risingtsun | COA app (Japan)

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□ Name: Japan (Kiku Honda)
□ Journal:

fourseasons
□ Series: Axis Powers Hetalia
□ Canon point: 1933
□ History: Canon Wiki | History Wiki
□ Personality:

Japan is, to start with, a very quiet and modest character. He relies heavily on traditions and "old ways," and because of this mindset, comes to view himself as an old man. He will often trap himself in thoughts of both the past and the future; a trait that leaves him feeling very alone in the world as he doesn't believe anyone can understand his level of thought. It's this mindset that guides his life, essentially. Being so caught on the past while trying to fit in for the future is a combination that leaves him a very contradictory person; someone who, in his opinion, can't possibly connect with anyone on the level he wishes he could due to cultural differences and other such things.

At the very core of Japan is pride. From the past to the present, it's something that stays consistent though its way of showing itself does change from time to time. In terms of the comic and history itself it could be shown as Japan being rude to China from the start, making things (like the language) his own and showing no real gratitude, acting selfishly (like attacking China) in order to do what's best for the country, secluding for the same reason, and even in his current time period, he's resisting being forced out of seclusion and into modernization. He's torn between clinging to the past and making room for the rest of the world's ideas. This sort of contradiction is shown mostly in his complete irritation with America, and yet moments of thinking "Maybe he's not so bad", and then forgetting creatures like kappa lived with him at all by the time England visits. They're all a sign of just how prideful he is of himself, or his country. And this pride is what motivates nearly everything he does.

He's shy, hard-working, determined, and easily flustered. He's overly polite, as well, even in the worst of situations. These ways of presenting himself are what lead to many misconceptions about how he is. He may appear stoic and calm, formally replying to situations even when he's quite upset on the inside, but his words could be saying much more than what they sound like. His answer is always "no," after all. And though he believes himself to be quite clear in the most subtle sense while saying things like "I'll consider it" and "Perhaps next time," not everyone seems to realize his true intentions, which causes him great despair. Only a few years prior to this time specifically, and a bit still now, he's even more startled by the rest of the world and their lack of understanding him. He feels like there's much to learn, and in a sense for him, there is.

Though he is stubborn and quite set on his own ways, it has been shown that Japan is very easily influenced. He even admits this himself! In Meiji specifically, he's shown to mimic other countries and seem clueless about things like nudity being embarrassing (that is until England quickly teaches him that it is!). Along the same lines of being easily influenced, he's someone that reacts quite easily to even the smallest things. He can go into culture shock at the smallest things, even more accented by this time period of attempting to westernize and get to know the world. Though anger isn't something seen from him by many (except America, probably, in many subtle ways), he is said to have the "scariest kind" in a strip with Greece. So basically, there are many emotions and naive beliefs behind his old man act, leaving him more childlike than he would ever admit.

He really has trouble properly expressing himself to others, which is the largest part of why he gets frustrated and isn't shown socializing much unless he feels obligated to. He claims his hobby is to sense the mood and determine when not to speak, but when he does have to speak, he can be clumsy and extremely unclear. Even in normal situations, he speaks overly polite and in a way that sort of covers his true intention, and often holds back his own opinion (or doesn't have one) because he'd rather stay out of conflict and listen to things without dedicating himself to any firm decision. It's joked at in the movie that his government is equally indecisive, as while other countries are preparing their weapons and armies, they don't even come to a decision to fight or not by the time the aliens turn them into faceless versions of themselves. (At least at this point even Japan can realize how ridiculous it is.)

Japan is very good at adapting to technology and learning. This is a key point in time for that sort of change that he's so good with, so while he is even more easily influenced, he's more determined to go out and learn about things as well. It's because he feels that he needs something he helps contribute to the world in a big way, and he's searching to find what he could do to be "seen" in this way.

Lastly, his personality and views on things make him a very lonely nation. Because of things like his pride and clear definition of "cultural differences," Japan doesn't believe anyone truly understands him for who he is. He feels no one else can appreciate him and so he appreciates himself, which is sad on its own. He spends time sitting alone with his dog, staring at the moon and thinking back on old times and holding many feelings he does not entirely feel are worth expressing, as no one can really understand them. He doesn't even seem to open up to his prefectures, seeming to keep a certain distance from them and maintaining a business-like attitude. The one person he's opened up to recently is Holland, and even then he tries to skate around the subject and there's a point where he's not sure he can say anything and be understood. Really it's just that old man side of him that puts himself in this state. He can enjoy his time with others, as shown when he shares his culture with others specifically (like his excitement over playing the taiko drum in the movie) but it always takes a bit to open him up.

□ Age: Over 2,500 but appears 19-ish
□ Gender: Male
□ Appearance:

Japan is relatively short at 5'6", and his build as described by Himaruya is "thin and slightly muscular". From the time period I'm taking him from, his attire is really important to him. It's a subtle way of expressing himself, and he'll constantly dress to make a statement. For example, his military uniforms in the comics around these times always seem to have excessive ornaments and badges, and he's often wearing his gloves and hat as well, showing off his pride. Basically he might look polite and tiny, but he's got a pretty big ego and it shows in subtle ways like his dress and the way he holds himself.

□ Abilities/Powers:

As a nation, Japan's body can withstand the test of time. Small wounds probably wouldn't do much of anything, and even larger ones would have to heal quickly in order for Japan to have survived this long. Aside from that, there isn't really anything special.

□ Personal Items: Katana and some changes of clothing (his other uniform and 2 traditional wear, making 3 sets)

□ First Person Sample: First Post from Zodion
□ Third Person Sample:

The talk he had received upon arrival was far from satisfying, and it left him frowning further than even normal as he exited to find his apartment. If his katana had been on his person at the time, he may not have been quite so civil... Even still. It's important to be aware of one's situation, so maybe it was best to wait this out and decide the best way to deal with it.

Either way, Japan was not pleased with being taken, having his 'genetic information' used without permission, and not being allowed to return home. On top of that, an apparent microchip in his head?! This is ridiculous. This isn't considering him at all... And those words about ignoring everything for pleasure. Abandoning countries and religion. What a lowly culture this world has... The excessively bold and selfish shops everywhere were sad to look at, to him, and the thought that he'd be stuck in this type of environment for who knows how long... He couldn't fit in here at all. He didn't have to, as far as he was concerned, and he wasn't going to make any real attempt until he further evaluated the situation and his options.

He's a strange sight walking down the street in an overly decorated military uniform, pure black with gold shoulder pads, buttons and tassles, and white gloves. Occasionally his hand moves to rest at something that isn't there on his waist, and he turns to it with a sigh before crossing his arms instead. Is it wrong to want to show he's no one to mess with in a strange world? Still, it wouldn't be good to be arrested for carrying around weaponry. If any shop owners or overtly bold people approach him, he'll look deeply insulted and exclaim something expressing his polite (and possibly very passive aggressive) disinterest in anything of the sort before doing his best to hurry off. He'll make excuses if necessary, even if they may not be the most believable. It's not polite to call one out on things like that... He feels safe.

If you don't notice his ridiculously loud way of going about on the streets, soon enough he'll be forced to approach people asking simple questions for help. "Ah... Forgive me, but do you know of any tea shops that are not quite so..." What's a word for vulgar that's not insulting? ...There's a long pause as he tries to think of it. "...themed as these shops seem to be?" Well he tried. With a vague gesture at the sex shops in the area, he hopes he makes his intentions clear enough.