Helatia: More than it appears

tacticslion · 05-02-2010, 03:28 PM

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 (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 what I've got 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 · 05-02-2010, 03:36 PM

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 · 05-02-2010, 03:48 PM

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 · 05-02-2010, 03:51 PM

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 · 05-02-2010, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NonCon

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 · 05-02-2010, 05:14 PM

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_ · 05-02-2010, 08:31 PM

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

**Satan's Onion** · 05-03-2010, 03:29 AM

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

. )

tacticslion · 05-03-2010, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NonCon

TTGL

Quote:

Originally Posted by Julford Hajime

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by phil_

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

I know, right? Webcomic Writers can't do professional stuff! We here in the States are far to clever 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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Satan's Onion

(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!

05-02-2010, 03:28 PM	#1
tacticslion Regulator Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 1,842	Hetalia: More than it appears 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 (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 what I've got 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! __________________ Make the best decision ever. I look forward to seeing you there! You should watch this trailer! It's awesome! (The rest of the site's really cool, too!) I have a small announcement to make. And another! Last edited by Satan's Onion; 05-03-2010 at 03:17 AM.

05-02-2010, 03:36 PM	#2
Kim adorable Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 12,950	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. __________________ this post is about how to successfully H the Kimmy

05-02-2010, 03:48 PM	#3
tacticslion Regulator Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 1,842	"Thesees"? "Theories"? "Thistles"? 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. __________________ Make the best decision ever. I look forward to seeing you there! You should watch this trailer! It's awesome! (The rest of the site's really cool, too!) I have a small announcement to make. And another!

05-02-2010, 03:51 PM	#4
Kim adorable Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 12,950	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 __________________ this post is about how to successfully H the Kimmy Last edited by Kim; 05-02-2010 at 03:53 PM.

05-02-2010, 08:31 PM	#7
phil_ Just sleeping Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: At home, probably in bed. Posts: 6,482	All I have to say is lol Japan, making professional cartoons out of webcomics. __________________ Be T-Rexcellent to each other, tako.

05-03-2010, 03:29 AM	#8
Satan's Onion Swing You Sinners! Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: 4th Street Posts: 2,666	(I tried fixing the title, 'cos it worked last night, but it didn't work this time. Phooey . ) __________________ Good evening, ladies. Please enter and be tained .