Between blogging Hetalia, writing season previews, discussing animblogsphere shitstorms and god knows what else, it seems I spend far more of my time discussing anime than actually watching the stuff. Ah the humble anibloggers life is a harsh one.
But hey, it’s fun so I’m not complaining.
While I’m really enjoying these episodes of Russia’s big happy family, I have to admit that I’m not really laughing out loud at the episodes. They are funny, don’t get me wrong, but what usually gives Hetalia that extra kick is the historical context behind the jokes. My historical knowledge around these countries, however, is utterly miserable. Asides from Ukraine wanting to join the EU and doing it’s best to gain acceptance, everything else I’m just going to have to take Hetalia’s word that what it’s saying is true. Which is a pretty dodgy stance to take and I’m not sure that if I ever met a Belarussian they would appreciate me asking them do they really have an incestuous lust towards the Russians.
Boing boing boing boing boing boing boing boing boing boing boing boing boing boing boing boing boing boing boing boing boing boing boing boing boing boing boing boing boing boing boing boing boing boing boing boing boing boing boing boing boing etc. It’s called a bra. I’m sure France will lend you one.
There were lots of little snippets of gold in this episode. The continued wimpiness of the baltics, a genuinely cute chibitalia-esque shot (his scarf!!!), Italy’s being mortally afraid of Russia and Belarus being…herself I guess. But it’s been Russia over these past two episodes who has been the grease between the joints. I’m loving watching this alternate side to his personality. Post-communist Russia desperately trying to redeem his relationships with different nations in a way only Hetalia could pull off. Man I love this show . I know I bitch about it’s annoying level of inconsistency but at heart I really do. I wonder how high Russia has shot up on my favourite Hetalia character sheet?
France proving, yet again, that he is undeniably fabulous. If Bokutachi no Blog was ever to delve into the world of podcasting, this would be the picture we would use. However I’m afraid the Irish accent isn’t anywhere near as sexy as the French accent. Plus I think we’d need a hell of a lot more readers before we ventured into the region of podcasts. How about it? Would you listen to Bokutachi no Podcast, providing France was used as the header image?
blindability
Brian
Poro
jGLZA
Loba
TeamZer0
thaivuN
Bokutachi no BLOG 
The Belarus wanting to marry Russia angle seems to be stemmed from this one:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_State
And LOL on Latvia being all alone from the Baltic states (Lithuania used to be part of Poland, and Estonia is more related to Finland), poor kid.
Aaah, I’m not much of a podcast person, but having France there as header has my approval.
“I’m just going to have to take Hetalia’s word that what it’s saying is true. ”
“Italy’s being mortally afraid of Russia”
Thats one of the reasons why you really shouldnt. Russia and Italy never were great allies OR arch-enemies, so that scene was just random for the sake of random.
@Karry: Hmmm, wiki said Italy-Russia have close relations recently… but then again its wikipedia.
Normally I don’t like podcasts, but if it was this blog and if you were involved… Hell yeah I’d listen!
As for the Belarus thing, that wikipedia link above seems to be a good explanation. I also heard from my roommate (who I swear knows everything) that there are a good number of political parties in Belarus who want the country to become part of Russia again. After she listed off the top fifty most populous countries in order off the top of her head I’ve started to trust her on these things.
Haha.. lol@Ukraine’s boing boing boing.. i mean, huge tracts of lands. Poor Ukraine.
I love these episodes about Russia. It really shows his other side. But venting out his frustrations of his sisters to the Baltic countries? Oh, Estonia. Hahaha..
Since i live at the other side of the world, i really don’t have much knowledge of Western countries. So i have no idea about Belarus and some other stuff. So yay for Hetalia and your blogging and people’s comments and reading stuff because of Hetalia haha.
Oh, France, you.. Your pick up line sounded sooo wrong (but i’d listen to your radio show everyday, nevertheless).
It’s really hard not to like Hetalia characters. I love France and Russia a lot more now (and the Baltics.. and Belarus.. and Ukraine.. and..)
Seems like the next episode is about Liechtenstein (and Switzerland?) and Austria. I hope they show Poland soon. D’: (Please, Deen)
@Podcasts: I love podcasts! Although i don’t listen to it that much. When i see one, i just go “hey, i should try this one out”. But since i enjoy your blogging here and i love trying podcasts, i’d definitely listen to bokutachi no blog’s podcasts. Plus a France header? Count me in! Hahaha.. 😀
@Siri: That’s an amazing friend you got there! D:
I’d love to have a friend whom i can ask History (and other stuff) facts, too. But i do have this acquaintance who likes WWII and Germany stuff, so i sometimes ask him. But since we’re not that close (plus this person’s a guy @_@) and i don’t want to annoy him because of Hetalia stuff, i sometimes go clueless of Hetalia. So thank goodness for blogs that explain and people’s comments (here and in lj. yay. <3).
@randomanon
Ah there we go. I tried a little wiki-ing but got bored (Belarusian history is surprisingly dull). That whole thing about those countries wanting to join Russia is a bit weird isn’t it? They got their independance all those years ago and now want to get rid of it? Maybe it’s just because I’m Irish but that seems all very alien to me
@Karry
Too true. I’ve said that time and time again that you have to be careful with Hetalia misinformation but for the most part it’s been pretty historically accurate, albeit a Hetaliased version of events
@Siri
With friends who seem to know everything you have to take the same approach with them as you would Hetalia. Listen with interest but take everything with a pinch of salt.
@blissfullynaive
I would love to show a Hetalia hater some of you people. The amount anyone whos watched Hetalia combined with forums and blogs has taught everyone such an amazing amount. What I love most of all is when people show me wiki articles of info I’ve missed. Seriously, that’s one of the posts I’ll do at the end: What Hetalia has taught me
@Everyone
Wow, support for Bokutachi no Podcast. I put it out there simply to test the waters but if I was ever to do a podcast it would be a) not until at least next year and b) short. No really, I don’t like how podcasts are over 30 mins long, I’d keep mine down to a respectable 10 mins, maybe 15, depending if I can get any guests.
@Siri’s friend: Yeah, take it with a pinch of salt. :3 But you do have an amazing friend.
@Scamp: I love the discussions after each episode/for some comic strips. I like how some people offer links/sources. It’s really helpful.
@Podcast: I don’t like how some podcasts are awfully long too. D:
But sometimes, i just let it play. Not because i’m listening to it, but because i like having something play when i’m doing some boring stuff xD. But lately, i haven’t listened to any podcasts and just tune in to music. But since we’ve all been a regular poster here, i guess we’d definitely listen to your podcasts. So.. wishing you well on that idea~. 😀
Make a podcast!!! And I’m sure France nii-chan’s undeniably lovely image could pull in a whole lot of listeners.
Belarus. I love the whole incestuous thing, and it turns out she had it from her chibi days! These latest episodes have put a smile on my face though, just by the pure d’awness of Russia.
I laughed so hard when Russia touched Italy’s arm all friendly, while the other two were crapping themselves with fear.
I’m not sure why, maybe it was the little heart, that’s so not Russia.
FABULOUS
That’s the perfect word to describe France!
I’m not even sure what a podcast is but why not?
At least I know the Francis header will atract me.
I’m Italian so a little info about Italy-Russia here: those two countries are close now, but it’s a pretty recent event caused by the fact that Berlusconi and Putin are both populists controllers of the media (Berlusconi owns or controls 5 channels out of 6) so they get along really fine XD but it’s more of “our prime ministers are friends” than “Italy and Russia are close”. The reaction of italians is similar to Italy and Romano’s ones , so it’s spot on XD
I’m enjoying Russia’s moment in the sun with these eps as well, though I tend to start missing the other characters in these one-character-focused type eps, and start craving a messy ep where everyone else shows up again. 🙂
I would definitely listen to Bokutachi no Podcast! Please consider doing it.
And I think Latvia and Sealand-kun become friends at some point, so hopefully Latvia won’t be alone for too long. 😉
@blissfullynaive
The only podcasts are listen to are an Arsenal one and the ANNCast. Most of the time when I see a podcast it’s waaaay too long and that totally puts me off listening to it
@blogger
Drawing customers with pictures of sexy men. Hey, it’s what everyone does so why not me!
@heyheyho
Fabulous is one of my favourite words. Not quite as great as the word flabergasted. I’m always looking out for oppertunities to use that word
@Claudia
Hey an Italian reader! How cool is that! I know that whole ‘our prime ministers are friends’ tactic that happens a surprising amount in internation politics. Wasn’t there a rumour spread by the American government that George Bush said ‘Yo Blair’ to Tony Blair but accidentally left his mike on. The entire thing was a total fib but it got the idea across that they were best of buds. Besides, if you were going to be best buds with any prime minister, it would be Putin.
@Jan Suzukawa
I’m beginning to miss proper Germany episodes. He hasn’t had much to do for a while. As for the podcast, I was just testing the waters here to see if people had any actual interest in listening to them. I certainly won’t be doing one for a hell of a long time. I don’t have any recording equipment for one. In my grand master plan to make Bokutachi no Blog the ultimate anime blog, it’s still quite a few steps down the line
“Ah there we go. I tried a little wiki-ing but got bored (Belarusian history is surprisingly dull). That whole thing about those countries wanting to join Russia is a bit weird isn’t it? They got their independance all those years ago and now want to get rid of it? Maybe it’s just because I’m Irish but that seems all very alien to me”
It’s more on the economics and convenience than anything. Look at Texas (though they had the power to leave). And Newfoundland.
IF IT HAS FRANCE ON IT, I WILL WATCH/READ/LISTEN TO/ RAPE IT. YES.
I’m very happy with the Russia content in these past few episodes. The scarf moment was too cute! I nearly broke down when Russia said ‘Where did it go wrong’. I think I have an unhealthy obsession with the USSR. And not just Hetalia USSR.
Whoot for Russia’s theme again. ^^ And doesn’t France look sexy in that head set?
Wow! Thanks for that comment, Claudia. It’s really nice to hear opinions from people who got their countries represented in Hetalia. It’s like knowing their side, so it’s nice. 😀
@ksfwolfe: I’ve been wanting to learn more about the USSR ever since i learned more about them in Hetalia. So i’m checking for comments from people (to learn more xD) and planning to read books. But i guess i’ll start reading from the beginning: Grandfather Rome. Haha.. xD
That scarf moment was really cute, i agree! X3 And i like chibi Ukraine’s hair. 😀
Not gonna lie, Ukraine’s chest bouncing noise kind of creeps me out …
@randomanon
lulz, total ignorance here of inter-state American politics. Anywho, yeah it’s obviously more an economic thing. That’s why Scotland won’t split from England and the entire general idea of the Commonwealth
@ksfwolfe
Rape ma podcast? Just remember, it’s not rape if you say surprise
@blissfullynaive
Good old Hetalia. Bringing people across the world closer together than any other anime has ever managed before
@Shinmaru
It is a bit off putting isn’t it. I’m all for big boobs but the bouncing sound…
@Scamp: Theres a list of 101 countries from Hetalia shouldn’t do over on livejournal… France has two lists, XD I espescially remember one…”Saying surprise before I jump on then still qualifies as rape.”
Ah, darn…I’m late for posting this…so this might be a little long…
~Podcast
Hell yeah, Scamp! I’d listen if you did it. 😉 I’m not too picky on time….but I really just listen to NPR’s Science podcast, and those run half an hour to more, aha. And France’s face is an added bonus, non?
And good luck with Bokutachi taking over the blogging world. *salutes*
Ahh-hh I wish they would do more of the Baltic States….(so cute, niya!)Um, I do know that (in response to ‘Blogger’) Estonia is closer to Finland….well, let me rephrase that. The three Baltic States are pretty small; Liet is next to Poland and Belarus, Latvia is inbetween Estonia and Lithuania, and Estonia (interestingly the smallest of the three countries) is the closest to Finland and Sweden, seperated by a body of water. I think Estonia was actually with Sweden and Finland for a time…
Ahem, anyways, I actually know a Belarussian, aha. And he is quite attatched to Russia… o.O Er, the country, Russia, I mean.
Yay! The next episode is about Liechtenstien and Switzerland? AND Austria? *fangirls*
…AND Canada & America WITH A CHAINSAW.
8DDD
*flails*
Somebody uploaded the raw early!!! *fangirls*
Please elaborate! :O
Yeah, episode 44 has been subbed by gg already. God only knows why it’s out already. Probably a technical error on the site. I bet whats happenned is that someone on the other side accidentally released the episode too early and someone ripped the raw and distributed it already. That can happen with internet releases sometimes. I’d say there’s probably someone getting fired, or at least getting a right smacked bottom, over in the Hetalia staff at the moment
Currently DLing ep 44. @__@ Man, this week’s episode is kinda.. fast. Leaked? xD
I know someone posted the phone version at Nico, but some say this doesn’t look like the phone version because of the good audio. Well, i have yet to watch it (hurry, torre- OH IT’S DONE!).