JAPAN’S EFFORTS TO DILUTE ITS DARK HISTORY THROUGH ANIME “HETALIA AXIS POWERS”

Abstract

“Hetalia” is one of many animes with history, specifically World War II, as its theme, but what makes it different from other animes is the fact that it gained many controversies even before it was broadcasted. The characters in “Hetalia” are world countries‟ personifications with stereotypes as their characteristics. Because of that, it can be seen easily that these characters automatically have ties with each respective country. Japan is Japan‟s character in it, but his scenes mainly only contain cultural related things rather than war-related activities. This article aims to find out the agenda behind Japan‟s image representation via “Hetalia’s” narrative plots and the characterization of Japan. Using cinema concept and representation theory to analyze the characterization through dialogues and narrations, I argue that there is a certain agenda to feminize to soften Japan‟s image and to dilute Japan‟s dark history so that Japan will have more positive image via “Hetalia”. It automatically highlights Japan‟s position as not one of the „main villains‟ in World War II by making one party look positively good (Japan) and another party look not so good in relation with geopolitics strategy.