A lot of anime with 5 minutes runtime per episode don’t do very much character set-up and instead just drop you right in, assuming you’re already familiar with the setting and its characters. Hetalia is no stranger to this and does very little set-up for its cast of characters. However, it does deliver the goods in a single blow. It’s a simple show with a simple idea, but it’s executed so well that you don’t mind that almost everything the show does is completely predictable.
Despite this and the fact that the main cast is primarily made up of countries who are portrayed as humans, the character set-up and story aren’t the issues with the show. Hetalia appears to have no particular goal other than to make people laugh. It’s more on the “nonsense gag” side of slice-of-life, especially one set in the context of real-world historical events and conflicts. It is an educational, comedic, and heartwarming show.
If you are thinking of giving Hetalia anime series a try, here’s a guide to help you watch it in the correct order.
Hetalia Watch Order:
1. Hetalia Axis Powers
Alternate Title: None
Episodes: 52
2. Hetalia Axis Powers Movie: Paint it, White
Alternate Title: Hetalia Axis Powers: Paint it, White!
Episodes: 1 (Movie)
3. Hetalia World Series
Alternate Title: None
Episodes: 48
4. Hetalia World Series Specials
Alternate Title: Hetalia World Series Extra Episodes
Episodes: 4
5. Hetalia: The Beautiful World
Alternate Title: None
Episodes: 20
6. Hetalia: The Beautiful World Specials
Alternate Title: None
Episodes: 4
7. Hetalia: The Beautiful World Extra Disc
Alternate Title: None
Episodes: 1
8. Hetalia: The World Twinkle
Alternate Title: None
Episodes: 15
9. Hetalia: The World Twinkle Specials
Alternate Title: None
Episodes: 3
10. Hetalia: The World Twinkle Extra Disc
Alternate Title: None
Episodes: 1
11. Hetalia World★Stars
Alternate Title: None
Episodes: 12 (Shorts)
12. Hetalia World★Stars Specials
Alternate Title: None
Episodes: 3 (Shorts)
Hetalia is a historical comedy anime series adapted from a popular webcomic series of the same name written and drawn by Hidekaz Himaruya.
Synopsis: While facing setbacks during World War, Germany becomes allies with Italy and Japan. But Germany did not expect the allies to be this strange. Italy has lost its Ancient Rome era power and is now obsessed with Pasta. On the other hand, Japan is unreadable and has some strange interests. The chaotic Allied Forces are right on door step to stop Germany and its allies, collectively known as Axis Powers. Hetalia is a personified comedic take on nations during the World War era.
