The characters of Hetalia: Axis Powers (often shortened to just Hetalia) are Japanese manga/anime personifications of various nations, countries and micronations. The personalities of each individual character are based upon stereotypes of the nations, countries and micronations depicted. The characters were created by Hidekaz Himaruya, writer and illustrator of the web manga series.

Main characters

The Axis Powers consists primarily of Germany, Italy, and Japan (the Axis powers of World War II), who are also the protagonists of the series.

Axis Powers North Italy , usually shortened to just , is the primary protagonist and the title character, portrayed as a bright, energetic, and mostly sweet young man. In the series, he is depicted at various points as the infant grandson of the Roman Empire and is recognized as one of the weakest characters in the series as well as a carefree and cowardly soldier who often surrenders without a fight, usually by waving a white flag. His artistry and love of pasta and pizza are references to stereotypical Italian culture. He uses his adorable ways and cute face to charm girls he meets. He is portrayed as a "loveable loser". Despite looking weak and helpless, Italy is viewed as being strong as a child, being able to defeat Turkey single-handedly during his golden days. According to Himaruya, Italy is strong, but because of his cowardice does not show his strength. Italy Veneziano represents the northern half of the country, while his older brother Romano represents the southern half. Hence, their full character names are Italy Veneziano and Italy Romano respectively. In the anime series, both Veneziano and Romano are voiced by Daisuke Namikawa in Japanese. In English, Veneziano is voiced by Todd Haberkorn and Romano is voiced by Ian Sinclair. Young Italy, from a common segment on the show called Chibitalia, is voiced by Aki Kanada in Japanese and Brina Palencia in English.

Germany is viewed as hard-working, efficient, bureaucratic, and serious. In the series, Germany is primus inter pares among the Axis Powers and takes responsibility for the training of Italy and Japan. He is a tall and muscular man with slick-back blond hair and blue eyes and usually wears military fatigues, uniforms, or formal wear. Although he has a tendency to act militant or aggressive towards other characters he encounters (in particular Italy), he can sometimes show a kinder side to his personality. Another aspect of his character is his relative inexperience with relationships, leading him to be very by-the-book as a result of the belief that things will go wrong if he does not follow instructions to the letter. Despite this, as the series progresses, he forms a close friendship with Italy and to a lesser extent Japan. In the anime series, he is voiced by Hiroki Yasumoto in Japanese and Patrick Seitz in English.

Japan is a reclusive and hard-working man. He seems to have a problem with others being in his personal space, for he gets uncomfortable if anyone touches him or gets too close, though he does seem to have gotten used to this to some extent. In the series, he is shown to be inexperienced with the Western world and prone to culture shock, but he also finds fascination in the ways of other nations since he takes photographs of cultural oddities in other countries' lands. His character design features dark brown eyes, black hair and thin build, common physical traits among Japanese people, and has the attire of an officer of the Japanese Navy. He often tries to adopt the cultures of other countries he meets such as France or when other countries meet him such as America. He "senses the mood and refrains from speaking".Hetalia: Axis Powers, The Complete Collection (DVD set) Season 1, Episode 4, 0:14:30-0:14:40 (English dubbed) Generally quiet and introverted, he is often depicted with the attitude of a businesslike old man. In the anime series, he is voiced by Hiroki Takahashi in Japanese and Christopher Bevins in English. Young Japan is voiced by Alexis Tipton in English.

Allied Forces The Allied Forces consist primarily of the characters America, England, France, Russia, and China. These characters are often depicted as comically failing to reach a consensus in their war meetings. The representations of countries that were also part of the historical Allies of World War Two (such as Canada) make additional appearances.

America is an energetic young man. He is Italy's most pathetic ally. In the series, he was found by France and England (at first) before France left him in England's care after America chose the latter over the former, then later grows distant from him which eventually leads to him fighting for his independence. America is very similar in appearance to his brother, Canada, who is often mistaken for America. America has blond hair, starry blue eyes, glasses representing Texas, and a noticeable cowlick representing Nantucket. In the World War II sections of the anime and manga, America wears an American Army Air Force Officer uniform, and a vintage leather flight jacket. He is the self-proclaimed leader of the Allied Forces, and his catchphrase is "I'm the hero!" Although his ideas for solving international problems are often absurd and he is usually oblivious to the opinions of others, it has been stated that he acts this way purposely. America's ideas and inventions are grand, but rarely go anywhere. He is often portrayed as loud, obnoxious, egotistical, immature, childlike and interfering with other characters' businesses with little regard for whom his actions affect. Yet despite his misgivings, he is shown to be a kind-hearted person who cares deeply for his friends. He is also shown to be extremely intelligent in several fields. He is a brave adventurer and natural explorer, wanting to try things no one has ever done before, and he usually spends his free time either trying new foods, being around friends, or making movies and has a fascination with superheroes which he aspires to be himself. He has a prominent case of phasmophobia, which is ironic considering his friendly acquaintance with an alien named Tony who lives in his house. America is frequently seen clutching a hamburger or eating while speaking, yet he is self-conscious of his unhealthy habits and tries several yet ineffective diets to stay healthy, despairing over his weight. He also has uncanny superhuman strength, being able to lift objects several times his size. As a child, he lifted a bison. Despite this, America retains a fear of what could be called dangerous magical creatures, particularly ghosts. After watching horror movies, he often finds himself in hysterics, unable to handle the intensity. In the anime series, his voice actor is Katsuyuki Konishi in Japanese and Eric Vale in English, both of whom also voice Canada. As a child, America's voice actress is Ai Iwamura in Japanese and Luci Christian in English.

United Kingdom , more commonly known as England or Britain is the personification of England and acting representation of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. He is depicted as an irritable man with thick bushy eyebrows whose notable character traits include terrible cooking skills, inability to hold his liquor, a foul mouth even though he styles himself as a gentleman, an ability to see supernatural creatures, and (in)ability to perform magic curses. In the English release of the anime, when asked why they opted to choose the name "Britain" over "England", Funimation explained that it was a request from the Japanese studio. Tokyopop, the English publisher of the manga, refers to him as "England". He is most antagonistic towards France, with whom he shares a long rivalry, and is supposedly tsundere towards America, whom he raised from a small child, though he is mostly shown insulting him. Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales are his brothers. Sealand is a micronation whom England considers to be an annoying little brother due to his continued attempts to get other countries to recognize him as an independent country. In the anime series, he is voiced by Noriaki Sugiyama in Japanese and originally by Scott Freeman in English until Funimation cut off all ties with him due to sex offences. He was replaced by Taliesin Jaffe in The World Twinkle, who himself was replaced by Steven Kelly in World Stars.

France is a romantic and carefree man. In the series, he is shown to have a long-held rivalry with England. He makes sexual passes at many characters. France explains away his long history of military defeats as a joke from God, but he believes he is gifted with his "charms" and his supreme cooking skills. He regards himself as the eldest brother among the European nations and is referred to as such by some of them, though he calls Spain his elder brother in turn. Most of the time, he does not bother remembering to speak English, instead using French, the "Language of Love". He has long blond hair, clear blue eyes, and usually wears a blue cathedral cloak. In the anime series, he is voiced by Masaya Onosaka in Japanese and J. Michael Tatum in English.

Russia , previously known as the , the tallest of the nations. He is a tall, muscular man with wavy silver hair, purple eyes, a large nose, and wears a thick winter coat and a silk scarf. Russia has a seemingly kind demeanor but has suffered mental trauma following the strain of his bloody history, and as a result, he has the innocence and cruelty of a child; sometimes he casts an aura of pure evil around him whenever such malicious thoughts enter his mind. He often terrifies other countries without even trying, especially when he was in the Soviet Union. He would abuse the Baltics and still stalks them in the modern-day, especially Lithuania. Occasionally, he stalks China, while in a panda costume; and he holds a subtle rivalry with the Western nations, especially America. His primary target of resentment is General Winter because despite using the cold to his advantage in war, he is also attacked by him every year. Russia has also been known to want Lithuania and other countries to become one with him. Russia also has two sisters: his older sister, Ukraine and his younger sister, Belarus. He becomes gloomy and depressed when either of them are on his mind, because Ukraine left him to try to make friends in the EU, and Belarus is obsessed with the idea of forcing him to marry her. Belarus seems to be the only other country which Russia fears. Russia happily promises that eventually "all will become one with Russia". He dreams of living in a warm place surrounded by sunflowers, and vodka is his fuel. He says "kolkolkol" to threaten his subordinates when he is angered. Russia is often seen carrying a metal faucet pipe. In the anime series, he is voiced by Yasuhiro Takato in Japanese and Jerry Jewell in English.

China