Axis Powers Hetalia/Heartwarming

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Events

Others From or Inspired by the Work

  • Axis Powers Hetalia's 3-part Valentines strip. It has the Tsundere Germany in full deredere mode, trying to do his best to understand his partner Italy and come to terms with his feelings for him (even reading a book on Valentines and aknowledging Italy as "his first love"), and needing the help of Austria for such things. It's a big "aaaaawwwww" from the beginning to specially the end, where it's hinted that Germany might be a grown up, amnesiac Holy Roman Empire after all... and that he may have started to recover his long-lost memories..
  • How have we gotten this far without Holy Roman Empire's goodbye kiss to a tiny Italy? "No matter how many hundreds of years go by, I will always love you more than anyone else in the world."
    • There's also earlier in the strip, when Italy tells HRE not to grow into such a large empire that he ends up dying, much like Italy's own grandfather, Rome. This turns into a Crowning Moment of Heartbreaking when HRE runs off in tears without response.
  • Several of the interactions between Sweden and Finland also qualify. Two examples here: The 5 years strip where we see that Sweden is pretty much a Huge Schoolgirl in the body of a Big Guy, and the 2009 New Years strip where he and Finland talk about New Years.
  • Liechtenstein and Switzerland's interaction already was cute in the Axis Powers Hetalia webcomics. In the published manga, where we also learn their common past, it's even more heartwarming. To get it straight: Liech was a Heartwarming Orphan who almost ended up Dying Alone after a huge war that ravished her lands, then Switzerland found her and took her in even when he and his people were going through hard times. When Liech properly realized this after asking Switzerland why did he adopt her and not getting a straight answer to him, she warmly smiles and thanks him.
  • In "Happy Birthday", when England appears at America's birthday party. Though he is being his usual self, the two are a little bit less guarded. Mostly heartwarming in the Drama CD, where England wishes America a happy birthday as he (not quite yet) leaves, and the last scene with the toast. In this scene, Austria has just said he'll perform a song on his piano for a present, when England comes back.

America: What is it, England? Haven't you already left?
England: N-no, Italy found me and dragged me back here. If you don't want me here, I'll leave.
America: That's not true at all! Please stay.
England: Well, I would like to hear Austria playing the piano.

  • A subtler moment from Buono San Valentino. Austria was told by his current roommate Germany that there was no way he could get his ex-wife and best friend Hungary a gift, since he'd get lost in his way to a pawn shop. At the end of that part, though, a postman goes to Hungary's house and gives her a handmade gift, which "a tall guy with glasses and a lock of hair that stood up" handed him for her. Cue to Hungary smiling tenderly and cuddling the package, saying "Don't worry, I already know who he is <3".
  • The first scene of "To The Unfinished Tomorrow" is pretty much a Crowning Moment of Heartwarming in itself, in which Italy goes to wish Germany and Austria luck before a major military operation. His impression of Germany and his sincere wishes for neither of them to get hurt had this troper grinning for the rest of the preview. Not to mention that Germany's facial expressions are so absolutely Moe that even This Troper, who is more or less indifferent to Germany, had to go, "D'Aww . . . "
  • After Holy Roman Empire had left, a tearful Chibitalia reports to Austria, apologizing for being late, expecting harsh punishment. However, to his surprise, Austria knew that HRE had left and allowed Chibitalia to have the day off. He and Hungary are even seen later doing Chibitalia's chores for him.
  • During "Russia's Big and Little Sister", we see that when they were younger and shivering from the cold, Ukraine gave her favourite scarf to Russia (of course, she wanted him to make Kiev successful...), but the fact is that since then, Russia is never seen without wearing that scarf.
  • In the Christmas strip In The World, the Allies launched an attack on the Axis Powers, only for Finland Santa to arrive and deliver presents to everyone. And Germany is seen wiping his eyes, remarking how he really thought Santa wouldn't come. The last words of the strip are "As long as the countries exist such days with these people will continue to happen". This Troper believes that this strip highlights the Christmas truces of the first World War, which in itself is a Crowning Moment of Heartwarming.
    • There was another strip that details the Christmas Truces, but nevertheless was quite heartwarming. Germany was musing how lonely it was on the battlefield during Christmas when England showed up, holding a soccer ball and mentioning it's still a special day even if they are on the battlefield. But what stood out the most was England's genuine smile after lying exhausted on the ground after a game with Germany.
  • It's a shame the translation has been out for several days and what Switzerland tells the sleeping Liechtenstein in their Counting Sheep-CD isn't here yet.

Switzerland: You really do not need to be so concerned about me, Liechten. As long as you stay well and can smile everyday, that is all I ever need to stay healthy.

  • Just hearing Wa! Wa! World Ondo [dead link] where the Axis and Allies sing together. It's so cute and happy that you cannot help but smile.
  • Of course, Britain becoming America's big brother goes without saying.
  • The 5 Year Commemoration strip.
  • Ren Ren Renaissance also counts, as it is the only real time we see Rome and Italy consciously interacting for an extended length of time. It's really sweet to hear them laughing together and talking/singing about how much they love each other (and France-niichan, and Shinsei Roma, and Chibitalia hasn't met him yet but that other big brother too!)
    • Rome and Italy's entire relationship. It overlaps with Tear Jerker territory when Rome makes his brief, inexplicable return to visit a sleeping Italy -- only to reveal that he's come down from Heaven to do so.
  • From Gakuen Hetalia: America pretending to drown (though he gets cramp and has to be rescued for real) to let England be a hero. He later genuinely asks England to forgive him for worrying him. Heck, their entire friendship event just drips of it.
    • Gets even sweeter when you remember something from Himaruya's notes: England can't swim. He jumped in there to save America when he himself couldn't swim. This speaks volumes about how much he cares about America below the tsuntsun.
  • Japan is visiting Greece, who is always flanked by stray cats. Greece says that if there is an afterlife, he would want to be reborn as a cat. * plop* - Japan places cat ears on him.
  • This image from an entry in Himaruya's blog, showing England watching colonial America and Canada as they sleep on his lap. Becomes a Tear Jerker when you remember what happened afterwards and consider the title of the entry - loosely translated, "Before the Eventual Goodbye".
  • France caring for England when the latter's laid up with a bad cold. France is genuinely concerned and rather affectionate to Iggy throughout. Yes, it's got a Dude, She's Like, in a Coma moment, but the Aw, Look -- They Really Do Love Each Other between these ancient rivals/friends/what have you is still really strong. And then America ruins their moment by attempting to treat England's cold with a hamburger to the face.
  • All of A Bientot (Until We Meet Again) where a young girl named Lisa went on a trip to France and ends up meeting France himself. While walking in Mont Saint-Michel, France brings up the Hundred Years' War and the story of Jeanne d' Arc. Then he begins to talk about reincarnation and finishes by holding Lisa/Jeanne's hand and is just so happy that he was able to see her again.

"When I first saw you, I thought God was pulling a cruel trick on me. But I see that you're living a happy life. It seems like my wish has been granted.

  • Much like the one with Italy dreaming about meeting Japan as a child, this comic is a sweet moment of "Awwwww"ness that is involving young nations this time a young Liet and little Russia. It's very heartwarming indeed.

Russia: Then you'll become my friend
Liet: But...we could become friends by now...?
Russia: No, we can't! I still don't have enough strength. I'll work hard from now on.

    • Pretty much anytime Russia is kind towards Lithuania since he seems to be his "favorite".
  • Even though America ended up rejecting him, England offering to be America's friend in episode 47 of World Series was rather heartwarming especially considering that its England.
    • Pretty much anytime England shows a kinder side to his personality and smiles, especially noticeable when he's around America who he seems to have feelings for. Also, in the April Fools Day comic, England comments that America's waiter outfit looks good on him. In the Halloween 2011 comic, America calls England out specifically to dress up with him because England was the first to follow him on Twitter.
      • It gets even better. In a blog post afterwards Himaruya says that America was just using the twitter thing as an excuse and he really just wanted to dress up with England.
      • In episode 17 England shows concern for America's health. And going through some old things America flashbacks to times of special memories he shared with England, both good and bad. The way he can't throw away old things that England gave him shows a softer side to him.
  • In Episode 39 of World Series after Italy modifies a car to shoot him into the sky, Germany says this:

Germany: It-it can't be... I can't believe he became one with the stars after being so trivial... [Goes on knees] He may have been a bit strange and useless... But he had his heart in the right place. If I knew this is going to happen, I would've treated him more gently... [starts sobbing] Italy... ITALLLYYYY!
Italy: [hanging from a tree] G-Germany...

    • Most of Germany and Italy's interactions are adorable, especially in World Series Episode 15 where Italy makes Germany lunch, complete with a note from him saying he put in all of Germany's favorite foods and Germany can't bring himself to throw it away.
  • Towards the climax of Paint It White, after the entire main cast falls from a spaceship (long story) and crashes into the ocean far, FAR below, we see Germany weak, injured and alone, barely managing to stand, searching the island for anyone else who made it. His strength finally gives out and he collapses, only to glimpse a glow beyond the trees - when he goes to find out what it is, Italy is sitting on the beach, making pasta over a fire. Then, all the other countries begin to emerge from the trees, each drawn by the light.

Germany: Th-that's Italy! But… how…
Japan: *walks up next to him* I think… it is the soft glow of hope.

    • "Italy...you did wundervar."
  • This strip overlaps with Tearjerker.
    • The soldier's final words in the strip.

You're right! Without this plain mortal body, I wouldn't be able to pursue my dream! To grow old together. Until our hands will be full of wrinkles.

Fandom

  • This Troper is new to the series, so he doesn't know how official this is, but a lot of fan art has portrayed Hong Kong and Taiwan in a way that is varies from utterly adorable to downright moving.This image showcases China turning Hong Kong over to England, and has all the emotional turmoil of someone forced into separation from his family. And then Taiwan just...just read it for yourself. Doubles as a Tear Jerker.
  • It's out of the webcomics and anime, but This troper is just so touched and gets such a huge smile from the Multilanguage videos (mostly of disney songs, and fandubbers from all over with their respective version of the Marukaite Chikyuu) on Youtube that feature the Hetalia characters...to the point of getting watery eyes, and shivers on her back; I'm serious. Without realizing, this fandom brought together people from all over the world to have fun, forget all of our diferences and have a nice time. Or at least that's how this Troper sees it and feels it, with all her heart. it's absolutely wonderful :).
    • You're not alone. The fandom gets a lot of hate, but aside from a few idiots, it genuinely is amazing. The fact that this silly little series has gotten so many p* Fandom example: with the Hetalia Bloodbath 2010 Christmas event, fans gathering to discuss and/or Squee about the strips and read the updates together at the Hetalia Livejournal main community and the CAPTALIA community have formed some pretty tight bonds and become world-wide True Companions. When fans felt things beginning to come to a close, an friending spree kicked up and people started posting heartfelt goodbye notes in the comments. The event didn't end quite yet, of course, but after four threads of comments in the main comm alone and almost a week spent sleeping odd hours and hanging out together, it's not likely that anyone experiencing the Bloodbath in real time will soon forget about it.
    • And from the Bloodbath itself, we have Belgium giving her scarf to the shadow chasing her who later turns out to be Parallel!Spain, who calls Parallel!France #23 to say that he's fallen in love. Then, when Germany asks Italy to strip in the middle of the street so he can examine his chest and butt (no as perverted in context), Romano tries to stop Italy from doing it because "It's that perv's trap!" Italy responds "Even if it was, that doesn’t bother me at all." Then Romano saves the world. The epilogue was just one big block of these, starting with General Winter gently placing a hand on unconscious Russia's cheek, to Germany's sigh of relief when he finds Prussia and Austria asleep side by side, even Poland finding a sleeping Lithuania.eople interested in other countries is wonderful to me.
  • Another fandom example. Whenever this troper sees fanarts like this, ones that feature nearly the whole lovable cast, it gives me that warm, fuzzy feeling inside.
    • Oh God yes, seconded so hard. That picture is beautiful and the fandom is nothing short of spectacular. The thing about Hetalia is that almost everyone can relate; there's something for everyone, some little niche or stereotype that you can nod your head to and smile about and just feel good inside at.
    • For that matter, this picture. Particularly who is holding whose hands.
  • Not in the series itself, but the way the fandom is acting as a family in hard times is astonishing and beautiful. Especially this discussion.
  • When the earthquake in Japan happened, the fandom turned to the Hetalia Livejournal community for the latest updates on the situation and to find out who in the anime/manga community was confirmed as being alive and okay. The way EVERYONE was freaking out about wanting Himaruya to be okay, and the reaction when it was confirmed that he was...
  • Another fandom example: this map, which was created as a thank you present for Himaruya for the the 2011 Halloween event. There are over 1,000 thank you notes from fans across the globe. Just looking at it gives this troper warm, fuzzy feelings.
    • The fandom has been giving thank-you presents to Himaruya for a while now after each event.