IMPORTANT: Clearing up a Misconception about the "New" Characters.

[fh14]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but better that it came sooner rather than later.

It has come to attention that the designs for the characters Portugal, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Luxembourg that Himaruya posted on his blog the other day, in reality, aren't character designs at all. In actuality, they are people that Himaruya has encountered in his life of that particular ethnic origin or simply had characteristics that he identified with that country. If they can be interpreted as nation representations at all, they are extremely rough drafts that are nowhere near finalized, thrown out there as "possibilities", and very likely to change.

From what I understand, parts of the Japanese fandom were confused as well, but most were outright confused by the explosion that happened over here in response to the blog (a few were particularly weirded out that we got tags and fanart for them so quickly. What can I say, western fandom works fast.) Yes, Japanese fandom watches us, for those who weren't aware. *Waves hi to Japanese fandom*

This isn't the first time misconceptions have been made *cough*Philippines*cough*. Also, a couple of years ago, Himaruya posted a similar blog with draft sketches for a Czechoslovakia character where he also mentioned people he knew, and had initially designed and did a few drawings of a female South Korea.

There is a bright spot to this though - it means that Himaurya is thinking about these characters, and we may very well see an official design for them somewhere out on the horizon. :)

/hides behind a large rock

(Links removed. Seems JFen didn't particularly like being linked to. Sorry. Look but don't touch policy still in effect if you happen to still have access to the links.)

Comments

[jamminbison.livejournal.com]

Himaruya has the cushiest job ever. He needs to get off his ass and design the remaining countries not alone the ones that were ?sorta? released of Portugal, etc. It'd be beneficial to him, considering more people become fans of the show when their country appears in it


Just putting it out there, lol.

[standardtastic.livejournal.com]

So what if he did what he wanted with his series? There's no reason for him to follow the demands of pushy fans.

[calavasas.livejournal.com]

Well this is disappointing...and surprising, since I wasn't aware that the Japanese fandom also watches the western one. xD
Oh well. It's worth the wait for new characters.
And at least this way, fanworks for the countries that have not yet appeared in Hetalia can still continue without too many restrictions, until that character becomes canon. =)
*still waiting for Scotland design and for Mexico and India to become canon but mostly Mexico* 8D

[souslelys.livejournal.com]

Haha, the Japanese fans must be so bewildered by us XD. I hope people aren't too disappointed about this though.

[raindiae.livejournal.com]

I didn't know we were being watched until just now

idk if I'm ok with that

[elysiumspirit.livejournal.com]

Well... I should have known. There was just something different about how these characters were drawn, but I ignored my suspicions and chose to believe they were the actual designs for the characters.

Sad. But, I hope he doesn't change Indonesia's design much- I like it. :D

[elysiumspirit.livejournal.com]

But you know what? As the tag is already there, and as I already re-did half of my notebook with the "new" Portugal... I might as well just keep using these designs. At least until Himaruya comes up with the actual design.

Because hey, Indonesia doesn't look very different from how I imagined her, anyway.

[vitani]

Am I the only one glad that they aren't the official versions? I wasn't very taken with them.

[kawaiisyringa.livejournal.com]

No same here, actually.

*hopingforacutemaleLuxembourg*

[che-stadium.livejournal.com]

/laughing.

[vivi314.livejournal.com]

[flamefox324.livejournal.com]

PFFFFFF---

I <3 u for putting up that GIF. ;w;

[standardtastic.livejournal.com]

Oh well, not a big deal anyhow.

[rainbow-toaster.livejournal.com]

Ah well, I should have known. Four brand new characters on the same day? I was too excited though :C

OH! Hello Japanese fandom!

[alliterations.livejournal.com]

So.

Disappoint.

[anubismito]

Yup, I saw it, but since these are requests, and according to the notes he put, Portugal and Luxembourg will be (at least once) in Hetalia, but he's still designing them.. That's my interpretation of this blog.

Some months ago, when a Holland strip was released, Hima promised to do Holland and Belbel's sibling, so we can have the Benelux.

Also, in Spain story, Portugal is quite important, for that, he added him too (In Portugal notes, he says that the importance of Portugal in Europa's history, possibly he will be in Hetalia).

About Indonesia and Malaysia, maybe she is like Australia or Kameroon, they where designed but they didn't appear in the strips yet.

But well, Czech and Slovakia designs were too rough... Now, these four countries have at least colour and well defined the gender....

[slytherin-slash.livejournal.com]

Where do they talk about us? I wanna seeeee~~~

[slytherin-slash.livejournal.com]

Ah, I see the links. Thank you!

[kisaragifan.livejournal.com]

*waves Japanese fandom too*

Well, considering Hidekaz is not finalizing Vietnam's hair accessory in the canon world, I can understand the slow pace he's going.

...there are 190 plus countries in the world, and those were just the UN confirmed accepted ones... it's gonna take awhile for anyone to personify them.

Would like Philippines to be represented, but am also eager to see Mexico, India, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Singapore and South Africa.

I AM hugely excited he's gonna consider Portugal's place in shaping Europe back in the day in a future strip. But I would also be waiting for more of Denmark as a very persistent Viking too... ack, History, why so awesome?

[flamefox324.livejournal.com]

I actually knew by the time Himaruya showed up those designs, they weren't officially finished. But even if he only drew people he met by that nationality and not using them as the country's designs, the news doesn't really upset me that much. o: It's more like 'Aaah. I see.' and then moving along expression.

[leriacossato.livejournal.com]

oh well.

/surprisingly not mad at this lol

[vysnia-cerasus.livejournal.com]

This...kind of isn't too surprising. I mean, remember the confusion over the Africa Class models and the Africa-tans in Gakuen Hetalia? It still kind of goes on too (though it'd be nice to see a full design of a few of them).

Thank you though! It's good to have things clarified before we go rushing into things in an even bigger frenzy over this XD

[dark-nitexx.livejournal.com]

I had a feeling something like this would happen. *sigh*
But i guess it was to good to be true
four characters at once?
Oh well :D

[rinrin0.livejournal.com]

Oh hey, I was thinking about posting something like this, but I decided I was too lazy. (And my keeping up with the Japanese fandom is about zero.)

[katamanda.livejournal.com]

I thought it was a bit odd with all the variation sketches behind the 'official' ones. Himaruya doesn't usually post new designs like that...?

Ahhh well. /still crossing fingers for UK!sibs and gender conclusive!New Zealand art

Hi Japanese fans!

[curlee1029.livejournal.com]

Aw man! Sucha diossapointment. But that's okay! I never expected him to be able to personify every signal country, being that there are so many, and I'm glad that there are already so many characters and designs.

HIYA, JAPANESE FANDOM!

[darth.livejournal.com]

Awwww, I liked the designs. :(

[iliketolold.livejournal.com]

..Oh well~ *shrug*
Damn, and I already love that "Indonesia design" :/
I guess I'll just wait... I still confuse about NZ gender anyway~

[kenzi-chi.livejournal.com]

i thought something was weird about the 'new' characters. they were so plain and just... idk. it didn't feel like new characters lol

i'm glad my weird feeling about them was real
i must have a 6th sense lol

Re: right so i'll just leave my thoughts on yaoi here

[hkr11.livejournal.com]

"I don't think Himayura's intent was malicious--things just got misunderstood.
"

Yes agree! ^^

"At any rate, I guess what I'm trying to say is that official designs are great, but what I love about the Hetalia fandom is their own personal take on Nations that haven't been featured yet. We're a creative fandom, guys, and we'll find some way to tide ourselves over until the real designs come out, right? And look at it this way--we have some great inspiration now!"

Yes you're right. But what make some of us disappointed I think it's because, it feel good if your beloved country is 'considered' and 'loved' by other people. Especially when we're not always been considered. That's what I think about us 8p.

[candelaria.livejournal.com]

I have never been so epicly trolled in my life. All my fanart is now meaningless lmao orz.

So does that mean we'll be losing all the tags for the "new countries" now? |D

[jamminbison.livejournal.com]

lol I thought of you the minute I seen this, bb.

*HUGS*