Aph Ukraine - Blog Posts

Yeah she understands that math is shit

Yeah *coughs* it’s more Ukraine (from Hetalia)

Final drawing of her trust ⭐️

I know her brother rlly likes sunflowers and I’ve seen other artist draw her with them so I put her in this greenery white void :33

Next drawing will be of Hungary 🇭🇺 !!!

*Coughs* 🇺🇦🇺🇦

*Coughs Violently like a Victorian child* sorry guys I’m ever so slightly sick..

It is Ukraine (from Hetalia)!! I love this girl so much truly..😖😖 *Coughs* i drew her again since I had so much fun last time!! I shrunk her tits btw…

*Coughs*

(do NOT mention the war, this is just silly a drawing. I of course stand with Ukraine.)

wise words, fellas, I dare you to read it all.

more of my yapping about the fandom-given hetalia Ukraine name

I don't like the Katyusha Ukraine because in my opinion it doesn't suit her, and people constantly use the name incorrectly. basically, Katyusha is like a playful version of "Kateryna/Katya", but people write it like a formal first name pretty often (Katyusha Chernenko), no blame since it comes from a place of unfamiliarity with slavic languages, it's just a bit annoying. plus the word is associated with that one russian song that became popular during World War II god it just doesn't suit her at all in my opinion 😭

"Katyusha" is a diminutive form of the name Kateryna, except it's of russian origin; in Ukrainian the diminutive forms of the name are "Katrusya", "Katerynka", or less commonly "Katrunya"

historically, the russian empire and later the soviet union promoted russian at the expense of Ukrainian, leading to the suppression of Ukrainian culture and language. of course, some Ukrainians use Katyush/Katyusha as playful nicknames, because the blending of Ukrainian and russian, that's been caused by reoccurring russification, migration, and political influence, lead to mixed usage in everyday speech – it's a normal thing (surzhyk). it's not a crime to use this word or anything, I just find it ironic that the character that represents a nation constantly oppressed by russian imperialism, in hetalia only exists as a dependant and less important character to give russia more endearing relationships and make him more interesting, and then the Japanese fandom coincidentally has also chosen the russian word for her name (I assume it's after that popular soviet song)

really I feel there's not much Ukrainian about canon hetalia Ukraine, which seems to be a very common feeling among many of my Ukrainian friends who know about the character :/ they think she's cute and pretty, but when it comes to national identity and culture, she is not relatable even on a stereotypical level, and has little depth as a character

anyway, if you want some Ukrainian first names, here's a list of the ones I think sound fitting (SUBJECTIVE OPINION 😡)

🇺🇦🔱🌻🍲🇺🇦🌾🌻🍞🇺🇦🍲🌾

Myroslava (love this one) - slavic origin, a combination of мир and слава, meaning peace and glory. it suits resilient and strong people

Olha/Olya (ОЛЯ UA!!!!!!!) - scandinavian origin (ukr. variant of Hélga). yea it's a really old and really common name that associates with the Kyivan Rus era, anyway I use it because of a meme and due to every Olya I've met building this collective Olya in my head that's literally how I also see Ukraine. she's such an Olya. it's hard to explain

Olena (not Olyena) - greek origin (ukr. variant of Helénē) came to Ukrainian through Church Slavic "Yelena" (not Yelyena)

Lesya - Ukrainian name deriving from "Olesya" which in turn derives from "Oleksandra". I'm very biased about it because it's one of my favourite female names, and also many Ukrainians associate it with Lesya Ukrayinka, which is the self-given title of an outstanding Ukrainian writer, translator and cultural figure

Halyna - likely greek origin and comes from "galēnē". I like it because I get to call her Halynka/Halya, I think it sounds cute

Tetyana - common slavic name, likely of roman origin, it just has a tender and pretty sound to it

these names are common in some or all other slavic languages, differing in varied phonetics

😑 I am NOT gatekeeping people from calling her "Kateryna", I just personally dislike Katyusha or russian Yekatyerina for her, and in my opinion the old russian-speaking fandom did a better job naming her Olha, even if that popularized the russian transcription for this same name (Olga)

my Ukraine is named Olha Tkachenko. I just like it the most and I've kind of grown used to it. whateva

I will kiss you.

My bone necklace looked better...

In Ukraine, people are commonly religious, specifically belong to the Orthodox or Catholic churches. There are also Muslims and Greek Catholics, people of Judaism and occasionally Protestants and Buddhists. Nevertheless, (several sources say) there are 0,3% of (mostly neo-) pagans among other. It was claimed neo-paganism was chosen by people: a) to act against modern and traditional Christianity; b) to recreate traditions and culture of the past (it can also be strongly related to the nationalism); Unfortunately, Ukrainian traditional paganism and some aspects of everyday life (before the baptism of Rus) remain unknown. Iceland, for instance, had saga tellers, writing and was a more cohesive country. That doesn't stop, however, people from believing in what they've been able to piece together and reinterpret. To condemn them for the fact that they are trying to step into the future and not forget the past would be great ignorance (it means I am normally tolerant, though...as an atheist, I have a hard time understanding any beliefs).

I made something experimental this time. I frankly wish this day was not the last. No doubt many people are scared, however, I rewatched La Dolce Vita to decide to draw it.

Вітаю з Днем Незалежності! (And the tits belong to Venus (cutting, if you understand), it is legal.)

I almost forgot about these folks, so sorry about that! Also, I didn't know whether to put Czech Republic or Czechia but Czechia sounds nicer.

Irunya 🌻

THE CHILDREN YEARN FOR THE FANART OF UKRAINE

pov: You’re Poland; its 1620s and those "free armed folk" to the East, some of whom occasionally take part in wars on your side, have been more and more rebellious lately. You ride up to check what’s the deal — and as you pass one of the Cossacks, as they call themselves, the guy looks suspiciously similar to Ukraine herself…

***

1569. Lithuania had never been fond of Unia Lubelska that would unite the lands of the Grand Duchy with the Polish Republic. Yet Poland suddenly annexed Ruthenian – Ukrainian parts of the Duchy, using this move to pressure Lithuania back to negotiation tables.

Thus the era of Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth began.

For mainly Orthodox Christian Ruthenians, it only meant more tension with Catholics and szlachta nobles who realised they now acquired more serfs up for grabs.

There is no wonder then, that Ruthenians quite rapidly "cossack’ed" (покозачились) in such conditions. Many joined either free warrior communities or the rejestrowe wojsko zaporoskie under the polish crown’s service, but still able to do a fair deal of whatever the hell they wanted. Including uprisings against Poland, 1591-3 and 1594-6; allying with the Poles to almost(😭) burn Moscow to the ground in 1618; and occasionally raid Turks and Crimean Tatars.

But more importantly, paving the way for a powerful warrior state, autonomous from the Polish Republic by 1649, – Cossack Hetmanate (aka Hetman’schyna, Ruthenia, or simply Ukraine – all those + more names used at the time) – which famously takes its origins in Ukraine being pissed off.

The initial headcanon was that Ukraine ran away from the Commonwealth sometime after Lublin and pretended to be a guy to live amongst Cossacks and lead her raids and battles. Now, having read up some info on female Cossack leaders, I am thinking that whilst that might have been the case initially, by 1648 everyone knows she’s a woman and just chills about it ig

can you make me some nyo turkraine? >:3 💫💥

Rip a diva

(Nyo!ukraine design by @/she-cu-on-my-piii-til-i-do. DIPSHIT I KNOW IT'S YOU, STOP HIDING BEHIND THE ANONYMOUS.)

Hetalia Ukraine OCs

Yes I am aware there’s a cannon Ukraine design and while I like how she looks, I just don’t appreciate how she was depicted in the anime

I also just wanted to have my own interpretations with one being inspired from the cannon design <3

LOOK, LIETUKR HOLDING HANDS!!

Now that I have your attention, here’s a really cool historical event🫶🏼

Battle of Ula happened as a part of broader Livonian war that started when Muscovy (later: Russia) under Ivan the Terrible attacked the weakening state of Livonian Order. One small problem – that gradually dragged all its neighbours in. Initially, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, Ruthenia and Samogitia suffered losses, notably the city of Polatsk.

Then enter 1564. Muscovy’s army of ≈24 000 is rapidly advancing. So those ≈12 000 of Lithuanians and Ruthenians (self-identification term for Ukrainians and Belaruthians back then) figured that (early) modern problems require (early) modern solutions.

The battle destroyed all stereotyped ideas about military art of the early modern era. It happened not in a warm season, but in winter. It started neither in the morning nor in the afternoon, but in the evening, that is, it happened in the dark hours of the day. And it ended up a crushing defeat for Muscovy, partly due to sheer well cooperation between Lithuanians and Ruthenians, and overall their tactics, like a surprise attack of both army flanks on the forested Ula river.

Also even though they won, they didn’t manage to re-take Polatsk and some other vital terrirories to the East of the Grand Duchy from Muscovy YET (hence Belarus is not there). And this became one of the reasons the Grand Duchy completely united with Poland in 1569 (Unia Lubelska).

☝🏼☝🏼☝🏼

so another anon mentioned how fanart and fanfic on russia-ukraine war should be call out more often. with all the debate on this blog about political-apolitical hetalia, let's talk about it, shall we?

personally i don't remember seeing many direct portrayals of the war in the fandom. it's few and far between and back in the first months of 2022 there were a lot of callouts for that. though it faded away as people started paying less attention to the war.

that being said, a part of the fandom still portrays russia ukraine and belarus as this happy little family and any care for how insensitive that is has been thrown out of the window. there's been few callouts for that and mostly by ukrainians. sometimes it's justified with "portraying the people, not the government". and yet ukrainians are vocally against it! so when the fandom continues to portray it that way, is it still about "the people"? or is it about the idea of a fluffy family regardless of any connection it has to reality?

honestly just wish these people would make their own non-hetalia ocs and spare me and my compatriots the indignity of having our country portrayed by a character who's all lovey-dovey with its oppressor. it's not cute, it's not a "coping mechanism", it's not "in the name of peace", and it's not even "apolitical". it's disrespectful and it directly stems from the statements used by the russian government to justify this war. so it's a good confirmation if any was needed that hetalia doesn't exist in isolation from real life events.

but i don't want to be all negative. there has been a change in how people treat ukraine as a character and it's blatantly clear by browsing the tag. "east slavic siblings" used to be most of the art with her to be found but that's far from it anymore and i don't think that's just the result curating my fandom experience. ukraine is much more of her own character now and i thank all the creators responsible for it. you make this corner of the fandom a much more bearable and comfortable place, keep up the great work.

~ (¯´★`¯)

a new rareship dropped/j

i need a fic where they go to therapy together

now, numbers explained⬇️

! This is hugely simplified and by no means am I saying the situation was the same or anything; no it wasn‘t, but it‘s interesting to see the paralelles !

1 - referring to years of English/British rule over Ireland and Russian rule over Ukraine.

2 - in both cases native language/culture was heavily disadvantaged in favour of the coloniser’s language/culture. What a surprise.

3 - he’s talking about the Great Famine of 1845-51, exacerbated by Britain’s lack of reaction and continued exports of provision from Ireland. Popular attitude being that „God has sent famine to punish the Irish”.

4 - she’s talking about 1933 Holodomor famine, a man-made famine where the soviet version of the Russian empire deliberately took grain and other stuff from peasants forcibly as a part of „state grain requisition“ and also forbid emigration so peasants were trapped to starve. Duh.

5 - Irish rebellions against the British rule, notably in 1798, 1803, 1820s O’Connel movement, 1848, 1867 etccc

6 - Ukrainian rebellions under Russian rule, for example Mazepa in early 1700s, Koliivschyna 1768, Haydamaky early 1800s etc

7 - the first Universal of the Ukrainian Central Council in 1917 proclaimed autonomy, not a full separation from Russia.

8 - similarly, Ireland aimed to get home rule first, which also kinda means staying within the empire but having their own parliament. But the developments pushes both nations to a fight for independence eventually.

9 - Thus we get Irish war of independence 1919-21 and Ukrainian liberational struggle 1917-22.

10 - Ireland ended up in a civil war following the signing of the Anglo-Irish treaty in 1922-23; In Ukraine…ugh, it was a mess, but to cut the long story short, there was UPR in bitter rivalry with the Hetmanate, there were communists, anarchists, the Western Ukrainian People’s Republic with different struggles from the rest of the Ukrainian People’s republic, there were local leaders…yes. I mean. Mad shit.

11. Unlike Ukraine, that got de-facto occupied by USSR, Ireland, except for 6 counties, became almost independent following the 1920s struggles.

12. „Almost” because it emerged as a British dominion, a free state rather than the republic; all the way until 1949. And the tensions over those six counties imploded again in 1970s.

13. And Ukraine is still. Fighting for her life against Russia as I’m typing this. Friendly reminder.

I could go on for ages about this; the economic impact, the nature of independence movements – but I’ll spare you for now. Ukrainians, have a meme I made in 2023

MAGMA COLLAB WITH @yummyseadas 🫨

“Ah how good that we only live once! Had it been twice, I wouldn’t have fuckin’ handled it”

drawing Ukraine into Ukrainian memes as self care (original under the cut)

i mawst apologeize fowr zhe lack of origgginal cowntwnt on zhis blog lateaealy, art hasn’t been arting and life not exactly lifing either. also my birthday is in less than a week and the very idea is terrifying.

прікол я спочатку думала що ʼхуй потягнувʼ типу…буквально потягнув. як мʼяз(?). не знаю чи це щось про мене говорить.

OH. MY. 😈😈😈 I LOVE THIS. I LOVE HER. WONDERFUL.

by the waaaaaaay, if anyone‘s wondering what the hell is UPR, what‘s the deal with Ukraine in the period, etc, etc – under the cut are a few okay-ish English-speaking youtube video essays on the topic 😈😈😈 it‘s a whole drama, I swear it‘s worth it. One of them topics I‘m Very Normal about

Can I request Ukraine? Idk if you draw historical setting, but 1917-1919 (Ukrainian People’s Republic) would be cool🥰

MAMMA MIA. I'M SO SORRY FOR THE 10 DAYS RESPONSE 😭😭 but anyways,,

honestly idk much about ukraine's history,, but i did look up the outfit for this one so i hope this is accurate enough! ^^

☝🏼☝🏼☝🏼

every time i see a dumbfuck in this fandom fundamentally misunderstand whatever may possibly be the problem with the prevailing characterisation of hetalia ukraine and her relationship with russia and belarus the urge to gatekeep her and preferably all of eastern european characters gets stronger

Hetalia Ukraine Headcanon #2 – or, rather, my take on Ukraine in Hetalia canon.

upd: I might have worded it a bit shitty, but the entire purpose of this post is that „canon/common fannon“ uwu crybaby Ukraine is bulshit and fuck canon we ball anyway. That I will be re-creating her character the way I want, and that‘s literally it. Damn. Pls don‘t misinterpret things, I‘m not defending Himaruya or anything

This is something that has to be clarified before I proceed, and even before I answer to any further asks.

I think of Ukraine in „canon Hetalia" as Russia's perspective, what he tells others about Ukraine and what he wants them to think of her, for his own purposes.

Because, if you recall, the episode where she is introduced (Axis Powers, ep 42), it is Russia telling England about her. Just like episode 43, it's Russia's memories and perspective. I hate that this fact is often overlooked, as it makes total sense for Russia to want others to see Ukraine as a weak crybaby that is dependant on him. In fact, this no shit is the attitude russians have to ukrainians. Almost inferior, (quote) unable to fend for themselves. It is not cute. It is very much toxic. The scarf moment is extremely fucking funny. Because, (and again, this is Russia's memories), Ukraine gives him her favorite scarf. But what people overlook, is that in return she asks (in dub) FOR CONTROL FROM BLACK SEA TO POLAND. HER TERRITORIES. THIS- THIS IS NOT A CUTE MOMENT. SHE IS TRYING TO GET AWAY. AS SHE ALWAYS HAS. FOR CENTURIES. Or, in sub, she asks for „inheritance rights to Kyivan Rus", so again, reclaiming a part of her identity. After which, russia concludes that maybe they've never been close at all. srsl I wish russia realised that in real life and fucked off already

To me, this is the first moment that shows that there is much more to Ukraine than what we see, and that Russia must in no way be trusted on his word when it comes to her.

Especially since In her next appearence, Gakuen Hetalian Newspaper Club part 1, Ukraine is nothing like that. She wants to join the choir club, where the baltic trio and others are, and we find out that the choir is targeted by the so-called „soviet club". Lmao. Nor she is in any of the Halloween episodes she appears in subsequently. Moreover, in the 2013 haloween series, Ukraine is shown dressed up as a reference to a Ukrainian(!!!) urban legend about a ghost train. So, she is not afraid to express her identity even at that point. Yes, she is emotional, but not a complete mess of a crybaby whose every 1 in 2 words is „Russia". Which further backs my theory.

The latest appearence, where in Chapter 389 of Hetalia world stars, Ukraine asks Lithuania to „sent spare paper Russias" to her if he ever gets any, because, quote „THIS RUSSIA IS OBEDIENT, QUIET, AND LISTENS TO WHAT I SAY".

Does this sound like a weak crybaby Ukraine whom Russia was describing to you?

No. That's the point.

Btw the only point in history I can think of where she could be referring to when she says it's „like we've gone back in time", is 7th - 10th century; when the principality of Suzdal (later: Muscovy→Russia) was just freshly colonized by Kyiv and Polatsk (later Ukraine and Belarus) and was paying fiefs to them. Which is like, literally 40 years before Suzdal’s prince plundered and burnt Kyiv down in 1169. A first russo-ukrainian war for you.

So, even from "canon hetalia", the idea of Ukraine's character that this fandom often percieves her as derives mostly from Russia's POV. Which is sad, ironic (represents the influence of russian propaganda irl), but also thanks fuck, this means we see so little of her that her personality can be easily interpreted in a multitude of ways that reflect history and reality way better

Hetalia Ukraine Headcanon #1: hair colour

…or new unexpected and un-asked for series, where I yap in detail about one headcanon on physical appearence, personality or history of my Ukraine interpretation at a time

This has been a thing that confused the hell out of me for ages, because her hair colour in the anime & official art exists on a spectrum from grey to white to blonde to ash blonde to yellow ??? (which may or may not be due to an art style change and had hapenned to 75% of characters at least) but REGARDLESS, I decided to put a twist on it

So, in my vision, her hair colour is best-described as «світло-русявий натуральний колір волосся»; which would, as per most suitable photos I found on the internet, loosely mean this:

So, you see; blonde, but not really blonde; depends on the lighting; the best English equivalent to «світло-русявий» my brain could think of was a borderline between «dark blonde», «light brown» and «ash-blonde», which coincidentally could all be applied to describe Ukraine’s hair in different depictions at different points

Furthermore, many Ukrainians on my experience would describe their hair as «русяве», ranging from темно-русяве for darker colours, to світло-русяве for lighter, to the point where it seems like a safe option in case your hair is not exactly dark or not 100% light and you are not sure what to reply. And even in folklore you’ll find a «руса коса до пояса»; «русява коса – дівоча краса»; or occasionally hair being compared to gold as well, i.e. «ой у полі жито, а в дівчини коса золота», translating too «there was wheat in the field, a girl had a golden braid» (more to come on her hairstyle!!)

by the way WHEAT. YET ANOTHER WAY I LIKE TO THINK OF HER HAIR COLOUR, is that it has the colour of wheat

I know you know what wheat looks like, just a moment of appreciation

And finally — Ukraine’s русявий hair colour changes slightly throughout the year! In the summer, when she gets lots of sun, it bleaches Ukraine’s hair a bit (UV light breaks down melanin in the hair blah blah blah); moreover it looks lighter in contrast to the skin tan she gets (again, we’ll get to this later); compared to winter when the tan fades and the hair would look visibly darker due to less sun exposure. And I mean like:

So, to sum up, I see Ukraine’s hair colour as „світло-русявий”, something closest to „dark blonde”, „light brown”, „ash blonde” or simply „wheat colour”, which tends to look darker in winter due to less sun exposure and lighter in the summer ;)

by the way fun fact, I’m NOT ignoring your guys’ asks; I just wanna draw something for each and do them justice, which happens to require some time (!!!)

she’s glad dick-tators do not live forever

72 years ago, on the 5th of March, the fucker responcible for the forced collectivisation, holodomor famine, the great purge and the execution of an entire generation of writers, poets, artists, thinkers that were first led to believe into a communist utopia; mass deportations, constant and brutal supression and destruction of national identity — and that to speak only of Ukraine, the list goes on and on, — was found dead in a puddle of his own piss, for he had paranoicly fired the only guard and doctors that still somehow tolerated him at that point. Joseph Stalin I mean.

I drew Ukraine bc the café in Washington in the original photo was serving free borscht (борщ) that day, a Ukrainian dish. And who‘s beside her on the right? Well. I suppose there‘d be LOTS of candidates among the nations. I‘ll leave that up to you to imagine ;)

does ukraine paint her nails? 💅

Excuse accepted? The thing is, she‘s most likely genuine. Also Felix paints the nails for her, most likely…they are short gells, yeah

Also shout out to the sunflower embroidery on her jacket, she did it herself. She usually either goes for traditional patterns or sunflowers. And the little neck jewelry is called a 'sylianka' (силянка), lots and lots of tiny beads woven into a pattern and sewn to a ribbon. I love messing with her outfits as you probably noticed. Headcanon number 918282, she wasn‘t allowed to wear anything vaguely traditional whilst forced to live at russia‘s, so compensates now by incorporating traditional elements into her looks as much as she can. And it looks cool, so why not

I‘m so tired. I usually draw silly stuff to distract myself from current events but—

Sounds ridiculous, right? Hah. Just how it feels.

I have a question for ukraine: is prussia a friend of yours?? 👀

Hah. I’m glad you asked. They used to be my shits and giggles crackship but I kind of drifted away from it and they’re friendos now.

They’ve got things in common if you think about it.

An almost textless version under the cut

There u go 💥💥💥

I kinda forgot it was an ask for Ukraine and just ranted uhhh sorry. sorry not sorry

what is the relationship between 1p and 2p ukr like?

to say at least, complicated…

…so this is still prety much a sketch, a WIP, I’m still working on their relationship and characterisation and things might change later! but as for now, here’s a vision

separate chibis, I’ll throw them at you and run

is ukraine ticklish?

Here‘s Ukraine. She‘s lying to you (strategically)

Experimenting with shading through your requests here…(SEND IN MORE!!! ASK UKRAINE/ABOUT UKRAINE (1p or 2p LET’S GOOO) also, honestly, idk why every single time I draw her she looks like a different character; it‘s just my headcanons for her develop as I breathe and occasionally I forget/add things 🥲 yeah…

(Zoom in details mhehehe)

Ah yes, linguistic dick jokes, that‘s what they un-shadowbanned me for. Immature? Yeah. Did I laugh when I realised? Yeah. So here it goes 😗 will I get sb‘d again? LOL.

(for those who didn‘t get it, Prussia in Latin is „Prutenia“ (according to wikipedia) and yeah it‘s similar to one of the common words for dick in Ukrainian, at least in the region I‘m from. Haha Eli how funny shit like this is exactly why you have no friends irl idiot. As far as I checked the two words are linguistically unrelated, just in case you wonder)

2p! Ukraine concept art(?)

I’ve had this idea for a while now, and finally got myself to somehow implement it into life

"In essence, 2p Ukraine personifies Ukrainian resistance, if you wish – hence the red-black flag, otherwise known as the revolutionary flag; or what happens when blood spilled fighting for her freedom spills onto the regular flag, whereas 1p represents the country as a whole"

she is more cautious, more serious and mistrustful; more of a cold tactical thinker, and oh boy she does not forgive that easily. amongst her distinct features would be a singular earring in her ear, darker hair+eyes, more angular and leaner face, thinner eyebrows and a slight hump on her nose. She occasionally draws an embroidery pattern on her cheek as a part of her make-up (could be seen on the yellow-scarf mini version)

zoom in for detail+notes; there is a lot to unpack about this character I swear.

Chernenko - added a translator. Himaruya didn't say anything about Ukraine's last name

So, I revisited the wiki page and the link to Himaruya’s post regarding this; and you’re right. I wonder why did that surname appear in her wiki at the first place. Thanks though, I’ll correct my old posts

To be honest, kinda feels like the pic below, NOW I CAN COME UP WITH ANY SURNAME I LIKE FOR HER, FREEDOOOOOM

GUYS. THIS. IT MAY LOOK LONG, BUT PLEASE. READ. THIS.

hi, so im kind of wondering what is your thoughts with hetalia especially the fact that it hasnt age well and specifically what do you think of the way hetalia Ukraine's character is handled

oh that's a great question, thank you! oh i sure have a lot of things to say but it'll be difficult to make it concise and readable

early hetalia certainly has aged like milk, the idea of making axis powers the main characters Did Not Spark Joy. it seems that himaruya made an effort to distance hetalia from that since then, there was this whole rebranding from "axis powers hetalia" to "hetalia world stars" and the comics no longer touch on ww2 but rather modern day, sometimes history, some fun facts, and sometimes have no basis whatsoever. it's hard to judge the intentions behind that. sure it has ironed some of the problems but general inaccuracy and disrespectful portrayal of countries remains an issue. and personally i just find himaruya's writing bad and unfunny.

and now for ukraine. oh dear.

to start off easy, a short note on her appearance - as a ukrainian, it's a bit weird to see her blonde and blue eyed? the beauty standard here for centuries has been "black hair brown eyes" and it's seen in folk songs, poems and novels. and yet it's not just hetalia that does that. it's not a mistake really, i'm just weirded out, especially after how western far-right and far-left has been explaining support for ukraine as "because ukrainians are blonde and blue-eyed".

but onto her most prominent visual trait, let's talk about boobs. in hetalia collezione from 2021 (i think?), on ukraine's character profile himaruya has written that he was inspired by naked female protesters upon creating her.

the "naked protesters" are femen, a radical feminist activist group famous for topless protests. it's a group of like, 15 people. they were last prominent in 2013. i think most ukrainians barely even remember them. it's fucking wild to me that he based an entire country personification off of that. it is, however, quite telling of him that himaruya saw feminist protesters and only saw potential for cheap jokes about boobs.

i chose a good screenshot, it shows some other problems as well - "crybaby", "poor" and "she loves russia chan". i'll save the latter for last. let's focus on her being a crybaby and poor. "but actually very strong!", himaruya says, except i can't recall any examples in canon where ukraine has been shown as strong. instead her whole personality and appearance reeks of 2000s perception of eastern europe, influenced by both western and russian chauvinism to show them as inferior. ukrainian women have been stereotyped like hetalia ukraine - poor, huge tits, weak in a "traditionally feminine" way, whores. it was disgusting back then, it's even more disgusting that in 20 years himaruya didn't bother to revisit that at all.

politically speaking, these jokes, about ukraine being poor and weak and dependent on russia, while have some basis in the reality of 1990-2000s ukraine, are very insensitive to the causes of these issues and just feel like punching down.

and now, "she's loves russia chan". lol. lmao even. in 2021 no less. it has been another consistent trait of hers, as shown on the screenshot above that she just wants to get along with her "siblings" russia and belarus. to talk to russia "like i used to". there's this sense that they somehow grew distant, and all of them regret it, but it's never shown what happened.

what it really reminds me of is the russian narrative "big bad evil politicians (and/or big bad evil west) want to divide our brotherly nations, the people just want to live in peace but have no say in it" and shit like that. it's not the case. what happened is the russian state trying to tie ukraine in its sphere of influence, using economic blackmail to influence its political decisions, and then punishing ukraine with occupation of crimea and parts of donetsk and luhansk regions for choosing eu over russia. even before that, but especially after 2014, the amount of chauvinism russian media and russian people has shown has been enormous. i grew up in an environment dominated by russian media showing how ukrainians were nothing more but dumber, poorer rural russians. since 2014 they also started calling us nazis, child eaters, ukrainian identity - fake and made up by austro-hungarian empire, ukrainian lands - gifts of lenin, and so on. i will stress again - not just russian media. but russian people. even the supposed "liberal opposition".

but yeah sure, we're brotherly nations. nothing but love between ukraine and russia. ironically, the last appearance of ukraine in hetalia comics as of now is a comic from late 2021 about how much ukraine loves russia. since then it seems himaruya has been too much of a coward to draw her again. thank fuck, really.

and fandom is no fucking better by the way. whenever i go into hws ukraine tag it's still half full of fanart of "soviet siblings" (the fucking audacity to use that name too), showcasing that "brotherly love" between ukraine and two aggressor states towards it.

but y'know, a lot of people in this fandom will claim that it's apolitical, that these are just characters. so, a few questions:

if it's apolitical, why does hetalia cover political events, like brexit?

is a country not a political entity? is a nation not a political entity?

is the genre of satire not political?

if these are just characters, why call them country names? why not just make them your human ocs? why tie their lives to historical and political events?

it just doesn't make sense to me. "it's not political" is an incredibly flimsy excuse. everything that has to do with portrayal of countries and cultures is inherently political. and if you want to be a decent person, there's a responsibility to portray these nations and cultures respectfully: do your research, talk to people from these countries, otherwise you're building with no foundation. it's not even hetalia-specific advice, this applies to writing any character from countries different to your own.

this was. very long. can't think of how to shorten it nor i really want to, i tried to answer this as fully as i could.

there's not much point in explaining all that to people who after 2 (10) years still don't get what the problem is. i expect this post only to get attention from people who already agree with it, and mostly ukrainians. but eh, maybe a miracle will happen and someone from outside my bubble would read it.