Saxony (ザクセン, Zakusen) is a minor character in the series Hetalia. He is the personification of Saxony.[Note 1]
Appearance[]
Saxony is a young man of an unknown physical age, however, it is likely that he looks older than Germany due to being described as his older brother. He has long, light-colored, semi-wavy hair tied back into a low ponytail, with one long tendril hanging down on the right side of his face (the viewer's left side). In his initial cameo appearances during the early webcomic, his hair was still long but was straighter and was left down instead of being styled into a ponytail. The color of his hair and eyes is currently unknown, however, it can be presumed he is blonde with blue eyes due to his relation to and extremely close resemblance to Germany and Germania.
In the Hetalia☆Collezione, it is stated that his character design is similar to Germania's and that his Germanic lineage is very evident.[1] For example, his face shape, eye shape, and nose are extremely similar to Germania's and Germany's. It is also revealed in the Collezione that his height is 178 cm (~5'10.1).[1]
Personality[]
Not much in depth is known about Saxony's personality. He seems to be somewhat ambitious and competitive, claiming in his profile in the Hetalia☆Collezione that while he wants to get along with Prussia, he would greedily go after an opportunity to become better than him. He shows an interest in opera, stating he is interested the construction of the opera house.[Note 6] His favorite dessert is Quarkkäulchen[Note 7] and his favorite food dish is Leipziger Allerlei.[Note 8] Saxony also values his personal freedom, which he says is something he wants right now.[Note 5] Additionally, Himaruya noted in the Collezione that Saxony is Germany's older brother and that he really loves his younger brothers,[1] so he seems to be quite a caring person and enjoys his role as an elder brother. He has also passed on some of his stubborn traits to Germany.[2]
Biography[]
Nothing is known about Saxony's life before he was part of the Holy Roman Empire, but it stands to reason he represented previous iterations of Saxony.
Holy Roman Empire[]
Saxony was one of many German nations that made up the Holy Roman Empire. However, all of the nations within the empire were not very united, meaning they had different lives and opinions and all grew and strengthened as individuals.[3] During the Chibitalia comic, a young man strongly resembling Saxony appears along with another young man accompanying Holy Rome when he leaves for the Thirty Years' War at the end of the comic. These men tell Holy Roman Empire that the carriage is here, then watch in amusement as he and Italy Veneziano say goodbye to each other, before Holy Rome finally leaves with them.[4] It is unknown for certain, but seemingly likely, that this long haired man is Saxony, based not only on his appearance but also on Saxony's significant role in the Thirty Years' War and within the Holy Roman Empire in general.
Saxony was seen briefly in one of the Prussia's diary segments in Liechtenstein’s Doting Older Brother Journal alongside Prussia, beating up an unlabeled nation while Switzerland walked by and made an angry comment about the Holy Roman Empire being such a mess.[5] During the War of the Austrian Succession, Saxony participated on the side of Prussia, along with Bavaria, France, Spain, and others. In Saxony's brief drawn appearance in Summary of the War of Austrian Succession, he stated that he would not accept Maria Theresa as queen and that he was going to take Moravia.[6][Note 9]
German Confederation[]
After the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire, Saxony and several other German nations created the German Confederation. In a blog post where Himaruya explained some of the history of Germany, he stated that the Holy Roman Empire being dissolved caused the German nations to think about what Germany stood for and they became nostalgic for Germany. So, Prussia, Austria, and the German States formed the German Confederation.[3] In a doodle of some of the personifications within the German Confederation, Saxony appeared alongside Prussia and two unnamed states.[7]
Eventually, under the leadership of Prussia, the German states chose the path of unifying into one country, Germany.[3] World☆Stars Chapter 12 depicts this event, and while none of the German nations pictured in this chapter are named or labeled, there is one who resembles Saxony and could possibly be intended to be him. The German states are seen arguing due to their many different opinions, and when Prussia speaks up many seem excited at the prospect of unifying into a stronger country. Some of the states are pictured again later in the chapter greeting the newly born Germany.[8]
Post-Unification and Present Day[]
Though it has not been definitively stated whether Saxony is currently alive in the present day representing the current state of Saxony, this scenario is extremely likely. During Cleaning Mr. Prussia, Saxony was name-dropped, along with a few other states, while Prussia was explaining to Germany that Germans historically overreach themselves and that he shouldn't overwork himself because he is not alone and all of his siblings are with him (but also that Prussia was still the best older brother).[2] When asked about what Germany's brothers other than Prussia were doing, Himaruya said they are either retired in their regions, gradually disappearing, or something else like that, and that they are still connected to the present Germany, but that the baton has been passed on to him.[9]
Relationships[]
- Germany: Saxony is Germany's older brother and loves him very much,[1] and according to Prussia, Germany has inherited stubborn traits from himself, Saxony, and Hesse.[2] Saxony was one of many German States who came together to unify, which led to Germany's birth.[3][8]
- Prussia: Prussia and Saxony are brothers, though it is unknown which is older. They were allies during the War of the Austrian Succession.[6] Saxony gets along with Prussia, but he also wants to compete with him, stating that if he had an opportunity to be better than Prussia he would greedily take it.[1] Saxony and the other German states followed Prussia's lead to form the German Confederation and later unify to create Germany.[3][8]
- Holy Roman Empire: Saxony was one of the states within the Holy Roman Empire, and appears to have been one of Holy Rome's companions at the end of the Chibitalia comic who told him it was time to go and then watched as he bid goodbye to Italy Veneziano.[4] Though Saxony was a part of the Holy Roman Empire, he also grew and strengthened as an individual entity because the Empire was not very strongly united.[3]
- Bavaria: Saxony and Bavaria are brothers and were both part of the Holy Roman Empire, and they were allies during the War of the Austrian Succession.[6] Later, they were both part of the German Confederation and then eventually unified with the other German States to create Germany.[3][8]
- Austria: Not much is known about their relationship aside from Saxony being one of Austria's opponents during the War of the Austrian Succession.[6][Note 9] They were also part of the German Confederation together along with several others, however, over time the German states began to greet Austria awkwardly.[3] It is also unknown if Austria shares the same cousin relation to Saxony that he does to Germany and Prussia, but it is possible.
- Other German States: In the time of the Holy Roman Empire, the German States, while all within the Empire, were not very united and could easily become friends or enemies depending on their interests.[3] Even when they formed the German Confederation together after the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire, they still argued and had many different opinions. Still, they were eventually able to decide to come together and unify to create Germany.[3][8]
- Germania: Saxony, like the rest of the German nations, is a descendant of Germania.[10][Note 10]
- France: France and Saxony were allies during the War of the Austrian Succession.[6]
- Spain: Spain and Saxony were allies during the War of the Austrian Succession.[6]
Appearances[]
Manga[]
- Chibitalia (possibly; cameo)
- Summary of the War of Austrian Succession (cameo)
- Maria Theresa and the War of Austrian Succession (mentioned)
- Comic Diary 7 (cameo)
- Liechtenstein’s Doting Older Brother Journal (Diary of the Awesome Me 3) (cameo)
- Hetalia: World☆Stars Chapter 12 (possibly; cameo)
- Hetalia: World☆Stars Chapter 516 (cameo)
Other[]
- Cleaning Mr. Prussia (mentioned)
- Blog Entry 874 (indirect mention)
- Blog Entry 1215 (indirect mention)
- Blog Entry 1383 (mentioned)
- Blog Entry 1774 (indirect mention)
- Hetalia☆Collezione
Trivia[]
- Saxony's appearances in Chibitalia were removed during the anime adaptation of the end of the comic. In the anime episode, he and the other man with him were replaced with two completely different looking men.
- He was once mentioned in a blog post when a fan asked Himaruya that, since he said it was his goal to include everyone in the Christmas 2011 event, to please have Bavaria and Saxony appear. In response, Himaruya said he wondered if he would be able to include them, but that it didn't seem likely any new characters would be able to be introduced.[11]
- In a 2011 blog post, Himaruya commented that the uniforms of Germany's brothers were unusual.[12]
Notes[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Though it has not been directly stated, it has been implied that Saxony is still alive representing the modern state in Germany in addition to previously representing pre-unification Saxony. See the Post-Unification and Present Day subheading on this page for more information. Additionally, he represented Saxony during the German Confederation and the Holy Roman Empire, and presumably previous iterations of Saxony as well.
- ↑ Holy Rome is not mentioned in Saxony's profile, but Saxony is listed in Holy Rome's profile as one of his brothers, so the reverse is also true.
- ↑ "Many others" includes Bavaria, Hesse, etc. These are not stated in Saxony's profile, but both Saxony and Bavaria are listed in the profile for Holy Rome as his brothers, so they are also brothers to each other. Additionally, they are all descendants of Germania.
- ↑ Germania is not mentioned in Saxony's profile, however, Germania's profile lists that he has "many other" descendants in addition to Germany and Prussia. Given that Germany and Prussia are Saxony's brothers, it is likely that he is one of these other descendants.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 自由. Could also translate as "liberty". Used often to express the concept of personal freedoms.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Likely a reference to the Semperoper, an opera house located in the capital of Saxony, Dresden. Click here for more information.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 A Saxon dessert of small fried dough pancakes made from potatoes, quark cheese, eggs, and flour, served hot and often with sweet sides like fruits. The name translates to "little quark ball". Click here for more information.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 A Saxon vegetable dish named after the city of Leipzig, which is in Saxony. The dish is made of a mixture of vegetables such as young peas, carrots, green beans, celery, cauliflower etc., and traditionally includes a sauce made from crayfish butter, crayfish tails, and semolina dumplings. Click here for more information.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 In real life, Saxony ended up signing a mutual defense pact with Austria at the very end of 1743, essentially switching sides in the war (click here for more information). However, this event has not been depicted in Hetalia yet.
- ↑ Saxony is very likely one of the "many others" mentioned as Germania's descendants on his profile. Additionally, Saxony is directly listed as one of the brothers of Holy Roman Empire, who in turn is directly listed as Germania's descendant.
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Himaruya, Hidekaz. November 04, 2021. ヘタリア☆Collezione [Hetalia☆Collezione]. Page 53. Jump Comics. ISBN: 978-4-08-882870-1.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Himaruya, Hidekaz. August 31, 2010. おそうじプロイセンさん [Cleaning Mr. Prussia]. Scenario: ドイツ [Germany]". English.
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 Himaruya, Hidekaz. July 22, 2016. "めでたし、めでたし [Happily Ever After]". Japanese. English.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Himaruya, Hidekaz. August 20–November 26, 2006. "ちびたりあ [Chibitalia]". Japanese. English.
- ↑ Himaruya, Hidekaz. April 21, 2008. "リヒテンシュタインの兄バカ日誌 [Liechtenstein’s Doting Older Brother Journal]". Japanese. English.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 Himaruya, Hidekaz. August 16, 2007. "オーストリア継承戦争のまとめ [Summary of the War of Austrian Succession]". Japanese. English.
- ↑ Himaruya, Hidekaz. June 15–29, 2007. "日記漫画まとめ その７ [Comic Diary 7]". Japanese. English.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 Himaruya, Hidekaz. October 31, 2014. "[12話]ヘタリア World☆Stars [[Chapter 12] Hetalia: World☆Stars]". Japanese. English.
- ↑ Himaruya, Hidekaz. September 04, 2010. "スイスさんちはスイスさんと何らかの関係がないとなかなか滞在できないんだぜ！ [It's pretty hard to stay at Mr. Switzerland's place if you don't have some sort of relationship with Switzerland!]". Japanese. English.
- ↑ Himaruya, Hidekaz. November 04, 2021. ヘタリア☆Collezione [Hetalia☆Collezione]. Page 162. Jump Comics. ISBN: 978-4-08-882870-1.
- ↑ Himaruya, Hidekaz. January 24, 2012. "本当に遅くなってしまってすいませんでした。 [I’m really sorry for having been so late.]". Japanese. English.
- ↑ Himaruya, Hidekaz. July 20, 2011. "ドイツ諸国の軍服 [German nations’ military uniforms]". Japanese. English.