Comics / Manga

Hetalia Axis Powers Volume 1

By Chris Zimmerman
October 15, 2010 - 15:42

It seems as though every few years a media franchise comes along that gets the industry buzzing. Hetalia Axis Powers appears to be the latest sensation, with the manga hitting stateside in conjunction with the anime. The series has garnered a storm of fan support before its licensing which one would have to guess will be excellent news for licensors Tokyopop, who have gone beyond their normal standards of giving this release a sense of importance.

Hetalia Axis Powers makes no bones about being politically incorrect. This is a series that is so off the wall in both concept and execution that one can hardly blame it for its unorthodox approach at comedy. Make no mistake; this isn’t a series that is going to agree with everyone. It is goofy in every way, shape, and form.

Hetalia takes a unique look at World War II, opting to center on a group of individuals personifying the countries involved with each person assuming the stereotypical personality traits normally associated with said country. Goofy? Yes. Unapologetically humorous? Definitely. Oh yes, and of course each one is a handsomely designed young man to send girls into a tizzy.

Hetalia isn’t meant to be taken seriously. Anyone coming into the series expecting an overarching story depicting a mangaized version of World War II will be disappointed. Hetalia is a comedy designed to poke fun at history. From America reminiscing about his war for independence against Britain to Italy’s prissy demeanor, Hetalia pulls no punches when it comes to parodying the countries involved. For readers looking for a series to tickle their funny bone that don’t mind their country being the butt of a joke, Hetalia should prove more than satisfactory.

Rating: 8.5 /10

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12