Q & A

It’s hard to believe Canada is older than
America lol

Again, given that England’s way of measuring age is who
learned the alphabet first—not to mention the uneasiness on
his face—I don’t think we can take that as a fact. It’s something
to keep in mind, an approximation, but not a tangible answer [x].

How do you think the nation’s interact with major
international/regional events (ie the World Cup). Off the example of the World
Cup, do you think they would have any part of it (ie, helping to greet their
NT, or shaking opposing nations hands before a match, etc) or would they be
just watching it/being as involved as normal people are? Watching tv, going to
games etc. thank you so much for all your content!

You’re welcome! I’m glad
you like it!

As far as I’m concerned,
it would be the latter. We’ve seen Romano and Italy abandon work to watch Fifa
2010 (due to other Italians being reported to do this), and there’s also the
scene where Romano and Spain watch professional soccer together [x].

Can you sum up the depiction of the American Revolution for
me?

That’s something you can
read for yourself! [x] [x] [x] [x].

But, you can have an
image of their mochis that’s coincidentally accurate of the event [x].

Hiya! So you’ve probably done a thing on this
already but could you make a thing about how rude Canada is?? He was pretty
mean in parts of the manga but those could’ve been faked idk

After you asked this, I did a post on the subject [x]. This is another misconception
concluding that Canada’s being mean without giving any context. He can be mean,
but it’s important to understand the reason for it. When he loses his temper,
it’s because he’s been pushed and taken advantage of too far. His anger doesn’t
just emerge in a vacuum.

It wasn’t fake either. Canada had and still has
a lot of pent-up frustration from being constantly compared to larger powers, especially America [x].

So Germany’s interested in Roman History?

Yes. There are numerous instances where he’s archiving and compiling
past historical records [x].

Q & A

would you consider france a narcissist? lately
people seem to make that one of his character traits and (correct me if I’m
wrong) I haven’t seen a lot of straight of narcissism in him, but yeah I could
be wrong. Thank you.

Yes and no.

There are different definitions of narcissism, so sometimes
they’re muddled and conflated together. He’s a mix and match of them.

He’s a narcissist in terms of his love for himself and the
great care and pride he takes in his physical appearance. He also satisfies the
craving for admiration requirement [x] [x].

The
most important point I want to stress is that France, unlike most narcissists, isn’t
selfish [x].

Do you think that Russia is annoyed at America
so much because America isn’t intimidated by him or something along those
lines? I ask this because America always seems purposefully oblivious to
Russia’s threats and relatively unphased by them while other nations are
terrified.

I really like how you said “purposefully oblivious,” because
that’s exactly how I read it too. A good example of this comes from Volume 5–America is completely unfazed by the threat.

Anyways, I would say so. Russia even admits that he sometimes
wants to “smash his [America’s] glasses into ten equal parts,” [x].

What was probably most frustrating for Russia is that
America was also able to keep up with his taunts and passive-aggressive stunts.

Ex: Russia gives America a ticket to Siberia for his
birthday. America says that he’ll use it to blow his nose if he gets a cold.
CLASSIC Cold War humour [x].

99% sure this would be canon [x].

where exactly do Germany’s dogs appear in the
comics? I’ve only seen the one where Berlitz bites Prussia. Also, has there
been any canon content where Germany got all lovey with his pups? Thanks!!

The strip you mentioned:
Private Concert [x].

Three dogs are named in
Germany’s Hattafutte Parade: Aster, Berlitz, and Blackie.

According to Hetarchive,
a trading card set indicates that he may also have two Dalmatians [x].

Berlitz shows up in
Volume 5. He’s male.

There’s also this panel
showing Germany grooming what looks to be his dachshund judging by its long
ears [x].

This seems to be a
bit out of the blue but do you think that Austria’s a lightweight in terms of drinking
alcohol….I have my doubts since Austrians drink more beer( and alcohol) than
Germany per capita do you think these statistics could affect a
nation……Just askin’

Population
statistics do affect certain traits and behaviours of the nations, but I don’t think
I’ve seen Himaruya incorporate alcohol tolerance yet, other than the fact that
Germany in canon drenches himself in beer several times a year.

I’m not sure on how
heavy Austrians are in drinking, but Austria the personification might be a lightweight.

He’s out cold while
the rest of the nations he’s with continue to drink all night [x].

Austria also tires easily, so that’s something to consider.

Q & A

Can I request some wholesome Britain please? 🇬🇧

Of course! England was the first person to follow America on Twitter [x].

to what extent are the countries affected by
climate/weather extremes in their countries? for example how would aussie be
affected by the droughts going on right now?

Two ways, as far as I’m
concerned.

They experience the
natural weather just like any other regular human does.

Ex: America hating the
cold weather [x].

Climate has also been
proven to impact the nation’s personality.

Ex: Iceland’s hot and
cold personality respectively stems from the volcanic activity and cool weather
of his country [x].

Do you think Romano was aware/ever became aware
of the fact that he got special treatment? Do you think he was happy about
that? (I have not read all of the comics so forgive me if it’s been stated in
canon.

He didn’t realize it
until he read a Spanish history textbook as an adult.

Vietnam once asks him to
teach her how to smile [x].

I
also hold that England and Romano are realistic. I’m tired of the criticism of
people hating on characters whose moods aren’t picture perfect. People are like
this in real life. Another character I would add is Italy and America; both
mask their insecurities by overcompensating with smiles.

Pet peeves about Hetalia fans?

Again, these mildly agitate me. It’s not like I’m fuming and
foaming at the mouth lol. There’s much more positivity these days than there is anything negative.

1) Why is there so much cluelessness and misinformation
spread when 95% of the answers can be found on google? Hetarchive literally has
100s of wiki pages dedicated to making this information available. I can guarantee you that most of your
questions can be answered this way.

2) On top of information, most of the manga is easily
accessible on the internet—again, a round of applause and
gratitude for Hetarchive. Ignorance isn’t
an excuse.

3) Why does the mere fact of someone not liking
your ship personally offend you? Just leave them be. You don’t have to defend
your ship to them nor do you have to force it.

4) Opinions on fanworks are always going to differ.
Accept that and move on. People are entitled to their opinions. What they aren’t
entitled to is making accusations with no substantiation or sending personal
attacks to fans of certain works/ ships. That’s unacceptable.

Be kind. We’re bound by our love for Hetalia. To the best of your ability try not to let the different reasons you love it divide this fandom into opposing factions.

Below will be a list of parallels between America and Russia
that I think would benefit any RusAme writer should they wish to incorporate
them into their works. While in canon there is minimal romantic substantiation,
this post merely aims to provide writers with tools that highlight the similar chemistries
and complexes that America and Russia both experience. In no way is this
forcing the ship onto anyone either.

Child Imagery:

America:

Both are equated to children, albeit in different aspects.

America is seen as young, brash, and inexperienced by older
nations [x] [x].

Ex: He categorizes the world into good guys and bad guys.

Russia:

Meanwhile, having been abused and traumatized in his
childhood, Russia later inflicts this same abuse onto others as an adult. He’s
described as child-like and is respectively noted to be unaware of his cruelty [x].

Point is, Russia isn’t cognitively aware of all this. I should also warn that
this abuse isn’t something that should be romanticized.

Instead, a more appropriate linkage would be the similar childish
perception of the world that he has.

Ex: He thinks that everyone he meets is his friend.

Ex: He naively believes that the Allies are his friends.
Lithuania has to point out to him that self-interest will always come first in
politics.

Weight Issues:

Both are insecure about their weight and physique [x] [x] [x] [x].

Strength:

They both possess immense strength [x].

Loneliness and Fear of Being Alone:

America:

At one point his only friends were Japan and England.

He struggled to make friends and was fully aware of the fact
that he wasn’t viewed in high regard by other nations [x].

Russia:

He’s had trouble making friends his whole life.

People outside of Hetalia:
Russia and America must hate each other!

Hetalia
fan: Actually, while existing
to represent their people—NOT their
governments—personifications are also individual human beings
with their own free will (who would have guessed).

Of course, it is important to
recognize that some shipping dynamics for various historical, ethnic,
religious, or political reasons are not appropriate and are too sensitive of a circumstance
to fictionalize.

In other words, USE DISCRETION.

Nonetheless, nations have the
capacity to separate themselves from their politics and personally be friends
with each other. Instead of pushing for division and hostility like many of its
critics do, Hetalia emphasizes comraderie and friendship.

-Thank you for coming to my HET
talk [x].

That trivia source you use to show Sweden is confirmed gay also lists the Netherlands as a “xenophobic, tsundere, lolicon.” Has the Netherland’s portrayal changed since this (hopefully)?

Yes, it has…dramatically.

This is something that I always emphasize: use discretion.

When it comes to older portrayals and newer ones, the rule of thumb that I use is piecing together what aspects of the characterization have remained and which haven’t. What is it that remains true to the character?

Ex: Is France still an aggressive, deplorable pervert? No.

Does he still like his pecs? Yes. [x].

You don’t ignore the insensitivity and inappropriate shock humour used in the past completely but rather you acknowledge that Himaruya has grown past this and has evolved as a creator.

Any juicy or angsty RusAme hints in the comic that I can use? I just joined the fandom, and would like to be as accurate as possible. Thank you!

aph-fedya:

ellawritesficssometimes:

If you’re asking about hints, that requires a lot more time and thought. However, there are some similarities between them that I can briefly go over. In my opinion, it makes for excellent shipping material.

For starters, they’re both incredibly insecure individuals. They want to make friends but have trouble doing so, and don’t always recognize that what they’re doing is wrong.

Ex: America being nosy and poking into everyone’s business, and Russia’s cruel treatment of other nations under his rule.

Personally, what I would use as a good focal point for conflict is the fact that they both think everyone hates them:

That’s a very good point! I never realize it before! Cool 🙂

Some additions for the anon.

Some common grounds I see similar from both of them is how they’re double-faced / hiding their true feelings/loneliness behind their smiles / their childish like attitude towards other nations.

an example for APH America: http://hetascanlations.tumblr.com/post/145490193325/hetalia-world-stars-chapter-177-original

Example for APH Russia:

http://hetascanlations.tumblr.com/post/155658045360/hetalia-world-stars-chapter-235-original

More of that could be read here:

http://glerasaurus.tumblr.com/post/163719864522/i-love-how-your-rusame-stuff-has-this-sort

As for historical side, though it’s not really emphasized much on hetalia, Himaruya did make a revolutionary war strip featuring APH Russia in it. And though it’s such a small panel for him in it, it represents how they started out even before APH America became a nation; APH Russia was one of nations who supported him in revolutionary war.

http://hetascanlations.tumblr.com/post/148671406375/hetalia-world-stars-chapter-194-original

There’s also this strip where Imperial Russia purposefully ignore England’s blockade to get to America (which I think represents historical events when Russian traders still trade with Americans with commodity like fur, despite England’s naval blockade http://hetascanlations.tumblr.com/post/148580497795/hetalia-world-stars-chapter-193-original)

Also at American Civil War era, Russia also was one of few nations who supported the Union (though idk if Himaruya ever focused on it and made it official strip). And Russia’s support at Civil War era even discussed among historians to be one of factors that made France and Great Britain reluctant to support Confederate and this, making it possible for Union to win the Civil War. (for the history lovers, you could check it here http://www.voltairenet.org/article169488.htmlhttp://www.voltairenet.org/article169488.html)

So what makes this angsty for this pairing is that, their bilateral relationship started out really great in imperial russian era, until russian revolution started and changed Russia to USSR. Just imagine how their hundreds years of warm friendship suddenly turnt 180 degree in just few years. And basically made them act passive aggressive like this most of the time on Himaruya’s strip:

http://hetascanlations.tumblr.com/post/115003476860/hetalia-world-stars-chapter-53-original

I think it’s canon that despite their passive aggressive bickering, APH Russia still wants to become friend with APH America. Like we could see here in this official strip where APH Russia imagines if every nations turns to children (including APH America here), there would be no conflict of interests and they could become friend.

http://hetascanlations.tumblr.com/post/110239090480/request-wand

While idk if APH America also feels the same way towards APH Russia, I think his nonchalantness in butting his way to APH Russia’s business just like how he acts towards other nations despite their long history of passive aggressiveness in hetalia universe is also kind of a hint that APH America also still wants to be friend with APH Russia.

Like how APH America asked APH Russia to be his accomplice for hetaween 2013 besides APH Japan which he dubs as his “only friend” besides APH England (http://hetarchive.net/scanlations/2013hal/2013hal_3.php)

And he also helps in the prior halloween event on 2011 (http://www.hetarchive.net/scanlations/event.php?hllp)

There’s also that one scene in APH Paint it white where APH America went straight to APH Russia for his “sidekick” and not to other nations.

Idk, I might be biased since I’m a RusAme fan and all but I think those hints based on how they interacted with each other in canon shows that they actually want to be friends with each other despite their passive aggressiveness in canon.

And knowing how they actually started out great as friends in Imperial Russian era like how I explained above, I think it’s kind of bittersweet and shows how friendship in Hetalia universe is kind of fragile and depends on the “interest” each nation has. How hundreds of years wonderful bilateral relationship between USA and Imperial Russian Era could decay so quickly in just few years after Russia changed his boss and become USSR. Maybe that could be the “angsty” aspect that anon search for in canon, idk.

Bravo to anyone who reads this long post until the end btw, you guys rock 🙂

I DON’T want you to think I’m being a hole by asking this, lol, I’m really just genuinely curious-and open minded. I’m wondering why you like RusAme. Like, what are the reasons for that? Any canon reasons as well? I’ve just never seen the appeal. I thought they got along too badly. I guess you can write this as a persuasive essay to get someone to ship RusAme, lol.

I’ll be quick with this,

-You’re not being rude,
so don’t worry about that. I appreciate that you’ve gone through the lengths to
inquire about the reasons. Not many people are capable of this, unfortunately
🙂

-I’m a multi-shipper, so
it’s not like I only ship them together. (Mainly saying this for those who see this
post).

-In general: Not
everyone has to have a reason for their ship other than simply liking it. They
shouldn’t feel obligated to justify it either.

-It’s a misconception
that Russia and America don’t get along [x]. During the Cold War, their relationship
was a myriad of passive-aggressiveness [x] and yes, dick jokes [x]. Presently, the
two get along really well. Although, the passive-aggressiveness remains.

-I don’t want to
persuade anyone to ship RusAme. They can see the information and decide for
themselves. I’ll just point toward some neat parallels between them that would
form the grounds for effective fic writing.

Post coming up tonight!

With the sketch in the last post I think Himaruya said that’s what the UK brothers would look like but he just didn’t name them so people are speculating since the guy on top looks like a silhouette of Scotland shown in another comic.

[I provided the link??]

No. This is all Himaruya says underneath:

“The second one from top is without a doubt a tsundere. Third one has the most cunning aura.”

Scottland’s appearance is auditory in “The Battle for America” but he does make one [x].

Himaruya also toys with Scotland’s design in this post [x], but nothing is made official. Given the eyebrows, chances are that those are them, but it still remains that it’s not canon unless explicitly stated otherwise by Himaruya.