Hetalia: Axis Powers

Hetalia: Axis Powers (Japanese: ヘタリア Axis Powers, Hepburn: Hetaria Akushisu Pawāzu) is a Japanese webcomic written and illustrated by Hidekaz Himaruya. It was adapted as a manga series, which was serialized in Comic Birz from 2006 to 2013. A dark humor genre anime adaptation, produced by Studio Deen, premiered in 2009. The series' main presentation is as a comedic allegory of political and historic events as well as more general cultural comparisons. Characters are mostly male personifications of countries, regions, and micronations, with both positive and negative cultural stereotypes forming part of each character's personality. Hetalia (ヘタリア) is a portmanteau combining hetare (ヘタレ; 'useless' or 'pathetic' in a cute or endearing way) and "Italia" (イタリア, Itaria; 'Italy'). The series started with a focus on World War II, although it has broadened beyond that. Most of the comics take place during other historical events, modern holidays, or at no specific time whatsoever. The manga and most recent season of the anime are titled Hetalia: World Stars. The series often uses satire and light-hearted comedy to reinterpret well-known events as well as less common historical and cultural trivia. Historical, political, economic, and military interaction between countries is generally represented in Hetalia as social interactions and misunderstandings between the characters. Himaruya originally created Hetalia as a webcomic, and so far six tankōbon have been published by Gentosha Comics. The series was later adapted into drama CDs and an anime series produced by Studio Deen.