[ It’s Been A While, Everyone!! I’m Only Partially Dead, But Here! I’m Slowly Getting Dragged Back

In an earlier post, I talked about the lesser known sides of Spain. This post will focus on the more obvious, yet ironically ignored, positive aspects of his character. Spain has never been a plain character. The problem is that his personality is often watered down, either as a result of the anime or people choosing to selectively represent certain aspects of his personality.

That said, let’s go over some examples.

He’s not a cheerful ditz all the time: 

Ex: He didn’t take chibi Romano’s constant complaining without any resistance. On several occasions, Spain’s shown to be calling him an idiot.

Ex: He’s an emotional or “violent” drunk. It depends on which translation you have, but it pretty much conveys the same thing.

My translation is a bit different from the one above:

“As long as you keep him away from booze, and don’t get on his bad side, you should be fine.”

Ex: Prior to the strip, teenage Romano had a huge obsession with fantasizing about/ role-playing the medieval chivalric romance novels that he read. In comes Prussia, recklessly spouting out keywords that seem to trigger Romano’s obsession again, much to the latter’s dismay. Mother hen Spain quickly swoops in to give a deadly warning.

Ex: He melancholically looks back on his and France’s rough childhoods.

Ex: When the topic of discussions falls to what each nation is known for, Spain laments over being known for cows and tomatoes.

He’s more than capable of reading the atmosphere: 

Ex: His reaction to America after the Stock Market crashes in 1939.

Ex: He’s heartbroken when Veneziano chooses Austria over him during the Austrian War of Succession. The scene alludes to the fact that Spain was deeply saddened in the years following his divorce from Austria. Likewise, the way Spain revs up his cheery attitude in light of being rejected seems to be more of a defense mechanism, a guarded mask of emotions, than it is of his true personality.

I say this because Romano finds Spain weeping in the next panel.

Ex: He solemnly hints to Chibitalia of what’s to become of him right before he and his brother are both conquered.

His optimism is not out of sheer stupidity: 

It’s more like it’s a desperate sort of optimism. The way that Spain convinces himself to push forward with a smile is eventually internalized until he himself doesn’t even realize that what he’s doing is unrealistic and naive. As mentioned above, it’s also a coping mechanism.

Nonetheless, there are moments where he shows a deep awareness of his economic/ political situation.

Ex:There’s a clear recognition that he’s lost his international standing due to poverty.

Ex: Once again, his [desperate] optimism shines through in how he copes with his weakened economy. He sings songs, and acts happy…

…but he’s more than aware of how deep and serious his money problems are. He’s literally clinging to Germany, albeit for exaggerated humorous effect.

He may have a laid-back personality…

…but once he gets worked up about something, his passion replaces his typical lazing around.

Ex: He fought to have olive oil continually be marketed as a staple product of the EU.

Again, with Spain, it seems that the happiness he forces onto himself allows him to get too carried away in what he does (e.g., over-manufacturing and then causing a property bubble).

That’s why he comes off as naïve and a bit air-headed. You could even argue that it’s a slight dissociation from reality to help minimize any anxiety that he feels.

His constant smiling is also a play on the fact that the sun never set in the Spanish Empire.

He’s selfless:

Ex: Despite all the complaining and constant belittling that he had to endure with Romano, Spain still saves him from Turkey.

Ex: Spain spent all his money on improving Romano’s wardrobe. [Please note that Romano was too young to realize this]. Meanwhile, his own clothes were in tatters.

Ex: When Romano immigrates to America, Spain is the first person he calls. Their relationship is noted to be much deeper than the one Romano shares with Veneziano.

Immediately, Spain’s mother hen mode gets switched on as he asks Romano how he’s been and if he’s been eating well.

He also lets Romano know how proud he is of him working and taking responsibility for himself for once.

That said, it wouldn’t make sense for a character predicated on a stereotype of passion to be flat and static. He’s anything but.

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[ I’m still alive. I’ve had a lot of work to do recently since finals are coming up. I hope to have this blog somewhat finished by next week. ]

Carmen raised an eyebrow. Of course Daan would say something like that. She had gotten used to at least 90% of the Dutch children spouting insults at her. Actually, she was used to most of her former colonies hating her.

She pursed her lips a bit and pushed her sunglasses on top of her head. “If you’re going to insult me, be more creative about it. I’ve heard hostel/brother jokes as many times as you and your siblings have insulted me.” She wasn’t about to let them get to her. Not today.

“Besides, only good children get treats. And most of these are saved for your Papa.”

Daan stared at the Spanish lady with wide eyes and a jaw that would not stop dropped, until he finally was able to say something. “Isn’t that where whores stay?” That earned him a punch in his shoulder from his twin.

“You dumbass, that’s a brothel, not a hostel! Haha, are you gonna annoy the shit out of Pap?”

@resolduende​

Send 💬 and my muse will say what they really think about yours.

No holding back!

Could you please reblog this if it is okay to ask you straight up if you want to ship?

//If we can see it happen somehow, absolutely.

at the mere mention of him possibly joining her, the tiny lady’s face brightened into a smile. there was hope for them being friends, even if it did come by way of sweets. either way, she was just excited to finally be talking to someone again other than her bosses.

oh yeah. she had forgotten that she was nearly hunted down for the sweets at her former charge’s house. ❝ just don’t be too hard on them. i can always make more for them... if they pay me,❞ she replied with a tiny smirk. ❝ turn your hobbies into a way to make money! ❞

she lifted up the blanket from the basket a little to show him, having to physically lift the entire basket for him to see. curse her creator for making her so short & those Dutch genes for making him tall. ❝ i looked up a bunch of recipes from around the world, so that we can taste new things! & yes i did make some Dutch & Spanish sweets so that we wouldn’t be left out. ❞ she gave him a wink before laughing to herself.

she clearly missed her times with him when he wasn’t being a dick.

resolduende

odd. for not seeing each other outside of meetings and other nation get-togethers, he seemed rather contained. carmen had no clue what to think about this situation, but it was not like she would complain.

❝ no. though a few of them did look like they were about to tackle me for them. ❞ the spaniard held up the blanket-covered basket & gave the taller man a sweet smile. ❝ it’s a wonderful day out today. & it looks like you could use a break from those sugar-saavy niños y niñas. care to join me? we could catch up on what’s been going on. ❞

It’s the prospect of sweets, Carmen. This boy has an awful sweet tooth, inherited by every single one of his kids. “Argh… I will tell them off for it.“ He sighed, but then took a look outside. She was right, it was finally starting to become nice and warm weather after the cold and gloomy winter days. He had been so engrossed in his work that he didn’t even notice.

“It really is a nice day out, isn’t it? Hm… I suppose I could take you up on that offer. What’s in the basket?” He was in desperate need of a break from both his work as well as the children.

@portugals-blog

[ *slams hands on table* I think after all this time, I should come back. And I am! Inbox is open! ]