TV-Series
Description
The character known as Italy, whose human name is Feliciano Vargas, is the primary protagonist of the series and the personification of the northern part of the country. He is often called Italy Veneziano to distinguish him from his older brother, Lovino Vargas, who represents southern Italy and is known as Italy Romano. In appearance, Italy is a young man of slim build and average height, with short brown hair and large brown eyes. His most distinctive physical trait is a single curl on the left side of his head, which is noted to be an erogenous zone if touched. His typical outfit consists of a blue military-style uniform, though he was depicted in a tan uniform in his earliest appearances. As a child, he was often seen wearing dresses and a sailor-style outfit, which led other characters, including the personification of the Holy Roman Empire, to mistakenly believe he was a girl.
Italy's personality stands in stark contrast to the powerful empire from which he descends, as he is characterized as a cheerful, energetic, and openly affectionate young man who is also a self-proclaimed coward. He is highly emotional, quick to cry, and his first instinct when faced with danger is to flee or surrender, often symbolized by him waving a white flag. Despite this timidity, his demeanor is not one of malice but of an innocent, optimistic, and somewhat naive disposition. He has a deep love for life's simple pleasures, with his hobbies including cooking, taking afternoon siestas, painting, and singing. His love for food, particularly pasta, pizza, and gelato, is a central character trait, and he has a verbal tic of making a “Ve~” sound. An unusual quirk is his compulsion to remove all his clothes for his daily nap, often forgetting to dress afterward, which causes no small amount of distress to those around him.
The character's background is deeply intertwined with European history. As the cherished grandson of the mighty Ancient Rome, his past contrasts sharply with his present weakness. After his grandfather's empire crumbled, a young Italy was passed to the control of Austria, where he lived as a servant alongside a young Hungary. In the story's present, he is introduced as a largely ineffectual soldier whose military exploits are comically disastrous, leading to his capture by Germany. Despite his cowardice, it is revealed that Italy is not inherently weak. During his youth, at the height of his power, he was able to defeat the personification of Turkey single-handedly. Creator Hidekaz Himaruya has stated that Italy is strong, but his fearful nature prevents him from ever displaying that strength. This hidden potential adds a layer of complexity to his seemingly simple character.
His role in the main story is solidified when he becomes the reluctant prisoner and then close ally of Germany. Together with Japan, they form the core of the Axis Powers. His relationship with Germany is one of the most significant in the series. Italy is clingy, dependent, and often disobedient, frequently crawling into Germany’s bed at night, yet Germany comes to tolerate and protect him, creating a strict-but-caring dynamic between them. Italy's relationship with his older brother, Romano, is strained and competitive, though a measure of sibling affection remains beneath the surface. He also shares a warm, sibling-like bond with Hungary, who acted as a caretaker during his time in Austria’s house, and maintains a friendly connection with France, whom he calls "France-nii-chan".
Throughout the narrative, Italy shows hints of development. While his core personality remains relentlessly cheerful and cowardly, his genuine care for his friends, especially Germany, becomes more evident. His past, particularly his innocent childhood romance with the Holy Roman Empire, adds a layer of poignant tragedy, as there are hints that Germany may be that same person, though this remains a nuanced and unconfirmed connection. His notable abilities are largely artistic and culinary; he is considered a gourmet chef and a talented painter. Beyond these, his true strength as a nation personification gives him superhuman resilience and a form of immortality tied to the existence of his homeland, but his most reliable skill in the field remains his unparalleled talent for retreat.
Italy's personality stands in stark contrast to the powerful empire from which he descends, as he is characterized as a cheerful, energetic, and openly affectionate young man who is also a self-proclaimed coward. He is highly emotional, quick to cry, and his first instinct when faced with danger is to flee or surrender, often symbolized by him waving a white flag. Despite this timidity, his demeanor is not one of malice but of an innocent, optimistic, and somewhat naive disposition. He has a deep love for life's simple pleasures, with his hobbies including cooking, taking afternoon siestas, painting, and singing. His love for food, particularly pasta, pizza, and gelato, is a central character trait, and he has a verbal tic of making a “Ve~” sound. An unusual quirk is his compulsion to remove all his clothes for his daily nap, often forgetting to dress afterward, which causes no small amount of distress to those around him.
The character's background is deeply intertwined with European history. As the cherished grandson of the mighty Ancient Rome, his past contrasts sharply with his present weakness. After his grandfather's empire crumbled, a young Italy was passed to the control of Austria, where he lived as a servant alongside a young Hungary. In the story's present, he is introduced as a largely ineffectual soldier whose military exploits are comically disastrous, leading to his capture by Germany. Despite his cowardice, it is revealed that Italy is not inherently weak. During his youth, at the height of his power, he was able to defeat the personification of Turkey single-handedly. Creator Hidekaz Himaruya has stated that Italy is strong, but his fearful nature prevents him from ever displaying that strength. This hidden potential adds a layer of complexity to his seemingly simple character.
His role in the main story is solidified when he becomes the reluctant prisoner and then close ally of Germany. Together with Japan, they form the core of the Axis Powers. His relationship with Germany is one of the most significant in the series. Italy is clingy, dependent, and often disobedient, frequently crawling into Germany’s bed at night, yet Germany comes to tolerate and protect him, creating a strict-but-caring dynamic between them. Italy's relationship with his older brother, Romano, is strained and competitive, though a measure of sibling affection remains beneath the surface. He also shares a warm, sibling-like bond with Hungary, who acted as a caretaker during his time in Austria’s house, and maintains a friendly connection with France, whom he calls "France-nii-chan".
Throughout the narrative, Italy shows hints of development. While his core personality remains relentlessly cheerful and cowardly, his genuine care for his friends, especially Germany, becomes more evident. His past, particularly his innocent childhood romance with the Holy Roman Empire, adds a layer of poignant tragedy, as there are hints that Germany may be that same person, though this remains a nuanced and unconfirmed connection. His notable abilities are largely artistic and culinary; he is considered a gourmet chef and a talented painter. Beyond these, his true strength as a nation personification gives him superhuman resilience and a form of immortality tied to the existence of his homeland, but his most reliable skill in the field remains his unparalleled talent for retreat.