As I have said before, for Japanese anime/comic, usually was started from a comic (original) before the publishing company animation team turns it into an anime. And I always like the comic much more.

But recently I'm watching an anime, APH (Hetalia -Axis Powers) . “Hetalia” actually means “Italia” but that combination of the country name making it kind of saying “Useless Italy, in a funny way ). Chinese usually name it “黑塔利亞“ and a few various name like “意呆利， 百無一用意大利 ， 意大不利 ， In Hong Kong usually call it APH or “廢柴意大利“.) which also started from an original comic version … and oh god I'm SO addicted. Wait – this is a bit different with “normal” anime. It only has 5 minutes each episode.

Please read a quick guide below from Wikipedia first before I go through it:
English:
“Hetalia Axis Powers (ヘタリア Axis Powers) is a manga and anime series by Hidekaz Himaruya placed in a World War-era setting in which the countries are represented by anthropomorphic characters. Hetalia (ヘタリア?) is a made-up word combining hetare (へタレ) – Japanese for useless – and Italia (イタリア?). This is to make light of Italy's apparent cowardice during World War II.The main historical events portrayed in this work occurs between World War I and World War II. The series often uses satire and comedy to address well-known and lesser-known historical facts.”
Chinese 中文:
黑 塔利亞（Axis powers ヘタリア）是一部於網際網路上連載的漫畫，作者為日丸屋秀和，作品以世界歷史為主軸。它把將各個國家以及該國的文化以及風土民情擬人化，主要以喜劇的四格 及短篇為主。其單行本由幻冬社出版，但與網路版有稍微不同的差異。12日10月發行漫畫第二集。目前相關的周邊包含了 ;同人CD、商業DRAMA等。動畫版 於2009年1月24號開始播放。以世界史為主軸的故事，以世界上各國的風俗習慣作為角色特色來擬人化，稱國擬人。時間背景是第一次世界大戰到第二次世界 大戰之間，主角是軸心國的義大利，請放鬆的觀看此世界史實，不要太在意本作所開的種族玩笑。

So it seems a very sensitive theme anime – and in fact, yes – because it link up many countries, the background was setting in one of the saddest human history (both world wars). But the anime isn't going to talk much about how violent which country is (I think it would be hard for Japanese to accept as well), personally I really think its okay – because at least, the comic artist didn't twist the history. Just not talk about it - Mr Hidekaz Himaruya IS a Japanese, but he have lives aboard and travel a lot. The anime itself is kind of make fun of EVERY countries while talk about the culture and relationship, but never in a very bad way – I don't think they are trying to beautify the ugly history, just this is not an anime goes serious about war topic. It give you an idea what's roughly going on, and most importantly, its motivating audiences to dig out real history book, by a sarcastic introduction. Many who said they think history are boring, and even the Japanese inside the country didn't hae much chances to know too much abou the world war, start to want to know more. As an artist I think this is alreay a great job done. Also it mixed with one of the biggest anime fan girl factor – Yaoi (BL). Looks like everyone having a complicated relationship with another (most characters are boys – and they are all, so , cute!!!!!) . All the characters are really lovely and adorable in different perspective. This is one of the reason why the anime go SO popular, even for girls who are generally said to be not interested in reading history books.

I guess you have to be extra open-mind watching it. If there's a country have to get angry about the anime, it has to be, definitely Italy. Because he is the main character and he rely on Germany on every single thing, having a great grand father(Roman Empire), but he is a spoiled little kid who only know about pizza and pasta - But the country first complained about the anime wasn't Italy – just not much as a surprised but a bit disappointed – guess who? Yeah right, Korea.

Korean complained about it and citizen to sign up for stopping the anime and the comic. Reason? BECAUSE KOREA IS THE CENTRE OF THE WORLD AND THEY HAVING THE LONGEST HISTORY IN ASIA (or, oldest on earth soon), THEY EVEN CREATED THE CHINESE WRITING AND THE WHOLE ASIA JUST COPY THEIR HISTORY - As they usually claim. Not saying all Korean are like that of course, but it just happened WAY TOO OFTEN. I'm not sure how much Asian news you may read – like they registered some ancient Chinese traditional festivals to be their national festival and said it was ancient China copied from them, they say China and Japanese copy every single thing from them all the time. In this anime, Korea is a very lovely boy (like every one else), he is very relying to Japan and America, calling China ‘big brother'. ,this is the point why would they got so mad --- but in this anime, all Asian country / city call China 'big brother', even Japan is a younger brother of China --- The Korean are very mad at that because they think China is after Korea … ok well I don't care. But this anime really isn't doing any sarcastic for insult. Like China in this anime, he have a cute young boy look in his 20s, but in fact he is already 4000 years old. He is generally kind but extremely superstitious, also he is a big fan of Hello Gitty, which is a copy from Hello Kitty from Japan.......So what? Yes they are being sarcastic but in a cute way and this are true!

I means even you may having enough understanding of the Korean pride, but the anime isn't even insulting … just making fun, and again it make fun of everyone, even Japan him self (the anime was saying they are very stubborn and didn't know what's happening outside Japan, while they are so much admire of the western culture). France like to run naked and love himself too much so he won't learn English, though he is great at art and having great taste in wine and food (just you can't believe what they are actually eating) ... So what's the point of getting so upset? Even Italy (which the anime make fun of him the most) haven't complain yet – it wasn't like saying Germany kills Jews or Japanese killing Chinese is right in the anime, they were just using the relationship in world war period to reflecting something happening in our world NOW. I can't believe Korean don't even tolerate a little bit of a positive joke.

I guess I want to show you the characters. Info also from Wikipedia:
(Something in English version is not complete and didn't mentions compare to Chinese version, or having it in Chinese but not English .. I will translate to both a little bit)

So far, over 40 countries have been personified as human characters. In Hetalia, these characters are known as the Nations, and are normally referred to by their country's name.

Main characters 主要登場人物

For the characters (Countries) in the anime ... I just like EVERY of them. They are all adorable, all unique, even Italy act like a silly guy who forget his brain, you just can't hate him.

We shouldn't twist the history of course. But to hide it from your child also not right ... now we see the problem. Some people want to show the real history while many still don't want to ... at least this is a step to let people interested to find out... otherwise is this to chop each other's head off is the prefect ending that we are waiting for?

Um.... I've found the episode one on youtube. but no English subtitle. you may look up yourself later if you are interested to ....

LINK HERE

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