Hetalia: Axis Powers Volume 2

This article is about the second volume of the Hetalia manga. For other uses, see Volume 2 (disambiguation).

Hetalia: Axis Powers Volume 2
Volume Information
Publisher	Gentosha
Released	December 10, 2008
Pages	132
Size	A5
ISBN	ISBN 978-4-3448-1514-8
Chronology
Hetalia: Axis Powers Volume 1 Hetalia: Axis Powers Volume 2 Animation Storyboards Vol. 1

The second volume of Hetalia: Axis Powers was released in Japan by the publisher Gentosha. It contains several strips from the original webcomic series, as well as new material.

Contents

Chapters

Track.0 - Gakuen Hetalia Christmas (学園ヘタリアのクリスマス, Gakuen Hetaria no Kurisumasu, trans. "Christmas at Hetalia Academy" in the Tokyopop edition.)

In a Christmas-themed chapter taking place in the Gakuen Hetalia universe, Germany, Italy, and Japan interview their fellow students to learn about their Christmas traditions. After interviewing America, France, Russia, and China, the three choose to interveiw Finland and make his traditions a central part of the article. Happy with the information, Germany suggests that they all spend Christmas together.

This chapter was later adapted in Episode 31 of the anime series.

Track.1 - Together with Grandpa Rome (ローマじいちゃんと, Rōma jīchan to, trans. "Grandpa Rome Pays a Visit" in the Tokyopop edition.)

Germany awakes to Italy's grandfather, Ancient Rome, staring down at him. Rome has left the afterlife to pay his grandson a visit. Whilst there, he informs Germany of his history and cuisine, though is unable to clarify how he disappeared. Germany sleeps in the next day, so Italy and Japan plan to celebrate Italy waking up earlier than him. Back in ancient times, Germania becomes annoyed by Rome's focus on women, fighting, and alcohol.

This chapter is largely a reprinted version of the webcomic "Together with Grandpa Rome". The ending bit, where it was revealed that Rome tied up God to escape the afterlife, was removed, along with a strip where Rome makes a nude sculpture of Germany and an bonus illustration of Rome visiting Romano in his sleep. The scenes with Italy were also redrawn to further conceal his nudity. It was later adapted in Episode 32, Episode 60, and Episode 61 of the anime series.

Track.2 - Greece and Japan's Loose Relations (ギリシャと日本のゆる関係, Girisha to Nihon no yukari no kankei, trans. "Greece and Japan's Easygoing Relationship" in the Tokyopop edition.)

Greece and Japan get to know each other and explore aspects of Greek culture, Japanese language, and Greek mythology. Later, Turkey arrives, jealous over Greece's apparent friendship with Japan. In order to restore peace, Japan plays a simple trick, confusing both Greece and Turkey. In a final strip, Greece attempts to "train" Japan to become angry. He succeeds and asks to borrow Turkey's camera to take pictures.

This chapter was later adapted in Episode 54, Episode 55, and Episode 69 of the anime series.

Track.3 - Liechtenstein's Doting Older Brother Journal (リヒテンシュタインの兄バカ日誌, Rihitenshutain no ani baka nisshi, trans. "Liechtenstein's Doting Brother Diaries" in the Tokyopop edition.)

The chapter focuses on the relationship because Liechtenstein and her older brother Switzerland. Liechtenstein cuts her hair to resemble Switzerland, but is upset when a woman mistakes her for a male. After the incident, Switzerland buys her a ribbon. Later, Switzerland teachers Liechtenstein about self-defense. In order to repay Switzerland for everything he has done for her, Liechtenstein gives him hand-sewn pajamas. That night, she thinks over how she came to be rescued by Switzerland during a depression. The next morning, she she questions her brother over his reasons for doing so. Switzerland explains that he felt it was his responsibility and states that he knew he couldn't have left her alone. In an extra strip, Liechtenstein and England make an interesting discovery when facing off in a EURO 2004 soccer preliminary.

This chapter is a partially redrawn and rewritten version of the webcomic "Liechtenstein's Doting Older Brother Journal" as well as a direct reprint of "Liechtenstein vs England" from Comic Diary Summary Part 10. It diverges from the original, where Switzerland and Liechtenstein run into Austria and they have an awkward lunch together. Instead, Switzerland spots Austria and is able to avoid him, taking Liechtenstein home to go over defense strategy. The nighttime scenes remain similar, but depict Liechtenstein's back-story as a dream sequence instead of Switzerland and Austria's past. It was later adapted in the audio track "Liechtenstein's Journal of Swiss Dopiness" from Hetalia Drama CD: Volume 2, and Episode 23, Episode 44, and Episode 45 of the anime series.

Track.4 - Russia's Big and Little Sister (ロシアの姉さんと妹君, Roshia no nēsan to imōto-kun, trans. "Russia's Sisters" in the Tokyopop edition.)

Russia begins to talk about his sisters, Ukraine and Belarus, but ultimately falls into despair, which frightens England. It is explained that Ukraine had extremely large breasts and a poor relationship with her brother, stemming from her boss' desire to become more associated with nations in the European Union. His other sister, Belarus, is madly love with him and follows him around demanding that they get married. She was also the only one to come back after everyone else left with the collapse of the Soviet Union. Russia tries to become friends with the Italy brothers, as their bosses are on good terms, but they are frightened of Russia and terrified of Belarus. Discouraged, Russia tries remembering back to when he and his sisters were younger, only to realize their relationship was always strange. He tries to get advice from France on his radio show, but the answer is poor, and Russia laments as Belarus grabs him.

This chapter was later adapted in Episode 42 and Episode 43 of the anime series.

Track.5 - Hello World! Hello Italy! (Hello World! Hello Italy!, Harō Wārudo! Harō Itarī!)

This chapter compiles various strips focusing on Italy and the other members of the Axis and Allied Powers. Italy shares a book of his war history with Japan, who closes the book on his face upon discovering that its full of pictures of women he's met from around the world. Germany acts awkwardly around each of the Italy brothers, and Japan attempts to imitate England's cooking only to create an entirely new dish. Back at the Allied conference room, America discovers that England's the one who has been drawing the reference pictures on the chalkboard, and decides to give it a try. After the other nations react poorly to his drawings, China takes the chalk and draws an extremely detailed picture of himself. In a side story, Germany, Sweden, and Spain are each shown as café operators.

This chapter includes a redrawn version of the webcomic "One With Many Lovers" from Comic Diary Summary Part 8, as well as a reprinted version of the webcomic "Who's Been Drawing These Pictures?". It was later adapted in Episode 33, Episode 34, Episode 51, and Episode 70 of the anime series.

Track.6 - Big Brother France and the Olympian Romance (フランス兄ちゃんとオリンピュアロマン, Furanshisu nīchan to orinpiaroman, trans. "Big Brother France's Olympian Love" in the Tokyopop edition.)

While lamenting on the world's current imperialistic push, France stumbles across Greece excavating the ruins that his mother left behind. The two get to talking, and Greece explains how during his mother's time they would hold an event called the olympics. France is disinterested at first, but becomes excited when Greece reveals that only naked men competed and decides to revive the practice. France convinces a few other nations to participate, and when England arrives he discovers France waiting in the nude. England freaks out, and France attempts to strip him in the name of the Olympics, but is stopped by Switzerland. As France is led off in handcuffs, he tries in vain to convince the Policeman of his logic.

This chapter is largely a reprinted version of the webcomic "France and the Olympia Romance". It was later adapted in Episode 35 of the anime series.

Track.7 - Japan and the Footsteps of Westernization (日本と文明開化の足音, Nihon to bunmei kaigyō no ashioto, trans. "Japan's Path to Cultural Enlightenment" in the Tokyopop edition.)

This chapter focuses on the period following the end of Japan's 200 year isolation and his reluctance to meet with Western nations. When France comes to visit, Japan hides in his room before being coaxed out. Deciding to see this as an opportunity for cultural enlightenment, he begins imitating France's behavior. Japan runs into some children practicing clairvoyance, and when he gives it a try he sees Manga artists in extreme distress from their work. On another day, America comes to visit, and convinces Japan to try a fortune-telling activity called "table turning." America initially has fun tricking him, but he is moved when Japan asks if he'll be able to become friends with anyone, and moves the table to indicate that they'll become friends. Later, America takes Japan on a night out, but Japan returns home exhausted. Feeling more "culturally enlightened," he adopts a guinea pig and a rabbit, as they have both become popular amongst his citizens.

This chapter is largely a reprinted version of the webcomic "Japan and the Footsteps of Westernization". It was later adapted in Episode 49 and Episode 50 of the anime series.

Track.8 - America's Situation with Ghosts (アメリカの幽霊事情, Amerika no yūrei jijō, trans. "American Ghosts" in the Tokyopop edition.)

In this chapter, America comes over to watch a scary movie with Japan. While America is extremely nervous and becomes terrified by the movie, Japan doesn't understand why it's so frightening. As the movie progresses, America becomes more frightened, but Japan tells him that he is actually a bit fond of the ghost onscreen. After the movie is over, Japan refuses to watch another with him and lends him some horror survival games in order to work up his courage. Later, when Japan asks him how the games went, America terrifies Japan with a monster costume and says that the games were fun and the monsters were cute. Japan is left confused by America's reactions.

This chapter is a reprinted version of the webcomic "America's Situation with Ghosts". It was later adapted in Episode 51 of the anime series.

Track.9 - Medieval England's Clothes and Hair (イギリス中世の髪と服, Igirisu chūsei no kami to fuku, trans. "Medieval England's Fashion Fiasco" in the Tokyopop edition.)

A Younger France makes fun of Young England's hairstyle, citing the fashion trend of having long hair like French nobility. Disheartened, England decides to grow his hair out, and avoids the Bishop to keep it from getting forcibly cut. After six months, England examines his hair only to discover it is long but matted and messy. When France comes to make fun of England, he mistakes him for a large, golden caterpillar, and subsequently offers to style his hair. After England rejects the first two concepts, he falls asleep in the chair and dreams about how he will look with long, stylish hair. However, when he wakes up he finds that France gave him his old hairstyle.

This chapter is a reprinted version of the first half of the webcomic "Medieval England's Clothes and Hair". It was later adapted in the audio track "Medieval England's Clothes And Hair" from Hetalia: Axis Powers Character CD Vol. 5 - France, and in Episode 46 of the anime series.

Track.10 - The Battle for America (新大陸アメリカ争奪合戦, Shintairiku Amerika sōdatsu gassen, trans. "Battle for the New World" in the Tokyopop edition.)

France and England encounter a beaten-up Finland crying, and learn that Netherlands took away his villa in Sweden in America. What piques their interest, however, is his description of a young boy leads them to conclude that he is an entity like them. France and England immediately begin arguing over whose "brother" he is. England goes to visit America alone, and is stunned by how nice the young nation treats him, remembering how his own brothers used to torment him. France and England visit America together and try to make him choose a side. While France initially seems to win America over with his cooking, America chooses England after seeing him so dejected. Victorious, England reflects on his new responsibility, and receives a shock when America easily takes down a Bison.

This chapter is a reprinted version of the majority of the webcomic "The Battle for America". It was later adapted in Episode 39 and Episode 40 of the anime series.

Track.11 - Fly, Canada-san, Fly! (飛び越せ！カナダさん, Tobikose! Kanada-san, trans. "Don't Give Up, Canada" in the Tokyopop edition.)

This chapter is about Canada's relationship with other nations, and how he is either gone unnoticed or mistaken for America. The G8 are missing a member at their and can't figure out who it is, and when Canada arrives no one recognizes him. After Cuba mistakes Canada for America and beats him up, Canada has enough and decides to confront America. In the end he becomes too intimidated, and tries instead to assert his identity in vain. Canada has a nightmare involving Quebec leaving his nation, prompting him to try and find a solution to the tensions between English and French-Speaking citizens. America suggests opening up more to immigration, but most turn out to be from China and South Korea. Canada tries bonding with America, but in both the past and the present he is overlooked by his brother. After finally having enough, Canada goes off on America for three days straight. Cuba comes to apologize to Canada for beating him up and asks him to come visit sometime. However, Upon arriving, Cuba mistakes Canada for America once more. Back at a G8 meeting, England discovers Sealand there disguised as Canada, with the real Canada having been accidentally sat on by Russia.

This chapter is a reprinted version of the webcomic "Fly, Canada-san, Fly!". It was later adapted in Episode 35, Episode 38, Episode 44, Episode 49, Episode 52, Episode 53, and the episode "Canada and His Neighbors" of the anime series.

Track.12 - Ghost Culture of England and Japan (イギリスと日本の妖怪文化, Igirisu to Nihon no yōkai bunka, trans. "English and Japanese Monster Culture" in the Tokyopop edition.)

After the signing of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance, England comes to visit Japan and takes in the sights, including what appears to be a monster on a mountain top, which Japan finds off-putting as he doesn't see anything there. England hears and interacts with other creatures while he's there, including a Kappa and a Youkai in the bath. While Japan insists that he lives alone, he is again thrown when England shows him a Kappa miracle potion that his new friends have given him. That night, the Kappa and Youkai come to say goodbye, explaining that Japan and his citizens now regard their existence as myth and can no longer see or remember interacting with them. As they depart, England is almost knocked over by a Zashiki-Warashi, and chases her after having endured hearing her laughter the entire trip. Inside, Japan wakes up, insisting that he lives alone.

This chapter is a reprinted version of the webcomic "Ghost Culture of England and Japan". It was later adapted in Episode 30 of the anime series.

Track.13 - Why Americans Love Spring (アメリカ人が春大好きなわけ, Amerikahito ga haru daisukina wake)

This chapter depicts the parallel stories of America and Japan as each live through the Winter in anticipation of Spring. After Christmas, America gets bored and decides to go buy video games, and after a perilous outing in the snow, vows to stay inside. After the video games prove too hard, he tries to get England to come over to hand out, but is rejected and is forced to go outside again after the lightbulb in his living room goes out. One day, America mistakes the sunrise for Springtime and accidentally goes out in the cold wearing nothing but a bathing suit. Meanwhile, Japan leisurely engages in activities such as cleaning, shopping, and cooking for New Year's. He finishes on time, though he almost forgets to buy manga and ice cream. After leisurely watching the Winter months go buy, Japan notices the Cherry trees begin to bud and invites America over to watch them bloom, who eagerly accepts to escape the cold.

This chapter is a reprinted version of the webcomic "Why Americans Love Spring". It was later adapted in Episode 36 of the anime series.

Track.14 - Wish Upon A Star (星に願いを, Hoshininegaiwo, trans. "Wishing Upon a Star" in the Tokyopop edition.)

After being abandoned by Romano and an unsuccessful day battling England and America in North Africa, Germany and Italy relax back in camp and go over the numbers. Italy spots a shooting shooting star, Italy wishes that England would "get a headache and go home." While Germany dismisses this as childish, after Italy goes to bed he spots another shooting star and makes a wish. He recites a long lists of traits and behaviors he wishes Italy would abandon, and the star laments that it's all impossible. The star falls and lands on England's head as he plans his attack, causing America to enthusiastically freak out.

This chapter is a redrawn version of the webcomic "African War Front ~ Wish on a Star". It was later adapted in Episode 23 of the anime series.

Side Content

In this world... (この世の, Konoyo no)

A poem is included in front of the book about the roles of the French, British, Germans, Swiss, and Italians in heaven and hell. This page is a redrawn version of a strip from the webcomic "Hetare 2: Allied Forces". This was adapted into the song "Heaven And Hell On Earth", which was featured in Episode 18 of the anime series and the film Hetalia: Axis Powers: Paint it, White.

Greek Mythology is Really Amazing (ギリシャ神話マジすごい, Girisha shinwa maji sugoi)

A single page bonus illustration of Zeus and Hera with an explanation of Greek Mythology.

Liechtenstein's Stupid Brother Column (リヒテンシュタインの兄バカコラム, Rihitenshutain no ani baka koramu)

Two single page bonus illustrations providing explanations of Liechtenstein and Switzerland's customs agreement, as well as the aid Switzerland provided Liechtenstein at the end of WW1. This series was later adapted in Episode 44 and Episode 45 of the anime series.

Japan-kun and America-kun (日本君とアメリカ君, Nihon-kun to Amerika kimi)

Ten single page bonus illustrations exploring cultural differences between Japan and the United States, with Japan and America each visiting each other's houses. In America, Japan encounters brightly-colored desserts. In Japan, America reacts with enthusiasm everywhere they visit, recieves a tissue packet with an advertisement for a brothel on the packaging, and becomes distressed at a normal-sized serving of Fries. Both of them also discover commonalities, such as fondness for "Boy One, Get One Free" deals. This series was later adapted in Episode 44, Episode 52, Episode 59, Episode 79, Episode 80, Episode 90, Episode 92, and Episode 99 of the anime series.

Also Popular in the City These Days (このごろ都に流行るもの, Konogoro-to ni hayaru mono, trans. "Things that Were Popular Back in the Day" in the Tokyopop edition.)

A single page bonus illustration of Japan with an explanation of commodities such as beer, coffee, and hot pot that became popular following the end of Japan's isolation.

America's Convenience Store Situation (アメリカのコンビニ事情, Amerika no konbini jijō, trans. "America's Convenience Stores" in the Tokyopop edition.)

A single page bonus illustration of America with an explanation of how convenience stores work in America.

Special Skill=Cute Occupation=Cute (特技=かわいい 職業=かわいい, Tokugi=Kawaī Shokugyō= Kawaī, trans. "Specialty=Cuteness. Occupation=Cuteness." in the Tokyopop edition.)

A bonus comic showing Hidekaz Himaruya while drawing this book. He describes how he got a new kitten, and while it was rough, he freaked out over how adorable it and his other cats behaved, even when they were sprawled out on his bed.

Postscript (あとがき, Atogaki)

A message from Hidekaz Himaruya accompanied by a group illustration of the Axis and the Allies.

Character Profiles

Hetalia 2 World Map (HETALIA2 WORLD MAP)

A world map showing the characters superimposed over their homes. Regions depicted include America (America, Canada, and Cuba), Asia (China, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan), and Europe (Austria, Belarus, England, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy and Romano, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, and Ukraine).

Hetalia and His Merry Friends (ヘタリアと愉快な仲間たち, Hetaria to yukaina nakama-tachi)

Profiles outlining each character's official country name, country capital, official language, birthday, and national flower. Characters featured include Italy (also named as "Veneziano"), Germany, Japan, America, England, France, China, Russia, Spain, South Italy (also named as "Romano"), Hungary, Austria, Prussia, Lithuania, Poland, Latvia, Estonia, Belarus, Ukraine, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Finland, Sweden, Iceland, Turkey, Greece, Egypt, Canada, Cuba, Taiwan, Korea, Hong Kong, Seychelles, Sealand, Ancient Rome, Germania, Holy Roman Empire, and Chibitalia.

Special Edition Booklet

Cover of Japanese Special Edition Booklet.

The Japanese release also had limited run special edition version that had a variant cover and was packaged with an extra booklet. While this content also received a Chinese release, it was not included in any of the English releases of this volume.

Chapter One: "Sketches For The Anime" (第一章【アニメのためのイメージスケッチ】, Daiisshō "anime no tame no imējisuketchi")

This chapter opens with a page titled "Himaruya's style" (日丸屋 's スタイル, Himaruya's sutairu), breaking down how Himaruya draws female and male characters. The following section, "Facial Expression Collections from the Anime" (アニメのための表情集, Anime no tame no hyōjōshū), makes up the bulk of the chapter and is comprised of character sheets highlighting facial expressions. Characters featured include Italy, Germany, Japan, America, England, France, Russia, China, Hungary, Lithuania and Belarus, Latvia and Estonia, Finland and Sweden, Korea and Greece. The final page, "New Costumes☆For the Chibitalia Section" (ちびたりあ編用☆ニューコスチューム, Chibitaria henyō ☆ nyūko suchūmu), shows designs for new outfits for Austria, Spain, France, and Hungary.

Chapter Two: "Sketches For The Comics" (第二章【コミックスのためのイメージスケッチ】, Dainishō "komikkusu no tame no imējisuketchi")

This chapter opens with a series of outfit concept sketches for the Hetalia Fantasia storyline, "Hetalia-like RPG Style Costumes" (ヘタリア的RPG風コスチューム, Hetaria-teki RPG-fū kosuchūmu). The following page, "Volume 1 Cover Rough Sketch" (1巻カバーラフスケッチ, 1-Kan kabārafu suketchi), shows the draft sketch for what would become the cover for Hetalia: Axis Powers Volume 1. The next section, "Backstage of "Meeting of the World"" (「世界会議」の舞台裏, 'Sekai kaigi' no butaiura), breaks down drafts of individual panels of the comic "Meeting of the World". The final section, "Initial Drawing Selection" (初期設定画セレクション, Shoki settei-ga serekushon), shows a composite of sketches from the initial development of Hetalia. Included in this is an abandoned "Hero of New York" concept starring a Hungarian witch, who would later become the Hungary character, saying "I Hate Christmas" while surrounded by Halloween decorations and interacting with Yamato Nara and Sunki Udono from Barjona Bombers. Other concepts sketches shown involve Chibitalia, the original concepts for Prussia and a female South Korea, Japan interacting with Yamato, and scenario ideas for Latvia, Hungary, and Finland. The final page is a large composite of sketch versions of characters as seen in a number of completed webcomics.

Release

The second volume was first released by Gentosha of December 10, 2008. In the proceeding years, it has been published in several nations. Tokyopop announced its acquisition of Hetalia in 2010 and released the second volume on December 28, 2010 in North America.

• 

  Japanese Special Edition (Gentosha)
  ISBN 978-4-344-81535-3
  Released on December 10, 2008

• 

  Chinese Edition (原動力亞細亞)
  ISBN 978-986-6628-46-7
  Released on August 12, 2009

• 

  Chinese Special Edition (原動力亞細亞)
  Released on August 12, 2009

• 

  Polish Edition (Studio JG)
  ISBN 978-836-1356-23-3
  Released on June 17, 2010

• 

  Thai Edition (Siam Inter Comic)
  Released on October 25, 2010

• 

  Hungarian Edition (Fumax)
  ISBN 978-963-9861-31-2
  Released on December 18, 2010

• 

  North American Edition (Tokyopop)
  ISBN 978-1427818874
  ISBN 978-1427845849 (POD)
  Released on December 28, 2010

• 

  Czech Edition (Zoner Press)
  ISBN 978-80-7413-091-5
  Released on Date Needed 2010

• 

  Brazilian Edition (NewPOP)
  ISBN 978-85-60647-51-4
  Released on June 17, 2011

• 

  Italian Edition (J-POP)
  ISBN 978-88-6634-187-1
  Released on January 20, 2012

• 

  German Edition (Tokyopop Europe/Germany)
  ISBN 978-3842004719
  Released on June 13, 2012

• 

  Russian Edition (Comics Factory)
  ISBN 978-5-7525-2802-6
  Released on September 14, 2012

• 

  Chinese Edition (Tong Li)
  ISBN 471-0-9455-4334-5
  Released on April 22, 2014

• 

  Argentinian Edition (Utopia Editorial/Deux Studio)
  ISBN 978-987-4068-12-5
  

Notes

• A special mail-order gift, Hetalia Fantasia, was available to those who purchased the original Japanese edition of this volume at the time of it's release.
• The Tokyopop Edition of the book contains a section entitled Fantastic Fan Art! which features fanart from Hetalia fans in the United States, Canada, Indonesia, and Brazil. It also contains a 13-page Tokyopop Manga Preview reprinting the majority of Episode 1: "Clear. Some of the Babena in the Garden have Flowered." (第1話「晴れ。庭のバーベナが部咲いた。」, Dai ichi-wa "Hare. Niwa no bābena ga busaita.") from Chibisan Date Volume 1. However, due to Tokyopop's closure in May 2011, the planned June 28, 2011 release of the first volume of the series was cancelled.