North Italy

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North Italy or Veneziano is the main and titular character of Hetalia: Axis Powers (anime) and Hetalia: Axis Powers: Paint it, White. The title was created by blending the worlds hetare  ( へたれ,  Japanese for "useless" or "unreliable" in an endearing way) and  Italia  (the Italian word for Italy) together in a single-word katakana title,  ヘタリア (Hetaria/Hetalia).

He one of the most important forces in the Axis Powers, along with Germany and Japan.

His full name is Italy Veneziano, used to distinguish him from his brother Italy Romano.

Italy's human name is Feliciano Vargas, as given to him by Himaruya between the years 2007 and 2008.

Appearance
Full Article: Uniform Guide: North Italy 

Italy has light-brown/auburn, straight hair with a long curl that serves as an erogenous zone on the left side of his head and fair skin. He is nearly always depicted with his eyes closed, but on the few occasions that he is portrayed with his eyes open they are an amber or golden color. His all-around appearance is said to be "cute", which he uses to his advantage while flirting. He bears multiple physical similarities to South Italy, but is generally lighter-coloured. He's best seen in media wearing a blue Italian military uniform with tall brown boots with white cuffs (which is different to his brother's, despite them both being Italy), and is iconically seen holding pasta or waving a white flag in surrender.

Character summary
As the title implies, North Italy is a rather cowardly and comically clumsy character, but is  very friendly and energetic towards most other Nations and humans. He's very different than his older brother Romano in many ways, personality-wise. Veneziano is normally very outspoken and often shows how terrible his ability to "read the atmosphere" is, persisting with his ideas until the one he's bothering snaps and either gives in or openly expresses their frustration. He can easily make some Nations (such as Japan) feel very awkward or embarrassed around him. However, when he's around someone he fears (such as Russia), he tends to just quietly cower. Italy is a very good flirt and seems to do so as a hobby, as a stereotypical young Italian man would, as well as much to the irritation of those around him (particularly Germany). He also has a passion for fine food as a reference to Italian cuisine. It gets to the point where he eats it almost exclusively.



Although Italy's genetics all point towards him being a powerful and skilled fighter, his lack of motivation to train and his cowardice in the face of danger leave much to be desired (although he did once beat up a fully-grown Turkey when he was a child). Italy seems to suffer during the basic training regimens set up by Germany and normally insists on surrendering or running away instead of risking the possibility of getting beaten up. When neither of these options are available to him, he'll call Germany to come help him. These traits are made up by Italy's history of seeming weak and being pushed around. However, off-battlefield, Veneziano shows many talents in arts such as painting and cooking, the likes of which surpass even those of his older brother.

Italy is a descendant (grandson) of the ancient Roman Empire, along with his older brother Italy Romano (South Italy). Rome raised Veneziano until his dissolution, leaving both of his grandsons vulnerable to all the dangerous superpowers surrounding them in Europe. Italy was eventually split up, and Veneziano was sent to work for Austria while Romano was given to Spain. There, Veneziano was raised away from his brother as part of the Holy Roman Empire, notably by Austria and Hungary and alongside the personification of the Holy Roman Empire itself. Both halves of Italy were noted to have grown very slowly due to their unstable economy and development. The personification of the Holy Roman Empire eventually became Italy's childhood love, although he never knew Italy's real gender. Their romance was unfortunately brought to an end when the Holy Roman Empire was dissolved. Himaruya has promised us that Italy and HRE would have a happy ending eventually.

Some Italian stereotypes he portrays include: his physical and mental weakness, his all-around enthusiasm, his love for Italian food and all girls, the verbal tic of "Ve~" he uses when happy or dispirited, the prominent erogenous zone (curl) he has, etc.

Germany


Germany is Italy's best friend, and vice versa. He is usually the one to protect Italy or to bail him out of tight situations caused by his foolish actions. Their relationship started when Germany discovered Italy cowering in an empty crate of tomatoes instead of fighting him and imprisoned him. While under his imprisonment, Italy attempted to express his affection towards Germany and his home through a rather blunt song and was sent home soon after. Then, he returned to pester Germany for a job and succeeded, as his economy was suffering. Later on when it was discovered that Germany was off fighting again and offered to back him up as a "friend". Germany, touched but a bit uncertain and having next to no experience with friendship, accepted, and thus their alliance began. Italy's issues with thinking he could easily be replaced by Russia or Japan eventually began grow and led to the Pact of Steel in the form of a Japanese oath (or "pinky swear") that Germany would not leave Italy. The Buon San Valentino line revealed that Germany might be more fond of Italy than he let on as "just a friend", but Italy could not understand his awkward romantic advances and became flustered at his "scary" behavior, implying that Germany's feelings might be one-sided. The night ended when Germany seemed to shut down because of his new found feelings and Italy panicking over his state. This scene does not seem to have affected their current relationship negatively or positively - it was simply left at a cliffhanger.

Overall, their relationship is continuously positive on both ends, if not romantic on at least one side.

Because of the canon events such as the ones listed above, North Italy and Germany are frequently paired together as romantic interests in fandom. The pairing often goes by the name "GerIta" or "枢軸お花夫婦 (Suujiku Ohana Fuufu)".

South Italy/Romano


Italy Romano is Italy Veneziano's older brother and closest, living blood relative. The two share a long past together, from being raised by their grandfather Ancient Rome to being ruthlessly pushed around by other stronger Nations, and thus keep some sort of bond, though it may not seem immediately evident. They both share the landmass of Italy, but as children they hardly got to communicate much since they were split up to work for different bosses (Veneziano went to Austria and Romano went to Spain). Their personalities are also very different, but Veneziano's easygoing ways manage to keep them together. Romano seems to have a huge problem with most of Italy's friends, Germany especially, though it's thought it's not for personal reasons as his seeming dislike towards nations like Japan come without any real reason.

However, Romano is constantly overshadowed by his loveable brother by most nations, resulting in an inferiority complex. Romano often expresses unnecessary hatred towards Veneziano because of it. Though he can go a bit overboard at times with his insults and Veneziano sometimes shrinks aways from him, they don't really detest each other, as shown in several cases. Their relationship is not bad.

They are sometimes paired together as an incestuous couple in fandom, going by the name "Itacest".

Character songs
Maru Kaite Chikyuu (original)

Hatafutte Parade (original)

Mawaru Chikyuu Rondo (original)

Let's Boil Hot Water

Let's Look Over the Rainbow

Gakuen Fiesta (featured)

Wa! Wa!! World Ondo (featured)

Mawaru Chikyuu Rondo (South Italy) (featured)