Historical randomness.
I've read a bit of Axis Powers Hetalia last week - you know, that manga about anthropomorphic versions of countries everyone's up in arms about lately xD- and can I just say that the abundant Hungary love pleases me to no end?
And today I find this secret on F!S.
Well yes, Hungary's awesome! :D
Not only is she pretty, kickass and an utter fangirl (still NOT a mecca for gay porn, people! xD), that a Japanese mangaka would chose my little insignificant country as the only female character who gets almost as much screentime as the male leads both amazes me and makes me glad.
You should know that the most people know about us - if they do at all - is that we have good wines, that Hungarian women are supposed to be among the most beautiful in the world, and we are somewhere in Europe. Though I heard assumptions that we're a.) still a part of Austria b.) still live on the great wide planes, riding horses and threatening invaders with bow and arrow. xD Hungarians are said to be pessimists and kinda meh on life in general and also very very critical towrds their own country and leadership. (And generally agree that it's a pretty sucky place to live these days.) Interestingly enough, most Eastern Europeans are also tough as nails, likely because they never really could enjoy "prosperous" economy, thus are able to get by on meager resources alone, when living in a foreign land.
Another curious point is, that Japanese do seem to have a knowledge about Hungary - the historical one stems from the WW's, I assume - and I had Japanese tell me that the main reason for this is our rich classical musical culture and architecture, which lots of Japanese are fascinated by. In school, kids still study classical music based on the methodology of the famous Hungarian composer's, Kodály.
Oh and they also remade the musical Elisabeth about famous Austro-Hungarian Empress Sissi and I was like, AHEGDGWFSFRFFJ, どうでした？! when Masa mentioned going to see it. :)))) Actually, I heard Irei travelled to visit Schönbrunn in Austria when he was playing the male lead in Elisabeth, which makes me all flaily as well, 'cause well, that's a 4 hour drive away! :D
Even though we're really not that lovey-dovey with Austria anymore - in the Hetaila manga, Austria and Hungary are husband and wife - and we call them "brother-in-law" instead of husband, but thinking back on the days of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, it strangely works. I also liked how their story starts out as Hungary being a servant confined in Austria's house until she stands up to him and finally they reach unity - a simplified version, but well, pretty much how it happened. :)
And people going "wow, Hungary's so cool!", "I love Hungary, she's kickass!" makes me always do a double take, because well, that's not something you usually see in relation to our country! That a character can motivate people to learn more about countries and cultures who are off the radar most of the time is a great thing, I think. It's lovely to see detailed, obviously well-researched fanart of her wearing our traditional dresses or battle clothing. The frying pan she always carries around, btw, is actually a palacsintasütő, used for making traditional Hungarian pancakes. :) One of my favourite Hungarian bands, Pannonia Ska Orchestra has a song called Hungarian Dish, in which they sing the praises of the Hortobágyi meat-filled pancake. :D LISTEN TO IT, THAT SONG IS MADE OF AWESOME. <3
Anyway, I was just thinking how I would totally love to cosplay Elizaveta - whose proper name should, of course, be Erzsébet, but you can't really do that in Japanese :) - all I would need are a pair of lace-up boots, a folk-dancer blouse and for geraniums (the flowers she wears in her hair), I only had to go out to our garden. xD
Of course, I could always go for this version of her, haha. :D
Sorry about this nerdy little History lesson, but this really amused me. :)
And today I find this secret on F!S.
Well yes, Hungary's awesome! :D
Not only is she pretty, kickass and an utter fangirl (still NOT a mecca for gay porn, people! xD), that a Japanese mangaka would chose my little insignificant country as the only female character who gets almost as much screentime as the male leads both amazes me and makes me glad.
You should know that the most people know about us - if they do at all - is that we have good wines, that Hungarian women are supposed to be among the most beautiful in the world, and we are somewhere in Europe. Though I heard assumptions that we're a.) still a part of Austria b.) still live on the great wide planes, riding horses and threatening invaders with bow and arrow. xD Hungarians are said to be pessimists and kinda meh on life in general and also very very critical towrds their own country and leadership. (And generally agree that it's a pretty sucky place to live these days.) Interestingly enough, most Eastern Europeans are also tough as nails, likely because they never really could enjoy "prosperous" economy, thus are able to get by on meager resources alone, when living in a foreign land.
Another curious point is, that Japanese do seem to have a knowledge about Hungary - the historical one stems from the WW's, I assume - and I had Japanese tell me that the main reason for this is our rich classical musical culture and architecture, which lots of Japanese are fascinated by. In school, kids still study classical music based on the methodology of the famous Hungarian composer's, Kodály.
Oh and they also remade the musical Elisabeth about famous Austro-Hungarian Empress Sissi and I was like, AHEGDGWFSFRFFJ, どうでした？! when Masa mentioned going to see it. :)))) Actually, I heard Irei travelled to visit Schönbrunn in Austria when he was playing the male lead in Elisabeth, which makes me all flaily as well, 'cause well, that's a 4 hour drive away! :D
Even though we're really not that lovey-dovey with Austria anymore - in the Hetaila manga, Austria and Hungary are husband and wife - and we call them "brother-in-law" instead of husband, but thinking back on the days of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, it strangely works. I also liked how their story starts out as Hungary being a servant confined in Austria's house until she stands up to him and finally they reach unity - a simplified version, but well, pretty much how it happened. :)
And people going "wow, Hungary's so cool!", "I love Hungary, she's kickass!" makes me always do a double take, because well, that's not something you usually see in relation to our country! That a character can motivate people to learn more about countries and cultures who are off the radar most of the time is a great thing, I think. It's lovely to see detailed, obviously well-researched fanart of her wearing our traditional dresses or battle clothing. The frying pan she always carries around, btw, is actually a palacsintasütő, used for making traditional Hungarian pancakes. :) One of my favourite Hungarian bands, Pannonia Ska Orchestra has a song called Hungarian Dish, in which they sing the praises of the Hortobágyi meat-filled pancake. :D LISTEN TO IT, THAT SONG IS MADE OF AWESOME. <3
Anyway, I was just thinking how I would totally love to cosplay Elizaveta - whose proper name should, of course, be Erzsébet, but you can't really do that in Japanese :) - all I would need are a pair of lace-up boots, a folk-dancer blouse and for geraniums (the flowers she wears in her hair), I only had to go out to our garden. xD
Of course, I could always go for this version of her, haha. :D
Sorry about this nerdy little History lesson, but this really amused me. :)