Helatia: More than it appears

[tacticslion]

So, I usually avoid this area of the forums as I don't have TV (I mean, I have a TV, just nothing coming to it like cable, sattellite, or whatever). However. This (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hetalia) (the anime version) made me reconsider and put it forward to you, the NPF community.

First, I have to note that this series is absolutely brilliant, but utterly deserves the MA rating. Actual real-world war and history - including death, holocosts, religious actions, controversies and more - are boiled down into cute little (mis)-representations of the constituent countries and their interactions with one another. It is something that Americans - and really citizens of any country involved - should watch and learn from. The "MA" rating comes from the fact that it discusses very, very mature things in a light and comical style probably combined with caution on FUNimation's part to avoid some frivolous lawsuit - like GreyFox23 and McCoysMyHomeboy said in the comments of episode 1. There is so much amazing history here, however. I'm blown away at how accurate, yet deceptive the characterizations and histories are of the countries. Its nearly unbelievable.

I've only seen up to episode 4 (and probably shouldn't have watched that much today) but wow. I don't know how many episodes are available, and they are very short - around five minutes each.

Here's (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37Bncqwh-Mo&playnext_from=TL&videos=_z9_rcp2wK0&feature=sub) what (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okXzHnADloI&playnext_from=TL&videos=_z9_rcp2wK0) I've (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NppH0EVcdnU&feature=channel) got (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=li9FlTspiEU&feature=channel) so far. Fair warning - especially with episode 1 - you guys will probably need to pause sometimes to read the captions as interactions and conversation will fly so fast between the various cast members.

EDIT: Because I've dyslexia, and totally wrote the series name incorrectly. Thanks Nique!

[Kim]

This show is like pure yaoi fuel. You have no idea.

Anyways, the show is pretty good. I need to get back on watching it. My favorite character is Italy, of course. I kinda want to be offended at how much they stereotype countries, but on the other hand, they even do it to Japan, so everything is fair game, and it doesn't take itself seriously. It's a fun watch, very quick, and you just have to love it, even if the ending song sucks.

[tacticslion]

It's bizarre. I mean this stuff is deep enough in some ways to be a man's doctoral thesis!

I mean, yeah, they stereotype the daylights out of everything, but they certainly don't spare their own country. It's very wierd how much they make you want to side with the Axis powers... but that makes sense, seeing as Japan was an Axis power in the war. To have otherwise would be vaguely analogous to an American author explaining, in full detail, why Germany was heroic while England sucked in WW2 - it just wouldn't happen. That said, Germany is basically the "beleagered hero" of the first four episodes, despite the title, ending song, etc referencing Italy. That's what I mean about misleading but insightful.

[Kim]

England, America, France, and the like start making bigger appearances soon. I don't remember when, but there are some episodes about American cleaning all the old things out of his spare room that were actually kinda sad.

Fun fact: America has the same voice actor as Kamina from TTGL

[Julford Hajime]

Fun fact: America has the same voice actor as Kamina from TTGL

Oh goddammit Noncon. I had almost convinced myself that, while this series sounded amusing, I could afford to pass it up. Now I can't :(

*Looks up episodes*

[Nique]

This show is fantastic. History should be taught through intentional charictures like this (rather than the subtle ones we actually use that tend to impede an accurate understanding of history)

[phil_]

All I have to say is lol Japan, making professional cartoons out of webcomics.

[Satan's Onion]

(I tried fixing the title, 'cos it worked last night, but it didn't work this time. Phooey :( . )

[tacticslion]

TTGL

SOLD!

Ok, I've heard this name before, even seen it bandied about (and I think I've asked about it), but I still don't know what it is, exactly.
Sort-of Edit as I Write: ... aaaaannnnd wikipedia decided to work for me this time. Ok, so this "Gurren Lagann" (or TTGL) is just that good to hold sway over the general populous? I may have to look at it... at some point I'm not in finals.

All I have to say is lol Japan, making professional cartoons out of webcomics.

I know, right? Webcomic (http://www.nuklearpower.com/2010/04/25/my-other-marvel-project/) Writers (http://www.nuklearpower.com/2010/04/16/and-a-space-trucker/) can't do professional stuff! We here (http://megatokyo.com/) in the States (http://www.schlockmercenary.com/index.html) are far to clevinger to make that mistake! But seriously, that's an encouraging sign (to me) that webcomics, as a medium, are coming to be taken seriously on both sides of the water.

(I tried fixing the title, 'cos it worked last night, but it didn't work this time. Phooey :( . )

Yeah, I tried with my edit too. Thanks for the attempted assist, though!