Originally I wasn't going to write a journal about this because I didn't think it merited an entry, BUT. I can't, the enthusiasm is killing me!

Okay, lately I've been kinda deprived of entertainment, with no good series really coming out of Japan. BUT THEN. I found out about this Japanese webcomic called Axis Powers Hetalia (scans here: [link]) It has both the stupidest and most ingenious premise ever. It takes all of the major world powers and anthropomorphizes them into cute little boys and girls (similar to another webcomic I read which turned Middle Eastern countries into lolis). Since most of the characters are boys, they're various alliances are treated like yaoi relationships, all of a sudden major world conflicts become lover's quarrels... It's so incredibly dumb. Yet, I find it hilarious! It's also quite educational, as the author is really knowledgeable with history. Some people find it offensive because the characters are basically stereotypes, but that's entirely the point-- it's not a serious depiction of history, it just makes fun of stereotypes.

I love all the countries, and I can definitely say that America's personlity is pretty spot-on, which may not be a good thing. XD I think Sweden, Russia, Lithuania, England, America, and Hungary are my favorites. The fandom for this series is outrageous, people shipping countries- so wrong, yet I can't help but ship Austria x Hungary and Sweden x Finland myself. ;_; And the fanart-- OH MY GOD, there's so much for such an obscure series. Well, not-so obscure-- it's being adapted into a anime this spring, and there's also a drama CD ([link]). On 4chan there's over 90 threads worth of fanart. I've also discovered that there are parodies of it everwhere on youtube, animating Hetalia characters into practically every popular anime opening sequence ever. It was hard to choose just a few, but I'm particularly fond of this Utena opening featuring Poland and Lithuania ( [link]) and the best caramelldansen rendition I've seen ([link]) and this hypnotizing video of England punching France ([link]).

LONG STORY SHORT. I wanna draw Russia fanart.