Hetalia is hillarious.

I seriously wonder why the Koreans are so pissed off over Hetalia. If there’s anyone who should be even remotely pissed off by this show, it’d be the Italians. The show is poking so much fun on them, ROFL.
Not only Italy’s a sissy boy, he’s a coward, a virgin and he loves his pizza and pasta. I have to say, his “PASTAAAAAaaaa!!!” speech in episode one is meme-tastic.

tienguan Said,
February 3, 2009 @ 7:42 pm
man i want more of this show…..japan for an otaku lol and i do not understand how the heck the Koreans come into the picture.
RogerOskaner Said,
February 3, 2009 @ 8:23 pm
I liked the first episode enough, but the second episode was great
As an italian myself, Italia is my favourite character
Magnius of the Chaos Said,
February 3, 2009 @ 11:15 pm
We Koreans tend to get pissed off at anything the Japanese do.
Like, you know, invade our country, take our women, dedicate a shrine to the war criminals responsible for most of our miseries, rewrite their history books in a blatant act of denial, make racist remarks, refuse to own up to their mistakes, write manga that seems slightly offensive, make an anime of that slightly offensive manga, etc.
Well, the last two ain’t that big a deal, but the rest is why Korea is particularly uptight when it comes to the last two. Cause, you know, the Japanese didn’t invade Italy and do that shit.
Not that I really give a damn.
It’s a fucking show. And I don’t even like my own country that much. I mean, mandatory military service?
gonzomehum Said,
February 4, 2009 @ 12:47 am
It’d be the same as if an American cartoon were to depict African Americans in the slightest offensive manner. Even if the intent was to satirize /everybody/, the cultural burdens that comes with racial stereotypes far outweighs the humor.
Sure, the Korean backlash against Hetalia’s overblown. But not by as much as most commentators choose to believe.
Diss Said,
February 4, 2009 @ 1:08 am
Never seen Boondocks or the one show on Fox by Eddie Murphy…uh PJ’s i think?
anon Said,
February 4, 2009 @ 1:13 am
invaded – checked
kidnap our women – checked
rape our women – checked
tortured – checked
massacred – checked
hunt us to the end of south east Asia – checked
we Chinese got to be more angry than u Korean…or so u think,right kuroganesan?
Hamster Said,
February 4, 2009 @ 1:41 am
Hey its an anime based around 1930s/WWII countries and combatants of course its gonna p*ss a lot of countries off, and get blown out of proportion for an anime.
I’m half expecting them to include a Polish Jew in it at some point, and then depict them wearing a shower-cap.
Magnius of the Chaos Said,
February 4, 2009 @ 1:56 am
@ anon
Point taken, my brrrrother.
alien b Said,
February 4, 2009 @ 2:02 am
humans are weird. :D
Role Said,
February 4, 2009 @ 2:19 am
I find it amusing that the Koreans are being babies over this. They need to grow up. I mean, heck, just look on the internet for about five minutes and I’m sure you can find something WAY worse than this… Heck, a certain image board comes to mind that’d put the ‘insult level’ of this show to shame.
gonzomehum Said,
February 4, 2009 @ 3:30 am
@diss
As always, an exception is made when somebody /of/ that ethnicity chooses to make fun of it. Self-mocking is generally considered preferable and more politically correct than if somebody outside of the perceived worldview chooses to make the joke.
Kaisos Said,
February 4, 2009 @ 4:11 am
If you ask me, the Koreans need to get over something that happened over 60 years ago…
Heero Yuy Said,
February 4, 2009 @ 5:06 am
@Kaisos: Seriously… I mean, if they want to go to that kind of extent, forget getting angry at the Japanese. We bombed the f*** out of the Japanese (indirectly helping the Koreans) and then we even helped South Korea against their northern invading buddies. So South Korea, if you’re supposedly just getting even for past history, why don’t you pay up your tab first??
My BS’ed argument just now holds about as much water as theirs does (which is to say, virtually nothing), so how about we both stop acting like idiots and get back to our lives…
The Hordesman Said,
February 4, 2009 @ 5:54 am
I wouldn’t say Koreans are pissed as much as pathetic people are pissed, and currently there are alot of pathetic people there.
AznCoffee Said,
February 4, 2009 @ 8:31 am
Ugh, when I read about that, it made me be ashamed to be Korean…
those pricks…
I want my anime dammit! @__@
and yes, Hetalia IS amajjing.
Only wish there was more…
Freedom III Said,
February 4, 2009 @ 8:38 am
I really need to find a source for the manga and anime raws…
As for the whole getting insulted thing, I’m American, Japanese, French, Canadian, Welsh, Irish, Native American, and a few others…if I got insulted over something this comedy-oriented every time, I’d have been put in anger management by the time I was 3…
hashi Said,
February 4, 2009 @ 9:05 am
Everybody is too effing touchy about things that happened 70 years ago, but…. Things would be a lot better if the Japanese didn’t continue to think of Koreans and Chinese as inferiors. Unfortunately, this can only ruin Japan in the long run, as China becomes more and more powerful and ordinary Chinese continue to hate Japan.
By the way, Heero Yuy, the US didn’t help Koreans for their sake, it helped Koreans for its own sake. And it divided Korea in two because it didn’t have the money or even the ability to win a war against China without using nuclear weapons. So Korea has no bill to pay. It has been the US’s front-line proxy for the past 60 years.
One thing about the Korean reaction: it’s getting me to watch the show.
Magnius of the Chaos Said,
February 4, 2009 @ 10:03 am
I thought Heero Yuy was being sarcastic. o_O
As for the series itself, I tried reading the web manga / comic thing, and didn’t like it that much. Kinda bland. Would watch the anime, but the quality is poor because we Koreans kept on whining until the Japanese moved it to the phone, or so I here.
And yes, we Koreans. That is, ALL of us. Because God forbid that people of the same race can have different ideas.
Dakkar Said,
February 4, 2009 @ 10:14 am
Hm, let’s see… Russia has lost over 35 million people during WWII, not to count those who died in the following years due to the consequences of the war. And it’s just the people killed, without mentioning ones tortured, taken as slaves over to Germany, and so on. Still, nowdays modern Russians don’t exhibit particular antipathy towards modern Germans. In fact, I’d say they like them way more compared to what they think of Americans. BTW, Russians in the Far East also suffered from Japan, yet…
So, all the cries from Korea look quite overblown. In fact, if not for them, I wouldn’t even know about Hetalia, so, Korea, thanks for the advertisement :D
TP Said,
February 4, 2009 @ 11:04 am
Oh, cry me a river. This “Korean insult” incident needs to get over with. Seriously, if you guys are going to bring in more than a century of historical baggage, I suggest you drop all culturally-imported aspects of Korean life: modernity, high-speed trains, kimchi etc. etc. Because in one way or another, the Japanese have influenced Korean culture as far back as the Three Kingdom days.
In the end, you all are descended from the same father (or ape if you’re a Darwinist), so freaking put Japan on your /ignore list, because there’s nothing much you can do about trying to put an A-bomb on Tokyo again…
…That is if, the Imperial Empire of Japan decides to go expansionist again.
Charlo Said,
February 4, 2009 @ 11:49 am
Actually it’s really only a minority which are the netizens, government people, and mass media…people, I guess.
So basically people who don’t have a good reputation to start with (especially netizens…damn you netizens)
I’m Korean and I think Hetalia = genius. 8D oh Italy, you make me want to bathe in pasta.
You also forgot that he was dressed as a girl when he was little and gave his panties to mini-Holy Roman Empire.
yanipheonu Said,
February 4, 2009 @ 1:31 pm
>_> I’m just pissed Canada’s not there. It’s not like we integral any many part of the war or anything /sarcasm.
Kaisos Said,
February 4, 2009 @ 2:01 pm
According to the States and most other countries, we aren’t, sadly.
Although Canada is in the original manga, I believe.
Silent Minstrel Said,
February 4, 2009 @ 8:43 pm
Russian don’t exhibit particular antipathy towards modern Germans because Germans officially apolozide and took the responsiblity for waging the WWII.
Korean(and Chinese)hate Japanese because they never do what Germans did.
Magnius of the Chaos Said,
February 4, 2009 @ 9:08 pm
Well, with good reason.
Canada is responsible for Celine Dion, you know. You haven’t apologized for her yet.
Nah, I kid. I love Canada. I live in Canada, for God’s sake.
Dakkar Said,
February 4, 2009 @ 10:11 pm
@Silent Minstrel
In what form exactly has Germany taken responsibility? As for apologies, they did apologize to the entire world, but mind you, Germany was literally conquered and a half of it was under USSR’s… patronage for quite a while. I’m pretty much sure Japan was quite sorry about all it did to States as well, but I don’t remember Korea or China beating Japan in the course of war, even though population-wise Japan clearly had no advantage. Countries tend to do lots of nasty things to their neighbors all over the world, but the stronger almost never apologize to the weaker, unless pressed into it by an overwhelming third-party. It’s not Japan’s fault that no one in the region was able to put them to their place until Americans came, is it? And just crying about the well-known cruelties of the war has never been much of a help.
TheBigN Said,
February 5, 2009 @ 2:26 am
What makes the whole thing funny is that I don’t think Korea is planned to be used in the anime at all, making the complaints for the anime at least seem moot and hollow.
tokmoh Said,
February 7, 2009 @ 10:33 pm
Ya rly, y so srs?
Aerojohn Said,
February 8, 2009 @ 2:42 pm
I’m Italian and as a Italian as you can get, and I find it hilarious how they think we love pasta that much…well we kinda do. But I agree with you that Pasta line made me crack up.
Ias Said,
February 10, 2009 @ 12:21 pm
bcuz hetalia is srs fukin bsns.
carly Said,
February 24, 2009 @ 9:17 am
everyone needs to stop fighting about it, geez :c
my friend who originally introduced me to the series is actually italian (she lives in Italy) and she loves how Italy is portrayed haha
I’m canadian and everything said about canada is true so I don’t mind, really.
We humans are so silly.
ladykylie Said,
February 24, 2009 @ 3:04 pm
oh my … after reading all the comments. I have to say how much I love Canadian both in the anime and in reality … Carly’s comment is very wise and very touching, though it just a few lines.
I’m from Hong Kong. The China copy right hello kitty thing is true, but it show respect of the culture in China as well. Hong Kong people having language difficulties and need to mix Japanese and English word in the conversation is also true. Korean mad at the anime is mainly because the lovely Korean boy call China “big brother” and telling the truth that Korea claim everything originally come from them (even some ancient Chinese poet’s festival or Chinese writing) – but not all Korean are like that of course.
And I agreed that if anyone has to get piss off it has to be the Italian, but they are so cool – they just laugh it off. Important thing is this anime isn’t really doing any insult of purpose. It make fun of every countries but not in a nasty way.
HBpen Said,
February 28, 2009 @ 10:58 pm
Well, if Korea-kun was shouting ‘kimchiiiiiiiiiiii’ or ‘Riceeeeeeeee’ or whatever, I’m preety sure Korean’s wouldn’t have cared this much.
Hetalia obviously hit some sore spot that exists between freakingly-long-dragged history between Korea and Japan :(
The Japanese-flag thing was certainly not a wise thing for the original creator of this manga to draw so.
The problem of ownership of rich-resource island between Korean and Japan was on its peak, and quarrel going on between them in internet, well…
It was such nice timing for Hetalia to freak Koreans (at extra-sensitive state) out, wasn’t it?
Korea’s sensitive action may seem super sensitive and disturbing to foreigh Hetalia lovers, but, well, it’s quiet natural for Korea and they are certainly on progress of solving this out through time.
well, I liked about Korea-kun’s outfit anyhow.
+ and planning to watch actual anime for correct judgement
oh, I’m korean living in VN for quiet long time but please do not feel biased about my opinion already.
Kana Said,
June 10, 2009 @ 4:47 pm
“gonzomehum said:It’d be the same as if an American cartoon were to depict African Americans in the slightest offensive manner. Even if the intent was to satirize /everybody/, the cultural burdens that comes with racial stereotypes far outweighs the humor.
Sure, the Korean backlash against Hetalia’s overblown. But not by as much as most commentators choose to believe.”
lol ZOMG ……….THEY DO IT ALL THE TIME!
It’s so normal we just say f’ck it and go on xD…..soooo much stereotyping in u.s.a for Mexican and african americans on tv….someone said Boondocks……in that show he specifically says black monkey and monkey with with lipstick ^^;;;;.life goes on….and i still like the show…
*laaate post*
Elsa-chan Said,
July 11, 2009 @ 1:51 pm
If Koreans get pissed off at the Japanese invading their country, what more the Philippines? It was written in several history books that Filipinos suffered MORE casualties and deaths in WWII when Japan conquered the Philippines and when America “saved” the Philippines.
And if discrimination is involved, at least Korea-kun wore a traditional outfit… I can imagine Philippines-tan (if she were a girl) she’d probably be wearing a maid outfit (for the fact that Filipinos have a bad reputation of being a domestic helper/maid in other countries…)
micchi Said,
September 1, 2009 @ 8:27 pm
tssh.
I’m Italian, unluckily for me, and we have way bigger problems to deal with.
Just think of our leader :DDDD [for who doesen't know who he is, is the smurf who said to Obama "That young, tanned boy :D"]
anyway, I really loved this anime, and every time I eat pizza or pasta [and that means every single day of my short life ❤] I think of Hetalia.
And that just makes my day happier ❤❤
To be a perrrfect italian, I only have to grow a big pair of mustaches, wear a salopette and jump around yelling “OH! MAMMAMIA!” XD
Hikari Kame Said,
October 5, 2009 @ 1:43 pm
I’m Chinese, but I love Hetalia. I love China’s depiction [especially since he's just like me] and I love the marukaite songs with Chinese in them.
And I’m a JapanxChina shipper. xDDDDDD
…Yes, I am messed up. But I think that if Japan really does apologize, then it would be fine. My fanfictions include both of them crying in front of wwII memorials and stuff, but that’s just me.
I still think Kore overreacted. Come on, did you see the part when N. Italy hugs Japan, and Japan acts like he’s going to be deflowered and stuff? He’s not favored or anything; none of the countries are. It’s just holding up a flowery mirror to historical events, and see what it comes up with!
xXTerrorLadyXx Said,
December 16, 2009 @ 3:39 am
Well calm down its a cartoon only an Anime not Real thing
and well look at drawn Together or South Park ^^
And then say that hetalia an insult is :D
So Italy is so crazy thats cool (my best friend is Italian and he is very Crazy too)
But I am German and German isn´t like me :’(
And womans aren´t helpless Guys -.-
I hate boys when they say we are weak
because we aren´t weak
I fight with Boys every day :D
ps.
HETALIA is GREAT and Italy is great too :D
Rika Said,
December 19, 2009 @ 12:07 am
You all know that the reason Koreans got angry is because the outfit was wrong right? It has nothing to do with the character’s behavior! (although it can’t have helped…)
And an interesting fact! Poland is a valley-girl speaking, cross-dressing MAN and all the Poles I know still like the show and still want it to be shown. Take that Korea, your character is nowhere near as insulting…
Kazoo Said,
December 25, 2009 @ 2:45 pm
:D I learned a lot just by reading this forum… I just recently started watching the show and was completely oblivious to the complaints from Korea! The show is very funny…. and I have to say that America is portrayed in the way I see it myself XD being American… we’re kind of always in other people’s business and going for the glory! Three Gs is all I have to add on that note… I really enjoy the show :) with the historical facts worked in throughout the anime, even if they are sometimes bias, are very interesting. I hope it doesn’t offend any other countries <3 I would hate to see the show taken down..
bente-unerz36 Said,
January 8, 2010 @ 11:09 pm
“If Koreans get pissed off at the Japanese invading their country, what more the Philippines? It was written in several history books that Filipinos suffered MORE casualties and deaths in WWII when Japan conquered the Philippines and when America “saved” the Philippines.
And if discrimination is involved, at least Korea-kun wore a traditional outfit… I can imagine Philippines-tan (if she were a girl) she’d probably be wearing a maid outfit (for the fact that Filipinos have a bad reputation of being a domestic helper/maid in other countries…)”
I agree with that… Philippines have way more.. and I mean it, WAY MORE drastic than Korea or (maybe) Chinese have…
invaded – checked
kidnap our women and men – checked
rape our women – checked
kamikazee– checked
death march – checked
massacred – checked
bodies, being torn apart piece by piece – checked
killed every single filipinos they see – checked
took all the food, then put them to jail, hungers them til they die – checked
etc – checked (I got lazy at researches..)
I’m not saying Korea overeacted… I know that Korea and Japan are mortal enemy by fate of WW2, not by citizenship though. And I get what they feel too. And according to a friend of mine, they are competing each other from music and medias. Like, right now, K-pop hit hard in the Philippines, and probably J-pop as well. Plus, the sports (one big example is the sport, soccerball, or as most asian call it, football).
anyway, after those years, we don’t actually mind Japanese at all.. Philippines is like home of otakus xD and there are like 2 out of 50 knows how to speak Japanese. Well.. not fluently though, but they talk continuously O..o
But, If I were to choose, I’d rather befriend with friendly koreans at my school!
An nyong Haseyo! Che irumun bente-unerz36 im nida! (did I got it right?? o~o I only got that from my korean classmate by pronunciation ^^;)
AbyssQueen Said,
May 11, 2010 @ 6:22 am
I think all this stuff is ridiculous. The Korean media & government is just paranoid with anything to do with the Japanese (or pretty much anything else…) I mean, look at all the Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Canadian, Phillipean (sorry if I got that wrong…) American, Italian, ETC, ETC, ETC people who love this anime? I mean, who the hell cares about country feuds that happened years ago? In my opinion, they should just save it for the history books & get on with their lives. Who agrees?
~ An American ^.^
AbyssQueen Said,
May 11, 2010 @ 6:23 am
said Korean twice… O.O
AbyssQueen Said,
May 17, 2010 @ 1:31 pm
sorry, had to say two more things lol (I talk far to much, it’s far to late, I’m far to hyper, & waiting for someone to reply is killing me xD)
I love Italians. I have no idea how they put up with that. I mean, Italy is so f’cking stupid & useless [& cute! ♥] I mean, Hetalia is a cross between ‘hetare’ & ‘Italia’, or ‘useless Italy.’ Sounds about right xD
anyway, love Italians xD
As for the cRaZy Koreans (not all Koreans, just the paranoid ones, mind you)
[again,] Suck it up, save it for the history books, & give me my 5 minutes of anime, dammit! @__@ [in english! lol]
~again, one of those god-damned crazy americanz [that can't keep their mouth shut xD]
. . .
I just realized this topic is from a loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooong time ago… as in, Feb, 2009…. I thought this thing was just coming out xD
-ramble-
Haine Said,
May 19, 2010 @ 7:48 pm
Well take it like this. Western cultures and Eastern Cultures are very different. Yes Italy was depicted way more stereotypically than Korea and yes the Italians should probably be more pissed but let me tell you, Eastern Cultures are just MORE SENSITIVE about these things. Im not saying Westerners are insensitive but we are just more sensitive. (For God’s sake, Asia was EXPLOITED LIKE HELL by Westerners)
Although I do also think that Korea kinda overreacted but I can also understand their pain as I come from one of the countries exploited as well ( Im Filipino and Im proud to be one). So its a matter of understanding really.
Oh and one comment pointed out the Philippines arent pissed at the Japanese already? WRONG. There are still hundred of Filipino’s who arent in good terms with them. (Go to the province and ask people about the Japanese occupation and we’ll see who wont get a story full of hatred and spite).
Im not against Hetalia or anything. I love the anime to bits but its just a matter of understanding as to why Korea feels that way. YES WE SAY MOVE ON. But I’ll end this with a quote my brother once said:
“The past is the past, but it will always leave scars. And scars NEVER heal.”
Proud to love Nihon Said,
June 16, 2010 @ 7:13 pm
Why Koreans are making all this problems with this anime?
The history was bad for everyone.
I’ve studied Japan history lately and I know that in the past Korea and Japan were like brothers.
Every country involved in 1st and 2nd World War have suffered a lot of damage and misery.
Japan invaded Korea, kidnap your women and caused misery to you?
And what about 6 years of american occupation on Japan? 300 rapes at day for 6 years, violence, misery, tortures, censure, starvation and much more …
Japan should hate America and it should hope in its total destruction at this point… but Japan has overcome all this, they learned from their mistakes, they have overcome miseries and difficulties and in 50 years they raised again and now they are the second wealthiest nation in the world. Now Japan living in peace with everyone.
Every nation should learn from its mistakes and stop with all this hate, violence and envy.
Maria Desu Said,
July 8, 2010 @ 7:23 am
lol
indonesians are so sad because we were never in the show =_=
after invaded by dutch for 350 years, invaded by japan, spain and others (its clear that we are INVADED a lot XD)
WE WERE NEVER IN THE SHOW
Hooray.. *cries in the corner*
Milla Said,
August 27, 2010 @ 8:00 pm
Hey, this show pokes fun at everyone! It even suggests Germany is a Perv and Italy is a sissy! Yeah, what Japanese did to Koreans is bad, but you cant deny the anime’s good. Besides, its pure fun. Its not like they are actually meaning that in an offensive way.
Allyson Said,
October 25, 2010 @ 9:49 pm
@Rika
Ha, I’m half Polish and I love Poland in Hetalia!
He makes me proud to be Polish :3
bente-unerz36 Said,
January 5, 2011 @ 8:23 am
I did said that Filipinos doesn’t hate Japanese right? Okay some do, but they are probably old people. I believe in today’s generation, most likely Filipinos forgives (well, actually didn’t care at all hahaha ^^”) Japanese. Yes, there are hundreds but they are part of minorities.
Lol… we were also invaded by a lot of countries… First was Holland (because Philippines and Indonesia are relatively close), and then Spain, UK, and then brought back to Spain again, to America and then Japan. haha ^^;
lulu Said,
February 10, 2011 @ 3:36 am
@ people who said korea needs to ‘get over’ it.
Tell that to jewish people. Tell them to ‘get over’ the holocaust. Why? cuz it happened so long time ago according to you guys. right?
and let me tell you Japan did have sort-of concentration camp for both koreans AND chinese. They did human experiment such as dissecting human alive, blood transfusion between monkey and human, taking out unborn baby from mother…. etc.
Yeah. we need to ‘get over’ it right?
At least Nazis accepted their deeds and apologized.