Hetalia Rant - Blog Posts

you said your opinion on russia, belarus, and ukraine being related, but what would you think about just belarus and ukraine being sisters?

ehhh…

First of all, I’m really confused by the entire sibling/families thing in Hetalia. It’s complicated as hell, so I prefer none of them being siblings by blood, and those who are close in that way becoming siblings in spirit if they want too

I mentioned this already briefly (unless you know me on Discord. then not briefly, haha), but I’ve got a vision how different principalities of the medieval feudal union of tribes/city states, Ruthenia/Kyivan Rus, evolved, which I’ll elaborate one day if you’re interested✋🏼

As for those two:

– Principality of Kyiv – became Ukraine

– Principality of Polatsk – became Belarus

Kyiv and Polatsk grew up together as friends-rivals-frenemies occasionally allying and infighting depending on the situation. They joined Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth together. They rebelled together (although still fought for power a bit amidst the uprising), and fell under russian rule together. They had their independence movements, cultural revival, although it’s sad how the Beloruthian one is barely talked of. And finally, Beloruthian language it the closest related to Ukrainian.

They share much more than appears. So, whether they would want to consider themselves sisters in spirit nowardays?

Heh. Mayhaps

It is another headcanon, but occasionally, Belarus snaps, wakes up from how she usually acts, and just stares to the front: "what am I even doing?"

And then Ivan hits her on a head with somethin' and she goes back to 'normal'

How do you feel about russia, Belarus, and Ukraine being siblings in hetalia? Do you think the author should change that the same way he changed China and Japan being siblings?

To be honest — it makes me sad. There is a common propaganda theory that emerged in Russian empire if ever around the beginning of 19th century with the activisation of european nationalism in what is now Ukraine and Belarus, to justify whatever the repressive policies Russia wanted implemented on them because „we‘re brotherly nations so I‘m protecting you even if u don‘t like it“ which somehow escalated into „we are the same nation separated by artificial borders“ thing, and I think you can already see the problem with this.

And though Russia would usually be portrayed as the „older brother“, and, thankfully, at least Ukraine is the oldest in hetalia, still – it‘s pretty much the same old rotten story. Especially since hetalia fans often use Russia‘s surname for both Ukraine and Belarus, as if undermining their independence.

But I think rather than just changing it, an interesting spin could be applied to this. See, the entire „siblings“ idea is what I am more than sure Russia would want everyone to believe. And there‘s no doubt Ukraine and Belarus did not have the courage to speak up for a while. Until recently, almost. And now just imagine this kind of conversation:

— Well, yeah, hard to imagine he‘s been so horrible to you even though he‘s your brother…

—Erm…actually he‘s even not my brother…

—Wait wha–

But we all know we‘re not getting anything like this, well because..*sighs*…Himaruya…

(upd: this has now been kindly updated by one of the admins 🥹, but the info I‘m referring to used to be there since like 2009, so I‘ll leave this post just for info)

oh, c’mon, naming a ukrainian character after one of the most anti-ukrainian figures in history?

I know no official name was given to her, but this shit just pissed me off, why would they list this fact on her wiki page as relevant to Ukraine? Ekaterina II abolished the ukrainian (semi) autonomy Cossack Hetmanate of 1764, ordered brutal destruction of Zaporiz'ka Sich in 1775 (a cossack state-military centre), EXPANDED. SERFDOM. INTO LEFT BANK AND SLOBOZHANSCHYNA DO I EVEN HAVE TO CONTINUE?? Russification?? Crimean Khanate Colonisation?? And that just being of the top of me head?? Hello?

I know it’s not that deep and Hetalia is meant to be irony BUT HOLY SHIT.

And also using russified version of her name Ekaterina as a reference to Katiusha rocket systems, ironically, the descendant of which, (GRAD BM-21) is bombing Ukrainian cities right now FUCK OFF. At least use Kateryna, the Ukrainian version.

From Himaruya’s suggested versions I prefer Maria; as Mariia and pet names Marichka (like ukrainian military mascot hehe), Marusya (a reference to a common Ukranian folklore character, Marusya Boguslavka (a rlly smart woman who helped cossaks out of captivity), Marusya Churai (semi-legendary folk songwriter of 17th century), Marusya from a folk song who poisoned a guy cuz he cheated, Marusya Sokolovska (a female rebel leader during 1917-21 war of independance) AND MANY MORE. I LOVE MY UKRAINIAN MARICHKAS.

SO ON THIS PAGE AT LEAST, SHE’S CALLED MARIIA (MARICHKA/MARUSYA/MARI). FIGHT ME.

[upd 2: it turned out that Himaruya never listed a name for her in the original post, so forget what I said on her surname]