A run-down of different perceptions
and common disputes over canon material.

Can England really not swim?

It’s taken as a fact by
most that England can’t swim. On the other hand, some people are unsure whether
this should be considered canon given that Himaruya made the post in reference
to how British people in horror films stereotypically can’t swim [x].

Teenage Holy Rome?

It’s a common
understanding that the Holy Rome that appeared in the Christmas 2011 event was
a teenager. The younger Holy Rome that appears in chapter 187 of World Stars
would then be a consistency error…

However, if you really
look at the 2011 version of Holy Rome, he’s too small to be a teenager/
pre-teen. Specifically, look at his size in comparison to Hungary as she holds
him.

His age in 2011
corroborates more with his age in World Stars than it does with old sketches
that depict him more clearly of being of a teenage age.

World stars [x].

Old Sketch [x]

There’s also the Private Concert strip where Holy Rome is depicted. He seems to match the ages of the 2011 and
World Stars versions [x].

Perhaps what happened
here is that Himaruya decided to make Holy Rome younger in later strips to
better fit some narrative/ plot that we have yet to see unfold.

Human Names?

The human names were
originally posted by Himaruya in response to a fan request. Since he deleted
the yahoo blog these were from, some don’t consider them to be canon despite
their popular usage.

Me: It’s okay, I’ll get through this.

*another thing goes wrong*

Me:

Unlike Romano, who admittedly received special treatment, Spain was very strict and stern with his other colonies [x].

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.

Jesus Christ, you guys are super sweet. Thank you 😀

I would just like to point out that I’m going to be brief here. I’ve already covered this topic and don’t typically re-answer questions. I have a post directory and it’s your responsibility to read it along with the ask guidelines before you send in an ask! [x]

Anon 1: Any material that isn’t deleted is still canon, which includes the old characterizations, unfortunately.

What I can’t stress enough is the use of discretion in recognizing that the way the characters are portrayed is far different now. Years of material have consistently proven that Himaruya’s learned from his mistakes and has grown as a creator.

It’s just as wrong to hold on to previous characterizations as ‘evidence’ as it is to completely ignore and deny their existence.

Anon 2: It’s not a DNA/ deterministic behaviour type of thing. My understanding is that it stems from custom and tradition.

We’ve seen this before with America. How he behaves in world meetings goes against conventional norms.

Notice how Russia mentions that they’re [as in those nations who are older than America] are bound by tradition, (Together with Russia, Volume 5).

From what I can recall, there is one instance where a nation goes against their bosses’ wishes.

Occurs during the Anglo-Japanese Alliance Arc…

Japan claims that his boss “went on his own accord” in speaking to Russia and apologizes to England, who at the time didn’t have good relations with Russia [x].

Anon 3: That’s one thing about Hetalia that’s a bit confusing. Its rules are flimsy and there are several exceptions. Perhaps with France the matter was the question of the legitimacy of the government.

Anyways, we do know what happened to him in canon. He went to live with England after the Nazis occupied him (Volume 5, Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité and…)

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.

When you’re interested in someone but you’re both too stubborn to make the first move

I’m a bit confused about the “nations need to follow their boss’ orders” thing. Didn’t France side with his people against his government during the French Revolution? (Or was that a fanart I saw… Oops.) The whole obeying thing’s kinda sad. They represent the people but have to obey the government that does not always do what the people want. I have to thank you for doing all these theories and explanations and things because I’ve learned lots about how the world of Hetalia works through you.

Any time, and not quite!

France sides with his
people after the Revolution. The rule of thumb is that whoever is in power acts
as the personification’s boss.

In the case of the French
Revolution, there was a shift in government from the divine rule of the French
Monarchy to the alleged democratic rule of his people. (Didn’t really play out
that way, oops.)

You see France suffer
from the turmoil of the Revolution on the sidelines as his people overthrow the
government [x].

It’s only after the
people are in power, in the government more importantly, that he sides and celebrates
with them.

He later tries to convince other European nations with monarchies to let citizen-rule prevail. Instead, they perceive him as a threat; abolishing monarchies would be an end to the social order that had organized their lives for so long.

[x] [x]

Russia is a clearer
example of how government changes are depicted.

He’s tasked with
quelling a protesting group of citizens during Bloody Sunday, despite evidently
not wanting to do it. Notice how he’s crying [x].

The process of changing governments
and respective boss changes is well demonstrated in chapter 61 of World Stars [x].

Don’t be sorry!

I don’t have headcanons because I don’t want to exclude or limit the scope of how others interpret the characters. While the nations don’t have any explicit canon sexual orientation that they identify as (Sweden is the only exception), one thing that I’ve always liked about the series is how inclusive its conception of love and attraction is, even in its early years.

Example and reference post coming up tonight!

England: If you win, you better not rub it in, you hear me?

France: Who do you take me for? Of course I won’t!

*wins the World Cup*

France: