again.

Source: Volume 3, England Dreaming of Long Days Passed.

Loneliness and Isolation:

Of course, the two didn’t just experience personal
isolation. They’re both known for their political isolation.

Ex: England,
being geographically isolated from continental Europe, became ostracized from other European nations.

Source: Volume 3, England Dreaming of Long Days Passed.

Ex: Japan grew
accustomed to telepathically communicating with other beings. In fact, he grew
so accustomed to it that when he first met Italy, he wasn’t in the habit of
speaking verbally [x]. 

Obviously, this isn’t overlooking the Westernization he
experienced during and after the Meiji era. The point is that his previous
isolation impacted his communication patterns.

Ex: In fact,
several strips in the series depicts Japan being overwhelmed upon opening his
country.

Source: Volume 4, Netherlands and Isolationist Japan. 

The neat tie between the two characters is that Himaruya
dedicates an entire strip to the two of them forming the Anglo-Japanese
alliance. The title of said strip is pretty self-evident as to how their
isolation impacted them:

“The Anglo-Japanese Alliance Between Two Lonely People.“

Lastly, there is also this comic gag that depicts their neko
versions overcoming their isolation by sharing a kitty box [x]. 

Cultural Sharing:

A last theme coursing through their relationship is the open
dialogue between their cultures. In other words, the two have a history of
sharing their cultures.

Ex: England enlists Japan’s help in teaching him how to make
better industrial design [x].

Ex: Japan adds his own spin to a traditional Christmas card and
England reciprocates the favour [x]. 

Ex: England hosts Japan at his café and aims to give the
latter an authentic English experience of the space [x]. 

Overall, England and Japan share a very gentle and generous
relationship, overlooked as it may be in light of other relationships that tend
to be underscored in fanon.