WW2 + Anime + Chibi

[JALU3]

With Italy as the main character

All this adds up to this

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/1...ca****yeah.jpg (type in Word linked here in blanked out part to see image)
Axis Power Hetalia

I don't know many anime junkies here besides myself, but I know that there are a lot of historical junkies, so maybe this might be enough to get a laugh out of some of you.

[UnderseaLcpl]

I once purchased a comic book called "Tigers of the Luftwaffe" that was done in Anime-style. I couldn't read the thing, because it was all in Japanese, but it had some nice drawings of German military hardware.

I watched a few episodes hoping that Axis Power Hetalia would be something like that, but it doesn't seem to be. Like most anime, it just confuses me, and I didn't see a single piece of military hardware. Perhaps one needs a more thorough understanding of Japanese culture to understand it.

I like the idea behind personifying the nations, could be good for a kids' history show or maybe a historical comedy, if the history was correct.

Oh well, here's something I found while looking for that comic book again;

[JALU3]

Originally Posted by undersealcpl

I watched a few episodes hoping that Axis Power Hetalia would be something like that, but it doesn't seem to be. Like most anime, it just confuses me, and I didn't see a single piece of military hardware. Perhaps one needs a more thorough understanding of Japanese culture to understand it.

Rather than having actual military hardware, it is more a comedic look of the Pre WWII, and later in the series WWII, international relations dynamic with countries represented by individuals who are suppose to personify that particular country, like the image in the original post of this thread. It is suppose to particularly focus on that dynamic from the view point of Italy, who from watching the series is personified as the bitched guy since "Grandfather Rome" left.

I like the idea behind personifying the nations, could be good for a kids' history show or maybe a historical comedy, if the history was correct.

If you like nations personified and the entire mecha-musume sub-genra, may I direct you towards Strike Witches. I haven't watched the series myself, but it is highly spoken off in that circle. As for the history, because they are dealing with nations as individuals the events between those nations are depicted in often weired almost nonunderstandable ways. And sometimes it is done just for comedy. Such as, in this series one of the greatest exports that Italy boast is pasta, and white flags.

[Oberon]

I recall they did a similar thing with Afghanistan, Afghanis-tan or something, let me look it up.

Here we are:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afghanis-tan

Thanks for the links and pics

[rubenandthejets]

Ah, anime.....It's a bit hit and miss with me.

I have trouble with the concept of a ME109 personified as a sexy / cute adolescent flashing her panties at me "accidentally".....but thats just me. eg http://dejay.iplanet.at/ME109E-3.jpg

Give me a sexy / cute adolescent girl in a skintight rubberised suit plugged into a giant killer robot defending the Earth from weird Kabalist aliens anytime but you can keep the generic whiny self pitying "hero".eg http://www.1999.co.jp/dbimages/user/.../10063947a.jpg

(Gomen, Shinji kun, ore no unko o tabemas' to shinemas' onegai shimas')

[antikristuseke]

I cant be the only one here that does not like anime. At least the stuff I have seen so far has had either character that are complete twats, or have character that are part airplane/tank/whatever or stories made to bore the life out of anyone. Maybe there is some anime out there that I might like, but I am tired of picking through all the **** to get to something halfway decent.

[UnderseaLcpl]

Originally Posted by JALU3

If you like nations personified and the entire mecha-musume sub-genra, may I direct you towards Strike Witches.

I gotta give the Japanese credit for being original ,but girls with propellors for legs aren't really my cup of tea. What I intended to say was that I like the idea of using personified abstract concepts as an artistic device.

[JALU3]

Maybe there is some anime out there that I might like, but I am tired of picking through all the **** to get to something halfway decent.

Same can be said about a lot of newer movies and tv shows. Most are trash, and you have to wade through them in order to find newer programs that you can enjoy. It amazes me how the studios and networks can choose to air bad shows on a continuing but short lived basis. I guess the might have the bad pasta strategy of choosing new programs. Lets throw it all against, the wall, and see what sticks. The shows that stay there the longest will get to stay on the next season.

Anime in Japan, just like regular programing here in the States and elsewhere, is partially quality, partially quantity. None of it is designed to appeal to everyone, and some are specifically designed for nitch markets. So if you like the art style but a particular series that you see isn't your cup of tea, than please don't let that dissuade you from continuing to look for a show that you might like.

I gotta give the Japanese credit for being original ,but girls with propellors for legs aren't really my cup of tea. What I intended to say was that I like the idea of using personified abstract concepts as an artistic device.

May I suggest than Zipang. A story of a JMSDF that does a "Final Countdown", where the modern day crew faces the Imperial Japan that was. It's interesting how the crew interacts with their older counterparts, how their world views are different, and goals are different as well.
It's definitely not as Japanese Right Wing as The Silent Service, which met with some controversy.

[Raptor1]

Don't know about The Silent Service, but Zipang was great (If somewhat lacking an ending)

[Rhodes]

Originally Posted by Raptor1

Don't know about The Silent Service, but Zipang was great (If somewhat lacking an ending)

Same here, but I didn't wach the Zipang anime, I bought the manga books of it. I got to volume 8 or 9, but didn't finish the collection!