2009 · National personification · Yaoi

Hetalia

2009 manga and anime series

Released: 2009
Platforms: —
Genres: National personification Yaoi
Developers: —
Publishers: —
Country: Japan

About

Hetalia: Axis Powers (Japanese: ヘタリア Axis Powers, Hepburn: Hetaria Akushisu Pawāzu) is a Japanese webcomic written and illustrated by Hidekaz Himaruya. It was adapted as a manga series, which was serialized in Comic Birz from 2006 to 2013. A dark humor genre anime adaptation, produced by Studio Deen, premiered in 2009. The series' main presentation is as a comedic allegory of political and historic events as well as more general cultural comparisons.

Characters are mostly male personifications of countries, regions, and micronations, with both positive and negative cultural stereotypes forming part of each character's personality. Hetalia (ヘタリア) is a portmanteau combining hetare (ヘタレ; 'useless' or 'pathetic' in a cute or endearing way) and "Italia" (イタリア, Itaria; 'Italy').

The articlegameplay, story, development, reception

Story

Hetalia: Axis Powers draws from historical events, particularly those following World War II. It frequently reflects a Japanese perspective on political and historical matters and cultural comparisons.

The manga portrays personifications of nations and regions. Over 60 countries and territories have been depicted. These depictions draw from positive and negative cultural stereotypes.

Reception

Both volumes of the printed manga version of Hetalia: Axis Powers have topped The New York Times manga best seller list. Volume 1 topped the list on October 10, 2010, and Volume 2 topped the list on January 16, 2011. Volume 1 has been in the top ten for twenty-one weeks and Volume 2 for fourteen weeks.

Readers reviews of the British magazine NEO gave positive to mixed reviews for the anime version.