Ranked #263

Hetalia World Series

Hetalia World Series is the continuation of the wildly popular and beloved web comic (later adapted into a manga) drawn by Himaruya Hidekaz. Not much has changed, but with the introduction of some popular nation-tans (I'm looking at you Prussia), World Series is shaping up to be one of the most enjoyable installments of Hetalia yet.

The format of the show is the same as previous installments. The four and a half minute episodes are broken up into little vignettes, or short stories, with one or two comic strips used per punch line. These can vary from interaction between Germany and Prussia, to America and Japan playing video games. The Chibitalia subplot is still here, and still sickeningly sweet (in a good way), and is now joined with another bizarre subplot where the nations are now cats…yeah.
There technically is an overlying plot (WWII and other events in history acted out by the various personified countries), but this plot is pretty loose in its execution. Mostly you'll just have amusing interactions between the nations with the occasional interjection of history here and there. Just don't expect to pass any history tests with this anime. Hetalia is a fairly easy show to jump in to at any point due to the looseness of the story, however be warned that there are a large amount of characters that might be a little daunting to sort and recognize at first.

Said characters are by far one of the strongest points in Hetalia. First of all, there are a ton of them. America, England, Russia, Austria, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Belgium, Estonia, and many more all are given the personification treatment and turned into caricatures of their home nations. For example, America is still a loudmouthed, hamburger loving, wannabe hero. France is still a lover of all things (and people) beautiful. Germany still loves beer. Just keep in mind that the nation-tans are CARICATURES which means they are exaggerated not realistic (so don’t get upset at how your home country is portrayed because it’s all in jest). Since there are so many characters, this leads to some being shown much more than others. Obviously the Allied and Axis Powers get most of the air time, but the supporting cast is still fantastic and WS is giving more screen time to characters like Austria, Hungary, Prussia, and the Nordics. But the case may be that your favorite character is rarely seen onscreen. The good news though, is that so many of the characters are great that you’ll most certainly find someone to love.

One of the most common complaints when most talk about this series, and Hetalia as a whole, is the short run time. This show runs five minutes with a short ending song. While this short run time of course leaves me wanting more as a fan, the format of this show just doesn’t lend itself to long run time. It is essentially a string of set up, leading up to a string of punch lines. If this went on for too long it would get tedious and most of the humor would be lost. We must remember that APH (the manga and the anime) is adapted from a web comic. Short and sweet is the perfect format for Hetalia. The jokes are funny, the characters are sweet, and it doesn’t get bogged down in run time or filler. So while it is a bummer to only get four and a half minutes of Hetalia at a time, it is at the very least justifiable, and probably for the best.

As for how World Series itself shapes up against the previous installments of Hetalia, I think it’s some of the best the anime has to offer. At this point if you’re still watching, the characters have grown on you and the introduction of those that were rarely or never seen in previous seasons such as Prussia, Finland, and Sweden (totally biased shout out to Sweden) add even more crazy fun to the mix.

Himaruya’s art has always been round and chibi-ish, and WS doesn’t really change at all from previous installment animation wise. It’s not incredibly bishi or sparkly, no one has eyes bigger than their faces. But it works. It’s cute. It’s fun to look at. The voice acting is also excellent at encapsulating the personality of the nations. Germany’s voice is suitable stern, Italy’s is suitable carefree, America’s is suitable in your face, ect.


All in all, World Series continues to contain hilarious jokes, amusing and adorable characters, and just a sprinkling of actual history. I highly recommend it for anyone looking for some quick and solid laughs. Pull up a chair, grab a bowl of pasta, and enjoy.
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A continuation to this fun and cool view on history, with the help of sexy bishonen and adorable Shota points to keep the story active and funny. It's pretty much the same as the first season, except there are many extra mini stories added and the introduction to many new Countries and plot developments.
If you enjoyed the first season, you will surely enjoy this second clever season~!

I was blown with laughter when I first watch Hetalia! It made me like many of our worlds countries!

To start off I been only watching the english dub version. That's because so I can hear each person's unique accents, which are great by the way cause the english voice actors did a very good job trying to capture each countries own accent!

I give story an 8 because they do kinda teach you a few events that happen in world history, although each episode is only about 5 minutes long.

The characters are awesome! I like how the anime captures each country's stereotype. For example America is always seen eating burgers and he talks like those idiot people who are always saying "dude!" and France often acts like a pervert and is sometimes made fun of his weakling nature. Russia doesn't have no fear which fits well with his country since they are trained to show no weakness, and of course Italy is seen as a useless person in battle, thus given his name.
Hetalia is a funny comedy you need to see! 9 out of 10! read more

100% awesome sure it could be longer than 5 mins. but its still great even got me interested in history *never thought it was possible* just watch it if you love it great but if you dont i hate you *jk i dont even know you* anyway watch and enjoy

Before I start my review, I will state something:

YES, I am guy and no, I don't have a girlfriend (so I'm single lol) who forced me to watch this. Also, this review will include my perception on Axis Power as well.

Here's my opening act...what do you get when you have a bunch of good looking lads who embody the very stereotype of their countries and live like ordinary people with political, economic, and even social problems? Well, this anime is the answer to my question.

Hetalia, even the anime title, itself is quite synonymous to the actual plot with the Heta- part meaning, "useless/pathetic" (in a cute, innocent way) and the -lia part derived from the Japanese way of saying, "Italy." So literally, the anime begins with the Italian boy shouting, "pasta," which introduces us to the fluffy, cute parts of the world and meeting each guy that embodies the country's stereotype. Thereby, there is no real plot or even a sense of direction for a main plot, but that's why there are many directions to go with and Himaruya, the creator, never fails to impress when it comes to being creative. It's just as I mentioned above, a bunch of handsome men experiencing the ordinary life while battling through political, social, and economic hardships. You can go from watching an episode of Italy being pathetic in a cute way with musclebound Germany coming to his rescue, egotistic America and a rather shy Japan being friends with each other, or even the fishy Nordics and their systematic way of making their products...the possibilities are ENDLESS!

However, the art...not the best, but not eye-wrenching too! It does match Himaruya's earlier art styles, but his recent artwork has been improving and well, the men go from good-looking to jaw-dropping gorgeous devils such as in Beautiful World (the newest season), which I have yet to watch. Overall, the way he draws his characters have a sense of naivety and maybe an ounce of, "seinen" quality, but that is expected for the target audience is typically girls.

I would recommend this anime if you are:
-a history buff (no worries the kick ass narrator in the anime will help you along if you don't get the references in each of the 5 minute episodes)
-into stereotypical jokes/gags
-into guys for their personalities and yes, LOOKS for the fangirls alike and at heart
-in an anime fix, but need something short and amusing to watch
-did I mention that each anime episode is ONLY 5 minutes?! So don't freak out if there are hundreds of episodes you have yet to watch cause you'll surely catch up

I, for one, will say that I am so glad to have found an anime so short and amusing and with such a popular fan base, this one will definitely be a standout in my book because of Himaruya's witty creativity to come up with a plot full of men embodying their country stereotypes that once again, I have mentioned, live like ordinary people with political, economic, and even social problems.

I would rate this anime (up to World Series) a 9.2/10. Now, I bid you, my fellow, reader of my review, fangirls, and everyone else, au revoir, sayonara, hasta la vista, and adieu.
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*This is an archive from my Anime-Planet account. Please keep in mind that the intro of mine is outdated as of currently. Reading the silly intro is purely optional*


NOTE: Before I start this review, this review has little Fanfic-like moments, and of course... This review was intended to be over-the-top



Critic's Log - Earthdate: August 13, 2012. Review #17: Hetalia: World Series



Hello Ladies and Gentleman from every nation, did you enjoy watching the 2012 London Summer Olympics? If you did, good for you. If you didn't care much for the Olympics, Well, it's not going to bother me much since I didn't really see a lot of the competition. Well, it seems that America ranked #1 in the Games of the XXX (30th) Olympiad. It seems the 2014 Winter G...


*My phone rings* (this is the little "Fanfic-esque" moment I was talking about)

Me: "Hello"

America: Hey Dude, it's me...America!

Me: America!? What's up?

America: Oh, just celebrating our success at the Olympics, because we so totally kicked ass.

Me: I'm not so sure if bragging about your success in the Olympics is such a good idea.

America: You think so? Well you do have a point. I just get carried away sometimes with stuff like this. I guess I shouldn't brag too much about it too much

Me: Ye...

America: Because If I keep going... I might get my ass kicked,

Me: Uh..

America: But don't worry about saving me, because I am the hero after all!

Me. O..

America: So did you watch the Olympic...

*I hang up the phone*


Damn! Mr. America won't shut the hell up.

Anyway... It seems the 2014 Winter Games are scheduled to take place in Sochi, Russia, and the...

*My Phone Rings Again*

Me: Hello?

Russia: Hello, my name is Ivan but I usually go by Russia

Me: Ok

Russia: Well I just wanted to tell you that I hope you look forward to the Ceremonies for the next Winter Games, we are attempting on putting out a really great show for the 2014 Winter Games that many countries can appreciate. Well, see you around.

Me: Bye

*Conversation ends*

Well, that was short. Anyway, the 2014 Winter Games will be held at Sochi, Russia and The 2016 games will be held...

*My Phone rings again*

DAMN IT!

Me: Hello?

England/Britain: Listen up you stupid git, and listen good

Me: Excuse me?

England/Britain: Oh, my foremost apologies, I thought this was America's number.

Me: You got the wrong number Sir...

England/Britain: The name's Arthur, but I go by England or Britain

Me: Ok Sir Arthur, Sir England, Sir Britain

England/Britain: any name is fine, sorry for calling you a stupid git.

Me: It's alright

England/Britain: So, did you see the Ceremonies?

Me: I missed the Opening Ceremony, but I saw the closing ceremony that had The Who in it.

England/Britain: I'm listening

Me: I actually think you guys put on a good show and you sended off the London Olympic Games with a bang.

England/Britain: Why thank you kind sir! Well, I might as well get going. I have some things that I must attend to through my daily schedule. Can you do me a small favor?

Me: What is it?

England/Britain: Can you tell that stupid bloody wanker America to stop bragging about how many golds that his country has won?

Me: Already told him, he called me before you did.


England/Britain: Oh! Well, thanks for proving a point to him


Me: Question: How did you, America, and Russia know my number?


England/Britain: That information is classified kind sir...

*He hangs up*

Okay then... *I turn off my phone so I don't get interrupted again*... The 2014 Winter Games will be held in Sochi, Russia and 2016 Summer Games will be held in Rio de Janiero, Brazil




You know what, I just realized something... WHY AM I WASTING TIME TALKING ABOUT THE OLYMPICS!? I GOT A REVIEW TO DO!

Here is Hetalia: World Series! Because I am awesome and Anime is Awesome.



HETALIA!


Italy was once home of the strongest empire in the world. Now it has changed. Italy is now a cowardly pasta loving fool, and his friends also go through strange moments in World History. Wait a damn minute! I JUST SAID THE SAME DAMN THING IN MY AXIS POWERS REVIEW!... Well to make a long story short, this is a continuation of the same premise but with the addition of Cats, I like Cats, and I LOVE DOGS!




HETALIA!


To Be Technical, This is yet another Studio Deen production and yet another installment in their internet series of Hetalia. Everything looks nearly the same as before and I guess it is not something to gripe about too much in this series.


HETALIA!


I actually have nothing much to complain this time; I will just give you a fair warning... I don't think Hetalia: World Series is perfect, but I do like this anime. I got a flame shield ready just in case for any situation




HETALIA!

The music isn't too important in this show, except for its ending theme. Marukaite Chikyuu is used for a small number of episodes until it changes to Hatafutte Parade. I like the new closing theme but I FIND MARUKAITE CHIKYUU ADDICTINGLY CATCHY DAMN IT!



HETALIA!


The Characters are all lovable in this series, the old faces are still funny and then there are some new faces. Prussia is definitely a welcome addition in the series, and Turkey is another one too. Greece is another good addition as well.




HETALIA!


The Subbed Version is listenable in this series like Axis Powers, but I actually kind of prefer the dub in Hetalia: World Series (same with Axis Powers plus the movie) I already have explained in my Hetalia: Axis Powers review that I liked the dub because of the range of accents that can be heard from the dub compared to the Subbed version. The Japanese voices are not bad in this show. I just like the dub in this one. There are too many cast members to speak of, because most of the performances are actually quite good, I already gave my kudos to Funimation for actually making this one of the funniest dubs they have done recently, or did I. Anyway I just did....



HETALIA!

Since I pretty much have said all that is reviewable for this anime, I guess I can fill you in on what I think of this anime. I really like it, this anime might land on my favorites list. I like the humor, I like the characters, I like the closing theme Marekaite Chikyuu, and I like how every episode is 5 minutes long. I also realized that there's a lot more sexual humor than Axis Powers. I think my favorite scene with this type of humor was the Codpiece moment. It aroused me with laughter especially when the Japanese text is translated as "D**k Holder"



(I did not say aroused as in "I'm turned on", get your mind out of the gutter) And let's not forget... The Crotch Cloth moment. That is probably one of the funniest Prussia moments, and speaking about the sexual humor that this show has, Let's just pray that France does not have his own special segments, because if he does, I bet you he's gonna bring up sexual topics like the birds and the bees and GENITALIA!

*I'm now doing my French Laugh Impression*
MEEOOWWW!

The only parts of Hetalia I sort of don't like (This is just strictly opinion) is some of the Chibi Romano and Spain moments, and I only liked a few Nekotalia / Catalia segments.


RAWRRRRR!


I will admit, I have never heard of this anime until it was licensed in the US. It got quickly popular through word-of-mouth and this series has sort of developed a cult following. It has a large fanbase and It wasn't big at first, and a lot of people enjoy it for what it is. Also, a cult following isn't meant to be confused with religious cults, it's actually a play on words... Look it up on wikipedia. Due to Hetalia's surprising popularity, a fifth season of Hetalia has been green-lit and should be released eventually, As for Bob Shirohata (The Director of this anime)... Like Axis Powers, he does not disappoint on World Series, and let's hope that Season 5 is better than ever. Keep up the good work Hidekazu Himaruya!




MEEOOWWW!


Hetalia: World Series is available by Funimation, The Hetalia manga by Himaruya Hidekazu was available by Tokyopop but now it is available by Right Stuf, A video game called "Academy Hetalia Portable" for the PSP was never released in the US.


MEEOWW!


With that said, Hetalia: World Series is a continuation of a really funny series that has political and historical satire. World Series is a bit funnier than Axis Powers, but it’s good that way. I had a lot of fun watching this, when I go to Sakura-con next year, I will have a costume probably made and I will be cosplaying as Germany and I look forward to the fifth season of Hetalia. Like Axis Powers and the movie Paint it, White, This is definitely an anime to watch with friends.


I give Hetalia: World Series an 8 out of 10, for its comedy, It is VERY GOOD!


Feel free to leave a comment and have some Pasta! Now if you'll excuse me, I have some meetings that I must attend to. read more

I love it still! There are a lot of times where the third season isn’t as good as the first and second but this one isn’t one of them! It’s hard not to have the second season of a comedy go bad though it can happen.

Prussia’s attitude is spot on, giving him the somewhat annoying feeling but with that awesome felling we get. I really don’t get his voice though. I would of thought it would be a bit closer to Germany’s instead of Austria’s accent.

Even though Germany and Italy are separate, we still get times where Italy is sneaking into Germany’s bed still! This show actually reminds me a lot of why people want to do most of the pairings; it shows a lot more of the feelings between the nations and opens up possibilities into what they feel. Some things that they say actually can be taken wrong and give girls like me who am into Yaoi a chance to swoon because of it. I really want them to actually create a new season because there are so many characters that came up at the end of the show and they really need to show them more!

The OVA doesn’t really feel like an OVA in a sense because of how close it is to the actual show that I don’t know why they didn’t just put it together.

The artwork is the same as the first one, not changing the awesome look of it at all.

The voice actors are perfect and witty in there stereotypical banter. I love both English and Japanese dubs and can’t wait to see even more of them. They bring a lot of new characters in and sometimes it is a little hard to understand some of the accents or words they use. I’m not all that fond of Poland’s accent, I think it should be a little more valley girl but it is pretty good in getting the stuck up feeling.
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