Preface
Hello there, welcome to this new literature adventure of mine. For those who haven't followed me up or are just catching up on me, my penname is Da Mangaka.
Before I begin with anything related to this word, I would like to thank you for giving me some of your time to read the story you're currently doing so. If you are anxious enough to begin and skip this long text containing some more details, thanks and disclaimers, go right ahead. For those who are patient to go through my first words, once again, thank you.
This work on itself has so many people to whom I am in debt, in one way or another, and perhaps it'll take most of this, so I'll leave it to the end.
Upon opening this possible e-book, link or file, you might have noticed the catchy title I have given to this rather lengthy work, and wondered what could I mean with such thing. After all, the Hetalia canon has been written and re-written so many times; it seems there is either no end or no need to just create another universe or interpretation of a work which actually is about interpreting history in a comical and satirical way. The sole interpretation from the original author and the fandom that followed has caused laughs, enjoyment and even some controversy. Some argue that the work is not to be taken seriously and just enjoyed for the quirks and stereotypes well known from each nation for a given time. Others are repulsive on such light take on history- particularly of that which took place between 1939 to 1945, the Second World War – calling foul the ways to sugar coat and ignore what bloodshed and dark times such where in reality. Some simply enjoy it for the shippings; ever ignoring that, while being a parody, the series revolves on real life nations whose story should at least be noticed before throwing on bindings which historically couldn't ever be, creating some others based focused on just a general scheme without ever digging further into the soul and heart that makes out a nation. Perhaps this is why so many "Hetalia haters" – my, what a redundancy will this be - hate the series: some see the fandom as just frivolous squeezing girls who just swoon over those who claim to be a country, without ever investigating or having the time to understand what it is really, ignoring whatever they don't like and just pushing and focusing on that which might well not even exist.
I must admit I form part of the people who cringe when I notice pairings and drama caused among these characters, with the sole cause of that: pure drama or plot. A superficial view on the stereotypes given by the series itself and some renowned ones, with an added of angst - to make the romance/plot better – and finally a happy ending pulled with a Deux-ex-machina.
One must also not forget the thousands of fan characters: because the series is so broad in telling us that almost anything can be a character (state, city . . . do not get me started on Micronations), some go into "creating" characters without even analyzing that, more than creating a character, a Hetalia character needs a thorough investigation of the city/state/country one is interpreting to make the 'image'. Therefore, they should be the easiest characters to make since it only takes a history book or Wikipedia to check on backgrounds, relationships and even current of thought.
Then again, that is not precisely the correct way, as Wikipedia nor any book or dictionary can describe what a Nation is. What the people in there are or think, feel and live. You must research far more than the national stats and even history itself. Remember, the winners write most of the time the story published on the books. Ever wondered about the losing side? What did they feel? The consequences of their acts?
Speaking of consequences, this novel is precisely about that.
The title itself - "Sins of Our Brothers" - denotes on itself actions wrongly committed, in an unforgivable way, a way which only a Higher order or law could relinquish or forgive. It's reflective and seeking for answers. It shows the human nature: we can all fail and make mistakes.
This is my take on Hetalia: Nationfolk, mysterious beings of varied and even more obscure origins which excel on anything humans could possibly achieve: they are stronger, faster, have better stamina, resistance, intelligence and a lengthy lifespan which blesses them with a youthful look and vitality. And yet, while these beings can be close to some sort of divine creature, they are still essentially humans. Humans empowered with the hearts and souls of the people who declare themselves proudly to be part of them. Their essences concentrated into one being whose purpose is to act as a medium to their will, though lately to the will of their so called 'bosses'. In all that, empowered humans who can still commit mistakes. They have hearts that feel and minds which can play any sort of tricks with them make them differ in thoughts with one another. They are the Nation and yet they are still their own selves. It's a mysterious bond indeed.
The Project Hetalia series, with its /Sidestories/ and smaller projects I might create, bring the idea of the Nationfolk to be not just the Nation personified, but somebody who is like you and I with a rather enormous responsibility on its shoulders. Blessing or curse, it's up to them to decide.
It does have another reason to be, the "Project Hetalia" name of the canon, but that will be revealed in due time.
For the creation of this work, as well the canon, I have taken at least 1 year to work and sketch out how everything connects, keeping a balance between the quirky and fun side of the 'main' Hetalia canon, with a more historical and perhaps darker side of history. If it happened, it will be shown as such, there will be no sugarcoating. A late warning for readers as well: this work is lengthy and as professional as I can try to make it out, which means no author notes at the beginning and no footers, unless necessary.
For 'Sins', I've taken the time to learn a bit of the languages that will pop-out on this book: at the beginning, you might see some bits of the olden language Prūsiskan, learn about the varieties of German, and finally some Russian.
By now, you might have gotten excited at the spoilers I've given you with the language. Yes, it involves Germany, Prussia and Russia. But I have added an extra character to this mix which is the one who will tell this tale. Mind you, he's not precisely the main character – perhaps he would not even let himself – but you will see through his eyes his life among these 3 great nations, read his thoughts and perhaps know a part of history that usually isn't told on the books.
There are, of course, creative liberties on the story – this is called fanfiction for a reason – but I'll try to stick to veridical sources as possible. If you would like to help me on this, I would add you to the thank you list just below.
And speaking of thanks, which I left for last for it is lengthy, I have so many in mind.
To begin with, I would like to thank my Editor, Aether, for the whole PH canon, whom I cling on as English is not my first language and I have some quirks. Please forgive my Spanglish that I throw you at times.
Thanks goes to Kahlan, who has roleplayed with me with a magnificent America and is making a /Sidestory/ of her own with him. I expect a great work from her side. Also, I'm clinging on her due her knowledge of German, which I have gotten quite a difficulty to learn, let alone pronounce.
On the topic of roleplaying: Project Hetalia would have never sprung out to life where not for this rather quirky forum I used to be, where events and plots went from interesting to chaotic. The whole chaos and my desire to make a linear plot that anybody could follow was the main reason why I began to draft this story in the first place. I remember certain members having difficulty with keeping up with the series of events that occurred – even if their character was the main plot or reason – which lead me to write them down in a notepad. Eventually, the forum collapsed and I moved on, but polished the pads into the writing and canon it is today. So it is a big deal of thanks for them.
A BIG thanks to – if they ever read this ever – MUSE for writing what I have assembled as the Fan Sountrack of this series. It's an easter egg for you readers to find out which songs they are.
Over all, thanks for reading this work.
-Da Mangaka
December 3 2011
DISCLAIMER
The Hetalia series belongs to Himaruya-san to which I also thank deeply for creating the series.
While based on Historical events, this is still a work of fiction and the author is not gaining any profit whatsoever. This is merely a hobby work and one that I enjoy really. It is free to share and to translate, so long as the author is given credit (As well as those behind it). If you translate this to Prūsiskan, I'll love you forever (so as will many people trying to revive the language).
Anything referred on this work (Songs, Poems, Writings, etc) belong also to their original authors and the authoress is not claiming them for herself. Again, I begin writing this text with 10dlls in my pocket and I'll probably have none by the time I end it. In other words, I'll be Forever Poor and jobless.
This is part of the Project Hetalia canon, and should not be compared with the Main Canon.
You're welcome to use this canon as your 'new' canon, add or take so long as you refer the original work.
