Portugal

Portugal (ポルトガル, Porutogaru) is a supporting character in the series Hetalia: Axis Powers.

Appearance
Portugal is depicted with somewhat curly, shaggy hair tied in a short ponytail, and green eyes. He has been shown wearing a white button-down shirt with a popped collar, a khaki jacket, and knee-high boots, wearing around his neck what appear to be aviator goggles. He also wears dark gloves and what seems to be a white belt or fanny pack, with dark brown and red-orange pants. His skin appears to be roughly the same shade as Spain's, as does his hair. Himaruya has stated that while Spain and Portugal have similar appearances, easy ways to tell them apart are Portugal's ponytail and the mole underneath his right eye. Additionally, Himaruya draws Spain "as being pretty open with his emotions" while he's "conscious of his composed expressions" when drawing Portugal.

Personality and Interests
Portugal is stated in a character note to be well-known across the continent for his ennui and laid-backness. Even with him being one of the major powers in the past during the Age of Discoveries, he thinks that home is the best nowadays, focusing on domestic issues. He's very nostalgic as stated to also be saudade. He's shown to have low self-esteem, as he chastises himself for losing the Asian sea trade to England and apologizing to Macau for his incompetence and cowardice. However, he's also shown to be cheerful and friendly, even to countries he's competing with, and almost always appears smiling.

In a comic panel, he is shown to be handling a piece of mechanical equipment half-heartedly with a line after that saying he isn't good with machines, happily letting England teach him how to work with it. He also seems to like to tease Spain or, in Spain's own opinion, blackmail him.

In the databook Hetalia☆Collezione, some of his other interests have been revealed. He seems to like fado music and wants someone to perform it with him, and what he'd like to do as a challenge is to sail into the ocean, which he hasn't done in a while. His favorite flowers are carnations and lavenders and his preferred food is the francesinha, a traditional Portuguese sandwich.

England
On Himaruya's blog, it was revealed that England was the one who taught Portugal how to fight when battling Spain. They seem to cooperate well, and have the world's oldest living alliance with the Windsor Treaty in 1386. In a comic panel, England is shown promising to support Portugal with all his strength, to which a happy Portugal answer that makes him feel reassured. It is later explained that Portugal and England have a deep bond between them, and sometimes when England is being sweet and under certain conditions, he offers Portugal his technological skills. He also seems to write Portugal letters.

France
When discussing the differences between Portugal and Spain, France says that he would hide words with hidden meanings into the conversation, so Portugal would go home and grumble about it later. Portugal deems this an eloquent answer, though that night he grumbles about whether or not France was really up to something.

Japan
In Netherlands and Isolationist Japan, it is mentioned that Japan used to have exchange with Portugal, but he got kicked out because Japan felt that he could be dangerous. In a 2010 blog post, it is stated that Portugal is a country that has deep ties with Japan.

Netherlands
In the original text for a segment later included in the strip We Love England, it is mentioned that Netherlands and Portugal beat up Spain. They were also mentioned as having beaten up Spain in background text of Maria Theresa and the War of Austrian Succession. Portugal appears to interact with Netherlands in a friendly manner, even when they were both competing for trade in Asia. At one point when Netherlands shows up, Portugal says that its "just like him" as Netherlands is always following him around. Portugal asks him if he really likes him that much, and Netherlands tells him to stop "talking nonsense."

During the era of the Qing dynasty in China, Netherlands (as well as China) was an excellent merchant who, while blocking Portugal, leaped at every opportunity where he sensed profit. It is further explained in the Eighty-Third serialized chapter of World☆Stars that Netherlands threatened Portugal's position as a maritime trading partner in Asia, making preemptive moves and capturing his trading posts in places like Japan, China, and India. Netherlands later directly confronts Portugal and asks him for Macau, as he seeks to conquer the Asian trade.

Macau
It is said that Macau and Portugal were friends long before Macau became Portugal's underling. Macau received his formal name from Portugal, "Macau Which Carries the Name of a Most Faithful God." It is stated that they have a strong connection and they joke around despite Macau's business-like manner with others. During the 15th and 16th century, Portugal and Macau made huge profits through trade in Asia, and Portugal dubbed them a "dream team." Macau shows concern for Portugal as he struggles during the Industrial Revolution, though Portugal blames himself for making things difficult for Macau. However, it is explained that Macau managed to adapt on his own, as Portugal is very laissez-faire.

It is stated in a 2011 blog post that Macau's relationship with Portugal is visible in his cuisine, and in Hetalia World Stars Series Volume 4 that is primarily eaten in Southern Europe, Portuguese-style duck, etc. and culture that is usually arranged in Southern Europe are skillfully adopted, and every day is spent beautifully' was stated. During a conversation with Spain during the industrial revolution, Portugal brags that he still has Macau as an underling while Spain lost South Italy.

South Italy
In Portugal's debut strip, a drunken Romano expresses annoyance at the nature of his relationship with Spain, claiming the later only becomes meek when Portugal is around.

Spain
In the first mention of the character in November 2006, it is stated that they do not see eye to eye very much, drawing comparisons to the relationship between England and France. In the original text for a segment later included in the strip We Love England, it is mentioned that Spain got beaten up by the Netherlands and Portugal. They were also mentioned as having beaten up Spain in background text of Maria Theresa and the War of Austrian Succession. A small sketch of Spain is later featured on a design sheet for one of the prototype female designs for Portugal.

According to Romano, Spain acts really strange when he's around Portugal, complaining that he becomes meek and that he's "playing favorites." Portugal admits Spain acts this way because he knows so many foolish stories about him that Spain can't say no to him.

Despite their turbulent history, the two are shown chatting easily, as Portugal shows no trepidation to show up at Spain's house, listen to his phone calls and tease him. While discussing their economies during the Industrial Revolution, Portugal criticizes Spain for his "bravado" despite both being in near-identical dire situations. He also states that he enjoys seeing Spain, who was once very powerful, having sunk so low and it makes him feel good.

They also deny their near-identical physical appearance, as they remark how different they are from each other despite being neighbors, and immediately afterward can't be told apart by Seychelles, causing them both to become shocked and flustered. This is attributed to the fact that they share the same ancestor, hence making them related in some way. It is however not specified what kind of relatives they are. In the fandom, they are often considered brothers, called the Iberian Brothers.

Manga
Portugal first appears as an unnamed figure facing away from the reader at the end of the Halloween 2011 event, where it is revealed that he arrived for the party a day after it ended. He makes his formal debut at the very end of the Halloween 2013 event, appearing as Spain is leading a drunk Romano home and engaging in a conversation with them. He next appeared in World☆Stars Chapter 77, where he eavesdrops on Spain's phone call with Romano about the Industrial Revolution. He criticizes what he sees as Spain's "bravado", and brags that while Spain lost Romano, he still has Macau as an underling.

Anime
Portugal appeared for the first time in the anime in the 10th episode of the 7th season, Hetalia: World Stars. The chapters in which he appears that were animated were Chapter 77 and Chapter 78.

Gallery
Portugal Image Gallery

Trivia

 * In response to a fan suggestion, Himaruya stated that a Kyoto dialect might fit the character, saying that it is probably the most popular amongst fans. Other possibilities he mentions include Kobe, which is a harbor city which suits that character and may be cute, as well as Hakata, which he states is the cutest when used by girls. In the end, when he finally debuted in the anime, he uses the Kobe dialect.


 * Himaruya has stated in a 2010 blog post that, aside from Spain, he wants Portugal to interact with Italy and England.


 * Portugal had a lengthy development stage that involved several scrapped concept designs, both male and female. As far back as November 2006, Himaruya considered making the character female. After including a couple of vague sketches in a 2010 blog post, Himaruya posted a series of possible designs that included both male and female versions of the character, while citing that he's "never despaired about character design as much as [he does] with Portugal." A couple of days later he posted a series of sketch sheets with a set of potential designs, which included the first appearance of Macau. He said that he really has to do his best to create a good character, and will consider other things not present in the sketches. In October 2011, he stated that Portugal was still one of the most requested to receive a design. In November 2013, during that year's Halloween event, Himaruya posted a sketch somewhat resembling what would end up being the final design for the character, though it wasn't explicitly indicated to be Portugal.