[Discussion] Hetalia Demographic

[nice-babana.livejournal.com]

The other day, I had a thought about Hetalia as a whole:

"Just who exactly is this series aimed at now, anyway?"
I'm interested in getting three basic stats from everybody; their age, their sex, and their sexual orientation. I hear that good old "Hetalia is only for straight teenage girls fujoshi!" comment quite often outside the fandom, but it seems all the people I know and interact with IRL who like Hetalia don't really fit that profile. So, I'm polling hetalia to see who's actually here and if that assumption the world made about "us" is true.

[Poll #1581860]

WHY SEXUAL ORIENTATION IS A FACTOR: Guys. This is a series that consists of a staggering amount of pseudo-romantic relationships between men. Just think about that one for a minute.

But anyway, sexual orientation by itself is not a factor, since it really wouldn't matter on its own; it's your sex and sexual orientation put together that I'm looking at.

Also, obviously, this has nothing to do with "what Himaruya intended" in the beginning but rather what it's become since going fairly mainstream. Should have clarified that one, derp. (But wow, you guys, you make it sound like intentionally appealing to a certain type of people is like an ulterior motive or something, haha!)

I'm aware that there are a million other factors that should be taken into consideration (socioeconomic class, country of residence, etc.), but these three seem like the most basic and least intrusive. And then there's also the whole "only girls use LJ!" argument that could potentially throw this off, but since this is kind of the unofficial "base camp" for Hetalia fans, I figure it should be alright.

Ah, and if you answered 'Other' for your sexuality, a comment clarifying which flavor of 'Other' would be awesome. :3 ('Other' also includes 'Undecided,' since so many people seem to need everything spelled out.)

EDIT: Lol, why is everybody telling their "I got into Hetalia because..." stories? But okay, okay, I get it, it had nothing to do with boys kissing, I believe you! xD

Comments

[napkins.livejournal.com]

I think the series as a whole started out not really having much of a target demographic past people who were interested in history and would have been amused to see a different perspective on it, but as it got more and more popular, that's changed.

Yes, none of us all fit into one box, but the vast majority of the fandom is female, but I don't believe sexual orientation was ever a contributing factor into the thought process. Age I also don't think was as big of a deal, but it definitely is aimed at people who are at least mentally mature enough to grasp historical jokes, parody, and sarcasm.

idk, my two cents before rushing off to class

[juliet-ros.livejournal.com]

I find most of the fandom (or is this just me?) had close to no or little interest in history prior to reading/watching Hetalia. (In fact, that would be a good question to ask. Were you originally interested in history?)

I agree with the maturity being necessary. While Hetalia is a comedy, it has strips based off some very tragic moments in history. It is important to keep that in mind as a fandom. This community could have easily failed if the fans had turned out to be immature or ignorant. That said, I'm so glad at how well behaved Hetalia fans at least seem to be. In our hearts, we're yaoi fan girls

[nutburger.livejournal.com]

I KNOW there are male fans here. Come on guys, speak up!

I think that Himaruya started this for fun really. I don't think he was really thinking about who would like this series when he started. I know that females are the majority of the fandom, but the sexuality doesn't really matter, in my opinion.

[fairykingaub.livejournal.com]

Uhm... I'd like to answer but I'm gender queer. So I really don't know what which to pick.

[fairykingaub.livejournal.com]

But 22-25 age wise.

[tsukinochiyuki.livejournal.com]

OH! PROPS TO THA MALE FAN. Er... Hopefully that wasn't just a female fan who clicked it incorrectly... haha, though I'm female!

As dunno if sexuality has much to do with it, but on the other hand, Hidekaz has created a world... Full of mainly men. (腐女 are bound to pick up on that, regardless of fandom.) Though what attracts the most people to Hetalia, I think, would be the history; though it's not as accurate as could be, it's pretty interesting. (codpiece!)

Aaand, I remember reading something about the LJ comm. having wayyy more females than males though, I don't know where. -runs off before being bricked-

That fan, so bad at clicking correctly

[ninja-nutjob.livejournal.com]

Sorry about that XD

I agree about the LJ comment.

(TO OP: Perhaps posting something like this on a more gender-neutral place like Facebook would get you an honest answer? I can tell you that pretty much almost only females will take the time to vote.)

[ciilantro.livejournal.com]

but these three seem like the most basic and least intrusive

Idk man I think asking someone about their sexual orientation is pretty intrusive

And why would sexuality have to do with anything

[diplopod.livejournal.com]

Uh... Pansexual (leaning towards gay) male here? orz

Like acire666 said, I don't think Himaruya had any specific audience in mind when he started. It might seem like the series is aimed at girls because of all the male characters, but I hear he didn't know how to draw females so well way back when and that's why there are so few female characters now. But I'd put my money on him just drawing the strips for fun and not aiming it at any specific audience.

Maybe that's changed, but I'm not even going to try and guess what's going on in Himaruya's head now. BUT Studio Deen's for that matter... I would guess they are marketing it towards the female audience in Japan at this point, rather than history nerds, though attracting them too is an added bonus.

Ahh, I'm sure someone else will come along and say what I want to say a thousand times better. I should shut up now.

/edits over 9000 times

[lthemilkeater.livejournal.com]

I never thought about the fact that he may not have been able to draw girls so well, but it makes so much sense. At least, I'm in a similar situation with that, I dunno. >_>

[julesie-g.livejournal.com]

I'm female, twenty years old and I voted other.
My sexual orientation is asexual. =)

[juliet-ros.livejournal.com]

Asexual with a France icon. You, mademoiselle, are awesome. :)

[fuzzlekins.livejournal.com]

I'm asexual. Sex is just icky to me, yet I still read yaoi doujinshi, why?

Probably aromantic as well, but leaning towards hetero.

But yeah most of the fans I've seen are female but I know of at least three, only one irl.

[maikichelorrain.livejournal.com]

Sex is just icky to me, yet I still read yaoi doujinshi, why?
Cause fiction sex is far more interesting than real sex (more seriously, maybe because we're not involved in the process?)

+ 1 for asexual aromantic.
I feel less lonely tonight :)

[powderthefox.livejournal.com]

Oohoo, I feel proud to see my age group take the lead so fast. Go wannabe-adults (18-21).

This is an interesting thought because I've always wondered how true the general assumption of our fanbase is.
As for me, I'm a straight female, yeah, but I've never actually been a yaoi-lover/fujoshi-type person. Not that I dislike it (I wouldn't be in this fandom if I did), but because I'm so picky I've just never happened to like what was out there. Even in Hetalia there's only 2 or 3 pairings I actively love (one of which is het anyway).

Shipping and yaoi have been and still are the last things on my mind. Me, I'm just here for the history, the stereotypes, the satire, and the lulz. ♥

[juliet-ros.livejournal.com]

The comment I heard most at Anime North was that Hetalia fans were all "yaoi obsessed females" and that we're "becoming the new narutards."

But I did see boys at a Hetalia panel I went to, so I know male Hetalia fans exist. Plus, I got my boyfriend reading Hetalia (one point for me~ although he could always turn out to be a figment of my imagination). :)

I find most fandoms tend to manifest on LJ. (If it has a fandom, it has a LJ community.)

[diplopod.livejournal.com]

You can change your answers (http://www.livejournal.com/poll/?id=1581860&mode=enter) if you picked the wrong one. o/

[lthemilkeater.livejournal.com]

OH GODS, YOUR POLL MAKES ME FEEL LIKE SUCH A LONELY BOY NOW. OH SO LONELY. "OTL

[mcsourface.livejournal.com]

You don't have to be lonely here~ *wink*
ohgodwhathasfandomdonetome

[mintyredmagic.livejournal.com]

M' female, 18 years old, aromantic and with a social phobia.

And for me Hetalia is not only yaoi, but more fun and a posibility to learn more about the world :)

[julesie-g.livejournal.com]

Awesome! You sound familiar to me ^.^ Even down to the social phobia.

Except I'm 20 and I can't figure out what type of asexual I am.

[nice-babana.livejournal.com]

Just gonna throw this (http://community.livejournal.com/hetalia/7770257.html?thread=141840273#t141840273) comment your way. ♥

[kanrakuen.livejournal.com]

Hi, I'm the male/bisexual up there, 23 years old. Omg, I feel like a freak. Seriously.

[mcsourface.livejournal.com]

Don't feel like a freak! *o* /hug
(Hey, who's that in your icon?)

[tamabonotchi.livejournal.com]

Being a teenager, I find the 2nd question on sexual orientation to be a bit difficult to answer, because not all of us have that set in stone. I see way too many teenagers claim to be homosexual or bisexual and really, it was just hormones, or they were just saying it because they had one crush on the same sex.
I've actually seen girls who only look 12 or so with Hetalia merch. @o@

[nice-babana.livejournal.com]

Hence the 'Other' option. Besides, it's just a little poll on the internet. It's not like you're registering the information anywhere that actually matters and Sexual Orientation Police are going to come arrest you if you change your mind later. :3

[yuuago]

Male, 24, queer-identified.

I'd suspect the major demographic is female, late teens, varied orientation. Dunno' what the original audience might have been intended as, but that's what I've seen around, and it's been so as long as I've been in the fandom (though the average age seems to have dropped recently... maybe 's just my imagination)

[mcsourface.livejournal.com]

"(though the average age seems to have dropped recently... maybe 's just my imagination)"

I noticed that too! No idea why, of course. It's pretty bizarre.

[rhambling.livejournal.com]

17(18 in two months) year-old, homosexual female.

I don't think Himaruya had a target when he started and still doesn't care, I think he just likes shonen-ai. Anyway, Susume out does Hetalia in the gayness factor.

[juliet-ros.livejournal.com]

I think he just likes shonen-ai

Don't we all, lol xD

[dyxlisa.livejournal.com]

I feel so OLD.

Asexual~

[kakkobean.livejournal.com]

I think this series is directed towards crazy people--because how else would I explain why I like it so much? *is crazy*

Oh, and I'm Asexual for polling purposes

[nice-babana.livejournal.com]

I think this series is directed towards crazy people

It all makes sense now... /drools

[vurmie.livejournal.com]

Hmm...Not trying to cause any fights or anything, and if an argument does arise I'll readily end it because I REALLY want to keep the peace, but...

The amount of people who claim to be bisexual irks me. Yes, I believe that everyone is bisexual to an extent, but I don't think you should classify yourself as bisexual unless you have close to/completely equal feelings towards both sexes. Simply thinking someone of the same sex is hot every now and then doesn't define your sexuality. The higher your peak of puberty is, the easier it is to call yourself bi.

I guess it just bothers me because I'm an actual bi girl who just voted herself as hetero because of her insecurities. I wish bisexuality wasn't a social fad. I'm sick of not being taken seriously. :/

Sorry if this offends anyone.

[vurmie.livejournal.com]

Oh, and I forgot to mention that I'm not referring to this poll directly. The amount of bisexual votes is surprisingly low here. I guess the topic of sexuality just triggered this not-so-mini rant and I'm pretty comfortable with you guys now.

[sara-rojo.livejournal.com]

Considering the cuteness of the art and that the major characters are all male and engaged in plenty of Yay of different kinds, I think the intended audience was always girls of any sexuality, and not disregarding a possible smaller hetero male fanbase, seeing the females are all cute and attractive.
What strikes me as interesting about Hetalia is the utmost care Himaruya has when making female characters...and how successful he is in this, seeing as no females are overly hated or bashed by this very large fandom, something that happens in almost any other big anime fandom I've been in

tl;dr: Himaruya is awesome at making females, and us, the fandom, are awesome at openly accepting them ^^

As for sexuality, I'm very weird, so I voted last option; I'd usually describe myself as bisexual, but I've actually experienced sexual attraction more for fictional characters than real people, and this has been going on since I was frickin' eight years-old. I'm also slightly asexual, I rarely think about sex, get aroused or long for physical release (cuddling and kissing and physical affection obviously not included in this, those I want like any normal person ^^)

[sara-rojo.livejournal.com]

Oh! also, I like yaoi, I've always liked it (and it was partly the reason I got into it, the other being that it was countries we'd be shipping, specifically France and EnglandXD)...but recently, to my surprise, I've been more interested in genderbent fics of my favourite characters, and I favour some ships GB over the boy's love canon homologues (and I actually prefer some GB characters over their male selves). The Russian sisters also do a lot for me ♥

[awww-applesauce.livejournal.com]

I'm female, age 19, and I guess I'm pansexual. *wasn't aware on words...god I'm so ignorant, though wiki could be lying to me, but idk*

I don't really care on gender, so long as they are human.

but like others I've heard that Hetalia is a series directed at yaoi fangirls. And only yaoi fangirls. Which irks me, cause my dad likes the series from what he's seen. [I feel so proud of him. <3] And I have friends who dislike yaoi, who enjoy the series.

[frost-rain.livejournal.com]

I dont think it's aimed at yaoi fangirls...it's more like...fandom does seem to blow things outta proportion

If I hadnt gotten into the series before the anime and paid attention only to the fanfics / fandom, I think I probably would've been put off, to be honest.

(*is part of the minority of non-yaoi hetalia fans* ahaha...hah ORZ) Doesn't mean I hate it, I do read cute fanfics...just dun ship anything etc Most of the pairings I view as close friendships...(Bad touch trio, for example; Germany + Prussia = brothers etc)

(and your dad likes hetalia? that's so awesome!)

damn, I started waffling, sorry about that

[kanami-yuuta.livejournal.com]

I should have said I was asexual D:

oh well...

I'm female age 19...

I doubt series is for yaoi fangirls... I think everybody should watch this series...*even though I like the yaoi in it*

[nighteevee.livejournal.com]

"Other" as in "asexual".