@ArdeMobil same here I live in the county just north of NYC and we have a memorial in our park... We lost around 10 people. I was 5 so I don't remember anything from that day but my aunt worked in the city and she tells me stories.
This was so sad it reminds me of wen I watched a documentary on 9/11
I remember that moment I'm not american,I'm colombian,but I was 5 close to 6 years exactly 20 days for my birthday .I Just cry like never do ,even today ,the only thing who make me cry like that was when I was close to lose my mom .For be honest i'm cryin now.
That teach me to feel the pain even if you're from another place .They were humans like me and I know I could have been in that place with all who died that day.
I was 4 when 9/11 happened. I went to some preschool and it was near JFK. My school was literally on a HUGE LOCKDOWN. My mom rushed into the building to get me and we both drove off. When we got home, I saw the TV and the 2nd tower collapsed and I literally flipped out crying. My prayers go out for those affected. You are not forgotten. -333
I was only 3 when this happened, so I don't remember it... But this is making me want to curl up in a hole and die. I feel so bad :C Poor America. I can't even immagine what it was like to those who lost loved ones.
Nyaaa... I still remember being in Middle school.. Teachers turn on the news, and i see one tower fall.. Then a few hours later the next one falls.. It was kinda scary, cause back then you wouldn't know what would happen. Thinking of it now kinda makes me feel cautious of our actions and other countries actions. I do still give my love and my blessings to those who lost a love one and to the ones that lost their lives. We may fall many times, but we surprisingly stand back up and keep walking..
Ok I think I know what it is. Ok so all of you know that some of the Hetalia characters have special features. EX: Nantucket is America's little hair, Texas is his glasses Quebec is Canada's curl. So I think that America's nose or whatever is the twin towers.
I was so little back then. I'm 16 now and wow... this made me cry. My dad was in New York that day (we live about an hour away from the city) And he saw them fall on a TV. He was with his friend, and a woman came out screaming about how the Towers were hit. Another woman started sobbing because he husband was in the towers... My prayers and love go out to all who were affected.
Wow...all the responses...seeing how young people were when this went down makes me think....You younger ones were probably better off...not really understanding what was going on and the depth of it.
I think I was about 6 or 7 when I saw it on TV...my mom didn't want me to watch, but I was so fixed on the screen. I think I ended up seeing some of the jumpers...Never again. <3 Canada
Okay, this may seem too bright or the situation, but please tell me I wasn't the only one expecting America to stick the chapstick up his nose at the end? I was? I now sound like a huge douche? Thought so. :C
this made me tear up. just thinking about everything that happened. i was little when it happened, like 2 or 3. i dont remember anything about it and i dont even know when i found out about 9/11.
As first when I saw the title i thought yaoi but then, when it was half way through I was like man this is serious goosd jobs guys XD I remember I was four and in the car recently moved into the USA, didn't understand anything.
I remember my mom taking me home early from kindergarden one day; I was confused but happy to see her. But when I learned a little more about history a few years later, and figured out that day was 9/11, I felt terrible for my ignorance. That day I thought it was a pleasant surprise to see my mom and go home early, when it was truly a tragedy
I was three when this happened. I don't remember how I reacted, or if anyone even told me. But my earliest memories related to this were of me thinking "Why? Why would you want to do that toProxy-Connection: keep-alive
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0another person?" Even now, a decade later, this is still one of the most tragic things that has happened during
9/11 was horrible. The terrorists were extremists, and betrayed Muhammed. Muhammed believed that even if you didn't believe they same thing they did, you should still respect them and tolerate their beliefs, but those people took it to a whole other level.
Those poor innocent souls who died on 9/11. We will never forget them.
... I'm just glad you weren't offended by whatever offended the others. One thing that did bother me in the arguments is the constant use of "my opinion". For example, stating that you have full understanding of Himaruya's intentions is pretty ballzy and disrespectful considering you are not that person. It's no different to putting words in the mangaka's mouth.
... keep forgetting that animu and the interwebs is such serious business. Goodness...
I tried to get through all the arguing in the comments and I thought I'd say something intellectual but... I can't do it right now. But.. now that I've stopped laughing. This is probably one of the reasons why I can't get into Hetalia. The fans, not just the yaoi ones, are too much for me to stomach. But anyway. I just wanted to apologize for the... 7 openly offended? people who disliked the video by moving pictures depicting a terrible event. As for the 8, 451 something or the other views...
I really don't get people. You are saying that this is offensive? How is it offensive in any way? They are making a tribute to all of those who died on 9/11! How is that wrong?! People hating on this are just looking for a reason to troll. I bet if they hadn't made a tribute to 9/11 you guys would be complaining too. So stop saying offensive when it's not.
What? This is NOT offensive people! Everyone has made a tribute to all of those who died in 9/11 including this project. it is MOURNING those who died! those who are hating are just looking for an excuse to troll.
I loved this. I absolutely loved this because it shows an understandable REAL portrayal of the feelings involved with relatable characters. "The images ... day after day." It hit hard and that's what I love.
Too many people are too quick to judge... No, you can't say anything about it being about Hetalia, because that's exactly what it was like then. Those growing up after it happened don't realize what an effect it has on the minds of people to even see it and realize your life has changed.
This is my second time watching this and both times i've cried. I swear I had nobdy important to me harmed in 9/11, and yet I still cry everytime I see a video or a picture, I swear I cry too much. But iammathewian all of you who worked on this deserve a thank you for making this. This is not making fun of 9/11 but telling a very sad story, so from my family to all of you, thank you very much.
To be honest, I was wary of this video at first, when I realized it was about 9/11. But after watching it, I have to say, I think you did a good job. It was kept serious. And the way the countries are portrayed separates it from the comedic show. Those who can't see that are ignorant, plain and simple.
To the poster who said something about the Norway incident, I think it's a little soon. This was uploaded almost 5 years after 9/11. Like said, people are quick to offend, best to play safe. Kay?
After seeing this many times after it has been posted, I think this is very beautiful and touching, I really don't see how this could be disrespectful. Showing real images showed the true horrors of 9/11 and the representation with the characters in my opinion was brillant. It really showed that not only all of America united, but also other countries around America. In all, I thought this was an apporiate memorial for 9/11. Thanks to the iammathewian project for posting this~<3
This is an amazing tribute, America thanks you (in the literal sense) It touched my heart as well as many others, I had come home early with a black eye and my Dad conveniently turned on the news. I watched it live. I had family that worked in that area so I was absolutely terrified. So thank you for this, it means alot. :)
I think this discussion is good. The rest of the world pretty much has moved on from 9-11. But today's US media and society is starting to make 9-11 into a taboo subject which I believe is wrong. I like that we see two sides of the argument about how this subject matter should be portrayed. The intention of discussion is not to convince the other party. But rather give the audience reading the comments to form their own POV.
I understand the fanfiction, they write much stuff with touchy subjects on Kink meme, but just doing this? It's not smart.
I understand they are trying to have awareness and such for it, but it's not the correct way to go about it.
So the author of the fanfiction I don't blame, I mean, it was KINKMEME. But just... no. Some don't see this as disrespectful, but many do, so it just wasn't good to do.
@Stephesaurus I'd like to understand why this was disrespectful. I've asked people who were directly affected by 9-11 and lost family members, as well as non-hetalia fans re: this piece before releasing it, and they all gave it their seal of approval and felt that it was a well-done tribute to an event that took away family members from them.
An American professor from my sister's college even commented that this event should always be brought up and never forgotten in means that would make it understandable to people. Making it into a taboo and reverent subject will simply amplify misunderstadings about this event.
@iammathewian Also, the piece while surrounds around the September 11 attacks in the NYC, does not revolve around the attacks its self. It focuses on how the world reacted to it and the relationships between the nations affected... Canada, US, France and the UK in particular.
So please help me understand how this is disrespectful and rude.
@iammathewian The reason this is disrespectful is because Hetalia is originally a comedy. It's easy to piss people off by using it to show 9/11, because to some it's like putting the two on the same level. I honestly don't find much offensive, because I understand your intent, but I know others would be very highly offended. I'm hard to offend, but with Hetalia, there are so many who are easy to offend. To be honest, sometimes I get tired of how easily offended people get, but I get it on this.
@Stephesaurus What people need to realize is that the characters in this are a platform that allow everyone to relate to the feelings of those involved. They were spot on at what people all over the world reacted with, and what people here in America did as well, and having that platform only lets those who don't know truly understand what happened on so many levels.
@xXAspennXx Please elaborate how it is disrespectful?
I seem to observe a trend in the US lately. Even artists and musicians are being criticized for making tributes/memorials to the event and for using the same images that the US media bombarded the airwaves 10 years ago. So why is this so taboo 10 years later?
I also find interesting this piece which was embraced by fans a year ago is suddenly rude and disrespectful a year later. Is it your own opinion, or your media influencing you?
@r3ginasimon Interesting that you mention that. I got into this fandom around 2008-ish, but have been blissfully ignorant to what this fandom has been doing. To liken the deaths of all the people on that horrible day to an -anime character- is rude. 10 years is still too soon. The media influx is just a coincidence. Did you hear about all the Japanese that were horrified about the "Get better Japan!" fanart on pixiv after the tsunami? I LOVE Hetalia, but some things should just stay history.
@xXAspennXx I myself was introduced into this fandom around that time, when the series was still a webcomic. And I have to say that the hetalia from before is different from the hetalia now. The original take was a smart and gritty satire that wasn't afraid to make fun of the ubsurdities of war regardless of what historians would say. And possibly considered irreverant by purists. That Hetalia is long gone. But catering to fans wants is Himaruya decision. As it is his series.
@r3ginasimon Then again, the direction this project has gone is conscious decision to make it different from how Himaruya envisioned it. But then again this is the purpose of fandom. If you want to stick to how Himaruya envisioned it, then that's what the original is. For that reason, our project focuses on telling a story, rather than catering to what the fandom wants.
@r3ginasimon Now... that being said. As a history buff, I disagree with your comparison with the Japan Tsunami. The fanarts came out within days and weeks of the event. Of course its emotional. And I thoroughly disagree with you that 10 years is too early. Why? Well, I strongly advise that you look at the very comments in this video.
@r3ginasimon Majority of the kids who watched and was moved by this video were very young when the event happened. They knew something was happening but they didn't understand. 10 years later, after seeing this videos, they verbalized a better understanding of that event and encouraged them to look up the history behind it. They felt grateful realizing that so and so countries helped the US and they didn't know.
@r3ginasimon Isn't that the side-effects of the original Hetalia series? It garnered enough interest in young fans that they actually started researching history on their own? Sept 11 was a tragic event. And it shouldn't be forgotten. I find the idea of young Americans (and Canadians) being encouraged to look up that part of dark history because of this piece much more important than the idea of fandom version of fictional characters insulting the sensibilities of purist Hetalia fans.
@xXAspennXx what's sad is, the spirit of Hetalia originally was to actually tell the amazing stories in human history through characters that represent nations. There are no limits to history.
The problem is idiots like you and every other miserable Hetard in existence is that you fuckers don't care about the beautiful stories and truths, you're just in this to worship whatever blond-haired animu character you happen to like. It's like you missed the point altogether.
@Asalieri2 I KNOW the original spirit of Hetalia, asshole, I don't need you being a smartass if you don't even know what you're talking about. Now you're assuming all the Hetatards are the same way, just because I feel that having 9/11 disrespectfully re-enacted by a FUCKING ANIME is bad? Oops, I had an opinion on YouTube. Where are you even getting this shit? We aren't even talking about worshiping animu. I got into Hetalia because I love history. Nice way to show your maturity and prejudice.
Now I can tell you right here and now that you're an idiot who doesn't give a shit about history. Let me tell you sonny, I had to suffer through a good decade of flag waving idiots who didn't want to hear the truth. Ina here was the very opposite of disrespectful, in fact, she quite tastefully and delicately handled what was a hot topic and what to some truly immature people like yourself, is a taboo topic.
@xXAspennXx you never explained what exactly you found disrespectful. Perhaps you should do that rather than wave your arms and shout bloody murder. The point of the show was originally to tell history. Perhaps you missed the memo where it says 2001 is now effectively that. You should open your fucking head already. Preferably with a mallet.
you know, if you wanted accuracy, you should have shown Alfred splitting into two personalities, one a flag waving, war-mongering maniac that wanted to kill every muslim on the planet, and another sensible and calm self that was trampled on and called a traitor by the violent idiot half. 2001-2008 was a dark time to be an American.
@Asalieri2 I don't give shit about history? Oh, Okay. Nice assumption, again. I know 9/11 happened, I'm not saying it didn't, but /actual/ people died on that day. Do you see Hidekaz going into the holocaust in Hetalia? Do you see him approving fanart of tsunami Japan, or Slave-owning America? No, you DON'T, because Hetalia is meant to be a farce that doesn't touch those subjects. It is disrespecting the dead. Is that good enough for you?
@Asalieri2 But they didn't go into the death, the holocaust, or any other of that shit. Hidekaz himself said Hetalia isn't meant to be 100% historically accurate. He isn't disrespecting anything as it stands, but the fandom sure as hell is.
@xXAspennXx so what you're saying is that is is WRONG to tell it like it is? Then we've nothing more to say, do we?
Ina showed no disrespect here. She did NOT say 'omg those people deserved to die, ha ha ha!" I actually comment her for keeping it tasteful, which is something most hetards haven't heard of.
@Asalieri2 "Most Hetatards"? Well now I can no longer take you seriously. This fandom is alot better then it's givin credit for, and the people that disrespect history aren't even half. A small fraction, actually. It's not wrong to tell it like it is, but it IS wrong to simplify the death of thousands into anime form. I never said she thought those people deserved to die, now you're putting words into my mouth. NO ONE in the fandom has said that. I suppose we'll just agree to disagree.
@xXAspennXx Kaz simplified the deaths of MILLIONS in anime form. Get over it. You either accept that history happens and all this anime is supposed to be is representative and metaphorical, or you are just a closed minded idiot that can't get over controversial topics being discussed.
You'd have a right to be pissed if Ina physically showed the planes going into the buildings or something of the sort. Right now, you're just bitching for the attention, it seems.
@Asalieri2 No, he didn't. Which episode was that? When did Hetalia discuss the death of millions? IT'S A COMEDY for fuck's sake. You can talk about controversial topics all you want, but like I said five fucking times, you don't bring that into an anime. "I hate Hetalia fans because most of them really only care about the 'characters'" Well that's unfortunate, because I guess that means you don't know this fandom at all. Alot of us found out about Hetalia from history work.
@Asalieri2 I guess on an ending note all I can say is NO, he only touched a few points in the war, HARMLESS points, and the entirety of the anime isn't even centered around it anymore. The anime says nothing about death, and you're a fool if you think it does.
@xXAspennXx nothing about war is harmless. In fact, because he glossed over such a serious topic, he showed disrespect for every man who lost their lives in the war. Oh but POOR you and those 911 victims who were portrayed tastefully here!
History by definition HAS to deal with death at some point. It's pointless and false otherwise. You're a fool if you think it doesn't.
@Asalieri2 What serious topic? WWII? The most serious thing Hidekaz has portrayed in the actual anime is china fighting with a fucking wok. Are you serious? You can enjoy an anime, but the thing about Hetalia is that you can be VERY offensive, very easily. Hidekaz has done NONE of that.
@Asalieri2 Oh, so are you implying this video isn't showing Alfred in pain? I must be watching a different video.
In all honesty, I don't dislike the creator of this video, the writer of the fanfiction, or even you. I just wished you would look beyond yourself for a second, and realize 9/11 is still very real to alot of us. Instead of making a Hetalia video about Alfred, can't we spend the time honoring the brutally murdered? Honoring the actual people?
@xXAspennXx hey, Einstein. World War 2 is still very real to the few surviving veterans. Does that mean we can't talk about the subject? Absolutely not.
Alfred is in pain. I think that makes sense, since he is supposed to be representing a country that was wounded deeply by the loss of thousands. You'd think you were smart enough to 'get' it. What did you want, a list of the names of each victim at the end of the video? She's talking about the event as a whole, here.
@Asalieri2 Talk about 9/11 to your hearts content. I'm pretty sure there is a difference between something that happened ten years ago that many people today remember, and a war that happened over seventy years ago.
I know she's talking about the loss of thousands, but is that the center of the video? No. It's Alfred, and the countries reactions. With an actual clip of the disaster. You know what? Maybe if you lost someone because of that day, you would have a different viewpoint.
@xXAspennXx so an event loses significance and merits LESS respect the older it gets? That's the most ridiculous thing i've heard all day.
Ina was showing people another side of 9-11 here. Namely, the side of how the REST of the world reacted to this tragic event. It's good to get different perspectives. Perhaps if you had actually seen this clip with an open mind and not as a 9-11 silencer determined to dissent, you'd have a different viewpoint.
@Asalieri2 It doesn't lose significance at all, I'm just saying there are less people who have been through it then 9/11, and is less of a trigger. If you want to show people how the rest of the world reacted, when show them the documents. Not the countries patting them on the back. I have a fairly open mind. Hetalia was never intended to be a teaching tool, and I can say most of the fandom doesn't seriously look at Hetalia as cold hard fact.
@Asalieri2 Opinions don't mean I'm seeking attention. Not everyone is going to agree with you, and that doesn't make them "Just into the characters" if they don't. I am frankly embarrassed having this discussion with you, because you're clearly an ignorant moron that assumes most hetafans are the same. You don't know shit, and you're talking out of your ass. Fuck your pride, and let me have a goddamn opinion. I am done talking with you, because you're obviously raging, and can't see my point.
@xXAspennXx you can have your opinion, sure. I'm just arguing that yours is an uneducated opinion of someone who wants to hate simply based on the fact that she's talking about 9-11. You've shown that you have no reason whatsoever to be angry about this piece, so what else have you got?
News flash; 9-11 is like World War 2; an event in history that merits being discussed, animated, interpreted and portrayed. Fuck your pride, actually.
@Asalieri2 Do you even watch Hetalia? Apperently not. Yes, because I must know nothing about history because I had an opinion about a 9/11 video. You aren't even making sense anymore. Well, it's been fun talking to you, bro, but I really can't do this anymore. It's like trying to reason with a child. Ciao!
@xXAspennXx I did watch it. It got too silly eventually. Much like yourself. You still have yet to explain what it was that you hated about this video, you big manchild.
@Asalieri2 I am not convinced you are trolling. Holy shit, I can't leave that. I don't get my history from anime, and you are making all these weird assumptions just because I happen to like Hetalia. I like Hetalia, because I like history. I have told you what I disliked about this video a few times already, but you are unable to read I guess. Can you not understand simple sentences? I would be an idiot if I got history from Hetalia, because it's not, and will NEVER BE, historically accurate.
@xXAspennXx no, i'm making all these weird assumptions just because you don't appear to be capable of explaining what it is about talking rationally about 9-11 in a historical context that rubs you the wrong way.
@Asalieri2 Okay. I'm going to explain this to you very carefully. Listen up.
-9/11 was a horrible day. A horrible day, that is still fresh in everyone's minds, should NOT have anything to do with an anime character, and him being injured by something that didn't effect him. He doesn't exist. It is causing people to feel pity for SOMEONE WHO DOESN'T EXIST. We need to respect the ACTUAL dead, and not dwell on the injury of Alfred.
@xXAspennXx You know, for someone who claims to have seen and followed Hetalia, you don't appear to grasp the concept. Alfred IS supposed to represent America as a whole in this case. By proxy, this character IS representing the grivers and dead alike. 9-11 was indeed a horrible day. It polarized the entire Nation into pro-war and rational thought factions. Ignoring the fact that it happened makes absolutely no sense.
@Asalieri2 I'm not ignoring the fact. I was never ignoring the fact. Alfred represents America, yes, but there's a line you shouldn't cross. Where the line is for you people, I don't know. Next we'll see Germany gassing an Israel OC. Hay, it happened in history, the Holocaust actually happened, lets write a fanfiction about it bro. What a good idea.
@xXAspennXx again, she didn't show people choking to death and deciding whether to jump and die that way or die consumed by flames. She didn't show a muslim OC decapitating Alfred and rejoicing, so your conclusion here makes absolutely no sense.
@Asalieri2 Of course she didn't, because then she would be an idiot. She DID show actual footage, though. I guess you're contradicting yourself, because you're assuming Hidekaz disrespected history, yet he didn't show anything either. Same argument.
@xXAspennXx she provided a few audio clips far as I remember. Her only problem was that she used Hetalia, a medium that isn't terribly well suited for serious. I commend her for trying to make it serious, it's a bold move.
It's certainly refreshing to hear honesty. I prefer hers over Hidekaz' version, which glosses over and trivializes history into retarded characterizations. You want humor, watch Horrible Histories. At least they more or less get it right.
@Asalieri2 It was a VERY bold move. Hetalia is a very cheery anime, so I expect the occasional serious fanwork because people get sick of all the happy constantly. Good ways are wars that never existed.
Hetalia isn't for everyone, and I don't expect everyone to like it. She must have good work if you prefer it. It was NEVER meant to be serious.
@xXAspennXx And here is my point. I disagree that 9-11 is still fresh in people's minds. Because more than half of our actual viewers don't even understand what 9-11 was about because they were too young to understand what it really was about. The fact that they are able to connect to that event and make an effort to try to understand it after watching this video says a lot about how powerful and how this medium can be used to facilitate education. And that is what we are doing.
@iammathewian We're not claiming that we are a actual educational source. But if we can direct kids who normally wouldn't touch a book to go in the right direction to learn and love real history on their own, then we've done our job. And based on the earlier comments from this video, we did. And I think that's more important over anything else.
@iammathewian Yes, and that happens to be one of the reasons I love Hetalia. It inspires the young to learn more about history, so I agree with you there. But SOME things need to not be glossed over, parodied, or re-made. Why can't we teach them about what actually happened, instead of feeling sorry for some guy in an anime?
@Asalieri2 So, you think it's a good idea to bring up 9/11 in an anime, for an interesting read, instead of showing actual facts, got it. This is where we agree to disagree.
@iammathewian More then half of your viewers? How old do you think we are? If you want to teach kids about 9/11, going the Hetalia route is just asking for a shitstorm. I don't mean to come off like I'm attacking you. Hetalia isn't meant to be used as a teaching tool.
@xXAspennXx And that's my point. Most of the kids who watched this video were between 2 - 9 years old when 9-11 happened. That's 10 years ago. And as I pointed out. We're not claiming to be a teaching tool or educational source. But if we can convince these kids to have an interest on it and learn about history on their own, you don't agree that's worth doing? Because that's the side effect of the original Hetalia series.
@iammathewian Real history lovers/purists, HATE hetalia. Because it made light of WW2. Even before it became a meaningless orgy of pretty boys who don't even represent what they're supposed to represent. Himaruya was even accused of being a revisionist. What you're actually now, ironically is what the purists did to Himaruya when the webcomic was just gaining popularity.
@iammathewian In fact, quite a few of our cast members joined the project because they wanted to correct the mistakes Himaruya did in Hetalia. Heck, the project is about giving Canada a Canadian voice, in a Canadian POV, of how Canada should have been portrayed in hetalia. Our England joined for the exact same reason. He hated how Hetalia ws portraying his country right from getting the flag wrong.
@iammathewian And as I mentioned before. We're not going to change our vision. We're story tellers first. We have stories tell and we will tell it. We're not here to placate fans like what Himaruya did in the original series. We saw the potential of the original series and decided to give another layer to it. If you prefer how Himaruya does things, then stick to what Himaruya does. Because he's the only one who can do it best.
@iammathewian You go ahead and tell your stories, because that's what fandoms are meant for. Hence Fanfiction and the like. But Hetalia has alot of strings attached, and it is easy to offend and piss off people in certain countries. I don't prefer anything, I find the different takes interesting, but not when they're aiming to gain sympathy from viewers, when actual families deserve it.
@xXAspennXx And that was not the intent of the video... which puzzles me where that is coming from. Like I said, I thought Haphazard wrote a powerful and compelling story that needed to be told. And that's what I did. I portrayed her story. I think there are random people who saw it literally, But there were a lot more who took a lot from it as a self-reflection of their own experiences from that day.
@iammathewian Well then if I'm just a minority here, then I guess that's it, huh? I have already stated my opinion, so I really have nothing else to say without repeating myself. We are at a standstill. I am just going to agree to disagree, and be on my way.
@xXAspennXx That too is a form of therapeutic closure for some people. But like I said, the fact that the kids who didn't understand 9-11 back then are saying they have a better appreciation of that event with this video instrumental for that self-awareness and reflection... that's very important. Someday, these kids will be leaders... if we can get them interested with history than superficial entertainment stuff out there, then thats definitely worth the risk of backlash.
@xXAspennXx This project is about giving a different POV of Hetalia in the POV of the actual countries. Our Canada is from Canada. Our England is from England. Our America is from America. And that's why, we're a minor niche fandom. We're not better than the original series, we're just offering an alternate POV. If we were really popular, we will have more than 2000 followers.
@iammathewian Fascinating. "This project is about giving a different POV of Hetalia in the POV of the actual countries" That sounds exactly like that hima is doing. Does that mean you are tackling the darker aspects of history? The ones he was purposely trying to avoid, so he wouldn't offend anyone? That's rather brave of you.
@xXAspennXx Just Canada. We have a lot of stuff in the works on Canada's darker history. (ie the Japanese internment camps, the Chinese Head Tax, etc). Also on Canada's forgotten history. "The Empress " is one of them. And it was nice to see Canadians taking interest on Canada's worst naval disaster (forgotten because of WW1).
@iammathewian Well, I guess all I can say is, you might get alot of shit from people. I'm not going to tell you what you can and cannot do, whatever my personal opinion is.
@xXAspennXx Ha-ha! We don't care about shit from other people. We're not afraid of that. In fact we encourage it, because it opens opportunities for discussion and learning. Like we're doing right now.
@iammathewian I think you're mostly just a follower of the original series, just nitpicking on our work. Don't worry, we'll never over shadow Hetalia. We don't care about that. We just want to tell stories in Canada's POV so that Hetalia fangirls will stop portraying him as a weak, kidnap/rape victim who gets bullied by other countries.
@iammathewian All of them? I have heard History majors praise Hetalia for interesting people in history, and making it funny. Some of them even enjoy it themselves, saying It's the only anime they'll watch. Hidekaz didn't want to remake WWII, which you can watch on the history channel, he wanted to show the reasons some things came about, and how the countries reacted to them. It really isn't centered around WWII anymore.
@xXAspennXx Hetalia was good when it was focused. Back when it was just a webcomic. I'm not fond of it at all now. It's Himaruya just churning one character after another that doesn't really represent the countries they're supposed to represent. And yes, we're trying to take it one more step forward in the project too. We try to cast members who either grew up or came from that native country and speak the native language. We want to capture aspects of that country beyond the stereotypes.
@iammathewian Oh, so you're taking the webcomic, and going in another direction with it. I still feel he's in the beginning of it all. Hetalia is fairly new, and I think he's just toning it down a bit because of all these new fans, and doing alot of fanservice. They represent what he's seen on his own.
@xXAspennXx Well, the project has always been about the webcomic. I didn't bother watching the anime after the first couple episodes. It annoyed the heck out of me. I was pretty laid back about it until I started seeing the fandom portrayal of Canada... so the project started out as a reaction to that first. And it just grew from it with the Canada OCs.
@iammathewian Then the secondary objective grew, which is to become a medium for amateur voice actors, artists, film makers, animators and scriptwriters to practice their craft. A couple of our crew members are actually in the field. (i.e. Burori is in animation school, I myself am in the course of the project became a funded playwright). I would credit the project in helping me hone my scriptwriting for my real life projects.
@Asalieri2 I, personally, have never seen a fangirl, even the most batshit, take Hetalia 100% seriously. Germany and Italy didn't sign the pact of steel because Italy was afraid of being left alone, that's just common knowledge. There ARE some historical facts in Hetalia, but it was never meant to be all facts. Some of these girls watch it just for the Yaoi possibilities.
@xXAspennXx We'll still play with the stereotypes of course, but we want it to be more than just the superficial stuff. We even started tackling that with "How to Detect a Canadian" which is about Canadian stereotypes in the POV of other countries.
@xXAspennXx My dad was at ground zero. This helps, THIS IS what the art of fiction is meant for, I feel respect for the dead and Alfred. Alfred represents those dead in such a wonderful. It's sad you can't see HOW respectful this is.
@Asalieri2 Well then you have just seen different fans. Most of the fans I know personally are intelligent and respectful people who get lumped into "Insane yaoi obsessed fangirl" constantly. We aren't even all girls. The good thing about the Hetalia fandom is that whatever the anime doesn't do for you, some part of the fandom will have done already.
@xXAspennXx yeah, i've seen the bad end of the fandom, as you can see. There's a reason the 'good' ones are lumped in with the insane yaoi obsessed fangirls. It's a reflection of the most audible factions of the fandom.
@xXAspennXx -raises hand at the 'not a girl' comment-
Actually, I'm a Global Studies major. Getting people and the government to understand globalization and that whatever one nation decides affects the entire world like a domino (especially economically) is why I'm in this major. And I think this fandom provides a good medium for getting people who are already (typically) more open-minded to see things in a different light. Not the way it's ignorantly portrayed in the mainstream.
@xXAspennXx here's what you've said so far: It's WRONG to bring up 9-11 using anime characters.
---and that's it. You've claimed it is disrespectful to the dead to talk about their deaths. If this was true, no history books would be written at all. It seems you simply hate this because it dared to address what to too many Americans is still a touchy subject.
@Asalieri2 Instead of moaning about a character that doesn't exist, can't we remember those who were actually lost? And you think I don't know that? My fucking father passed away second-handedly from the ashes of the twin towers. Perhaps I am somewhat bias, but MANY people hate this fandom for this reason: People always seem to make a mockery out of tragic events.
@xXAspennXx except if you realized and actually LOOKED at this objectively, you would realize Ina is one of the FEW NOT making a mockery out of it!!!!!
I hate Hetalia fans because most of them really only care about the 'characters' and their 'portrayal' and not about whether the history itself is accurate or tastefully told.
@xXAspennXx I'm sorry about your father. But just to let you know, I do have a family friend who in the towers that day. I didn't make the video to disrespect the memory of that person. I made this video to make sure that people remembered that day as well as point out that all the countries rallied together to support America. I'm not sure what video you actually watched, but I don't see how this is a mockery.
I was in elemantry school at the time, around 3rd or 4th grade, I remmber wakeing up and getting ready for school when I found my mom downstairs watching the news. I didn't understand what was going on and was more conserned about going to school. Looking back, I feel horrible for being like that and so apathtic to it back then. This is a beautiful video and it made me tear up. Everyone did wonderfully with this.
I remember hearing about 9/11 on the radio while I was ready to get out of the car for my pre-k. I knew something bad was happening, but I didn't understand. As I got older, I realized that it was something horrible but I had never realized how much support we got from other countries.
Thank you for sticking by our side, Canada. Alfred would be nothing without you.
@ArdeMobil same here I live in the county just north of NYC and we have a memorial in our park... We lost around 10 people. I was 5 so I don't remember anything from that day but my aunt worked in the city and she tells me stories.
This was so sad it reminds me of wen I watched a documentary on 9/11
xXAngelxXxWingsXx 2 days ago
I remember that moment I'm not american,I'm colombian,but I was 5 close to 6 years exactly 20 days for my birthday .I Just cry like never do ,even today ,the only thing who make me cry like that was when I was close to lose my mom .For be honest i'm cryin now.
That teach me to feel the pain even if you're from another place .They were humans like me and I know I could have been in that place with all who died that day.
teffysonohrinajjonas 2 weeks ago
I was 4 when 9/11 happened. I went to some preschool and it was near JFK. My school was literally on a HUGE LOCKDOWN. My mom rushed into the building to get me and we both drove off. When we got home, I saw the TV and the 2nd tower collapsed and I literally flipped out crying. My prayers go out for those affected. You are not forgotten. -333
TrainerGreenandBlue 2 weeks ago
I was only 3 when this happened, so I don't remember it... But this is making me want to curl up in a hole and die. I feel so bad :C Poor America. I can't even immagine what it was like to those who lost loved ones.
xXtHeNoTeBoOkXx 1 month ago in playlist More videos from iammathewian
Nyaaa... I still remember being in Middle school.. Teachers turn on the news, and i see one tower fall.. Then a few hours later the next one falls.. It was kinda scary, cause back then you wouldn't know what would happen. Thinking of it now kinda makes me feel cautious of our actions and other countries actions. I do still give my love and my blessings to those who lost a love one and to the ones that lost their lives. We may fall many times, but we surprisingly stand back up and keep walking..
AvocadoCheese 1 month ago
Ok I think I know what it is. Ok so all of you know that some of the Hetalia characters have special features. EX: Nantucket is America's little hair, Texas is his glasses Quebec is Canada's curl. So I think that America's nose or whatever is the twin towers.
xMegaCookiex1 1 month ago
I was so little back then. I'm 16 now and wow... this made me cry. My dad was in New York that day (we live about an hour away from the city) And he saw them fall on a TV. He was with his friend, and a woman came out screaming about how the Towers were hit. Another woman started sobbing because he husband was in the towers... My prayers and love go out to all who were affected.
ArdeMobile 2 months ago
Wow...all the responses...seeing how young people were when this went down makes me think....You younger ones were probably better off...not really understanding what was going on and the depth of it.
ShigatsuSensei 2 months ago
i wacth this at 9 at night and i started crying
narutogeek2 2 months ago
I think I was about 6 or 7 when I saw it on TV...my mom didn't want me to watch, but I was so fixed on the screen. I think I ended up seeing some of the jumpers...Never again. <3 Canada
TheLastCurlbender 2 months ago
9-11 was a really sad thing even though i was just 3 years old and cant remember much it was still depressing
vidaljo 3 months ago
what does this have to do with chapstick!!!! God i want to cry now!!
animerose12321 3 months ago in playlist More videos from iammathewian
So sad...
Okay, this may seem too bright or the situation, but please tell me I wasn't the only one expecting America to stick the chapstick up his nose at the end? I was? I now sound like a huge douche? Thought so. :C
TigerLegoz 3 months ago 7
... bravo...
HollowTearsOfJoy 3 months ago
this made me tear up. just thinking about everything that happened. i was little when it happened, like 2 or 3. i dont remember anything about it and i dont even know when i found out about 9/11.
bubblesdraws7 3 months ago
As first when I saw the title i thought yaoi but then, when it was half way through I was like man this is serious goosd jobs guys XD I remember I was four and in the car recently moved into the USA, didn't understand anything.
Android007Aelita 3 months ago
I remember my mom taking me home early from kindergarden one day; I was confused but happy to see her. But when I learned a little more about history a few years later, and figured out that day was 9/11, I felt terrible for my ignorance. That day I thought it was a pleasant surprise to see my mom and go home early, when it was truly a tragedy
..
Skippyrip 3 months ago
I didn't know that anyone could bleed that much..
HetaliaGina37 3 months ago
i was 1 when it happened really dont know much on how i acted because i was at my babysitter's house
Creamstar13 3 months ago
The Hetalia version of 9/11... This makes me want to cry
MuffinMix42 3 months ago 4
I was three when this happened. I don't remember how I reacted, or if anyone even told me. But my earliest memories related to this were of me thinking "Why? Why would you want to do that toProxy-Connection: keep-alive
Cache-Control: max-age=0
0another person?" Even now, a decade later, this is still one of the most tragic things that has happened during
nomnombunnies 3 months ago
This made me cry... It's just so amazing...
I was little during 9/11, but I remember my teachers being super nervous and that made me really scared. This is amazing!
dragongirl1501 3 months ago
I cried...I really did...
TheHyuugaPrincess 3 months ago in playlist TheHyuugaPrincess's favorites
this is pretty sad...(though I, as a non native, still have no idea what chapstick is...)
Treegona 3 months ago
I resect you guys so much...
ericamustang13 3 months ago
Wow. Chapstick huh? This is so sad D:
EraMinkie101 4 months ago
omg that was so beautiful!
Temari18xo 4 months ago
This is........ so sad
magicgirl192 4 months ago
D'aaaaw, it was too cute~ ^^ And a little sad. It sure almost made me cry. :D
AwsomexXxLyrics 4 months ago in playlist More videos from iammathewian
Wow, I'm speechless... I loved it, but at the same time it depressed me... I just do t know what to say...
bittenbyVampiresgirl 4 months ago
This was sad and touching at first i was wondering why he was bleeding
HarleyAnimeFan 4 months ago
*blink, blink* that was NOT what I was expecting at ALL!
AnimeAnnie008 4 months ago in playlist More videos from iammathewian
This was touching... to say the least...
LadyPyrien 4 months ago
9/11 was horrible. The terrorists were extremists, and betrayed Muhammed. Muhammed believed that even if you didn't believe they same thing they did, you should still respect them and tolerate their beliefs, but those people took it to a whole other level.
Those poor innocent souls who died on 9/11. We will never forget them.
HadairoNoneko22 4 months ago
i cried, sooo much when i saw this and realized it was about 9/11 i almost just stopped watching it it was so sad.
vidaljo 4 months ago
Comment removed
Moonbeach44 4 months ago
I started crying when I realized it was 9/11 poor Alfred
simsgirlgem 4 months ago
I pray every year for those who lost their lives in 9/11 and those torn apart from their families and sent to Newfoundland. Rest in peace....
VOCALOID401 4 months ago
Dude... I was expecting humor... Dude...
SparkleCupcakexD 4 months ago
... I'm just glad you weren't offended by whatever offended the others. One thing that did bother me in the arguments is the constant use of "my opinion". For example, stating that you have full understanding of Himaruya's intentions is pretty ballzy and disrespectful considering you are not that person. It's no different to putting words in the mangaka's mouth.
... keep forgetting that animu and the interwebs is such serious business. Goodness...
silverreprisal 5 months ago
I tried to get through all the arguing in the comments and I thought I'd say something intellectual but... I can't do it right now. But.. now that I've stopped laughing. This is probably one of the reasons why I can't get into Hetalia. The fans, not just the yaoi ones, are too much for me to stomach. But anyway. I just wanted to apologize for the... 7 openly offended? people who disliked the video by moving pictures depicting a terrible event. As for the 8, 451 something or the other views...
silverreprisal 5 months ago
Oh It make us cry really, so very good joob, amazing, but so saaad, well it have to be sooo sad, =' (
Yuifennyraycontrol 5 months ago
RIP those who died in the 9/11 attacks. We miss you. :')
Bloodshotshatterbone 5 months ago
This made me cry. A relative of mine died in 9/11. A very good job people. :,)
Bloodshotshatterbone 5 months ago 2
I really don't get people. You are saying that this is offensive? How is it offensive in any way? They are making a tribute to all of those who died on 9/11! How is that wrong?! People hating on this are just looking for a reason to troll. I bet if they hadn't made a tribute to 9/11 you guys would be complaining too. So stop saying offensive when it's not.
Bloodshotshatterbone 5 months ago 46
What? This is NOT offensive people! Everyone has made a tribute to all of those who died in 9/11 including this project. it is MOURNING those who died! those who are hating are just looking for an excuse to troll.
Bloodshotshatterbone 5 months ago
I loved this. I absolutely loved this because it shows an understandable REAL portrayal of the feelings involved with relatable characters. "The images ... day after day." It hit hard and that's what I love.
Too many people are too quick to judge... No, you can't say anything about it being about Hetalia, because that's exactly what it was like then. Those growing up after it happened don't realize what an effect it has on the minds of people to even see it and realize your life has changed.
Frauggie 5 months ago
This is my second time watching this and both times i've cried. I swear I had nobdy important to me harmed in 9/11, and yet I still cry everytime I see a video or a picture, I swear I cry too much. But iammathewian all of you who worked on this deserve a thank you for making this. This is not making fun of 9/11 but telling a very sad story, so from my family to all of you, thank you very much.
skatiedid11 5 months ago
To be honest, I was wary of this video at first, when I realized it was about 9/11. But after watching it, I have to say, I think you did a good job. It was kept serious. And the way the countries are portrayed separates it from the comedic show. Those who can't see that are ignorant, plain and simple.
To the poster who said something about the Norway incident, I think it's a little soon. This was uploaded almost 5 years after 9/11. Like said, people are quick to offend, best to play safe. Kay?
KeyserOrion 5 months ago 3
I think this is such a beautiful video. You get the see the Hetalia characters as actual people and not just nations.
chaosLydia 5 months ago
After seeing this many times after it has been posted, I think this is very beautiful and touching, I really don't see how this could be disrespectful. Showing real images showed the true horrors of 9/11 and the representation with the characters in my opinion was brillant. It really showed that not only all of America united, but also other countries around America. In all, I thought this was an apporiate memorial for 9/11. Thanks to the iammathewian project for posting this~<3
ramenbroadcaster 5 months ago
this is awsome! make one of what happend in norway 2 july! (i think!)
darkrosesgirl1 6 months ago
That was wonderful...
TLSoulDude 6 months ago
This is an amazing tribute, America thanks you (in the literal sense) It touched my heart as well as many others, I had come home early with a black eye and my Dad conveniently turned on the news. I watched it live. I had family that worked in that area so I was absolutely terrified. So thank you for this, it means alot. :)
CloserToLove14 6 months ago 38
I think this discussion is good. The rest of the world pretty much has moved on from 9-11. But today's US media and society is starting to make 9-11 into a taboo subject which I believe is wrong. I like that we see two sides of the argument about how this subject matter should be portrayed. The intention of discussion is not to convince the other party. But rather give the audience reading the comments to form their own POV.
iammathewian 6 months ago
How rude and disrespectful.
hypercoffee117 6 months ago
@hypercoffee117 How is it rude and disrespectful? Please elaborate.
iammathewian 6 months ago
Jesus christ, I am a Hetafan, but... some things just shouldn't be brought up in the fandom. It's kinda disrespectful you guys...
xXAspennXx 6 months ago
@xXAspennXx I agree
centricyukinoarima 6 months ago
@xXAspennXx
Agreed.
sibuyaolian 6 months ago
@xXAspennXx Agreed.
I understand the fanfiction, they write much stuff with touchy subjects on Kink meme, but just doing this? It's not smart.
I understand they are trying to have awareness and such for it, but it's not the correct way to go about it.
So the author of the fanfiction I don't blame, I mean, it was KINKMEME. But just... no. Some don't see this as disrespectful, but many do, so it just wasn't good to do.
Stephesaurus 6 months ago
@Stephesaurus I'd like to understand why this was disrespectful. I've asked people who were directly affected by 9-11 and lost family members, as well as non-hetalia fans re: this piece before releasing it, and they all gave it their seal of approval and felt that it was a well-done tribute to an event that took away family members from them.
iammathewian 6 months ago
@iammathewian
An American professor from my sister's college even commented that this event should always be brought up and never forgotten in means that would make it understandable to people. Making it into a taboo and reverent subject will simply amplify misunderstadings about this event.
iammathewian 6 months ago
@iammathewian Also, the piece while surrounds around the September 11 attacks in the NYC, does not revolve around the attacks its self. It focuses on how the world reacted to it and the relationships between the nations affected... Canada, US, France and the UK in particular.
So please help me understand how this is disrespectful and rude.
iammathewian 6 months ago
@iammathewian The reason this is disrespectful is because Hetalia is originally a comedy. It's easy to piss people off by using it to show 9/11, because to some it's like putting the two on the same level. I honestly don't find much offensive, because I understand your intent, but I know others would be very highly offended. I'm hard to offend, but with Hetalia, there are so many who are easy to offend. To be honest, sometimes I get tired of how easily offended people get, but I get it on this.
Stephesaurus 6 months ago
@Stephesaurus What people need to realize is that the characters in this are a platform that allow everyone to relate to the feelings of those involved. They were spot on at what people all over the world reacted with, and what people here in America did as well, and having that platform only lets those who don't know truly understand what happened on so many levels.
Frauggie 5 months ago
@xXAspennXx Please elaborate how it is disrespectful?
I seem to observe a trend in the US lately. Even artists and musicians are being criticized for making tributes/memorials to the event and for using the same images that the US media bombarded the airwaves 10 years ago. So why is this so taboo 10 years later?
I also find interesting this piece which was embraced by fans a year ago is suddenly rude and disrespectful a year later. Is it your own opinion, or your media influencing you?
r3ginasimon 6 months ago
@r3ginasimon Interesting that you mention that. I got into this fandom around 2008-ish, but have been blissfully ignorant to what this fandom has been doing. To liken the deaths of all the people on that horrible day to an -anime character- is rude. 10 years is still too soon. The media influx is just a coincidence. Did you hear about all the Japanese that were horrified about the "Get better Japan!" fanart on pixiv after the tsunami? I LOVE Hetalia, but some things should just stay history.
xXAspennXx 6 months ago
@xXAspennXx You, sir, just captured my thoughts exactly.
lilsandstorm 6 months ago
@xXAspennXx I myself was introduced into this fandom around that time, when the series was still a webcomic. And I have to say that the hetalia from before is different from the hetalia now. The original take was a smart and gritty satire that wasn't afraid to make fun of the ubsurdities of war regardless of what historians would say. And possibly considered irreverant by purists. That Hetalia is long gone. But catering to fans wants is Himaruya decision. As it is his series.
r3ginasimon 6 months ago
@r3ginasimon Then again, the direction this project has gone is conscious decision to make it different from how Himaruya envisioned it. But then again this is the purpose of fandom. If you want to stick to how Himaruya envisioned it, then that's what the original is. For that reason, our project focuses on telling a story, rather than catering to what the fandom wants.
r3ginasimon 6 months ago
@r3ginasimon Now... that being said. As a history buff, I disagree with your comparison with the Japan Tsunami. The fanarts came out within days and weeks of the event. Of course its emotional. And I thoroughly disagree with you that 10 years is too early. Why? Well, I strongly advise that you look at the very comments in this video.
r3ginasimon 6 months ago
@r3ginasimon Majority of the kids who watched and was moved by this video were very young when the event happened. They knew something was happening but they didn't understand. 10 years later, after seeing this videos, they verbalized a better understanding of that event and encouraged them to look up the history behind it. They felt grateful realizing that so and so countries helped the US and they didn't know.
r3ginasimon 6 months ago
@r3ginasimon Isn't that the side-effects of the original Hetalia series? It garnered enough interest in young fans that they actually started researching history on their own? Sept 11 was a tragic event. And it shouldn't be forgotten. I find the idea of young Americans (and Canadians) being encouraged to look up that part of dark history because of this piece much more important than the idea of fandom version of fictional characters insulting the sensibilities of purist Hetalia fans.
r3ginasimon 6 months ago
@xXAspennXx what's sad is, the spirit of Hetalia originally was to actually tell the amazing stories in human history through characters that represent nations. There are no limits to history.
The problem is idiots like you and every other miserable Hetard in existence is that you fuckers don't care about the beautiful stories and truths, you're just in this to worship whatever blond-haired animu character you happen to like. It's like you missed the point altogether.
Asalieri2 6 months ago
@Asalieri2 I KNOW the original spirit of Hetalia, asshole, I don't need you being a smartass if you don't even know what you're talking about. Now you're assuming all the Hetatards are the same way, just because I feel that having 9/11 disrespectfully re-enacted by a FUCKING ANIME is bad? Oops, I had an opinion on YouTube. Where are you even getting this shit? We aren't even talking about worshiping animu. I got into Hetalia because I love history. Nice way to show your maturity and prejudice.
xXAspennXx 6 months ago
@xXAspennXx well, i'm glad I have your attention.
Now I can tell you right here and now that you're an idiot who doesn't give a shit about history. Let me tell you sonny, I had to suffer through a good decade of flag waving idiots who didn't want to hear the truth. Ina here was the very opposite of disrespectful, in fact, she quite tastefully and delicately handled what was a hot topic and what to some truly immature people like yourself, is a taboo topic.
Asalieri2 6 months ago
@xXAspennXx you never explained what exactly you found disrespectful. Perhaps you should do that rather than wave your arms and shout bloody murder. The point of the show was originally to tell history. Perhaps you missed the memo where it says 2001 is now effectively that. You should open your fucking head already. Preferably with a mallet.
Asalieri2 6 months ago
you know, if you wanted accuracy, you should have shown Alfred splitting into two personalities, one a flag waving, war-mongering maniac that wanted to kill every muslim on the planet, and another sensible and calm self that was trampled on and called a traitor by the violent idiot half. 2001-2008 was a dark time to be an American.
Asalieri2 6 months ago
@Asalieri2 I don't give shit about history? Oh, Okay. Nice assumption, again. I know 9/11 happened, I'm not saying it didn't, but /actual/ people died on that day. Do you see Hidekaz going into the holocaust in Hetalia? Do you see him approving fanart of tsunami Japan, or Slave-owning America? No, you DON'T, because Hetalia is meant to be a farce that doesn't touch those subjects. It is disrespecting the dead. Is that good enough for you?
xXAspennXx 6 months ago
@xXAspennXx so let me get this straight, is it cool to disrespect the dead and trivialize WORLD WAR 2????
Let's not be hypocrites here, shall we? Either we tell it like it is, or we just give up on history altogether.
Asalieri2 6 months ago
@Asalieri2 But they didn't go into the death, the holocaust, or any other of that shit. Hidekaz himself said Hetalia isn't meant to be 100% historically accurate. He isn't disrespecting anything as it stands, but the fandom sure as hell is.
xXAspennXx 6 months ago
@xXAspennXx so what you're saying is that is is WRONG to tell it like it is? Then we've nothing more to say, do we?
Ina showed no disrespect here. She did NOT say 'omg those people deserved to die, ha ha ha!" I actually comment her for keeping it tasteful, which is something most hetards haven't heard of.
Asalieri2 6 months ago
@Asalieri2 "Most Hetatards"? Well now I can no longer take you seriously. This fandom is alot better then it's givin credit for, and the people that disrespect history aren't even half. A small fraction, actually. It's not wrong to tell it like it is, but it IS wrong to simplify the death of thousands into anime form. I never said she thought those people deserved to die, now you're putting words into my mouth. NO ONE in the fandom has said that. I suppose we'll just agree to disagree.
xXAspennXx 6 months ago
@xXAspennXx Kaz simplified the deaths of MILLIONS in anime form. Get over it. You either accept that history happens and all this anime is supposed to be is representative and metaphorical, or you are just a closed minded idiot that can't get over controversial topics being discussed.
You'd have a right to be pissed if Ina physically showed the planes going into the buildings or something of the sort. Right now, you're just bitching for the attention, it seems.
Asalieri2 6 months ago
@Asalieri2 No, he didn't. Which episode was that? When did Hetalia discuss the death of millions? IT'S A COMEDY for fuck's sake. You can talk about controversial topics all you want, but like I said five fucking times, you don't bring that into an anime. "I hate Hetalia fans because most of them really only care about the 'characters'" Well that's unfortunate, because I guess that means you don't know this fandom at all. Alot of us found out about Hetalia from history work.
xXAspennXx 6 months ago
@xXAspennXx dude, he trivialized the entirety of world war 2. Millions died. You didn't kick up a fuss about it.
History work? I wouldn't trust you to keep the books, that's for damned sure.
Asalieri2 6 months ago
@Asalieri2 I guess on an ending note all I can say is NO, he only touched a few points in the war, HARMLESS points, and the entirety of the anime isn't even centered around it anymore. The anime says nothing about death, and you're a fool if you think it does.
xXAspennXx 6 months ago
@xXAspennXx nothing about war is harmless. In fact, because he glossed over such a serious topic, he showed disrespect for every man who lost their lives in the war. Oh but POOR you and those 911 victims who were portrayed tastefully here!
History by definition HAS to deal with death at some point. It's pointless and false otherwise. You're a fool if you think it doesn't.
Asalieri2 6 months ago
@Asalieri2 What serious topic? WWII? The most serious thing Hidekaz has portrayed in the actual anime is china fighting with a fucking wok. Are you serious? You can enjoy an anime, but the thing about Hetalia is that you can be VERY offensive, very easily. Hidekaz has done NONE of that.
xXAspennXx 6 months ago
@xXAspennXx Ina has done none of that as well, then.
Asalieri2 6 months ago
@Asalieri2 Oh, so are you implying this video isn't showing Alfred in pain? I must be watching a different video.
In all honesty, I don't dislike the creator of this video, the writer of the fanfiction, or even you. I just wished you would look beyond yourself for a second, and realize 9/11 is still very real to alot of us. Instead of making a Hetalia video about Alfred, can't we spend the time honoring the brutally murdered? Honoring the actual people?
xXAspennXx 6 months ago
@xXAspennXx hey, Einstein. World War 2 is still very real to the few surviving veterans. Does that mean we can't talk about the subject? Absolutely not.
Alfred is in pain. I think that makes sense, since he is supposed to be representing a country that was wounded deeply by the loss of thousands. You'd think you were smart enough to 'get' it. What did you want, a list of the names of each victim at the end of the video? She's talking about the event as a whole, here.
Asalieri2 6 months ago
@Asalieri2 Talk about 9/11 to your hearts content. I'm pretty sure there is a difference between something that happened ten years ago that many people today remember, and a war that happened over seventy years ago.
I know she's talking about the loss of thousands, but is that the center of the video? No. It's Alfred, and the countries reactions. With an actual clip of the disaster. You know what? Maybe if you lost someone because of that day, you would have a different viewpoint.
xXAspennXx 6 months ago
@xXAspennXx so an event loses significance and merits LESS respect the older it gets? That's the most ridiculous thing i've heard all day.
Ina was showing people another side of 9-11 here. Namely, the side of how the REST of the world reacted to this tragic event. It's good to get different perspectives. Perhaps if you had actually seen this clip with an open mind and not as a 9-11 silencer determined to dissent, you'd have a different viewpoint.
Asalieri2 6 months ago
@Asalieri2 It doesn't lose significance at all, I'm just saying there are less people who have been through it then 9/11, and is less of a trigger. If you want to show people how the rest of the world reacted, when show them the documents. Not the countries patting them on the back. I have a fairly open mind. Hetalia was never intended to be a teaching tool, and I can say most of the fandom doesn't seriously look at Hetalia as cold hard fact.
xXAspennXx 6 months ago
@xXAspennXx I don't have a different viewpoint and MY DAD was at ground zero. I thought my mom was there too.
KittyKattyYukiLvr 5 months ago
@Asalieri2 Opinions don't mean I'm seeking attention. Not everyone is going to agree with you, and that doesn't make them "Just into the characters" if they don't. I am frankly embarrassed having this discussion with you, because you're clearly an ignorant moron that assumes most hetafans are the same. You don't know shit, and you're talking out of your ass. Fuck your pride, and let me have a goddamn opinion. I am done talking with you, because you're obviously raging, and can't see my point.
xXAspennXx 6 months ago
@xXAspennXx you can have your opinion, sure. I'm just arguing that yours is an uneducated opinion of someone who wants to hate simply based on the fact that she's talking about 9-11. You've shown that you have no reason whatsoever to be angry about this piece, so what else have you got?
News flash; 9-11 is like World War 2; an event in history that merits being discussed, animated, interpreted and portrayed. Fuck your pride, actually.
Asalieri2 6 months ago
@Asalieri2 Do you even watch Hetalia? Apperently not. Yes, because I must know nothing about history because I had an opinion about a 9/11 video. You aren't even making sense anymore. Well, it's been fun talking to you, bro, but I really can't do this anymore. It's like trying to reason with a child. Ciao!
xXAspennXx 6 months ago
@xXAspennXx I did watch it. It got too silly eventually. Much like yourself. You still have yet to explain what it was that you hated about this video, you big manchild.
Sad, that you get your 'history' from an anime.
Asalieri2 6 months ago
@Asalieri2 I am not convinced you are trolling. Holy shit, I can't leave that. I don't get my history from anime, and you are making all these weird assumptions just because I happen to like Hetalia. I like Hetalia, because I like history. I have told you what I disliked about this video a few times already, but you are unable to read I guess. Can you not understand simple sentences? I would be an idiot if I got history from Hetalia, because it's not, and will NEVER BE, historically accurate.
xXAspennXx 6 months ago
@xXAspennXx no, i'm making all these weird assumptions just because you don't appear to be capable of explaining what it is about talking rationally about 9-11 in a historical context that rubs you the wrong way.
Asalieri2 6 months ago
@Asalieri2 Okay. I'm going to explain this to you very carefully. Listen up.
-9/11 was a horrible day. A horrible day, that is still fresh in everyone's minds, should NOT have anything to do with an anime character, and him being injured by something that didn't effect him. He doesn't exist. It is causing people to feel pity for SOMEONE WHO DOESN'T EXIST. We need to respect the ACTUAL dead, and not dwell on the injury of Alfred.
xXAspennXx 6 months ago
@xXAspennXx You know, for someone who claims to have seen and followed Hetalia, you don't appear to grasp the concept. Alfred IS supposed to represent America as a whole in this case. By proxy, this character IS representing the grivers and dead alike. 9-11 was indeed a horrible day. It polarized the entire Nation into pro-war and rational thought factions. Ignoring the fact that it happened makes absolutely no sense.
Asalieri2 6 months ago
@Asalieri2 I'm not ignoring the fact. I was never ignoring the fact. Alfred represents America, yes, but there's a line you shouldn't cross. Where the line is for you people, I don't know. Next we'll see Germany gassing an Israel OC. Hay, it happened in history, the Holocaust actually happened, lets write a fanfiction about it bro. What a good idea.
xXAspennXx 6 months ago
@xXAspennXx again, she didn't show people choking to death and deciding whether to jump and die that way or die consumed by flames. She didn't show a muslim OC decapitating Alfred and rejoicing, so your conclusion here makes absolutely no sense.
Asalieri2 6 months ago
@Asalieri2 Of course she didn't, because then she would be an idiot. She DID show actual footage, though. I guess you're contradicting yourself, because you're assuming Hidekaz disrespected history, yet he didn't show anything either. Same argument.
xXAspennXx 6 months ago
@xXAspennXx she provided a few audio clips far as I remember. Her only problem was that she used Hetalia, a medium that isn't terribly well suited for serious. I commend her for trying to make it serious, it's a bold move.
It's certainly refreshing to hear honesty. I prefer hers over Hidekaz' version, which glosses over and trivializes history into retarded characterizations. You want humor, watch Horrible Histories. At least they more or less get it right.
Asalieri2 6 months ago
@Asalieri2 It was a VERY bold move. Hetalia is a very cheery anime, so I expect the occasional serious fanwork because people get sick of all the happy constantly. Good ways are wars that never existed.
Hetalia isn't for everyone, and I don't expect everyone to like it. She must have good work if you prefer it. It was NEVER meant to be serious.
xXAspennXx 6 months ago
@xXAspennXx And here is my point. I disagree that 9-11 is still fresh in people's minds. Because more than half of our actual viewers don't even understand what 9-11 was about because they were too young to understand what it really was about. The fact that they are able to connect to that event and make an effort to try to understand it after watching this video says a lot about how powerful and how this medium can be used to facilitate education. And that is what we are doing.
iammathewian 6 months ago
@iammathewian We're not claiming that we are a actual educational source. But if we can direct kids who normally wouldn't touch a book to go in the right direction to learn and love real history on their own, then we've done our job. And based on the earlier comments from this video, we did. And I think that's more important over anything else.
iammathewian 6 months ago
@iammathewian Yes, and that happens to be one of the reasons I love Hetalia. It inspires the young to learn more about history, so I agree with you there. But SOME things need to not be glossed over, parodied, or re-made. Why can't we teach them about what actually happened, instead of feeling sorry for some guy in an anime?
xXAspennXx 6 months ago
@xXAspennXx her hope was that they'd figure it out, and that it would encourage them to draw their own conclusions regarding 9-11.
Sounds like it is you underestimating the fans now.
Asalieri2 6 months ago
@Asalieri2 So, you think it's a good idea to bring up 9/11 in an anime, for an interesting read, instead of showing actual facts, got it. This is where we agree to disagree.
xXAspennXx 6 months ago
@iammathewian More then half of your viewers? How old do you think we are? If you want to teach kids about 9/11, going the Hetalia route is just asking for a shitstorm. I don't mean to come off like I'm attacking you. Hetalia isn't meant to be used as a teaching tool.
xXAspennXx 6 months ago
@xXAspennXx now that's the only thing i'll agree with you on. Hetalia is a terrible teaching tool.
Asalieri2 6 months ago
@xXAspennXx And that's my point. Most of the kids who watched this video were between 2 - 9 years old when 9-11 happened. That's 10 years ago. And as I pointed out. We're not claiming to be a teaching tool or educational source. But if we can convince these kids to have an interest on it and learn about history on their own, you don't agree that's worth doing? Because that's the side effect of the original Hetalia series.
iammathewian 6 months ago
@iammathewian Real history lovers/purists, HATE hetalia. Because it made light of WW2. Even before it became a meaningless orgy of pretty boys who don't even represent what they're supposed to represent. Himaruya was even accused of being a revisionist. What you're actually now, ironically is what the purists did to Himaruya when the webcomic was just gaining popularity.
iammathewian 6 months ago
@iammathewian In fact, quite a few of our cast members joined the project because they wanted to correct the mistakes Himaruya did in Hetalia. Heck, the project is about giving Canada a Canadian voice, in a Canadian POV, of how Canada should have been portrayed in hetalia. Our England joined for the exact same reason. He hated how Hetalia ws portraying his country right from getting the flag wrong.
iammathewian 6 months ago
@iammathewian And as I mentioned before. We're not going to change our vision. We're story tellers first. We have stories tell and we will tell it. We're not here to placate fans like what Himaruya did in the original series. We saw the potential of the original series and decided to give another layer to it. If you prefer how Himaruya does things, then stick to what Himaruya does. Because he's the only one who can do it best.
iammathewian 6 months ago
@iammathewian You go ahead and tell your stories, because that's what fandoms are meant for. Hence Fanfiction and the like. But Hetalia has alot of strings attached, and it is easy to offend and piss off people in certain countries. I don't prefer anything, I find the different takes interesting, but not when they're aiming to gain sympathy from viewers, when actual families deserve it.
xXAspennXx 6 months ago
@xXAspennXx And that was not the intent of the video... which puzzles me where that is coming from. Like I said, I thought Haphazard wrote a powerful and compelling story that needed to be told. And that's what I did. I portrayed her story. I think there are random people who saw it literally, But there were a lot more who took a lot from it as a self-reflection of their own experiences from that day.
iammathewian 6 months ago
@iammathewian Well then if I'm just a minority here, then I guess that's it, huh? I have already stated my opinion, so I really have nothing else to say without repeating myself. We are at a standstill. I am just going to agree to disagree, and be on my way.
xXAspennXx 6 months ago
@xXAspennXx That too is a form of therapeutic closure for some people. But like I said, the fact that the kids who didn't understand 9-11 back then are saying they have a better appreciation of that event with this video instrumental for that self-awareness and reflection... that's very important. Someday, these kids will be leaders... if we can get them interested with history than superficial entertainment stuff out there, then thats definitely worth the risk of backlash.
iammathewian 6 months ago
@iammathewian Oh, so this project is pretty much people who dislike Hetalia in canon, taking Hima's characters, and using them?
xXAspennXx 6 months ago
@xXAspennXx This project is about giving a different POV of Hetalia in the POV of the actual countries. Our Canada is from Canada. Our England is from England. Our America is from America. And that's why, we're a minor niche fandom. We're not better than the original series, we're just offering an alternate POV. If we were really popular, we will have more than 2000 followers.
iammathewian 6 months ago
@iammathewian Fascinating. "This project is about giving a different POV of Hetalia in the POV of the actual countries" That sounds exactly like that hima is doing. Does that mean you are tackling the darker aspects of history? The ones he was purposely trying to avoid, so he wouldn't offend anyone? That's rather brave of you.
xXAspennXx 6 months ago
@xXAspennXx Just Canada. We have a lot of stuff in the works on Canada's darker history. (ie the Japanese internment camps, the Chinese Head Tax, etc). Also on Canada's forgotten history. "The Empress " is one of them. And it was nice to see Canadians taking interest on Canada's worst naval disaster (forgotten because of WW1).
iammathewian 6 months ago
@iammathewian Well, I guess all I can say is, you might get alot of shit from people. I'm not going to tell you what you can and cannot do, whatever my personal opinion is.
xXAspennXx 6 months ago
@xXAspennXx Ha-ha! We don't care about shit from other people. We're not afraid of that. In fact we encourage it, because it opens opportunities for discussion and learning. Like we're doing right now.
iammathewian 6 months ago
@iammathewian I think you're mostly just a follower of the original series, just nitpicking on our work. Don't worry, we'll never over shadow Hetalia. We don't care about that. We just want to tell stories in Canada's POV so that Hetalia fangirls will stop portraying him as a weak, kidnap/rape victim who gets bullied by other countries.
iammathewian 6 months ago
@iammathewian All of them? I have heard History majors praise Hetalia for interesting people in history, and making it funny. Some of them even enjoy it themselves, saying It's the only anime they'll watch. Hidekaz didn't want to remake WWII, which you can watch on the history channel, he wanted to show the reasons some things came about, and how the countries reacted to them. It really isn't centered around WWII anymore.
xXAspennXx 6 months ago
@xXAspennXx Hetalia was good when it was focused. Back when it was just a webcomic. I'm not fond of it at all now. It's Himaruya just churning one character after another that doesn't really represent the countries they're supposed to represent. And yes, we're trying to take it one more step forward in the project too. We try to cast members who either grew up or came from that native country and speak the native language. We want to capture aspects of that country beyond the stereotypes.
iammathewian 6 months ago
@iammathewian Oh, so you're taking the webcomic, and going in another direction with it. I still feel he's in the beginning of it all. Hetalia is fairly new, and I think he's just toning it down a bit because of all these new fans, and doing alot of fanservice. They represent what he's seen on his own.
xXAspennXx 6 months ago
@xXAspennXx Well, the project has always been about the webcomic. I didn't bother watching the anime after the first couple episodes. It annoyed the heck out of me. I was pretty laid back about it until I started seeing the fandom portrayal of Canada... so the project started out as a reaction to that first. And it just grew from it with the Canada OCs.
iammathewian 6 months ago
@iammathewian Then the secondary objective grew, which is to become a medium for amateur voice actors, artists, film makers, animators and scriptwriters to practice their craft. A couple of our crew members are actually in the field. (i.e. Burori is in animation school, I myself am in the course of the project became a funded playwright). I would credit the project in helping me hone my scriptwriting for my real life projects.
iammathewian 6 months ago
@xXAspennXx those history majors should also realize the potential damage Hetalia does, too.
Asalieri2 6 months ago
@Asalieri2 Potential damage? Like what? Batshit fangirls every single fandom has, and that Hetalia couldn't avoid?
xXAspennXx 6 months ago
@xXAspennXx exactly. Because they will see it as history exactly, and then disregard reading the actual history.
The really terrible batshit fangirls, and trust me, we've dealt with quite a few of them, truly ruin it for the rest.
Asalieri2 6 months ago
@Asalieri2 I, personally, have never seen a fangirl, even the most batshit, take Hetalia 100% seriously. Germany and Italy didn't sign the pact of steel because Italy was afraid of being left alone, that's just common knowledge. There ARE some historical facts in Hetalia, but it was never meant to be all facts. Some of these girls watch it just for the Yaoi possibilities.
xXAspennXx 6 months ago
@xXAspennXx we have.
Asalieri2 6 months ago
@xXAspennXx We'll still play with the stereotypes of course, but we want it to be more than just the superficial stuff. We even started tackling that with "How to Detect a Canadian" which is about Canadian stereotypes in the POV of other countries.
iammathewian 6 months ago
@xXAspennXx My dad was at ground zero. This helps, THIS IS what the art of fiction is meant for, I feel respect for the dead and Alfred. Alfred represents those dead in such a wonderful. It's sad you can't see HOW respectful this is.
KittyKattyYukiLvr 5 months ago 4
@Asalieri2 But it's not like I disrespect them for that. You don't have to like History to like Hetalia, either.
xXAspennXx 6 months ago
@xXAspennXx that may be part of my issue with it. Probably why I prefer Horrible Histories.
Asalieri2 6 months ago
@Asalieri2 Well then you have just seen different fans. Most of the fans I know personally are intelligent and respectful people who get lumped into "Insane yaoi obsessed fangirl" constantly. We aren't even all girls. The good thing about the Hetalia fandom is that whatever the anime doesn't do for you, some part of the fandom will have done already.
xXAspennXx 6 months ago
@xXAspennXx yeah, i've seen the bad end of the fandom, as you can see. There's a reason the 'good' ones are lumped in with the insane yaoi obsessed fangirls. It's a reflection of the most audible factions of the fandom.
Asalieri2 6 months ago
@xXAspennXx -raises hand at the 'not a girl' comment-
Actually, I'm a Global Studies major. Getting people and the government to understand globalization and that whatever one nation decides affects the entire world like a domino (especially economically) is why I'm in this major. And I think this fandom provides a good medium for getting people who are already (typically) more open-minded to see things in a different light. Not the way it's ignorantly portrayed in the mainstream.
KeyserOrion 5 months ago
@xXAspennXx here's what you've said so far: It's WRONG to bring up 9-11 using anime characters.
---and that's it. You've claimed it is disrespectful to the dead to talk about their deaths. If this was true, no history books would be written at all. It seems you simply hate this because it dared to address what to too many Americans is still a touchy subject.
Asalieri2 6 months ago
@Asalieri2 Instead of moaning about a character that doesn't exist, can't we remember those who were actually lost? And you think I don't know that? My fucking father passed away second-handedly from the ashes of the twin towers. Perhaps I am somewhat bias, but MANY people hate this fandom for this reason: People always seem to make a mockery out of tragic events.
xXAspennXx 6 months ago
@xXAspennXx except if you realized and actually LOOKED at this objectively, you would realize Ina is one of the FEW NOT making a mockery out of it!!!!!
I hate Hetalia fans because most of them really only care about the 'characters' and their 'portrayal' and not about whether the history itself is accurate or tastefully told.
Asalieri2 6 months ago
@xXAspennXx I'm sorry about your father. But just to let you know, I do have a family friend who in the towers that day. I didn't make the video to disrespect the memory of that person. I made this video to make sure that people remembered that day as well as point out that all the countries rallied together to support America. I'm not sure what video you actually watched, but I don't see how this is a mockery.
iammathewian 6 months ago
@iammathewian correction: "a family friend who died in the towers"
iammathewian 6 months ago
I was in elemantry school at the time, around 3rd or 4th grade, I remmber wakeing up and getting ready for school when I found my mom downstairs watching the news. I didn't understand what was going on and was more conserned about going to school. Looking back, I feel horrible for being like that and so apathtic to it back then. This is a beautiful video and it made me tear up. Everyone did wonderfully with this.
sliverwolfdemon 7 months ago
wow...amazing! beautifully done! one question...what /was/ the chapstick for?
Analeiha 7 months ago
I remember hearing about 9/11 on the radio while I was ready to get out of the car for my pre-k. I knew something bad was happening, but I didn't understand. As I got older, I realized that it was something horrible but I had never realized how much support we got from other countries.
Thank you for sticking by our side, Canada. Alfred would be nothing without you.
SoupyCup 7 months ago
you know last year we learned every side to the 9/11 tragedy, but now i'm wondering why we never learned of Canada's part. thank you Canada.
kimistar101 7 months ago
I always remember this because it's the day right before my birthday, it always makes me cry
12strawberrylover 7 months ago
Absolutely beautiful. From the story to the voice-acting... Kudos to the writer, and kudos to you guys for doing this.
PhantomBunny888 8 months ago
I was 3 yrs. old when 9/11 occurred....
All I could do at that point in time was to stare at the pictures in the newspaper and watch the twin towers fall in smoke on t.v...
After all this time now, from when I was a toddler to a teenager now, I never saw how much Canada helped us out in such a time of need.
Thank you iammathewian for making this and helping everyone understand that no country stands alone!
I thank you all the way here from New York!
TribuTheWolf 8 months ago 2
This makes me really sad. I learned about this in History/Social Studies and people were LAUGHING. Seriously..LAUGHING.
Thankyou Canada~..
AmandaxArsenic 9 months ago 2
@AmandaxArsenic What the hell would cause someone to laugh at that?!?!
japanfangirl 8 months ago