Hetalia: Axis Powers (2009– )

Stars:

Christopher Bevins, Scott Freeman, Todd Haberkorn

Cast

Series cast summary:
Christopher Bevins	...	Japan (2 episodes, 2009)
Scott Freeman	...	England (2 episodes, 2009)
Todd Haberkorn	...	Italy (2 episodes, 2009)
Clarine Harp	...	China (2 episodes, 2009)
Chuck Huber	...	Austria (2 episodes, 2009)
Go Inoue	...	Spain (2 episodes, 2009)
Jerry Jewell	...	Russia (2 episodes, 2009)
Daisuke Namikawa	...	Italy (2 episodes, 2009)
Masaya Onosaka	...	France (2 episodes, 2009)
Brina Palencia	...	Chibitalia (2 episodes, 2009)
Patrick Seitz	...	Germany (2 episodes, 2009)
Yasuhiro Takato	...	Russia (2 episodes, 2009)
J. Michael Tatum	...	France (2 episodes, 2009)
Eric Vale	...	America (2 episodes, 2009)
Hiroki Yasumoto	...	Germany (2 episodes, 2009)

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

anime | political satire

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Taglines:

Make pasta not war!

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Genres:

Animation | Comedy

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Certificate:

TV-MA

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Release Date:

24 January 2009 (Japan)

Filming Locations:

Tokyo, Japan

Company Credits

Production Co:

FUNimation Entertainment, Kids Station, Studio DEEN

Technical Specs

Runtime:

5 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

16:9 HD

Did You Know?

Trivia

First published as a Web Comic then serialized as a manga by Gentosha Comics.

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Quotes

Germany: [Training Italy, holding a grenade] I'll teach you how to use a hand grenade. First, remove and discard the pin to arm it.
[Removes the pin with his teeth and tosses the grenade, which explodes tremendously on the cliff in front of them]
Germany: Then throw it at the enemy's position... is how it goes. Think you can handle it?
Italy: [Dazed as usual] Yes, understood! If it's just that, I think I can do it if I try!
Germany: [Is then hit in the head with something] Hey, don't throw it at-!
[...]

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Soundtracks

"Maru Kaite Chikyuu"
(Draw a Circle, That's the Earth)
Performed by Daisuke Namikawa (as Italy)
Lyrics, music and arrangement by Saki
(Ending theme)

User Reviews

Amusing five minute shorts

This series of short episodes where each character represents a country and national stereotypes are to the fore could easily have caused offence but for the most part managed to avoid that by making all of the characters likable; although it might seem that way to me because the worst thing said about my country was that it can't cook! Most early episodes follow poor cowardly Italy as he tries to befriend Germany, they are later joined by Japan. Meanwhile another group of countries, including America, England, France, China, Russia and Canada are getting together to fight against them; this gives Italy plenty of opportunity it wave his white flag. While most of the stories take part in this time period we also see Italy's childhood with his friend Holy Rome, England finding a young America and even an appearance by poor unrecognised Sealand.

After the first episode I didn't think I'd bother with the rest but after a few months returned to the series and watched the second episode which got me hooked. Some times the change in times can be a little confusing but there are usually historical notes explaining if a new story line is beginning. With a few minor exceptions all the countries are male and while there is nothing overtly sexual going on between them viewers could be excused for thinking their friendships could have gone that way. While I wouldn't recommend using this as a way of learning history it does mention events and countries that might inspire viewers to learn more about the real countries and events. Given how short the episodes are I'd certainly recommend checking out a few to see if you like it; especially as it can currently be viewed legally on Funimation's YouTube Channel along with the next series which is known as 'Hetalia World Series'.