Anime Detour Recap and Hetalia Happiness!

As Adam S. mentioned before, last week I took a trip up north to Minnesota for the fabulous Anime Detour convention. Let me tell you all, it was a blast running around with the Blog-O-Cam and doing panels, events and even a little cosplay! As a special bonus, I got to help our very own DVD Manager extrordanaire, Clarine Harp,  put together some of the gift baskets for their annual charity auction with proceeds going to the American Red Cross. Many of the items came from us here at FUNimation, but it was great to see things from other companies as well. This year, over $17,000 was raised to help people in need all over the world, proving once again that anime fans are a wonderful and giving bunch.  Seriously, I can’t say it enough- you guys rock!

It’s not a convention without at least a bit of shopping, so this little guy from Artist Alley came home with me.  It’s Sealand from Hetalia Axis Powers:

Needless to say, there were lots of great things going on at Anime Detour, so let’s watch the video of my adventures, shall we?

Keep reading for breaking Hetalia Axis Powers news!

As mentioned at the Hetalia panel at the convention and picked up on fan communities, I am pleased to give a bit of news about our production of the series! YES, we will be using accents for the characters. As for who is playing who, well, that information will be announced at a later date (it’s gonna be a lot of fun and super spiffy, so wait for it :lol: ) . Just know the whole Hetalia team is working very hard to make the series absolutely epic from top to bottom. Being a Hetalia (and History) fan myself, I’m pretty stoked about it, are you guys?

But wait! The awesomeness does not stop there! Starting this afternoon, the FUNimation video portal, Hulu and Youtube will begin streaming the first four episodes of Hetalia Axis Powers subtitled! The episodes are quick little vingettes, only five minutes apiece, so be sure to check it out and see what all the buzz is about!

Finally, we are pleased to announce that our pals over at Tokyopop have made a very special announcement about the Hetalia Axis Powers manga. Now you’ll be able to get the anime series AND the original manga here and in English. How cool is that!?

Have a fabulous weekend, everyone! See ya back real soon for another segment of Always Be Cosplaying!

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18 Responses to “Anime Detour Recap and Hetalia Happiness!”

  • 1
    fullmetalfan on April 30th, 2010 at 4:14 pm says:

    To me,Hetalia caters to mindless yaoi fangirls.But I’m glad that FUNimation is dubbing and distributing it here in the US.I hope it will be a big seller for you guys. :-)


  • 2
    mckg1 on April 30th, 2010 at 11:33 pm says:

    OMG anime detour was so awesome. specially the rave! this was my first year in a big anime convention and it will def not be my last. Man its kinda sad i didn’t talk with you, i was in the background walking around the anime video rooms, I am so hiped for next year!!


  • 3
    Hannah on May 1st, 2010 at 1:57 pm says:

    Awright, Sealand! That little guy’s my favorite. You’ll be a nation someday!

    Really glad to hear about the accents. That’s sure to add just the right kind of pizazz. 8)


  • 4
    Jackle on May 1st, 2010 at 4:17 pm says:

    After watching the first four episodes of Hetalia, I can easily say that I’m now interested.


  • 5
    Hannah on May 1st, 2010 at 7:43 pm says:

    Hey, why is Hetalia rated TV-MA?


  • 6
    Maiku on May 1st, 2010 at 7:45 pm says:

    Seriously does Chris go ANYWHERE without that giant Mug-o-Soda? I have seen him like 10 times and the Mug is never 3 feet away from him.

    Great video. Had me laughing quite a bit there.


  • 7
    Hannah on May 1st, 2010 at 8:13 pm says:

    Cool Black Butler skit (?) toward the end there. I’m REALLY excited about that show. :mrgreen:


  • 8
    NinjAngel on May 1st, 2010 at 10:10 pm says:

    I have the same question as Hannah–why TV-MA? I mean, I suppose I could think of possible reasons, but…

    I was also pretty on-the-fence about accents at first (still am a bit, honestly), but I have faith in you guys~


  • 9
    PuRE Curse on May 2nd, 2010 at 1:17 pm says:

    It is sad that most people think that Hetalia is targeted for the derpy-yaoi-obsessed fans. If you get involved in the community, you realize that many of us are actually intrigued by the ties to the “history” aspects (ie, brief synopsis of Austrian Succession, Seven Years’ War, etc) and the cultural differences that accompany.
    I hope the accents are well-done. x – x
    I think it is mainly reasonable that APH is rated mature.
    Japan mainly marketed it for the younger kids/teens (are you kidding?) and maybe the cute-sparkly-ness distracts fans/non-fans that it does contain things that aren’t mainly appropriate for minors (Nazis, stereotyping, cussing, condoms, France, etc).


  • 10
    Richard J. on May 2nd, 2010 at 3:31 pm says:

    Maybe they rated it TV-MA in the hopes that only people mature enough to deal with humor involving national stereotypes and Yaoi subtext (at least, I’ve heard it has Yaoi subtext.) Some people take things WAY too seriously when it involves representations of their country/culture/whatever.

    And as someone who wanted to see accents, I say HELL YES! Bring on the accents! xD


  • 11
    Katie on May 2nd, 2010 at 3:45 pm says:

    As a long-time Hetalia fan, I’ve been nervous about what would happen should it come to the US. You guys, however, have some truly wonderful actors who I’m sure will do it justice. :mrgreen:


  • 12
    Josh on May 2nd, 2010 at 4:10 pm says:

    Just watched the four subtitled episodes and they were great. I so can’t wait for Funimation to release the dub to this with the accents. Funimation Channel & Anime Network should air this on both channels when the dub is released so every anime fan can be aware! :)


  • 13
    Julie on May 14th, 2010 at 8:55 am says:

    I really really hope you guys use an English VA for England. Please, if there is one thing not to do its hire an American to do England. No matter how hard you try, you never sound English. I’m sure a English born VA isn’t ‘too’ hard to find.
    I beg you! ^^;


  • 14
    Lisha Legrow on May 20th, 2010 at 11:08 pm says:

    Hehe I tend to forgot that I am already an old fart when it comes to Anime/Manga fandom and that not everyone has an income yet.


  • 15
    Houseki Loves Hetalia on June 7th, 2010 at 10:30 pm says:

    Man! I so can’t wait for it to come out in the english dub! But sadly, my mom’s being a bitch so I am not allowed to get it on DVD. Which I’m very pissed off about! All because it’s rated MA. I mean, yeah, they have crude humor and the characters are very stereotypical and yes, France is a major pervert but I can handle it! I was so looking forward to getting it on DVD. TT^TT But heel! That doesn’t mean I can’t secretly buy it. I’d do anything for Hetalia! The excitement is killing me! ^-^


  • 16
    Pary on June 28th, 2010 at 5:54 pm says:

    LOL i dont get why its rated MA either it should have been T
    alot of worst anime/manga and even tv series that air on public TV are waaay worse and they are rated T =.=”"
    hetalia doesnt have much it it really
    oh well good luck with the dub


  • 17
    Rose on July 14th, 2010 at 6:16 am says:

    With two anime greats i.e. Vic Mignogna and Jerry Jewell in the cast, well… despite having never seen this anime before, let’s just say I’m SOLD. *cue several minutes of squee*


  • 18
    Rose on July 14th, 2010 at 6:17 am says:

    With two anime greats in the forms of Vic Mignogna a.k.a. Edward Elric, and Jerry Jewell a.k.a. Kyo Sohma, let’s just say that despite having never seen this anime, I. Am. SOLD. *cue several minutes of squee*


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