Episode 101: Each Battlefield

The first episode of Hetalia: The Beautiful World (one hundred and first in total) was broadcast on January 25, 2013. It adapts the strips To Each His Own Battlefield from the fourth published volume.

The new season establishes many new features that distinguish it from its predecessor series, including a new style of Eyecatch and animation, new introduction sequence, and end credits song.

The Nature of a Shuriken
Italy asks Japan if the ninjas at his place used throwing stars in battle, and says that he wants Japan to show him throwing stars. Italy also asks Germany if he wanted to see throwing stars as well, to which Germany reluctantly replied that he would, Italy remarking that Germany looked happy. Italy explains that in German movies, ninjas would appear randomly in odd places.

Japan apologizes as he reveals that in actuality, throwing stars were rather ineffective in battle, describing their inability to fly or stick to objects. He explains that the shuriken was unlikely to hit its target, and why sharpened chopsticks were the preferred weapons of ninjas.

A new type of eyecatch then appears, featuring Mochi Italy as he sprouts two Italian flags and cries "Piacere!" ("Hello!" in Italian).

German Trial and Error
The spinning belt of a tank is shown, tearing up dust as it rumbles across the desert. Exploding shells also dot the rocky terrain. The narrator explains that during wars, there were bound to be shortages of supplies, and among these shortages was coffee.

An angry Austria silently fumes as Italy says to Germany that it's scary when Austria is deprived of coffee. Putting his hand on Germany's shoulder, Italy tells Germany that he should try coming up with a way around the shortage.

Germany, dressed in a lab coat, is then shown mixing ingredients in a laboratory, the narrator saying that Germany did earnestly want to do something about the shortage, researching on substitutes for coffee. Germany then discovers something remarkable as he experiments.

Holding up a mug, Germany orders Italy to try the substitute coffee he made, explaining that he brewed it from dandelions. Italy remarks that the concoction really tastes like coffee, asking if it really was made from dandelions. Rejoicing over the coffee, Italy says that Austria will be happy too, oblivious to Germany explaining the one drawback of the substitute.

Japan walks around the yard of a large fortress, asking Germany to lend him some oil as Japan peeks around a wall. Instead, Japan sees Germany picking dandelions, alarmed at how feminine he looked.

After the scene, a white circle is shown hitting (and bouncing off of) a white cube. The circle is revealed to be Mochi Italy, and the cube Mochi Germany. Mochi Italy starts to cry with fear as Mochi Germany rumbles, and both of them suddenly sprout flags of their respective countries from their sides.

Italy's (Hetare) Tanks
Italy excitedly calls to Germany, showing him a new model of tank from his house, the M11/39. While Germany observes the tank at a practical perspective, Italy says that he likes the tank because it's pretty.

Germany then points out that the artillery gun of the tank is placed on the body of the tank, noting that due to its odd placement, it cannot swivel on its own, and requires turning of the entire tank in order to aim. Admitting that it was different, Italy still said that he thought the tank looked cool, to which Germany replied that the effectiveness of the tank wasn't about looks.

Italy shows the tank to his soldiers, saying that it would still beat England, even if Germany didn't like the tank. England then peeks out of a trench, confused, as the Italian soldiers (terrified at the very sight of England) flee, leaving the tanks behind. England walks up to the tanks, seeming to relate to the tank by asking if it "had it rough, too".

Italy excitedly calls to Germany again, showing him his new and upgraded tank, the Carro Armato. Italy remarks at how cool the tank looks, telling him that the artillery gun was in the correct place.

Unimpressed, Germany observes from afar, as Italy shows him the tank in action. Climbing into the tank, Italy fires the tank, but has to open up the hatch immediately due to the large amount of smoke inside. Firing the tank again, Italy has to open the top again as well, smoke billowing out. Italy eventually decides to just leave the top open, Germany exclaiming that the tank was very dangerous.

Italy explains that every time the tank fired, smoke would fill up the inside, choking the men inside. He then says that in the end, they just decided to leave the tank open.

Character Appearances

 * Italy
 * Japan
 * Germany
 * Austria (non-speaking cameo)
 * England/UK
 * Mochi Italy
 * Mochi Germany

Voice Cast

 * Italy, Mochi Italy: Daisuke Namikawa
 * Japan: Hiroki Takahashi
 * Germany, Mochi Germany: Hiroki Yasumoto
 * England/UK: Noriaki Sugiyama