If you've ever seen the Organization XIII comics by Nire-chan and/or Ladychimera, especially the adaptations and cosplay done by Arxaith and Spoonychan, you will already have a slight idea of what this is like. In fact, though the two Youtube ladies have split into separate cosplay groups, they both do Hetalia now instead and continue to do it yaoi-style in similar fashion.
But I digress. Unless you are squeamish or easily offended by national or historical stereotypes, this series is worth looking at. I did out of morbid curiosity and despite my aversion to such things as international conflict and innuendo (it's not anything that bad, but you are required to type in your date of birth in order to watch it on Funimation's web site). While I did facepalm a lot and wish I was watching Red vs Blue instead (seasons 5 and 8 are my favorites), I did laugh at some parts and find others endearing. My eighth grade history teacher told us France and England fought like Itchy and Scratchy from The Simpsons (he could've just said Tom and Jerry, but whatever), and it shows since they have their own island offshoot to fight on. There was also a moment where England tried to strangle America like Homer does to Bart. America is an idiot but keeps showing up England with his technological advances, much to England's dismay. However, they can also be really sweet to each other, like when chibi America chose England over France to be his big brother. That was just one of those "awww" moments for me. Although England does get fed up with adult America and tries to kill him on occasion, he admits he never really hated him and in this week's episode tried to make friends with him, but America just ran away laughing, leaving him with Moby Dick.
As a fan or even casual viewer, your own nationality will be called into question (unless you are fortunate enough that your own country hasn't been lampooned yet). I want nothing to do with American Idiot. Sweden is gruff and aloof and scares everyone (so that's where I get it from). Scotland and Ireland have not made an appearance other than England's blaming Scotland for an accident or thinking about himself as America's big brother. So I've got England. Yay. I really feel sorry for that guy. Usually I have to side with the character who is the most sane or logical, and it comes as no surprise that it's Japan since this is a Japanese show (our thoughts and prayers go out to those affected by the quake, tsunami, and impending nuclear accident). There are far too many blondes to keep track of that don't appear regularly enough, and somehow Canada gets mistaken for America by nearly everyone when he's not ignored entirely. Also, there's this curious character called Sealand who's supposedly an offshore oil platform England left behind in a war (I have no idea). He's a little boy in a sailor suit who wants to be a country (going so far as to impersonate Canada) but is not formally recognized by anyone. England tells him to go home but Japan indulges him with Power Rangers Lost Galaxy. I'm dead serious.
It should be made perfectly clear that the countries are not the same as their leaders. They each have their own personality that supposedly represents all people in that country (I beg to differ) but have to do whatever their boss tells them to do whether or not they want to. I have to wonder, though, at what point they stop being countries and start being their own characters. Sometimes it's less historical (or what one of my colleagues has referred to as "history fail" in this case) and more gag comedy, meaning that the characters act according to the skit and are merely countries in name. The dub is good, but it does take creative license in its delivery and adaptation.
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