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Deviation Actions
So far, this took me the longest to write, and it could possibly be one of the contenders for longest journal entry of the series. I'm surprised it didn't exceed the limit. Though considering the character, it's unsurprising.
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Key:
"Italics" - other language; emphasis; quotes
"Bold" - the subject
"Underline" - the answer
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[Summary]
Italy is part of the Axis Powers along with Germany and Japan. He is also the main character, and so appears quite frequently in the series. He is the representation of the Northern part of the Italian Republic (Italian: Repubblica Italiana), while his older brother represents the Southern part. His full nation name is Italy Veneziano (he is called Italy by everyone else, and Veneziano with only Rome and Romano), and it's derived from Venezia, which is the Italian name for Venice.
His human name is Feliciano Vargas.
The human age he was given is 20.
His gender is male.
Like his brother, his birthday is on March 17th. The date corresponds with the date of the formation of the "Kingdom of Italy" (Italian: Regno d'Italia) in 1861. As Italy is shown in the strips to have existed for centuries before, it is likely that the brothers use the date of the Italian Unification to celebrate their birthdays with, as a unified Italy. The formation date of the Italian Republic is actually June 2nd. Romano is still confirmed to be the older brother.
Italy's appearance includes short brown hair and brown eyes, with a curl on the left side of his head, which acts as his erogenous zone when stroked or pulled. He usually wears a blue WWII military uniform, a black shirt and tie, and black boots. In a gag illustration at the end of Digesting Requests, Little by Little, it was shown that his earlier drawings had smoother hair and a smaller curl. Himaruya also noted that he changed the way Italy's hair falls.
Another is a from a request set that was from the Hetaween 2013 event which is called The World of Italy and the Chest. In the series of pictures, Italy is challenged to lie his head on people's chests. The girls included. He doesn't have a problem at all with that, though his efforts were considered in vain due to various complications.
(Can be found here.)
Thus, this shows Italy's affections aren't just for certain people, but rather for everyone.
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[Relationships]
America
The pair have appeared together a few times, and are both not known for not being able to read the atmosphere. In Comic Diary 1, they are both described as being the "boke" (clueless one) in their respective groups, and were both shown looking for the "legendary ability to read the atmosphere" together.
Ancient Rome/Grandpa Rome
The heir apparent to Rome's fortune, the young Italy spent an indeterminate amount of time living and travelling with his grandfather until Rome eventually grew weak and died due to his empire crumbling. In a segment of Chibitalia, it's revealed that due to what happened to his grandfather, Italy refused to become a new Roman Empire when Holy Roman Empire offered him the chance to do so due to how Rome got too big and ended up with scars that looked painful. Though he didn't emulate Rome's military success, he did pursue the same instinctive talent for art.
Austria
As a child, after Rome fell, Italy (Chibitalia) lived in Austria's house and spent the majority of this time there acting as a maid due to becoming part of the Holy Roman Empire. He (Chibitalia) was raised there with Hungary's help. Austria believed Italy to be a girl until his voice broke sometime as he grew into a preteen in the strip In Vienna, which was adapted into Season Season 2, Episode 22, with Austria thinking that he "had a feeling this would happen for some reason." From then on, Austria bought him clothes for the proper gender and didn't have him wear dresses. Because of Italy's behaviour and being rather useless, Austria often pushed him around and punished him. Italy often asked if they would have pasta for dinner, and Austria's answer was always no. However, Italy was a glutton and went looking for pasta, anyway. When Holy Roman Empire snuck him (Italy) some food, Austria, believing that he (Italy) had stolen it, locked him in a dark room as punishment. During the strip Spain vs. Austria, during the Spanish-Austrian War, Italy had the opportunity to be reunited with his brother and live with Spain, however he ran straight to Austria after being untied, despite the fact that, according to Spain, Italy complained about Austria's rule. Italy was also against Germany's annexation of Austria along with Hungary. Italy doesn't hold a grudge against Austria for his mistreatment as a child or from any wars they had, and is generally happy to see him.
France
Italy (still a child) grew up with a teenage France. The two got along very well until Italy was taken to spend time with Rome. However, when he came back, France only wanted to control Italy. They are still on good terms though, as Italy continuously refers to France as "big brother" and has visited him a number of times. France is also unwilling to harm Italy despite the fact they are enemies, as revealed in the strip France and England are Good at Spreading False Information where he gets upset at England willing to spread rumours about Italy.
Germany
After being found in a tomato crate, Italy became his prisoner, then ally. With Japan, they formed the Axis Powers. Italy is openly affectionate towards Germany, and is always trying his best for him and the Axis, though failing most of the time. Despite their differences, they're still quite close. In the incomplete strip Buon San Valentino, it's hinted that Germanycould be Holy Roman Empire, when he appears to have a flashback of Chibitalia. However, with the release of World Stars Chapter 12: The Birth of Germany, it is considered unlikely and debatable.
Holy Roman Empire
As a child, Holy Roman Empire would frequently chase Italy about - demanding that he become a part of the Holy Roman Empire. After Austria gained control of Italy, they resided in Holy Roman Empire's house. Holy Roman Empire believed Italy to be a girl and had a crush on him, but had a hard time interacting with him. As a result of HRE's intense gazes, Italy became very afraid of him at times. Italy later revealed that the reason he refused HRE's offer to join him in becoming a new Roman Empire was because he saw the effects of what a long life of war had done to his grandfather. HRE then leaves to go to war after other members of the Holy Roman Empire begin turning against him and Austria. As he leaves, he runs into Italy, and the two say their goodbyes as Italy gives HRE a token of his affection (his underwear in the webcomic version and his broom in the anime). The two share a goodbye kiss, and HRE promises that he will return. HRE's eventual fate has yet to be confirmed in the series, though in an unfinished strip, France goes to Italy and tells him that Holy Rome is "no more", hinting that he may have been killed (and possibly a reference to Napoleon and the French being the one who eliminated the Holy Roman Empire in 1806).
Hungary
When they were under Austria's rule, she and Italy were very close, and she became his older sister figure. She was one of the few characters who knew of his true gender at the time, and didn't mind bathing with him despite that. It's strongly hinted that they remained quite close. In the Christmas Trivia Comics, each December, she dresses herself as the Krampus and scares Italy. She was unable to contain herself and hugged him - telling him how cute he was, and "capturing" him in the process, which only scared him more. He falls for this trick every year.
Japan
Japan is shown to be unnerved by Italy's "shameless" and unusual behaviour, even going as far as to order him to "take responsibility" for taking his first time, and marry him after having been hugged and kissed by him as a greeting in the stripJapan-kun vs. Italy, which was adapted into Season 1, Episode 12 (in the dub, it's changed to Japan telling off Italy for invading his personal space). When Italy once drove Japan to his house, his erratic driving skills inspired Japan to invent safer cars, which was seen in Season 3, Episode 9, which was adapted from the Japan Omake strips. The two are shown to be good friends, and from the strip World Stars, Chapter 15: This is Japan, Japan is shown to try and reciprocate Italy's greeting hug by hugging back as well, though he strains and panics a little. Though Italy tells him that he understands perfectly and not to do it if he feels uncomfortable, Japan insists that manners are important between close friends.
Poland
Italy and Poland are shown to be good friends as shown in the strip Cute Poland's Polish Joke. It was Poland who gave Italy the idea to make an ejectable seat in Germany's Kübelwagen, as he had previously designed an airplane with one (which backfired on him).
Prussia
Prussia is shown to be very fond of Italy. According to an answer to a question on a blog post, worrying about Italy is "a tradition from Prussia's time." With another answer to another question on another blog post, Himaruya responded that Prussia grew attached to Italy some time ago when they fought together. Prussia finds Italy cute, and is attracted to his and Romano's climate and topography. In a drama CD adaptation of his blog event, Prussia asked Italy out to a date at the Danube river, only for Italy to be oblivious of his question and be distracted by his bird. In the game Cleaning Prussia, Italy is one of the options available, and Prussia states that he has clear ulterior motives to be praised by Italy. Upon arriving, Prussia finds Italy asleep in his bed, and begins to stroke Italy's head. As he strokes Italy, he is reminded of the Risorgimento, and happily daydreams about him and Italy on a gondola in Venice. The ending was labelled as a "Happy End." In theHetaween 2011 event, Italy praised Prussia for his hard work, and was eager to join his and India's dancing during the party.
South Italy/Romano
The two brothers grew up knowing of each other, but never actually met face-to-face. Italy eventually went to live with their grandfather, Rome, for some time, while Romano was left behind. After Grandpa Rome died and Italy came back, Romano and the other boys bullied him. The two were separated again where Italy was claimed by the Holy Roman Empire and Austria, while Romano was sent to live with Spain. In present day, the two brothers don't appear to get along very well, with Romano occasionally refusing to acknowledge his brother's existence, though Italy is more eager to be around him. As a child, Romano felt jealous and inferior to Italy due to him inheriting their grandfather's talent for art and business, which he couldn't do. Despite this though, he does show a subconscious care for him: becoming upset when his brother implies that he did not admire him, and sharing a bed with him. But usually, when it is hinted that he cares about Italy, something happens that angers him and he instantly reverts back. Although Romano appears tougher than Italy, he is just as cowardly and ineffectual, if not more so. Romano refers to Italy as Veneziano, and Italy refers to him as Romano in order to avoid confusion. In the strip World Stars Chapter 58: Viva the Industrial Revolution, Romano's jealousy and resentment to Italy still exists in present day, and he is shown irate at Italy's skill of being able to tinker around with machinery - prompting him to live with America instead. The end notes reveal that the general consensus for Southern Italians was, "If I'm gonna have to rely on North Italy, then I'd rather go to America...!"
Spain
Italy affectionately refers to Spain as his older brother like he does with France. Spain's greatest desire was to have the Italian brothers live with him, and also expressed desire in marrying them. However, in the strip Popular Spain, when Spain came back in 2005 to announce that it was now legal for men to marry, Italy simply congratulated him. Italy was the first person Spain came to propose to. When the Italy brothers were young, Spain wished that Romano was more obedient and cuter like Italy, and even wanted to trade with Austria for him. In the strip Spain vs. Austria, Spain promised Italy that he could reunite with his brother once the war was over, however his expression frightened Italy into running back into Austria in tears, much to his shock.
Turkey
When he was a child, Italy, with his naval forces, had beaten Turkey when he, as the Ottoman Empire, had tried to invade. Subsequently, Turkey returned home, snarling that he really hated kids from that experience. However in present day, Turkey doesn't hold any grudge or ill feelings against Italy, and was happy to show him and Germany around his home - even apprehending and yelling at one of his own citizens who tried to steal Italy's camera. He isn't even afraid or embarrassed to admit that Italy beat him in the past, which shocks Germany. This was all in the strip, Turkey&!, which was adapted intoSeason 5, Episode 10.
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[Addressing Complaints]
Warning: Emotions may run high ahead. It could turn rant-like and highly sarcastic with foul language - you have been warned.
He's annoying/ditzy, I hate him!1!
Okay. And? You want a medal or something?
As mentioned so many times before in previous entries, it's okay to hate a character or a pairing as long as the reason is logical and understandable, and that you don't bitch and shove your opinion in everyone else's throat.
I know that in Italy's case, people may hate him for being weak, cowardly, a crybaby and usually seen as useless. It's fine to hate or dislike him for that reason. However, do you think that gives you the reason to be a big bitch to everyone else around you?
Everyone has an opinion. Get over it.
He's actually a manipulative bitch.
I am fully aware some people use this portrayal of Italy, or make him this way in their story or whatever, but in all honesty, I don't think it makes any sense at all.
Why?
Because Italy is shown to be pretty air-headed and a bit of a ditz. E.g. he spent so much time with Japan and has been friends with him for a while, but he still thought Japan was younger than him in the strip Our One Year Anniversary! The Triple Alliance, and so he gave him juice instead of alcohol, and remarked that Japan can finally drink when he's an adult. Even when Japan tells Italy he's much older, Italy believes that Japan is cracking a joke. Though he does display some signs that can be interpreted as he's aware of some things. E.g. when Prussia tries to ask Italy out on a date to the Danube river during the drama CD of his April Fool's blog event, while Prussia continuously chants words such as "Danube" and "date", Italy keeps referring to Prussia's bird, then he moves along to a question on a photo of Latvia, which effectively makes Prussia forget about his asking Italy out, and talk about Latvia instead. There was also the instance where Italy sang a song about Germany which basically insulted him.
But even then, Italy doesn't do these things to make a person suffer or feel bad on purpose. Most likely, he's more innocently insensitive.
If some people want to interpret Italy in this way, at least don't twist him into some person that wants others to suffer, or takes great enjoyment in seeing others suffer - that's definitely not him, and none of the nations are like that. It's very distasteful.
GERITA IS CANNON!1!
Nope.
No pairing in Hetalia is canon except for Chibitalia x HRE. And before rabid fanbrats can try and argue and insist that Germany is HRE, which is one argument that fans use to claim it's canon, then give proof. Give substantial evidence that he is, and that this pairing is canon.
And before anyone tries to say that the Buon San Valentino strip and episode is proof of GerIta being canon, then that's a load of crock. Because for one thing, did anything even happen after that? Are Italy and Germany being romantic? Are they kissing, hugging, or doing anything romantic? Italy never even said yes to the proposal, either.
And for another, there was nothing about the whole thing in the end about Chibitalia being shown in that strip. Nothing happened after that. Period. Things just moved on.
And before rabids could argue of it being canon - there's actually a strip that was released not too long ago that could actually throw the Germany = HRE theory out the window.
It's a strip in World Stars - Chapter 12: The Birth of Germany where Prussia recounts the tale on how Germany was born. Germany was revealed to have been born from the joining together of many Germanic nations with Prussia taking charge of the new nation that was born after beating Austria.
Subsequently, there was a note at the end that while other countries were born as babies, Germany was born as an older child due to having an existing body already. The term "existing body" is where things become debatable as some argue that the"existing body" was HRE, but others argue back that "existing body" simply refers to the Germanic nations who already existed, but joined together to create Germany. That, and HRE was a very young and small child, whereas Germany looked like an older child when he was born.
At the other end of the spectrum, people, do not bash on GerIta fans just because of the rabid bunch. Not all GerIta fans insist their ship is canon, and, surprise surprise! Not all GerIta fans support the Germany = HRE theory. One of my friends ships it, but she dislikes that theory.
So everyone, just remove your heads from your asses and move the fuck along. Because I am done with people who insist their pairing (except Chibitalia x HRE) is canon, and I am also done with judgmental people who think every person who ships a particular thing are idiots.
He's actually gay!
Did you not read this journal? Or even any of the strips, or even watched any episodes?
Italy's not gay. He hits on girls, and his profiles mention about girls quite a lot, so if you want a sexuality where he can be paired with guys, unless you're doing an AU, Italy would probably be bisexual. There is no evidence or anything from Himaruya that states outright or says that Italy is gay, or anything related to his sexuality.
And before anyone accuses me of being a homophobe just because of me ripping at this complaint, I'm not going to bother arguing back - because your heads are so far into your asses, that it's just reached the level of "so pathetic I won't bother anymore."
He makes Romano's life miserable! It's all his fault! I hate him!
Though yes, Romano does feel inferior and unhappy because of his own issues compared to his brother, should you really blame Italy for that?
It's like blaming a piano virtuoso when they've actually practiced their craft hard, just because you're not so good. It's not the virtuoso's fault they can play the piano, and that they're good at it. For all you know - they might feel pressure at being so good. It's a two-way cycle.
And last time I checked, Italy isn't the type to gloat into Romano's face about how skillful he is with art and business. He just does his art and business.
It's really nobody's fault in this circumstance as it's not Romano's fault that he feels this way, and it's not Italy's fault he's good at something. It also might not be Grandpa Rome's fault that he left Romano behind and took Italy with him since his reasons for leaving Romano and taking Italy are not disclosed.
It's just a rather unfortunate circumstance.
He gets in the way of <insert pairing>!
Nope.
You're just a deluded little brat who thinks that, but really, you're the one who makes them get in the way of your precious little pairing.
So if you should go bash on someone, go and bash on yourself.
(If there are any more complaints, feel free to comment down below, and I'll add them in!
)
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[Do's and Don't's]
(Basically summarizes it all.)
Insist he's gay, or that canonically he's gay. There are several mentions and moments where he's hit on, and is into girls.
Bash and bitch at people who like/dislike him, or ship him with someone else.
Make him a manipulative little shit who thinks he's top ship and beats down on Romano. If anything, he's quite enthusiastic with interacting with his brother, and it's Romano who doesn't like to acknowledge him.
Insist that GerIta is canon. It's not. Only Chibitalia x HRE is canon. Likewise, don't bash on GerIta fans and accuse them all of being like that - that just makes you judgmental.
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[Head-Canons]
Have a head-canon for Mr Italy? Comment below, and it shall be added!
Note: If the head-canon is ship-related, it won't be added. Even if it's a ship I like, this journal series is about the character, not the ship.
Note 2: To avoid confusion because some head-canons may contradict each other, I will also give a shout-out to you along with your head-canons. If you don't want to be mentioned, just tell me, and give me a different name instead. =^^=
Note 3: Another nation can be mentioned in the head-canon - it just shouldn't be ship-related. It should be platonic or familial.
He lives from tourism and his cuisine. He'd also love to show you around and be your personal tour guide, if you're a girl.
He was taught how to play the violin by Austria. Sometimes he accompanies him when he plays the piano.
One of the places he loves to go to the most is Juliet's House in Verona. Sometimes, if he takes a girl or a fellow nation there, he might start reciting Romeo's lines, and want the other to recite Juliet's.
When it comes to paintings, he tends to notice some details that others cannot. Example - the pressure of the brush stroke.
He loves to cuddle with people a lot because Rome used to give him plenty of cuddles when he was a child.
Italy is pansexual, but he also preferred the bara genre over Japan's (the country) other...over 18+ manga works, because the art is more realistic. He honestly never understood the concept of yaoi, and finds everything about it disturbing (along with the fangirls/(rare) fanboys). - 
He actually can be very snarky, but it's usually covered up with his whining and complaining when in distress. -
He's brutally honest in some cases. -
He always finds himself attracted to shy people. They always seem to have a fun route to explore. -
When it comes to real romantic relationships that Italy wants to be in, he'd always be gentle and patient with his lover. However, if his lover complains too much or has too many negative views, or is just a plain kill joy, then he'd never keep the relationship further, and definitely break up the romantic relationship. Because those traits are the least desired traits of his. He wants his relationship to be happy and blissful. -
He'd be very clingy protective of his friends, family and lover, because he's afraid of losing them. Though, if they were supposed to go war, then he can't do much about it, other than pray to God to protect them. -
He loves studying astronomy and science. If he were ever to get a job as a teacher of either said subjects, he'd have his students do more field work (like working with telescopes or looking under microscopes), instead of reading through text books every day. He feels that the students should experience it. -
He actually has the best handwriting, especially when it comes to handwritten letters. -
Italy, Liechtenstein, Denmark, Belarus and England all share a common bond for their passions over writing hand written letters. No matter how old fashioned it is. -
Italy is actually very good at noticing very little details that no one would notice or find. -
One time he and America acted like characters from a noir film as they decided to help Prussia be proved innocent after being framed on stealing some random rich family's special jewel (they were vacationing together in a random place in America). They solved the case after finding who the person was and proved Prussia innocent - all thanks to the cheerful duo's sharp observations. -
Italy tends to question certain art; such as the Colleto Fava made by Austria's people in his country which becomes a tourist attraction. - 
Italy, like other Europeans, had colonized quite a few nations in Africa - his hardest to conquer was Ethiopia, which he got defeated twice. -
Italy and Norway (along with Iceland) have argued over who discovered the Americas first. -
The only fights Italy gets into are verbal arguments. But when they start to get physical, he starts to back off. -
Italy has been in more wars then one might assume - he has quite a few scars. -
Italy's fairy-tales can get quite frightening at times; such as the original stories of The Adventures of Pinocchio, and tends to question the Disney version. -
Italy really loves the Grand Prix racing due to being quite the regular, and loving the speed of cars. -
During their olden days, Italy and France do fencing matches with each other and sometimes still do it for 'old time's sake.' -
He and Romano still knows how to pray and read the bible in Latin. - 
Whenever Italy is with a girl who says she's not pretty, he will not hesitate to cheer her up by giving her affection, and in some cases go shopping with her to give her a make-over, cause he believes no girl should belittle herself over her looks. -
One of the reasons why Italy and Romano seemed cowardly, is because they're notorious for being superstitious(Romano especially). -
His singing range is tenor. He loves to sing at operas, is a guest singer at them, and often competes with other tenors like Russia. - 
He learnt fencing by France during the Renaissance, and he disliked the Borgia family - even calling Pope Alexander VI "a sex crazed maniac." -
When Germany first visited Italy, he was dressed in a trenchcoat while dressed in his fascist military jacket brandishing medals and a red sash across his chest and black fez. Prussia jokingly stated that Italy looked like Germany's protector and Germany a wall painter. -
Every country had a human life, hence their human names, which were their names in their past life. For many, that's all they remember. Italy can remember everything. - 
He's attended the University of Padova, and often see the "roasting " of the graduates and sings the university's anthem, "Dottore! Dottore! Dottore, del buso del cul! Vaffencul! Vaffencul!" -
During the Battle of the Isanzo River during WWI, Italy hid in an ammunition crate to not get hit by the bombs. -
He's a massive fan of Pimpa but he hides it. Quite well, really. He's got a plush of him locked up in a cupboard. - 
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[End Note]
Perfectly honest, while I do enjoy writing this series, it really irritates me how people don't leave references or cite their references on where they get certain facts and information from.
Now I know how my lecturers and tutors feel whenever some little shit doesn't cite their references on a research paper because they're either pulling something out of their ass, or just too damn lazy to do anything about it. =w='
Who shall be next? You decide~
No flames please.
Hope you have a wonderful time~
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Key:
"Italics" - other language; emphasis; quotes
"Bold" - the subject
"Underline" - the answer
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[Summary]
Italy is part of the Axis Powers along with Germany and Japan. He is also the main character, and so appears quite frequently in the series. He is the representation of the Northern part of the Italian Republic (Italian: Repubblica Italiana), while his older brother represents the Southern part. His full nation name is Italy Veneziano (he is called Italy by everyone else, and Veneziano with only Rome and Romano), and it's derived from Venezia, which is the Italian name for Venice.
His human name is Feliciano Vargas.
The human age he was given is 20.
His gender is male.
Like his brother, his birthday is on March 17th. The date corresponds with the date of the formation of the "Kingdom of Italy" (Italian: Regno d'Italia) in 1861. As Italy is shown in the strips to have existed for centuries before, it is likely that the brothers use the date of the Italian Unification to celebrate their birthdays with, as a unified Italy. The formation date of the Italian Republic is actually June 2nd. Romano is still confirmed to be the older brother.
Italy's appearance includes short brown hair and brown eyes, with a curl on the left side of his head, which acts as his erogenous zone when stroked or pulled. He usually wears a blue WWII military uniform, a black shirt and tie, and black boots. In a gag illustration at the end of Digesting Requests, Little by Little, it was shown that his earlier drawings had smoother hair and a smaller curl. Himaruya also noted that he changed the way Italy's hair falls.
As a child, he wore dressed, and used to be mistaken for a girl.
He has a confirmed height of 172 cm (approx. 5'7"). As of World Stars, Chapter 20: Italy Has an Older Brother!, he is confirmed to also be taller than his older brother, Romano.
Himaruya had also written that since real Italians were very cool, he's consciously trying to make Italy appear more attractive, when at first he drew him as more of a derpy character.
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[Personality and Behavioural Study]
A cheerful, energetic man. Despite being the grandson to Ancient Rome, he is an irresponsible crybaby. He loves pasta, pizza, gelato and cheese. His hobbies include cooking, designing clothes, siestas, painting and singing as mentioned in his profiles inVolumes 1 and 5. He was noted as being able to use both hands skillfully, though it may have been a joke as it was cited in a blog post that he could hold a paintbrush in one hand and a slice of pizza in another.
He is shown to have a compulsion of stripping off all of his for his siestas, and usually forgets to put his pants back on after he wakes up. His public nudity has become notorious enough that Switzerland will fire upon him if he catches him streaking throughout his homeland as shown in the strips The Moon, the Unsocial Guy, and the Old Dude? And Also Italy, andRather Usual Way of this Person.
Italy also has the verbal tic of "Ve" (which is omitted in the dub). The verbal tic is apparently said by Italians, above all in Emilia-Romagna, whereas you could hear a "Be" in other Italian regions, which is an abbreviation of "bene", which is the Italian word for fine, and it has the same interjection as "well" at the beginning of a sentence.
Though he was relatively weak and timid as a child, he was able to take on Turkey single-handedly at one point in the strip A Kid Who Can Do It if He Tries. It's also possible that Italy is is a skilled fencer, as Himaruya titled one of his blog entriesItaly's Fencing Strength is Abnormal. An old strip revealed that Italy also dislikes wearing a helmet because it makes him look shorter.
As the protagonist of the series, Italy is focused on quite a lot. What is most highlighted with his is his cowardice and being useless. Hence, the name of the series being Hetalia - which is a portmanteau of the Japanese word "hetare" and Italia. In English, this would translate to "useless Italy."
Looking into Italy's life - as the child Chibitalia to how he is now, at first one would think there wasn't much change between the two, except that Chibitalia was more timid and listened whereas Italy is far more outgoing and tends to be spacey.
However, with the strip A Kid Who Can Do It if He Tries, we see a different side to the child Italy.
Here, we see him face off against Turkey, who was known back in the day as the Ottoman Empire, and actually winning.
The Ottoman Empire was one of the longest lasting and largest empires in history, and had survived for 7 centuries before its decline into modern Turkey. It was known for its excessive rule, and the number of invasions and conquering it had done in the past to various countries. Turkey himself, during his Ottoman times, was considered frightening and a force to deal with.
It really says something when a child nation is able to beat up a much larger, older and experienced one.
(A young Chibitalia shows no fear against the Ottoman Empire and kicks him in the face.)
However, as he grew older, Italy no longer wants to fight.
The reason for that is up for speculation, but there is one instance which could possibly explain it.
The strip Chibitalia shows a particular part where the Holy Roman Empire asks Chibitalia to become a new Roman Empire with him so they can create the strongest country in the world together - just the two of them. However, Chibitalia doesn't want to become a new Roman Empire. When HRE gets upset at the response, Chibitalia explains why he doesn't want to be like his father.
Despite the fact that his first love was a boy (Holy Roman Empire), Italy appears to also be attracted to girls, as it's not only mentioned several times in his profiles, but demonstrated various times in a number of strips and pictures. His profiles mention the following:
Volume 2: He's a cheerful Latin boy who loves pasta and women...
Volume 3: A playful, cheerful, blubbering, girl-, pasta-, pizza-, and siesta-loving Latin boy! When he actually makes a serious effort, he can be amazing, but he only tries in front of girls!
Volume 5: A buoyant young Latino man that loves "bella" (pretty girls) and gourmet food!
Volume 6: This cheerful son of the romance family loves pretty girls.
There are two sets of pictures where this can also be seen and demonstrated. One was a 2011 request where on Himaruya's blog, a fan had mentioned that Italy interacted too much with Germany and Japan, and would wish to see interactions with other nations - particularly the girls, as his profile and several times in the strips, Italy is mentioned to love cute and pretty girls. Himaruya obliged by drawing Italy interacting with Seychelles, Liechtenstein, Belgium, Belarus and Ukraine.
He has a confirmed height of 172 cm (approx. 5'7"). As of World Stars, Chapter 20: Italy Has an Older Brother!, he is confirmed to also be taller than his older brother, Romano.
Himaruya had also written that since real Italians were very cool, he's consciously trying to make Italy appear more attractive, when at first he drew him as more of a derpy character.
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[Personality and Behavioural Study]
A cheerful, energetic man. Despite being the grandson to Ancient Rome, he is an irresponsible crybaby. He loves pasta, pizza, gelato and cheese. His hobbies include cooking, designing clothes, siestas, painting and singing as mentioned in his profiles inVolumes 1 and 5. He was noted as being able to use both hands skillfully, though it may have been a joke as it was cited in a blog post that he could hold a paintbrush in one hand and a slice of pizza in another.
He is shown to have a compulsion of stripping off all of his for his siestas, and usually forgets to put his pants back on after he wakes up. His public nudity has become notorious enough that Switzerland will fire upon him if he catches him streaking throughout his homeland as shown in the strips The Moon, the Unsocial Guy, and the Old Dude? And Also Italy, andRather Usual Way of this Person.
Italy also has the verbal tic of "Ve" (which is omitted in the dub). The verbal tic is apparently said by Italians, above all in Emilia-Romagna, whereas you could hear a "Be" in other Italian regions, which is an abbreviation of "bene", which is the Italian word for fine, and it has the same interjection as "well" at the beginning of a sentence.
Though he was relatively weak and timid as a child, he was able to take on Turkey single-handedly at one point in the strip A Kid Who Can Do It if He Tries. It's also possible that Italy is is a skilled fencer, as Himaruya titled one of his blog entriesItaly's Fencing Strength is Abnormal. An old strip revealed that Italy also dislikes wearing a helmet because it makes him look shorter.
As the protagonist of the series, Italy is focused on quite a lot. What is most highlighted with his is his cowardice and being useless. Hence, the name of the series being Hetalia - which is a portmanteau of the Japanese word "hetare" and Italia. In English, this would translate to "useless Italy."
Looking into Italy's life - as the child Chibitalia to how he is now, at first one would think there wasn't much change between the two, except that Chibitalia was more timid and listened whereas Italy is far more outgoing and tends to be spacey.
However, with the strip A Kid Who Can Do It if He Tries, we see a different side to the child Italy.
Here, we see him face off against Turkey, who was known back in the day as the Ottoman Empire, and actually winning.
The Ottoman Empire was one of the longest lasting and largest empires in history, and had survived for 7 centuries before its decline into modern Turkey. It was known for its excessive rule, and the number of invasions and conquering it had done in the past to various countries. Turkey himself, during his Ottoman times, was considered frightening and a force to deal with.
It really says something when a child nation is able to beat up a much larger, older and experienced one.
(A young Chibitalia shows no fear against the Ottoman Empire and kicks him in the face.)
End notes reveal that during the time of the Ottoman Empire, the Italian navy was Europe's strongest force. Additionally, the notes included that in Venezia, called the Queen of the Adriatic Sea, places like Genova were said to be the world's number one in naval warfare. They were terrible on land, but the complete reverse once they were out at sea, and were strong enough to beat up Turkey.
However, as he grew older, Italy no longer wants to fight.
The reason for that is up for speculation, but there is one instance which could possibly explain it.
The strip Chibitalia shows a particular part where the Holy Roman Empire asks Chibitalia to become a new Roman Empire with him so they can create the strongest country in the world together - just the two of them. However, Chibitalia doesn't want to become a new Roman Empire. When HRE gets upset at the response, Chibitalia explains why he doesn't want to be like his father.
Chibitalia: "B-but, Grandpa Roman Empire was-
He got too big, then he fell.
Grandpa had scars all over,
And they always looked so painful."
(Dialogue can be found here.)
He got too big, then he fell.
Grandpa had scars all over,
And they always looked so painful."
(Dialogue can be found here.)
Since Rome was Italy's grandfather, considering what had happened to him - his subsequent fall and crumbling until death - it explains why Italy does not want to be powerful, and could even extend as to why he's so cowardly.
It could be a stem from fear of what happened to Rome. With all that power as a strong person with influence, there is a great amount of responsibility, and sometimes a price. In the case with Grandpa Rome, despite being known as one of the strongest empires to have lived, Italy saw the aftermath of what happened to Rome since he was taken to live with him for a while. Rome got into a lot of fights, and gained scars from it.
Eventually, he died, and so Italy was alone, and sent back.
However, this may noticeably conflict with the time that Italy was unafraid of beating Turkey during his Ottoman Empire days. But when exactly was that time?
Looking into history, that incident between a young Italy and Ottoman Turkey could be the incident in 1503 where the Ottoman fleet raided the north-eastern Adriatic coasts of Italy. The event of when Chibitalia was confronted by the Holy Roman Empire and asked to be the new Roman Empire so they could make the world's strongest empire together is up for speculation. The Holy Roman Empire was around since the early Middle Ages until its dissolving in 1806. So, it's all up to speculation.
Either way, what was true was that there was a time when Italy did fight back against someone. However, in present day, he's not going to fight back, and would rather surrender.
If he didn't fight back and would rather just surrender, then not only would he not get hurt, but then he wouldn't disappear and leave people behind. Consider the fact that not only Rome had died, but what happened to the Holy Roman Empire as well, may have caused the older Italy to not want to have anything to do with fighting anymore.
Some may say it's giving up, and in a way it is. However, consider the fact Italy also lost two people who he loved and cared for a lot. Though the same thing can be said for other nations like Greece with his mother and Egypt with his own mother, every person has their own way of coping and getting through trauma and hard times. Likewise, everyone will have a different effect to them, as they have lived different experiences with different circumstances. Even if circumstances are similar - e.g. death of a loved one - reactions and how someone copes with the situation will vary among people.
Another explanation as to why Italy is quick to surrender is simply as not wanting to get hurt, and, by extension, not wanting to die.
Considering Rome died from various wars until the eventual decline of his empire, and HRE had left to a war, and has not come back, both events surrounding death could've had a possible effect on Italy where he doesn't want to die, and he believes that if he surrenders, he would not have to be hurt, and, by extension, he wouldn't have to die.
It's a rather excessive notion and reaction, but considering the events of the death of two people who meant so much to him occurred during his childhood, it is not so outlandish. Childhood is considered one of the most influential years of a person, where a certain impact and event can cause a great dent or boost into their psyche. It explains several pointers on an adult and adolescent's behaviour - because a child's cognitive development is still growing and being influenced by things around them. Such thoughts and influences that are ingrained to the schema of a child can follow on into adulthood.
Additionally, that may also be reason why Italy is so affectionate to people.
Though it is partly because of cultural customs (where Italians greet people by kissing the cheeks), Italy is shown to be more physically affectionate where he likes hugging and being close to people in general. In his Volume 1 and 6 profiles, it even mentions the following.
Volume 1 - A bit of a crybaby and a spoiled child who is always expressing his love everywhere.
Volume 6 - He is very good at expressing his feelings through touching.
Though that could also be because of Italy's personality in general, Rome's death and the disappearance of HRE can be viewed in a way as an influence as to why Italy starts showing his affections in excess. During his childhood, Italy was more timid and well-behaved - with Rome dying during childhood, and HRE also disappearing in his childhood some time after Rome's death, Italy may be seen as trying to compensate some notions of love and affection by being more physically affectionate.
It can be interpreted in this way: due to the fact that he surrenders a lot so that he doesn't get hurt and scarred, plus giving a lot of affection to the other party, Italy's more excessive affections can be seen as a bit of a coping mechanism from the death of his grandfather and HRE's fate where he gives a lot of love, so he can get some love back. Having more of a need for love and affection, in a way due to what happened in his childhood where he lost two people who really loved him so much.
Though he did get affection from Hungary in his childhood, even Hungary was busy with her duties. Austria is not a physically affectionate person, France was fighting with Austria, Romano was with Spain, and Spain himself was also off to battles and war.
A Volume 1 edition called Hetalia and Merry Friends also mentions the following:
So, it can also just be part of Italy's personality of being a more affectionate person in general. However, events of his childhood could definitely have effects and influence on his current, present day self.
Despite the fact he's characterized as a cowardly crybaby, Italy is shown to always smile and be more positive despite his continuous surrendering. In effect, this makes him more of a character who is tune of being The Pollyanna.
The Pollyanna is a type of character who is always irrepressibly sweet-natured and optimistic despite things that come their way. Considering the death of his grandfather, the leaving of HRE, the separation from his brother and all of the wars, Italy is usually seen smiling and continue to be cheerful and positive. Where this really hammers it in, is an unfinished/unpublished/possibly scrapped strip where France comes to tell Italy that HRE is "no more."
(Considering the status of the strip, it is still debatable.)
Noticeably, Italy takes it into stride. Italy's profiles also describe his cheerfulness and more positive behaviour as seen in the following:
Volume 1: A bright and energetic Latino.
Volume 2: He's a cheerful Latin boy who loves pasta and women and can be a little bit of a crybaby.
Volume 3: A playful, cheerful, blubbering, girl-, pasta-, pizza-, and siesta-loving Latin boy!
Volume 5: A buoyant young Latino man that loves "bella" (pretty girls) and gourmet food! He is happiest when singing and eating delicious stuff!
Volume 6: This cheerful son of the romance family loves pretty girls.
Regardless, even though Italy is described as useless and a coward, he does have some hidden depths to him where he's shown to be quite talented in different aspects.
Many times, he's been remarked as being known for his penchant for art - particularly drawing and designing as seen in hisVolume 1 and 2 profiles.
Volume 1: Hobbies include cooking, siestas, and drawing/designing.
Volume 2: He gets his aesthetic sense from Grandpa Rome, causing him to very much love painting, singing and designing clothes.
Considering Italy's history with the Renaissance era, it is not out of the question. However, Italy is shown to have other hobbies and talents such as designing and cooking. Though with the cooking, he could be considered a "one-note" chef, as the only thing he's usually seen cooking is pasta.
Sprinkled throughout the strips, it's shown that Italy does have some talents that you usually don't expect. One example is in the strip Ilha Formosa ~Beautiful Island~ where Germany and Italy went to Taiwan. In Taiwan, there are two souvenir shops that appear the same, except one is for Chinese while the other was for foreign tourists who can't speak Chinese. Italy is about to go to the Chinese souvenir store until Taiwan stops him and insists he come to the souvenir shop for foreigners. Italy then reassures her that he can speak a little Chinese.
Though sadly we don't get to see it being demonstrated as Taiwan explains that it isn't Italy's lack of knowing Chinese that was the problem, but rather the crowds of Chinese people with souvenirs stampeding around the store.
Another instant is in a series of drawings called Germany is Playing an Impossible Game, which is about Germany allowing other countries to rely on him. First that appear are Greece and Spain. The third nation that appears is Italy, and the following is described of him:
"Poor fellow in an unfortunate situation.
In reality, the GDP of the Northern part of Italy surpasses the EU average, but even being the secret top-student doesn't help him very much since he is grouped with the incapable lot.
From the countries presented he is the most favoured one, and he is willing to work hard, so the fact that he still looks cute is mainly due to the buckets of seawater coming from his eyes."
It could be a stem from fear of what happened to Rome. With all that power as a strong person with influence, there is a great amount of responsibility, and sometimes a price. In the case with Grandpa Rome, despite being known as one of the strongest empires to have lived, Italy saw the aftermath of what happened to Rome since he was taken to live with him for a while. Rome got into a lot of fights, and gained scars from it.
Eventually, he died, and so Italy was alone, and sent back.
However, this may noticeably conflict with the time that Italy was unafraid of beating Turkey during his Ottoman Empire days. But when exactly was that time?
Looking into history, that incident between a young Italy and Ottoman Turkey could be the incident in 1503 where the Ottoman fleet raided the north-eastern Adriatic coasts of Italy. The event of when Chibitalia was confronted by the Holy Roman Empire and asked to be the new Roman Empire so they could make the world's strongest empire together is up for speculation. The Holy Roman Empire was around since the early Middle Ages until its dissolving in 1806. So, it's all up to speculation.
Either way, what was true was that there was a time when Italy did fight back against someone. However, in present day, he's not going to fight back, and would rather surrender.
If he didn't fight back and would rather just surrender, then not only would he not get hurt, but then he wouldn't disappear and leave people behind. Consider the fact that not only Rome had died, but what happened to the Holy Roman Empire as well, may have caused the older Italy to not want to have anything to do with fighting anymore.
Some may say it's giving up, and in a way it is. However, consider the fact Italy also lost two people who he loved and cared for a lot. Though the same thing can be said for other nations like Greece with his mother and Egypt with his own mother, every person has their own way of coping and getting through trauma and hard times. Likewise, everyone will have a different effect to them, as they have lived different experiences with different circumstances. Even if circumstances are similar - e.g. death of a loved one - reactions and how someone copes with the situation will vary among people.
Another explanation as to why Italy is quick to surrender is simply as not wanting to get hurt, and, by extension, not wanting to die.
Considering Rome died from various wars until the eventual decline of his empire, and HRE had left to a war, and has not come back, both events surrounding death could've had a possible effect on Italy where he doesn't want to die, and he believes that if he surrenders, he would not have to be hurt, and, by extension, he wouldn't have to die.
It's a rather excessive notion and reaction, but considering the events of the death of two people who meant so much to him occurred during his childhood, it is not so outlandish. Childhood is considered one of the most influential years of a person, where a certain impact and event can cause a great dent or boost into their psyche. It explains several pointers on an adult and adolescent's behaviour - because a child's cognitive development is still growing and being influenced by things around them. Such thoughts and influences that are ingrained to the schema of a child can follow on into adulthood.
Additionally, that may also be reason why Italy is so affectionate to people.
Though it is partly because of cultural customs (where Italians greet people by kissing the cheeks), Italy is shown to be more physically affectionate where he likes hugging and being close to people in general. In his Volume 1 and 6 profiles, it even mentions the following.
Volume 1 - A bit of a crybaby and a spoiled child who is always expressing his love everywhere. Volume 6 - He is very good at expressing his feelings through touching.Though that could also be because of Italy's personality in general, Rome's death and the disappearance of HRE can be viewed in a way as an influence as to why Italy starts showing his affections in excess. During his childhood, Italy was more timid and well-behaved - with Rome dying during childhood, and HRE also disappearing in his childhood some time after Rome's death, Italy may be seen as trying to compensate some notions of love and affection by being more physically affectionate.
It can be interpreted in this way: due to the fact that he surrenders a lot so that he doesn't get hurt and scarred, plus giving a lot of affection to the other party, Italy's more excessive affections can be seen as a bit of a coping mechanism from the death of his grandfather and HRE's fate where he gives a lot of love, so he can get some love back. Having more of a need for love and affection, in a way due to what happened in his childhood where he lost two people who really loved him so much.
Though he did get affection from Hungary in his childhood, even Hungary was busy with her duties. Austria is not a physically affectionate person, France was fighting with Austria, Romano was with Spain, and Spain himself was also off to battles and war.
A Volume 1 edition called Hetalia and Merry Friends also mentions the following:
"The need for contact seems to be
ingrained in his body."
ingrained in his body."
(Can be found here.)
So, it can also just be part of Italy's personality of being a more affectionate person in general. However, events of his childhood could definitely have effects and influence on his current, present day self.
Despite the fact he's characterized as a cowardly crybaby, Italy is shown to always smile and be more positive despite his continuous surrendering. In effect, this makes him more of a character who is tune of being The Pollyanna.
The Pollyanna is a type of character who is always irrepressibly sweet-natured and optimistic despite things that come their way. Considering the death of his grandfather, the leaving of HRE, the separation from his brother and all of the wars, Italy is usually seen smiling and continue to be cheerful and positive. Where this really hammers it in, is an unfinished/unpublished/possibly scrapped strip where France comes to tell Italy that HRE is "no more."
(Considering the status of the strip, it is still debatable.)
Noticeably, Italy takes it into stride. Italy's profiles also describe his cheerfulness and more positive behaviour as seen in the following:
Volume 1: A bright and energetic Latino. Volume 2: He's a cheerful Latin boy who loves pasta and women and can be a little bit of a crybaby. Volume 3: A playful, cheerful, blubbering, girl-, pasta-, pizza-, and siesta-loving Latin boy! Volume 5: A buoyant young Latino man that loves "bella" (pretty girls) and gourmet food! He is happiest when singing and eating delicious stuff! Volume 6: This cheerful son of the romance family loves pretty girls.Regardless, even though Italy is described as useless and a coward, he does have some hidden depths to him where he's shown to be quite talented in different aspects.
Many times, he's been remarked as being known for his penchant for art - particularly drawing and designing as seen in hisVolume 1 and 2 profiles.
Volume 1: Hobbies include cooking, siestas, and drawing/designing. Volume 2: He gets his aesthetic sense from Grandpa Rome, causing him to very much love painting, singing and designing clothes.Considering Italy's history with the Renaissance era, it is not out of the question. However, Italy is shown to have other hobbies and talents such as designing and cooking. Though with the cooking, he could be considered a "one-note" chef, as the only thing he's usually seen cooking is pasta.
Sprinkled throughout the strips, it's shown that Italy does have some talents that you usually don't expect. One example is in the strip Ilha Formosa ~Beautiful Island~ where Germany and Italy went to Taiwan. In Taiwan, there are two souvenir shops that appear the same, except one is for Chinese while the other was for foreign tourists who can't speak Chinese. Italy is about to go to the Chinese souvenir store until Taiwan stops him and insists he come to the souvenir shop for foreigners. Italy then reassures her that he can speak a little Chinese.
Though sadly we don't get to see it being demonstrated as Taiwan explains that it isn't Italy's lack of knowing Chinese that was the problem, but rather the crowds of Chinese people with souvenirs stampeding around the store.
Another instant is in a series of drawings called Germany is Playing an Impossible Game, which is about Germany allowing other countries to rely on him. First that appear are Greece and Spain. The third nation that appears is Italy, and the following is described of him:
"Poor fellow in an unfortunate situation.
In reality, the GDP of the Northern part of Italy surpasses the EU average, but even being the secret top-student doesn't help him very much since he is grouped with the incapable lot.
From the countries presented he is the most favoured one, and he is willing to work hard, so the fact that he still looks cute is mainly due to the buckets of seawater coming from his eyes."
The description mentions Italy as being a secret top-student. However, even that doesn't help him due to being grouped with people who are incapable.
In the newer strips of World Stars, Italy is also shown to be good at making cars and tinkering around with machinery, as shown in the strip Chapter 58: Viva the Industrial Revolution! where he creates vehicles. The end notes also state that he suddenly gets really fired up when he's thinking about cool and fabulous designs, and good at making everything from designer housewares to clothing, electronics, furniture and cars.
His Volume 3 profile even describes the following: "When he actually makes a serious effort, he can be amazing, but he only tries in front of girls!"
In the newer strips of World Stars, Italy is also shown to be good at making cars and tinkering around with machinery, as shown in the strip Chapter 58: Viva the Industrial Revolution! where he creates vehicles. The end notes also state that he suddenly gets really fired up when he's thinking about cool and fabulous designs, and good at making everything from designer housewares to clothing, electronics, furniture and cars.
His Volume 3 profile even describes the following: "When he actually makes a serious effort, he can be amazing, but he only tries in front of girls!"
Despite the fact that his first love was a boy (Holy Roman Empire), Italy appears to also be attracted to girls, as it's not only mentioned several times in his profiles, but demonstrated various times in a number of strips and pictures. His profiles mention the following:
Volume 2: He's a cheerful Latin boy who loves pasta and women... Volume 3: A playful, cheerful, blubbering, girl-, pasta-, pizza-, and siesta-loving Latin boy! When he actually makes a serious effort, he can be amazing, but he only tries in front of girls! Volume 5: A buoyant young Latino man that loves "bella" (pretty girls) and gourmet food! Volume 6: This cheerful son of the romance family loves pretty girls.There are two sets of pictures where this can also be seen and demonstrated. One was a 2011 request where on Himaruya's blog, a fan had mentioned that Italy interacted too much with Germany and Japan, and would wish to see interactions with other nations - particularly the girls, as his profile and several times in the strips, Italy is mentioned to love cute and pretty girls. Himaruya obliged by drawing Italy interacting with Seychelles, Liechtenstein, Belgium, Belarus and Ukraine.
Another is a from a request set that was from the Hetaween 2013 event which is called The World of Italy and the Chest. In the series of pictures, Italy is challenged to lie his head on people's chests. The girls included. He doesn't have a problem at all with that, though his efforts were considered in vain due to various complications.
(Can be found here.)
A strip that shows this is Hello World! Hello Italy!, which adapts into Season 2, Episode 8 where Italy is reading a book with a serious expression on his face. When Japan asks him what he is doing, Italy responds that he is looking through a book record of his combats. The combats turned out to be shots of Italy with girls from various countries, which prompts an Japan to close the book on Italy's face.
Thus, this shows Italy's affections aren't just for certain people, but rather for everyone.
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[Relationships]
AmericaThe pair have appeared together a few times, and are both not known for not being able to read the atmosphere. In Comic Diary 1, they are both described as being the "boke" (clueless one) in their respective groups, and were both shown looking for the "legendary ability to read the atmosphere" together.
Ancient Rome/Grandpa RomeThe heir apparent to Rome's fortune, the young Italy spent an indeterminate amount of time living and travelling with his grandfather until Rome eventually grew weak and died due to his empire crumbling. In a segment of Chibitalia, it's revealed that due to what happened to his grandfather, Italy refused to become a new Roman Empire when Holy Roman Empire offered him the chance to do so due to how Rome got too big and ended up with scars that looked painful. Though he didn't emulate Rome's military success, he did pursue the same instinctive talent for art.
AustriaAs a child, after Rome fell, Italy (Chibitalia) lived in Austria's house and spent the majority of this time there acting as a maid due to becoming part of the Holy Roman Empire. He (Chibitalia) was raised there with Hungary's help. Austria believed Italy to be a girl until his voice broke sometime as he grew into a preteen in the strip In Vienna, which was adapted into Season Season 2, Episode 22, with Austria thinking that he "had a feeling this would happen for some reason." From then on, Austria bought him clothes for the proper gender and didn't have him wear dresses. Because of Italy's behaviour and being rather useless, Austria often pushed him around and punished him. Italy often asked if they would have pasta for dinner, and Austria's answer was always no. However, Italy was a glutton and went looking for pasta, anyway. When Holy Roman Empire snuck him (Italy) some food, Austria, believing that he (Italy) had stolen it, locked him in a dark room as punishment. During the strip Spain vs. Austria, during the Spanish-Austrian War, Italy had the opportunity to be reunited with his brother and live with Spain, however he ran straight to Austria after being untied, despite the fact that, according to Spain, Italy complained about Austria's rule. Italy was also against Germany's annexation of Austria along with Hungary. Italy doesn't hold a grudge against Austria for his mistreatment as a child or from any wars they had, and is generally happy to see him.
FranceItaly (still a child) grew up with a teenage France. The two got along very well until Italy was taken to spend time with Rome. However, when he came back, France only wanted to control Italy. They are still on good terms though, as Italy continuously refers to France as "big brother" and has visited him a number of times. France is also unwilling to harm Italy despite the fact they are enemies, as revealed in the strip France and England are Good at Spreading False Information where he gets upset at England willing to spread rumours about Italy.
GermanyAfter being found in a tomato crate, Italy became his prisoner, then ally. With Japan, they formed the Axis Powers. Italy is openly affectionate towards Germany, and is always trying his best for him and the Axis, though failing most of the time. Despite their differences, they're still quite close. In the incomplete strip Buon San Valentino, it's hinted that Germanycould be Holy Roman Empire, when he appears to have a flashback of Chibitalia. However, with the release of World Stars Chapter 12: The Birth of Germany, it is considered unlikely and debatable.
Holy Roman EmpireAs a child, Holy Roman Empire would frequently chase Italy about - demanding that he become a part of the Holy Roman Empire. After Austria gained control of Italy, they resided in Holy Roman Empire's house. Holy Roman Empire believed Italy to be a girl and had a crush on him, but had a hard time interacting with him. As a result of HRE's intense gazes, Italy became very afraid of him at times. Italy later revealed that the reason he refused HRE's offer to join him in becoming a new Roman Empire was because he saw the effects of what a long life of war had done to his grandfather. HRE then leaves to go to war after other members of the Holy Roman Empire begin turning against him and Austria. As he leaves, he runs into Italy, and the two say their goodbyes as Italy gives HRE a token of his affection (his underwear in the webcomic version and his broom in the anime). The two share a goodbye kiss, and HRE promises that he will return. HRE's eventual fate has yet to be confirmed in the series, though in an unfinished strip, France goes to Italy and tells him that Holy Rome is "no more", hinting that he may have been killed (and possibly a reference to Napoleon and the French being the one who eliminated the Holy Roman Empire in 1806).
HungaryWhen they were under Austria's rule, she and Italy were very close, and she became his older sister figure. She was one of the few characters who knew of his true gender at the time, and didn't mind bathing with him despite that. It's strongly hinted that they remained quite close. In the Christmas Trivia Comics, each December, she dresses herself as the Krampus and scares Italy. She was unable to contain herself and hugged him - telling him how cute he was, and "capturing" him in the process, which only scared him more. He falls for this trick every year.
JapanJapan is shown to be unnerved by Italy's "shameless" and unusual behaviour, even going as far as to order him to "take responsibility" for taking his first time, and marry him after having been hugged and kissed by him as a greeting in the stripJapan-kun vs. Italy, which was adapted into Season 1, Episode 12 (in the dub, it's changed to Japan telling off Italy for invading his personal space). When Italy once drove Japan to his house, his erratic driving skills inspired Japan to invent safer cars, which was seen in Season 3, Episode 9, which was adapted from the Japan Omake strips. The two are shown to be good friends, and from the strip World Stars, Chapter 15: This is Japan, Japan is shown to try and reciprocate Italy's greeting hug by hugging back as well, though he strains and panics a little. Though Italy tells him that he understands perfectly and not to do it if he feels uncomfortable, Japan insists that manners are important between close friends.
PolandItaly and Poland are shown to be good friends as shown in the strip Cute Poland's Polish Joke. It was Poland who gave Italy the idea to make an ejectable seat in Germany's Kübelwagen, as he had previously designed an airplane with one (which backfired on him).
PrussiaPrussia is shown to be very fond of Italy. According to an answer to a question on a blog post, worrying about Italy is "a tradition from Prussia's time." With another answer to another question on another blog post, Himaruya responded that Prussia grew attached to Italy some time ago when they fought together. Prussia finds Italy cute, and is attracted to his and Romano's climate and topography. In a drama CD adaptation of his blog event, Prussia asked Italy out to a date at the Danube river, only for Italy to be oblivious of his question and be distracted by his bird. In the game Cleaning Prussia, Italy is one of the options available, and Prussia states that he has clear ulterior motives to be praised by Italy. Upon arriving, Prussia finds Italy asleep in his bed, and begins to stroke Italy's head. As he strokes Italy, he is reminded of the Risorgimento, and happily daydreams about him and Italy on a gondola in Venice. The ending was labelled as a "Happy End." In theHetaween 2011 event, Italy praised Prussia for his hard work, and was eager to join his and India's dancing during the party.
South Italy/RomanoThe two brothers grew up knowing of each other, but never actually met face-to-face. Italy eventually went to live with their grandfather, Rome, for some time, while Romano was left behind. After Grandpa Rome died and Italy came back, Romano and the other boys bullied him. The two were separated again where Italy was claimed by the Holy Roman Empire and Austria, while Romano was sent to live with Spain. In present day, the two brothers don't appear to get along very well, with Romano occasionally refusing to acknowledge his brother's existence, though Italy is more eager to be around him. As a child, Romano felt jealous and inferior to Italy due to him inheriting their grandfather's talent for art and business, which he couldn't do. Despite this though, he does show a subconscious care for him: becoming upset when his brother implies that he did not admire him, and sharing a bed with him. But usually, when it is hinted that he cares about Italy, something happens that angers him and he instantly reverts back. Although Romano appears tougher than Italy, he is just as cowardly and ineffectual, if not more so. Romano refers to Italy as Veneziano, and Italy refers to him as Romano in order to avoid confusion. In the strip World Stars Chapter 58: Viva the Industrial Revolution, Romano's jealousy and resentment to Italy still exists in present day, and he is shown irate at Italy's skill of being able to tinker around with machinery - prompting him to live with America instead. The end notes reveal that the general consensus for Southern Italians was, "If I'm gonna have to rely on North Italy, then I'd rather go to America...!"
SpainItaly affectionately refers to Spain as his older brother like he does with France. Spain's greatest desire was to have the Italian brothers live with him, and also expressed desire in marrying them. However, in the strip Popular Spain, when Spain came back in 2005 to announce that it was now legal for men to marry, Italy simply congratulated him. Italy was the first person Spain came to propose to. When the Italy brothers were young, Spain wished that Romano was more obedient and cuter like Italy, and even wanted to trade with Austria for him. In the strip Spain vs. Austria, Spain promised Italy that he could reunite with his brother once the war was over, however his expression frightened Italy into running back into Austria in tears, much to his shock.
TurkeyWhen he was a child, Italy, with his naval forces, had beaten Turkey when he, as the Ottoman Empire, had tried to invade. Subsequently, Turkey returned home, snarling that he really hated kids from that experience. However in present day, Turkey doesn't hold any grudge or ill feelings against Italy, and was happy to show him and Germany around his home - even apprehending and yelling at one of his own citizens who tried to steal Italy's camera. He isn't even afraid or embarrassed to admit that Italy beat him in the past, which shocks Germany. This was all in the strip, Turkey&!, which was adapted intoSeason 5, Episode 10.
--------------------------
[Addressing Complaints]
Warning: Emotions may run high ahead. It could turn rant-like and highly sarcastic with foul language - you have been warned.
He's annoying/ditzy, I hate him!1!Okay. And? You want a medal or something?
As mentioned so many times before in previous entries, it's okay to hate a character or a pairing as long as the reason is logical and understandable, and that you don't bitch and shove your opinion in everyone else's throat.
I know that in Italy's case, people may hate him for being weak, cowardly, a crybaby and usually seen as useless. It's fine to hate or dislike him for that reason. However, do you think that gives you the reason to be a big bitch to everyone else around you?
Everyone has an opinion. Get over it.
He's actually a manipulative bitch.I am fully aware some people use this portrayal of Italy, or make him this way in their story or whatever, but in all honesty, I don't think it makes any sense at all.
Why?
Because Italy is shown to be pretty air-headed and a bit of a ditz. E.g. he spent so much time with Japan and has been friends with him for a while, but he still thought Japan was younger than him in the strip Our One Year Anniversary! The Triple Alliance, and so he gave him juice instead of alcohol, and remarked that Japan can finally drink when he's an adult. Even when Japan tells Italy he's much older, Italy believes that Japan is cracking a joke. Though he does display some signs that can be interpreted as he's aware of some things. E.g. when Prussia tries to ask Italy out on a date to the Danube river during the drama CD of his April Fool's blog event, while Prussia continuously chants words such as "Danube" and "date", Italy keeps referring to Prussia's bird, then he moves along to a question on a photo of Latvia, which effectively makes Prussia forget about his asking Italy out, and talk about Latvia instead. There was also the instance where Italy sang a song about Germany which basically insulted him.
But even then, Italy doesn't do these things to make a person suffer or feel bad on purpose. Most likely, he's more innocently insensitive.
If some people want to interpret Italy in this way, at least don't twist him into some person that wants others to suffer, or takes great enjoyment in seeing others suffer - that's definitely not him, and none of the nations are like that. It's very distasteful.
GERITA IS CANNON!1!Nope.
No pairing in Hetalia is canon except for Chibitalia x HRE. And before rabid fanbrats can try and argue and insist that Germany is HRE, which is one argument that fans use to claim it's canon, then give proof. Give substantial evidence that he is, and that this pairing is canon.
And before anyone tries to say that the Buon San Valentino strip and episode is proof of GerIta being canon, then that's a load of crock. Because for one thing, did anything even happen after that? Are Italy and Germany being romantic? Are they kissing, hugging, or doing anything romantic? Italy never even said yes to the proposal, either.
And for another, there was nothing about the whole thing in the end about Chibitalia being shown in that strip. Nothing happened after that. Period. Things just moved on.
And before rabids could argue of it being canon - there's actually a strip that was released not too long ago that could actually throw the Germany = HRE theory out the window.
It's a strip in World Stars - Chapter 12: The Birth of Germany where Prussia recounts the tale on how Germany was born. Germany was revealed to have been born from the joining together of many Germanic nations with Prussia taking charge of the new nation that was born after beating Austria.
Subsequently, there was a note at the end that while other countries were born as babies, Germany was born as an older child due to having an existing body already. The term "existing body" is where things become debatable as some argue that the"existing body" was HRE, but others argue back that "existing body" simply refers to the Germanic nations who already existed, but joined together to create Germany. That, and HRE was a very young and small child, whereas Germany looked like an older child when he was born.
At the other end of the spectrum, people, do not bash on GerIta fans just because of the rabid bunch. Not all GerIta fans insist their ship is canon, and, surprise surprise! Not all GerIta fans support the Germany = HRE theory. One of my friends ships it, but she dislikes that theory.
So everyone, just remove your heads from your asses and move the fuck along. Because I am done with people who insist their pairing (except Chibitalia x HRE) is canon, and I am also done with judgmental people who think every person who ships a particular thing are idiots.
He's actually gay!Did you not read this journal? Or even any of the strips, or even watched any episodes?
Italy's not gay. He hits on girls, and his profiles mention about girls quite a lot, so if you want a sexuality where he can be paired with guys, unless you're doing an AU, Italy would probably be bisexual. There is no evidence or anything from Himaruya that states outright or says that Italy is gay, or anything related to his sexuality.
And before anyone accuses me of being a homophobe just because of me ripping at this complaint, I'm not going to bother arguing back - because your heads are so far into your asses, that it's just reached the level of "so pathetic I won't bother anymore."
He makes Romano's life miserable! It's all his fault! I hate him!Though yes, Romano does feel inferior and unhappy because of his own issues compared to his brother, should you really blame Italy for that?
It's like blaming a piano virtuoso when they've actually practiced their craft hard, just because you're not so good. It's not the virtuoso's fault they can play the piano, and that they're good at it. For all you know - they might feel pressure at being so good. It's a two-way cycle.
And last time I checked, Italy isn't the type to gloat into Romano's face about how skillful he is with art and business. He just does his art and business.
It's really nobody's fault in this circumstance as it's not Romano's fault that he feels this way, and it's not Italy's fault he's good at something. It also might not be Grandpa Rome's fault that he left Romano behind and took Italy with him since his reasons for leaving Romano and taking Italy are not disclosed.
It's just a rather unfortunate circumstance.
He gets in the way of <insert pairing>!Nope.
You're just a deluded little brat who thinks that, but really, you're the one who makes them get in the way of your precious little pairing.
So if you should go bash on someone, go and bash on yourself.
(If there are any more complaints, feel free to comment down below, and I'll add them in!
)--------------------------
[Do's and Don't's]
(Basically summarizes it all.)
Do's:
Keep in mind that Italy does have some hidden depths: his fencing skills are good, he's good at business, good at tinkering with machines, and good at designing.
Remember that at the same time - while Italy does have talents, he's still a coward and will surrender and beg for his life.
Know that while Germany, Japan and Romano are the people who Italy interacts with most - he interacts with quite a number of other people. I.e. America, France, Spain, Prussia and girls.
Recall that as a child, Italy did beat up Turkey. Turkey is also unafraid and unashamed to admit that.
Be aware that only Chibitalia x HRE is canon. Everything else isn't.
Don't's:
Keep in mind that Italy does have some hidden depths: his fencing skills are good, he's good at business, good at tinkering with machines, and good at designing. Remember that at the same time - while Italy does have talents, he's still a coward and will surrender and beg for his life. Know that while Germany, Japan and Romano are the people who Italy interacts with most - he interacts with quite a number of other people. I.e. America, France, Spain, Prussia and girls. Recall that as a child, Italy did beat up Turkey. Turkey is also unafraid and unashamed to admit that. Be aware that only Chibitalia x HRE is canon. Everything else isn't.Don't's:
Insist he's gay, or that canonically he's gay. There are several mentions and moments where he's hit on, and is into girls. Bash and bitch at people who like/dislike him, or ship him with someone else. Make him a manipulative little shit who thinks he's top ship and beats down on Romano. If anything, he's quite enthusiastic with interacting with his brother, and it's Romano who doesn't like to acknowledge him. Insist that GerIta is canon. It's not. Only Chibitalia x HRE is canon. Likewise, don't bash on GerIta fans and accuse them all of being like that - that just makes you judgmental.--------------------------
[Head-Canons]
Have a head-canon for Mr Italy? Comment below, and it shall be added!
Note: If the head-canon is ship-related, it won't be added. Even if it's a ship I like, this journal series is about the character, not the ship.
Note 2: To avoid confusion because some head-canons may contradict each other, I will also give a shout-out to you along with your head-canons. If you don't want to be mentioned, just tell me, and give me a different name instead. =^^=
Note 3: Another nation can be mentioned in the head-canon - it just shouldn't be ship-related. It should be platonic or familial.
He lives from tourism and his cuisine. He'd also love to show you around and be your personal tour guide, if you're a girl. He was taught how to play the violin by Austria. Sometimes he accompanies him when he plays the piano. One of the places he loves to go to the most is Juliet's House in Verona. Sometimes, if he takes a girl or a fellow nation there, he might start reciting Romeo's lines, and want the other to recite Juliet's. When it comes to paintings, he tends to notice some details that others cannot. Example - the pressure of the brush stroke. He loves to cuddle with people a lot because Rome used to give him plenty of cuddles when he was a child. Italy is pansexual, but he also preferred the bara genre over Japan's (the country) other...over 18+ manga works, because the art is more realistic. He honestly never understood the concept of yaoi, and finds everything about it disturbing (along with the fangirls/(rare) fanboys). - He actually can be very snarky, but it's usually covered up with his whining and complaining when in distress. - He's brutally honest in some cases. - He always finds himself attracted to shy people. They always seem to have a fun route to explore. - When it comes to real romantic relationships that Italy wants to be in, he'd always be gentle and patient with his lover. However, if his lover complains too much or has too many negative views, or is just a plain kill joy, then he'd never keep the relationship further, and definitely break up the romantic relationship. Because those traits are the least desired traits of his. He wants his relationship to be happy and blissful. - He'd be very clingy protective of his friends, family and lover, because he's afraid of losing them. Though, if they were supposed to go war, then he can't do much about it, other than pray to God to protect them. - He loves studying astronomy and science. If he were ever to get a job as a teacher of either said subjects, he'd have his students do more field work (like working with telescopes or looking under microscopes), instead of reading through text books every day. He feels that the students should experience it. - He actually has the best handwriting, especially when it comes to handwritten letters. - Italy, Liechtenstein, Denmark, Belarus and England all share a common bond for their passions over writing hand written letters. No matter how old fashioned it is. - Italy is actually very good at noticing very little details that no one would notice or find. - One time he and America acted like characters from a noir film as they decided to help Prussia be proved innocent after being framed on stealing some random rich family's special jewel (they were vacationing together in a random place in America). They solved the case after finding who the person was and proved Prussia innocent - all thanks to the cheerful duo's sharp observations. - Italy tends to question certain art; such as the Colleto Fava made by Austria's people in his country which becomes a tourist attraction. - Italy, like other Europeans, had colonized quite a few nations in Africa - his hardest to conquer was Ethiopia, which he got defeated twice. - Italy and Norway (along with Iceland) have argued over who discovered the Americas first. - The only fights Italy gets into are verbal arguments. But when they start to get physical, he starts to back off. - Italy has been in more wars then one might assume - he has quite a few scars. - Italy's fairy-tales can get quite frightening at times; such as the original stories of The Adventures of Pinocchio, and tends to question the Disney version. - Italy really loves the Grand Prix racing due to being quite the regular, and loving the speed of cars. - During their olden days, Italy and France do fencing matches with each other and sometimes still do it for 'old time's sake.' - He and Romano still knows how to pray and read the bible in Latin. - Whenever Italy is with a girl who says she's not pretty, he will not hesitate to cheer her up by giving her affection, and in some cases go shopping with her to give her a make-over, cause he believes no girl should belittle herself over her looks. - One of the reasons why Italy and Romano seemed cowardly, is because they're notorious for being superstitious(Romano especially). - His singing range is tenor. He loves to sing at operas, is a guest singer at them, and often competes with other tenors like Russia. - He learnt fencing by France during the Renaissance, and he disliked the Borgia family - even calling Pope Alexander VI "a sex crazed maniac." - When Germany first visited Italy, he was dressed in a trenchcoat while dressed in his fascist military jacket brandishing medals and a red sash across his chest and black fez. Prussia jokingly stated that Italy looked like Germany's protector and Germany a wall painter. - Every country had a human life, hence their human names, which were their names in their past life. For many, that's all they remember. Italy can remember everything. - He's attended the University of Padova, and often see the "roasting " of the graduates and sings the university's anthem, "Dottore! Dottore! Dottore, del buso del cul! Vaffencul! Vaffencul!" - During the Battle of the Isanzo River during WWI, Italy hid in an ammunition crate to not get hit by the bombs. - He's a massive fan of Pimpa but he hides it. Quite well, really. He's got a plush of him locked up in a cupboard. - --------------------------
[End Note]
Perfectly honest, while I do enjoy writing this series, it really irritates me how people don't leave references or cite their references on where they get certain facts and information from.
Now I know how my lecturers and tutors feel whenever some little shit doesn't cite their references on a research paper because they're either pulling something out of their ass, or just too damn lazy to do anything about it. =w='
Who shall be next? You decide~
Hetalia Character Journal SeriesDue to being a bit worried about the possible new Hetalia fans that are coming in due to Hetalia: The World Twinkle releasing episodes and also the Hetalia World Stars strips (and I do not want another repeated incident where someone gets bullied by immature brats who think they're right and others are wrong just because we can all have different opinions), I figured why not start a journal series on the Hetalia characters?
Usually also because nowadays, I'm rather disturbed at how badly OOC the characters can be to the point I'm like, "Do you even read the strips? This doesn't even look like this character but a poor excuse to make your pairing/reader insert/cheap plot/bashing happen."
And though it's nice to have head-canons, it is not nice to have OOC-ness: I personally find it unprofessional and boring. Especially because the characters aren't yours to begin with. With new fans, it's excusable as because they're new,
No flames please.
Hope you have a wonderful time~
Manly Genshin Impact
I finally got my pen nibs! Q7Q just as work is starting to get a bit more intense. orz That being said, I've also been playing Genshin Impact. Fun game. Reached Adventurer Rank 16 and played a bit of co-op with some really nice and helpful people. Wanted to draw some stuff for it but I kind of just want to draw OC's or make some designs because as much as it's got an interesting story and it's been fun so far...where's my beef? There's skinny twinks everywhere and little kids. That ain't much fun for me, and not really giving me an incentive to pull on the Wish system even if the characters are apparently good? XD there are some hot ladies in there who'd be fun to draw I guess (like Lisa) but by now, most of you know my style. I want me some man candy. Beefy man candy, man. I mean, I guess I can beef up Kaeya (who's probably so far my favourite). It's even possible to beef up the Ameno Traveller and make him less twiggy. XD But yeah, if you have any ideas for a beefy
Q+A - Favourite Gym Leader from Each Region?
And yes, that includes Trial Captains, not Kahunas though, as I'd put Kahunas as part of Elite 4 since they're around that level. >u>;;
Q+A - Favourite Starter Pokemon?
Just wondering, out of interest, what is your favourite starter Pokemon? Namely, the first stage, but mid and final evolutions are also nice to know. =^^=
(Grass-types: Bulbasaur, Chikorita, Treecko, Turtwig, Snivy, Chespin, Rowlet, Grookey
Fire-types: Charmander, Cyndaquil, Torchic, Chimchar, Tepig, Fennekin, Litten, Scorbunny
Water-types: Squirtle, Totodile, Mudkip, Piplup, Oshawott, Froakie, Popplio, Sobble)
Status Update [3-12-19]
So it's been a while since I made one of these entries but hello there, guys! Hope you're all having a good one.
I namely put up this status update because as of tomorrow and up to the 16th of December, I will probably not be online or have Internet access because I'll be on a cruise until then. We'll stop by at New Zealand at one point, and that should be a day or two where I can get Internet, but majority of the time, I probably won't have any.
If I can wind up getting Internet during my time onboard, that'd be great, but until then, if I don't get Internet, hope you guys have a great one, and see you just before Christmas! :D
Cheers!
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Idk if you're still accepting or not but I always just head cannoned Italy as someone who cared for everyone no matter what or at least gave people second chances