| France フランス | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name: | Republic Of France (République française) |
| Human Name: | Francis Bonnefoy |
| Alternative Spelling(s): | Francis Bonnefoi |
| Age: | 26 |
| Gender: | Male |
| Birthday: | July 14 |
| Hair Color: | Blond |
| Eye Color: | Blue |
| Height: | 175 cm (5'9 ft est) |
| First Appearance (volume): | Volume 1 |
| First Appearance (strip): | Chapter 2: Allied Forces |
| First Appearance (anime): | Episode 01 |
| Japanese VA: | Masaya Onosaka |
| English VA: | J. Michael Tatum |
France (フランス, Furansu) is a main character in the series, Hetalia: Axis Powers. In 2008, Himaruya gave human names to some of the characters and he received the name Francis Bonnefoy (フランシス・ボヌフォア, Furanshisu Bonufoa).
Appearance
Francis, as he originally appeared
France has shoulder-length blond hair and blue eyes, and has a slight amount of facial hair which he believes makes him look like a "big brother" (it is said to represent the Gorges du Tarn, or Tarn Gorges). He wears a long blue coat and matching capelet, with red pants and brown boots. He is often depicted with a rose, which is also used to censor his genitals in his nude scenes.
When France initially appeared in the webcomic, his hair was drawn shorter and less wavy, but was drawn longer over time as the art style changed and evolved. He also originally wore white spats over his boots, a detail that was dropped in later artwork.
Personality and Interests
France was once a large nation, but after Napoleon Bonaparte had died, he was no longer good in wars and instead attracted tourists to his country with his wine. He has an intense rivalry with England, and loves to argue with him over trivial topics (one example is arguing over "who is more perverted"). France is infatuated with most of the nations and is known to make blatant sexual comments at every opportunity and is very affectionate, often shown streaking or touching other nations inappropriately. He is attracted to beautiful things, which include men and women of any age and maybe even some non-human beings. He loves himself so much that he does not bother to remember English and considers French the "language of love."
Relationships
England/UK/Britain
Main Article: England
Despite both being members of the Allied forces, England and France have a deep-rooted historical rivalry between them. While they can be seen to constantly argue with each other over the littlest things (like language and culture), they appear to have a level of respect for each other and are quick to team up with each other if a third party should enter the argument. France even tried to marry England to save his country once, though neither of them really wanted it. In strips focusing on England's childhood, he is often shown being picked on by a pre-teen France, who on one occassion, scoffs at him for not growing his hair long - and when England's long hair turns out a mess, France teases him by saying he'll cut it into a "cool" style - by cutting it back to the style he had before. In Crossing Through the Year 1000, the two younger countries are fooled into believing that the world will soon be over, and England agrees to let France pretend to have conquered him, since it is only for a little while. They later reminisce about their childhood when Japan makes the same mistake.
Spain
Main Article: Spain
The two get along rather well, having grown up and fought in wars together, though Spain remains oblivious to France's more perverted tendencies and cannot see why Romano hates him. It is said in production notes by Himaruya that their relationship is actually undesirable, yet the two remain inseparable. Recently, it seems Spain is aware that France is a bad influence on him, calling him "despicable" before defeating him in The Battle of Garigliano with the help of his pet bull. France's first bird named Pierre is used for communication with him.
Austria
Main Article: Austria
Not much is known about these two's relationship, although in Big Brother France And The Frying Pan! France is seen outside Austria's window, ranting about how much he desires him, and talking about how good looking and talented Austria is. In the Christmas Rampage 2007 strips, he also tricks Austria into stripping down in order to get Hungary a hat, yet this may have only been to make Prussia feel better.
North Italy
Main Article : Italy
France grew up with a small Chibitalia, but after Chibitalia returned from spending time with Roman Empire, France only wanted to control him. Italy refers to France as "France nii-chan" in strips set in both the past and present. When Italy was a teenager, he visited France again one day and asked him "what is intercourse?" after seeing it in a book. France replied by saying that intercourse is something you do with someone you like, then proceeded to ask "So Italy, do you like me?" (This was changed in the anime to France using body language to express the meaning of intercourse.) France seems to have a soft spot for Italy, becoming frantic when England suggests they spread rumours about Italy and responding with "I know he's kind of dumb, and he's weak and useless..." He then proceeds to break down in tears.
Seychelles
Main Article: Seychelles
In the Gakuen Hetalia universe, it is revealed (via flashback) that he helped raise her as a child, while in the present day he carries an affection for her and attempts to undress her, much to her shock and embarrassment, apparently to see what her body has become like.
Their relationship in the mainstream Hetalia universe has not been mentioned, outside of France appearing with her in Shipwrecked and an illustration in Christmas Rampage 2007, which depicts him groping Seychelles.
In The Anime
France in Episode 09.
France first appears at the world meeting in Episode 01, opting to disagree with both America and England in their argument.
After being left out of the second Allied Forces meeting in Episode 10, France reflects on his history of past "victories," insisting that he was successful a long time ago.
Name
France's surname, Bonnefoy (alternate spelling: Bonne-Foi), means "good faith" in French, "foy" is an old-fashioned way to write "foi" (faith). His given name, Francis (which means "Frenchman"), is a common French name, though an alternative rendering in the language would be François. When Hidekaz Himaruya originally listed the nations' human names, he noted that the original name he had in mind for France was Jean. The surname Epine was also considered.
Trivia
- His birthdate (July 14th) corresponds with the date of the French national holiday known as Bastille Day, a celebration of the anniversary of the Storming of the Bastille.
- In notes included in the special edition booklet for Hetalia: Axis Powers volume 3, Himaruya stated that Francis was originally meant to look more middle-aged, and that he was intended to have a completely suave personality. The "older", shorter-haired design could be seen in early chapters of the webcomic, but faded as the style changed.