Gilbert, No But Yes 

In an earlier post, I talked about the lesser known sides of Spain. This post will focus on the more obvious, yet ironically ignored, positive aspects of his character. Spain has never been a plain character. The problem is that his personality is often watered down, either as a result of the anime or people choosing to selectively represent certain aspects of his personality.

That said, let’s go over some examples.

He’s not a cheerful ditz all the time: 

Ex: He didn’t take chibi Romano’s constant complaining without any resistance. On several occasions, Spain’s shown to be calling him an idiot.

Ex: He’s an emotional or “violent” drunk. It depends on which translation you have, but it pretty much conveys the same thing.

My translation is a bit different from the one above:

“As long as you keep him away from booze, and don’t get on his bad side, you should be fine.”

Ex: Prior to the strip, teenage Romano had a huge obsession with fantasizing about/ role-playing the medieval chivalric romance novels that he read. In comes Prussia, recklessly spouting out keywords that seem to trigger Romano’s obsession again, much to the latter’s dismay. Mother hen Spain quickly swoops in to give a deadly warning.

Ex: He melancholically looks back on his and France’s rough childhoods.

Ex: When the topic of discussions falls to what each nation is known for, Spain laments over being known for cows and tomatoes.

He’s more than capable of reading the atmosphere: 

Ex: His reaction to America after the Stock Market crashes in 1939.

Ex: He’s heartbroken when Veneziano chooses Austria over him during the Austrian War of Succession. The scene alludes to the fact that Spain was deeply saddened in the years following his divorce from Austria. Likewise, the way Spain revs up his cheery attitude in light of being rejected seems to be more of a defense mechanism, a guarded mask of emotions, than it is of his true personality.

I say this because Romano finds Spain weeping in the next panel.

Ex: He solemnly hints to Chibitalia of what’s to become of him right before he and his brother are both conquered.

His optimism is not out of sheer stupidity: 

It’s more like it’s a desperate sort of optimism. The way that Spain convinces himself to push forward with a smile is eventually internalized until he himself doesn’t even realize that what he’s doing is unrealistic and naive. As mentioned above, it’s also a coping mechanism.

Nonetheless, there are moments where he shows a deep awareness of his economic/ political situation.

Ex:There’s a clear recognition that he’s lost his international standing due to poverty.

Ex: Once again, his [desperate] optimism shines through in how he copes with his weakened economy. He sings songs, and acts happy…

…but he’s more than aware of how deep and serious his money problems are. He’s literally clinging to Germany, albeit for exaggerated humorous effect.

He may have a laid-back personality…

…but once he gets worked up about something, his passion replaces his typical lazing around.

Ex: He fought to have olive oil continually be marketed as a staple product of the EU.

Again, with Spain, it seems that the happiness he forces onto himself allows him to get too carried away in what he does (e.g., over-manufacturing and then causing a property bubble).

That’s why he comes off as naïve and a bit air-headed. You could even argue that it’s a slight dissociation from reality to help minimize any anxiety that he feels.

His constant smiling is also a play on the fact that the sun never set in the Spanish Empire.

He’s selfless:

Ex: Despite all the complaining and constant belittling that he had to endure with Romano, Spain still saves him from Turkey.

Ex: Spain spent all his money on improving Romano’s wardrobe. [Please note that Romano was too young to realize this]. Meanwhile, his own clothes were in tatters.

Ex: When Romano immigrates to America, Spain is the first person he calls. Their relationship is noted to be much deeper than the one Romano shares with Veneziano.

Immediately, Spain’s mother hen mode gets switched on as he asks Romano how he’s been and if he’s been eating well.

He also lets Romano know how proud he is of him working and taking responsibility for himself for once.

That said, it wouldn’t make sense for a character predicated on a stereotype of passion to be flat and static. He’s anything but.

To be continued

Daily Hetalia Fact #56

Germany is very good at drawing.

Remember when Russia thought England was a legit punk

that’s the sound of my heart breaking

Arthur Pixiv ID: 58072901 Member: 6051884 - Zoelam

※Posted with the artist’s permission ~Please ask the artist first if you want to repost the artist’s art~

Misconception: Finland has a sweet, child-like appearance, so he must be weak.

Reality: Finland’s a warrior, and is noted to possess immense strength and resilience.

Ex: He’s so cold-resistant that General Winter has no effect on him. They even get along. 

Ex: He’s visibly disappointed when Sweden calls off a battle during one of the Polish-Swedish wars. Not to mention that he was excited about engaging in the fight.

Ex: His patience isn’t endless. It’s said that if you poke him ten times, he’ll forgive you, but once you pester him enough, he’ll get you back ten times harder. 

[There’s a slight difference in the translation, but it’s basically the same thing.]

Misconception: Like Iceland, Finland’s one of the tamer Nordics.

Reality: Finland’s actually quite strange.

Ex: He loves nature and enjoys being covered in grass.

Misconception: He’s Sweden’s wife = Sufin is canon.

Reality: He is not Sweden’s wife. Sufin is not canon.

Sweden calls Finland his wife, but Finland does not accept the label.

The two do share a close relationship though, enough for Finland to refer to Sweden as “Swe.”

Although, Finland is often just as perplexed by Sweden as the other nations are.

Misconception: He’s a jittery, nervous, and shy person as a result of being overshadowed by the other Nordics.

Reality: He’s soft-spoken, and quiet-voiced, but is far from quiet. In fact, he can be a very talkative and bubbly character at times. Nonetheless, he is said to be overshadowed by the other Nordics.

Ex: Finland jokes with Germany about his boss, despite the fact that the humour goes right over Germany’s head.

Ex: Finland’s noted to be a particularly nagging person.

Bonus Facts:

He lightly teases Iceland and once asked the latter to call him Big Brother.

He’s offered to act as a father figure to America.

He loves saunas, sweets, and alcohol. Bonus if it’s all combined together.

He’s had the hardest time out of all the Nordics, likely stemming from the fact that he’s historically been an underling to other nations.

“This is not the funny.”

Meanwhile, in AmeLiet

America: I have some bad news.

Lithuania: What is it?

America: I have a headache.

Lithuania: ...And?

America: And WebMD says it's brain cancer.

Lithuania: [sighs]

Hungary

Name: Elizabeta Héderváry House: Gryffindor Age: 17 Year: 7th Blood Status: Half-blood Patronus: Leopardess Hobbies: Quidditch Anything Extra: Elizabeta is known for her sweet face and the contrast of her fierceness on the quidditch pitch. She is very friendly until she gets on a broom then she’s a different person. Especially when they play Ravenclaw and she’s against a certain someone