White Flags and Pasta

Hetalia is a Japanese manga that was turned into a very popular anime show. It's about the personifications of nations and their interactions through history. Most of the first two seasons are about the Axis Powers in World War Two. Instead of being sad and violent like you may expect when looking at world history, for the most part it's a very cute story. Most of the characters are based off of World War Two stereotypes of the country they represent.

By Hidekazu Himaruya And Funimation
Front to back: Italy, Germany, Japan, America,
China, England, Russia, and France

The Allies, (America, England, France, China, Canada and Russia) and the Axis (Italy, Germany, and Japan) are the main characters, but there are over 50 characters, including countries that no longer exist, like Holy Roman Empire or Prussia. There are also some micro-nation characters, like Sealand, who somehow always manages to get on England’s nerves. Then again, it’s not very difficult to get on his nerves, ask France.

My favorite characters are Russia, Canada, Finland, and as if that was not enough europeans, Prussia. Many Hetalians do not like Russia because he is a little scary, but he is seriously sweet and very cute. Do not argue with me, I am an expert. Canada is a quiet introvert who is either overlooked or mistaken for America all the time. Oh, and he has a pet polar bear (casually adds polar bear to christmas list). 

Finland is not a very big character in the series, but it is Finland, he is a nordic, he is nice, he is married to Sweden, he is just too awesome not to be included. Then last but definitely not least, ze awesome Prussia. Capable of breaking the fourth wall, Annoying his brother Germany 24/7, and keeping a diary from the dawn of time, Prussia is quite clearly just as awesome as he constantly states.

The closest thing the story has to a main character is Italy, who is relatively defenseless and ends up being caught by the Allies multiple times, only to be given back to Germany because he talks way too much.

In all honesty, I just can not find it in me to dislike any of the characters, even Turkey and Cuba. I think they all have really admirable traits and relationships with one another. This is by far my favorite anime, even though it is not as serious as Attack on Titan or Death Note, it makes me really happy to just watch it and it has some really cute messages from time to time.

I have learned more about pre American history from a TV show about the personifications of nations getting into petty fights and insulting British food at every turn than I have in an actual history classroom. I would not know what Liechtenstein is, and I would not have been able to answer most of the Jeopardy questions that I have (It is a good show ok?) without having watched Hetalia. It also makes Geography more interesting and it can be credited with helping me pass the European map test with flying colors.

Hasta la pasta!