Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein (リヒテンシュタイン Rihitenshutain) is a character in the series Hetalia: Axis Powers.

Appearance


Liechtenstein is a seemingly petite teenage girl who has blonde hair in a chin-length bob cut like her brother's, and green eyes. She wears a blue/purple ribbon on the right side of her head. As shown in flashbacks, she used to wear her hair long and in braids, but she cut her hair to look more like Switzerland and found that it was more comfortable. Liechtenstein, however, became mistaken for a boy, and thus became worried about her chest size, so Switzerland let her pick out and bought her the signature ribbon that she wears. She wears a long-sleeved dress but has on occasion has dressed in a uniform that she sewed herself to resemble her brother's. Her dress is often shown to be deep red with lighter stripes, though she has also appeared in a pink version of it in a few doodles and in the Hetalia trading card game.

Before her adoption, she was shown to wear a pink dress and apron, which had become damaged due to the aftermath of WWI and her having fallen into poverty.

Though Himaruya has given her no official physical age, she is confirmed to be a teenager, due to the fact that Switzerland is older than her and he looks 18.

Personality and Interests
She is described as quite high-tech, with a modest personality, mature but sweet and very caring, although she will make her point. She was moved along many different countries throughout her life, which became difficult and difficult for her after World War I due to lack of food. However, Liechtenstein was saved from her plight when Switzerland found her and adopted her as his sister.

Due to her resemblance to her brother after her haircut (and having worn a duplicate uniform), Liechtenstein was once mistaken for being a young boy. Switzerland rectified this problem by gifting her the purchase of a ribbon of her choice.

Austria
The real country of Liechtenstein is said to have originally been Austrian nobles. Historically, Liechtenstein was heavily connected to Austria until after WWI, although this has not really been shown explicitly in canon. In canon, however, the two are very polite to one another. Liechtenstein seems to be friendly with him, because she wanted him to go to lunch with her brother.

Czechia
In Czechia's official debut in the manga, Liechtenstein appeared to have lent money to Czechia at some point although their relationship is not greatly detailed.

Hungary
They appear to be quite close as they have talked about clothing and costumes over the years together.

Iceland
Iceland appears to be one of Liechtenstein's good friends, as shown in the Halloween 2011 Event where Liechtenstein is seen talking and joking around with Iceland and Hong Kong. She also shares ghost stories with them and tells Switzerland about it, on which Switzerland immediately panics and demands to confront them.

Switzerland
Liechtenstein's older adoptive brother, saved by him when she was on the brink of devastation due to poverty and war. After she was taken into his care, Liechtenstein began to view Switzerland as an older brother and gratefully accepted the care he provided her to the point she cut her hair to match his. She often helps him in everyday matters but has shown concern for his own wellbeing and economic/financial status as she was worried about how he supported and defended himself during many difficult times.

The two are very close and often spend time together. Liechtenstein has voiced how happy she is being with him.

Ukraine
While not much is known about their friendship, they appear together with Hungary they discussed costumes of the past.

Name
Himaruya has listed the potential names for Liechtenstein to be Erika, Tutsia, Elise, and Eva, while Vogel as her surname.

At some point, Eva is removed from the list and is followed pursuit by Elise for unknown reasons.

With all the confusion going on about her name, some fans have been referring her as Lili, from a shortening of her nation name and from the Lily flower, which is sometimes considered to be a national flower of Liechtenstein. At times, Liechtenstein is referred to as "Liech" by fans, which is a shortening of her nation name, although "Liech" is far more uncommon of a human name than "Lili".

It is debatable if she would share her brother's surname. While most fans give her the last name of Zwingli to match her brother, others will point the fact that two-thirds of the population of Liechtenstein are Catholic, and that it may be unlikely that she would take the surname of a Protestant reformer.

In The Anime
Liechtenstein first debuts in Episode 23, which adapts some of the first part to Liechtenstein's Journal Of Swiss Dopiness. In the episode, she cuts her hair and expresses interest in being more like her brother. But on the way to their shopping trip, a woman mistakes Liechtenstein for a young boy, causing her to become self-conscious about her chest. Later Switzerland buys a blue/purple ribbon for her hair.

Liechtenstein's origin is detailed in Episode 45, when she flashes back in her dream where she first met Switzerland and was taken into his care.

In the anime adaptation, she wears a light pink version of her dress that has short sleeves. The neck ribbon on her dress was also changed from red to green.

Trivia

 * Her birthday, July 12, corresponds with the date that Liechtenstein was given full sovereignty after its accession to the Confederation Of The Rhine in 1806.
 * Liechenstein's voice actress, Rie Kugimiya, also voices Alphonse Elric from Fullmetal Alchemist,as well as Karin Kurosaki (Nemu Kurositsuchi) from Bleach. Incidentally, Switzerland's voice actress, Romi Park, voices Edward Elric. Also, both Liechtenstein and Alphonse have similar personalities (calm, kind, gentle, etc).
 * In the special edition booklet of Hetalia: Axis Powers volume 3, Himaruya revealed an early draft of Liechtenstein that was a grumpier, more serious type of character like Switzerland. Instead of a ribbon at the side of her head, she was to wear a small headband with the ribbon on it. Her eyebrows were also slightly thicker.
 * In a recent blog post, Himaruya gave her potential names as being Erica/Erika, Sisia, Elise, and Eva. Her possible surname is Vogel.