Title: Hetalia: Axis Powers, Vol. 2
Author: Hidekaz Himaruya
First published December 31, 2008
168 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9781427818874 (ISBN10: 1427818878)
Rating: 4.5
Overview
Get ready for more laughs and hijinks in Hetalia: Axis Powers, Vol. 2! Join the Axis and Allied powers as they navigate the ups and downs of their relationships during the tumultuous World Wars.
With plenty of clumsy mishaps and politically incorrect humor, this comedy will have you laughing out loud. Don’t miss out on all the fun and chaos in Hetalia: Axis Powers, Vol.
2.
About the Author
Meet Hidekaz Himaruya, the creative mind behind the popular series Hetalia: Axis Powers. Fans lovingly call him Papa Hima.
Himaruya started the original webcomic while studying at Parsons School of Design in New York City and continues to work on it today. His website Kitayume features his other manga projects and artwork, including his latest series Chibi-san Date.
Himaruya is an art design major and frequently shares his day-to-day life on his blog, the Bamboo Thicket, along with character designs and sketches. Although he lived in New York for a few years, he moved back to Japan after the release of the Hetalia anime and his contract with Comic Birz.
Estonia’s character design is based on Himaruya’s appearance, but with different hair and eye colors. Himaruya is a fan of South Park and Happy Tree Friends and has referenced the song “Let’s Fighting Love” in his work.
He also enjoys horror visual novels and has hobbies such as photography, architecture, and collecting postcards. Himaruya encourages fans to create their own original characters, fan videos, and cosplay inspired by his works, but does not support copying CDs or selling downloadable site games for profit.
He admits to having a questionable naming sense and allows fans to call the gender-flipped nations by whichever names they choose.
Editoral Review
Hetalia: Axis Powers, Vol. 2 by Hidekaz Himaruya is a manga novel that follows the adventures of a group of anthropomorphic characters representing various countries during the World War II period.
Himaruya’s work is a part of the historical fiction genre with its unique anthropomorphic twist, and is one of the most widely recognized manga series worldwide. The plot of Hetalia: Axis Powers, Vol.
2 is centered around the characters Germany, Japan, and Italy, and their efforts to form an unholy alliance in the wake of the Allied Forces’ aggression against their countries. The novel follows the trio as they navigate the politics and events of the war, encountering various other characters along the way.
One of the most notable strengths of this novel is the quality of the writing. Himaruya has crafted a story that is both engaging and emotionally resonant.
The pacing of the plot is also particularly noteworthy, as the story progresses at a steady pace without ever dragging on. The character development in Hetalia: Axis Powers, Vol.
2 is also particularly well-executed. Each individual character is well-realized, with their own distinct quirks and motivations.
The setting, which draws heavily from real-life events, is also effectively utilized, giving the story a sense of historical and cultural significance. That said, there are a few weaknesses in the novel.
For one, the anthropomorphic characters can be difficult to follow at times, particularly for readers who are unfamiliar with the series. Similarly, the complex political context of the World War II period may be difficult for some readers to fully understand.
Overall, Hetalia: Axis Powers, Vol. 2 is a superbly crafted manga novel that exemplifies the best of the genre.
It is a must-read for fans of historical fiction, and will appeal to anyone who enjoys a well-written and engaging story. Score: 9/10
