I was actually a little apprehensive about getting into this series, as before reading it all I'd heard was that it was inaccurate and offensive, but a friend of mine recommended that I give it a go, and since we usually have fairly similar taste in things, I decided that I might as well. I'm sure as hell glad I did, because I ended up enjoying Hetalia a lot.
Although they are partially based on national stereotypes, the characters are wonderful and original, and every country is depicted as being good at heart despite their faults. The storylines are fun and interesting, and while Hetalia is by no means a replacement for history lessons, it has inspired me to do some research and find out more about the history of countries that I had barely given a passing thought to before getting into the series.
As for the fandom, well, Hetalia fans are definitely more... enthusiastic... than the fans of other shows and animes I've come across, and while that means we have a lot of vocal ignoramuses and weaboos, we also have so many nice, friendly, intelligent members of the fandom, many of whom are extremely talented at writing, drawing, cosplaying... anything you can think of! I know the fandom has a bad reputation, but my experience with it has been wonderful.
TL;DR, it's a wonderful series with some wonderful fans, and I'm so glad I gave Hetalia a chance.
I really like it
I was actually a little apprehensive about getting into this series, as before reading it all I'd heard was that it was inaccurate and offensive, but a friend of mine recommended that I give it a go, and since we usually have fairly similar taste in things, I decided that I might as well. I'm sure as hell glad I did, because I ended up enjoying Hetalia a lot.
Although they are partially based on national stereotypes, the characters are wonderful and original, and every country is depicted as being good at heart despite their faults. The storylines are fun and interesting, and while Hetalia is by no means a replacement for history lessons, it has inspired me to do some research and find out more about the history of countries that I had barely given a passing thought to before getting into the series.
As for the fandom, well, Hetalia fans are definitely more... enthusiastic... than the fans of other shows and animes I've come across, and while that means we have a lot of vocal ignoramuses and weaboos, we also have so many nice, friendly, intelligent members of the fandom, many of whom are extremely talented at writing, drawing, cosplaying... anything you can think of! I know the fandom has a bad reputation, but my experience with it has been wonderful.
TL;DR, it's a wonderful series with some wonderful fans, and I'm so glad I gave Hetalia a chance.