Arthur Kirkland / United Kingdom


I feel like an ass for getting all your hopes up, so I decided to get back to this. You may all beat me senseless when I'm done for taking almost an entire YEAR to fulfill this. Yes, I am a royal pain in the ass. Also, warning guys, my spelling checker is going off and on so I will, like always, have misspellings.


DISCLAIMER: While the country named is used and some historical aspects brought up in the length of this dissection, it by no means falls back upon the REAL UK. This is Hetalia and this dissection is only applicable to the character found in said anime. THANK YOU!


Name: Arthur Kirkland

Nation: United Kingdom or England

Gender: Male

Birthday: UNKNOWN (wait . . . wut?)

Hair colour: Blonde

Eye colour: Green

Height: 175 cm (as tall as my mom!)

England is a fanciful, blunt, obstinate former pirate who used to torment Spain. In modern times he claims to be a gentleman; however he is cynical, sharp-tongued, prone to rough speech and yearns for the golden years. He often uses British vocabulary, such as 'bloody' and 'git'. He is noted for being horrible at cooking which has caused America, his former charge, to have "bad" taste in food. England is also, apparently, the "king of losing things", and France has described him as "somehow extremely useless when it comes to matters not pertaining to himself or America". He can be described as "spacey" because of his strong belief in magic, spirits, fairies, and various other fantasy-related creatures. He has the ability to communicate with supernatural beings, and is not limited to creatures from his homeland, being able to interact with various youkai and spirits from Japanese folklore. He also happens to have fantasy friends, such as a flying bunny, unicorns, fairies, gnomes, and Captain Hook. Despite this, England often ridicules America's belief in aliens and Tony. According to the author's notes, England's interests include: embroidery, craftsmanship, literature, rock music, and giving scathing criticisms to America's movies.

He does not know how to express himself, leading to others often misunderstanding him. He is also depicted as being self-deprecating or tsundere. Despite his cynical, realistic view on the world, he is said to be a romanticist. When drunk, his personality will change from that of a gentleman to a bitter and violent delinquent. Also, every year when the Fourth of July comes around, his condition collapses.

According to a blog post, the island nation and former pirate may not be able to swim. This would be a reference to English people in movies, and possibly to that, historically, many pirates could not swim.

It has been mentioned that England has brothers, one representing Scotland, and the others presumably Wales and Northern Ireland, who hate him and used to drive him away with stones and arrows when he was a child, and even went as far as to mail him curses.


Why is it so much just simply falls into my lap? Alright. Anyway, as we see, England is a total prude. He has no people skills, he can't hold his liquor (how in the world were you a pirate!) and can't cook to the point fans place censor bars over whatever he concocts. Still, he is incredibly cute in an apron, no*?

Anyway, we don't have much to go on with England's brothers and family life due to Wales, Scotland, and Ireland (both North and mainland) are not permanent characters. Actually, we haven't even seen prototypes of them either as far as I know. However, looking at what we have seen of England's family (other than episode 39 where we see his bad history with his brothers).

Now, first, lemme get back on track with the Character songs! I know that, like Prussia's, there were character songs missing. I apologize, because at the time I made it, Prussia's Mein Gott had yet to be aired. I may go back one of these days and add it in; I think the song helps my argument all the more, personally speaking. Now, back to ARTHUR'S character songs!


The seven seas are like my back yard
Romance and plundering

I manage holiday houses in India and Hong-Kong

(Fuu~)
Tea is delicious!

I'll keep going in a gentleman-like fashion!
Being smart is important!
I'll show you my composure
From the cradle to the grave!

There are things I believe in!
Fairies, curses, ghosts, magic
My sarcasm is in good taste
Laugh, Laugh, go forward!

By reading the seven stars
I can predict the tomorrow
Curry, Chinese cuisine, my holiday houses meals
Meat pie is delicious!

I shrink away from uncivilized behavior
Both manners and tradition,
Wit is good as well
No pain, no gain!
Orders are orders!

I believe, that's right!
In phenomena, Busby's chair, predictions
Ancient ghost-summoning
My ultimate weapon, come forth!

[A simple diet is a gentleman's prudence
If problems arise, use some spices your way!]
[Don't say it tastes bad! That Roast Beef too is an English Cuisine!]
[Afternoon tea is the best!
By the way, putting in condensed milk is military style! ...Isn't that right?]

All's well that ends well! That's right!
A winning army will not recognize defeat!
My sarcasm is in good taste
Laugh, Laugh, go forward!


Now, analyzing the bolded lyrics as always, the first words are "The Seven Seas are like my backyard, Romance and plundering." Obvious history is obvious folks, in this case, we have an undeniable glimpse into England's privateer past. He obviously holds strong sentimental ties to that time, even going to far as to add Romance in the same thought.

Now children, I probably don't have to tell you that England is among the countries to date. Especially if you live in, say America, where you will be successfully celebrating your 236th birthday. England, though his birthday has not been set will be around 522, at LEAST. And that is simply based off of a detailed map of Britain that was actually recreated in the year 1490, not made. So, as I said, England is pretty old, and that is only considering the Greek explorer Pytheas who had "Discovered" England and explored a great deal of it. Not at all counting the people who had first created a culture on that island nation perhaps hundreds of years prior. When you think of it, England would have met Greece's mother!

"I'll show you my composure," is such a perfect line to use. It gives that feeling of him having to prove something, doesn't it? Like, 'I'll show you!' sort of vibe. Now, I wonder, who in the world (heehee, pun) is he addressing? Is it one person alone, or is it a number of people? And why is he showing them his composure? Why must his indifferent, mature air be the subject he's getting at? I will answer these . . . later. Bear with me poppets, we'll get there soon enough!

Then, skipping forward, he "All's well that ends well! That's right!" we see this sort of . . . desperation? I'm not sure if that is how you all see it, but it seems jammed in there, like he's desperately trying to build moral, perhaps for himself. Oh man, you people may strangle me for making you wait so long, but just tie it down a moment. At this time I will add the last line, "Laugh Laugh, go forward," as one of those hold lines.

Before you can all beat me, let's race over to Pub and Go!


My name is England.
My official name is The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
It will come up in the test later!

Today it rains, yesterday it rained,
And I bet my hat tomorrow, it will rain yet again...

But umbrellas aren't for me, as you can see
I am British gentleman, gentleman, gentleman~

Pub- Pub- Pub and GO!
Fish and chips!
All those that I hate, a curse is sent your way
Ms. Fairy, Ms. Fairy!
Aha-ha-ha-haa~
Here I go again~!

I'm glad that I met you!
I mean, that is, I'm being sarcastic!

A face is floating from that wall over there!
Hard to Starboard! (Hard to Starboard!)
And then my sorcery is white, black (Whooo~!)
Tea is obviously better than coffee
Hot-hot-hot-hot-ho—...!
First of all, pour the milk ahead

You'll die if you sit there~
Busby's chair
Dragged straight down to hell
Busby, Busby
Gather, everyone – Unicorns, Pixies,
With the Panjandrum, let's go – to battle (to battle)

Hey you guys, here we go!
Here we go? Let's go!

Pub- Pub- Pub and GO!
Fish and chips!
If you drink you'll understand~!
You'll understand if you drink~!
Ms. Fairy, Ms. Fairy!
A-ha-ha-ha-haa~
So I shall proceed~!

Abracadabra~
I'm gonna curse you with all my might!
Abracadabra~
Long live, the Queen!

Pub- Pub- Pub and GO!
Fish and chips!
All those that I hate, a curse is sent your way!
Ms. Fairy, Ms. Fairy!
Aha-ha-ha-haa~
Here I go again~!

(Ab- Ra- Ca- Da- Bra~)
Idiot (x31)
America, you idiot~!

(Ab- Ra- Ca- Da- Bra~)


Can I be 100% honest here? I LOVE this song! Not only is it such a classic, upbeat tune with England's musical (sexy) voice, but the lyrics! You should all know that, though a good portion of the song, England's drunk. He is wasted. That means, he's saying things he normally WOULDN'T say!

"This is one of the disadvantages of wine: it makes a man mistake words for thought" (Samuel Johnson).

What I'm getting at here is that, these feelings are unhindered by his persona he sets up. He loses himself in alcohol in this pub and starts spewing out this, supposed, nonsense. The most widely distributed truth serum is alcohol in a measured quantity. Now, looking at the lyrics, we see some things of England you may have thought you'd never see.

Remember in the last song he was talking about keeping his composure? This entire song, as I said, take place in a pub. I do not know many people who keep their composure when drunk or drinking, so obviously, the Composure is used to HIDE something. And why do most people drink? Because life gets them down. They are attempting to "drown their sorrows". Maybe take a load off, relieve some stress. Does this remind you of any of the other character dissections? COUGHCOUGHAMERICACOUGH!

The first line bolded is talking about the weather. Casual enough, but it sounds a little like complaining. And did you blokes know, people up in colder parts of the world where the sun is gone for weeks and months at a time are more prone to depression and suicidal thoughts? I'm not saying England is suicidal, oh heavens no, but I would think all the stress from his life, added with dreary rainclouds day after day is getting to him. Doesn't it sound like it? Can you picture the scene? England sitting at the bar in this pub, drenched hat and coat on the seat beside him as rain pours outside. Not a very happy view, is it? But I think it sets the tone for where I'm going.

"All those that I hate, a curse is sent your way." Now, shall I pull out something from earlier. Remember when I was talking about England's brothers? His brothers constantly mailed curses to him. And you don't exactly curse people you like, now do you? Obviously, this must be a family thing, no? His brothers cursed him constantly, poor kid, so now he sort of takes it out on the others around him.

"I'm glad that I met you! That is, I'm being sarcastic!" HEEEY! Anyone else notice something here! Episode 39! What did he tell little America? "I'm glad that I met you too." Remember? Then he adds in his song that he's being sarcastic. Anyone else pick up the cover-up tones in that sentence? Even listening to the song, you hear this gently voice when he says the first sentence, then he quickly starts covering up, his speech becoming rushed and panicky. Obviously not totally intoxicated yet, but we're getting there, his true feelings peeping through. And remember who he said it to~? That'll play a very heavy role throughout the rest of this dissection.

Alright, the all out war between America and England: Tea vs. Coffee! He just can't let that go, can he? Is there possibly a reason why? How about the fact that this is America making his own decisions without England. Even combating Arthur's opinions in a war-like way. Now, why is England so vehement about this? Oh, you'll love the answer I've got for you, believe me~!

Now, our classic moment, "WHAAA! BAKABAKABAKA! AMERICA NO BAKA!" Why is America seeming to be the center of his attention? Why is it everything he says/does seems to be traced back to America? Oh man, you guys are all probably conjuring up your own things right now, but guys, I can promise you my final analysis will have absolutely NO USUK in it. This is looking at the character in a totally asexual light if you hadn't noticed, maybe with some pairing jokes here and there. I know I may also be a little biased with my saying I don't quite like USUK. To me, it ruins the relationship they DO have, and their relationship is really very endearing with a bitter aftertaste.


Now, I know I keep saying Episode 39, but episodes 39 and 40 are from The Battle for America scanlations**. Remember all the way back when I was talking about England's family? If we travel down a ways, we see an England talking with baby America when America asks if he can call England "Oniichan." Now, England suddenly stands frozen and we see his past sort of come rushing into his mind. There's a bird that was obviously sent by Scotland pecking at baby England's head, calling him a horrible little brother. Right below that, we see Spain, France, King Henry VIII and a messenger holding up a hex that says "From older brother". Look at England, and he's CRYING! He realizes that, absolutely no one cares!

Now, those of you who know Japanese know "Oniichan" is a term of endearment, even used to best friends who are like siblings. England starts crying, recall, and says "Just 'England' is fine. That's enough for me." He is so utterly touched by how sweet young America is, he falls into tears.

I'm gonna let it all out NOW. I don't think I need to dig up much more to state this finale with confidence. That scanlation should be enough for everything to fit, but I'll explain everything and add more to solidify this picture.

England has NEVER been loved or needed by anyone around him, even his own brothers! France would constantly tease him, his brothers scorned him, enemies were created everywhere, nothing he did ever made him a friend. England was, literally, alone and unloved. Even more so than Russia who still had his sisters by his side, though they are a dysfunctional family. England grew up, being driven away and isolated by his own family.

After all his years of such harsh treatment, became coarse and rather aggressive young man who had to harden his emotions, only knowing how it was to be hurt. Then, as years rolled by he arrived to America. Note, America was England's first colony, and England was actually one of the last to begin colonies in the New World. Back to Hetalia, he meets up with America and when he broke into tears. Why was he crying? Like before pounded into your skull, NO ONE LOVED HIM. Suddenly this child grows attached to him, almost immediately, being the first one ever to do so. This cracks straight through his shell he had spent centuries building around himself, bringing him to tears.

Because of this, he spoils America. We see this in the America's Cleaning out the Storage***scanlations. The Toy Soldiers form America's memories were HANDMADE! Each had his own face, own personality. Not only were they handmade, but by England himself, he could have easily just bought some at an English store, but he sat down and took the time to carve and paint every single one, as well as make the box. When he saw how happy it made America, he couldn't help but feel proud, even bragging a bit. And then the clothing when Alfred began growing up. You hear Alfred say "This looks expensive," meaning Arthur bought the best for his little brother. When you see him looking at America wearing the suit, he doesn't look smug, he looks overjoyed! Almost like "Ah! I knew that suit would be best!"

Finally, we get to the Revolutionary war and America's birthday. Why couldn't he pull the trigger? Why couldn't he make himself pull the trigger and force the colony to come back? He had Alfred right where he wanted him, why did he stop? If you look at the lines, they say "There's no point in firing, is there . . .?" There is no point to take Alfred back, even by force. He isn't needed anymore. He isn't wanted anymore. And even if he took Alfred back at gunpoint, he wouldn't be loved anymore.

During America's birthday, his condition is said to deteriorate. He tells America that he can't go to sleep for a week, he keeps remembering old things, he feels ill, has nightmares, can't eat, can't work. Pretty much, his life comes to a crashing halt once a year. To America, it's his birthday, to England, it's the day when he lost the only source of love he had. When Alfred makes a joke, it nearly makes Arthur's heart stop, the look on his face reading, "That's it?" like his entire world would shatter.

And going back to the lyrics as padding: "All's well that ends well." Remember the desperation in that line that I said? Add that with the line "Laugh, laugh, go forward!" is a man who has gone through everything, gained nothing. England was a privateer, a world power, a warrior, a big brother, and an outcast. After all these highs and lows, what did he come out to be in the end? Nothing really. He isn't rich, or a world power. He didn't have friends for a long, long time afterwards, and ultimately has never really moved on with his life from the Revolutionary War (Before anyone posts on this, look back to the disclaimer, NOW). He's telling himself in those lines to cut his losses and get going already, even though he probably knows he can't. Or not so much can't move on as much as he can't let go.

Also, holding his composure, is a line most likely said to himself as well. Telling himself he won't let the past break him. He remains composed, this might also mean that he doesn't let anyone else get close to him in that manner ever again. He because calloused, much more than he was before meeting America as a child. He is cynical and tart, more bitter than anything, and the entire purpose of that is shown when he gets drunk. He is not a happy drunk, ranting about how he regrets ever letting America get so close to him (specifically helping him in the French and Indian War) in episode 26.


Final Analysis: England only wanted someone to love him, and not in the USUK way. He wanted to be needed by someone, and the first was America. His entire personal life was surrounded by America, coming to visit whenever he could, even if he had to leave the next day. In a brotherly way, he loved America, because America loved him. Ever since the end of that relationship, he has never had one quite like it, probably never will, and it has scarred him deeply. All he ever wanted was to be wanted.


Well, that's the end of this, guys. I feel utterly traumatized now and I will honestly tell you, I started crying, literally, at least three times throughout this. I hope you guys enjoyed it, though this one was way depressing. I'm glad I successfully finished it. Peace out yo.


WORKS CITED:

*http : / / www. zerochan. net/ 137348

http: / / hetalia. shoutwiki. com/ wiki/ Absolutely_Invincible_British_Gentleman# Translated_Lyrics

http: / / hetalia. shoutwiki. com/ wiki/ Pub_and_GO!# Translated_Lyrics

**http: / / aph. starry-sky. com/ sntr. Html

***http: / / aph. starry-sky. com/ rrl. Html

(America's Birthday) http: / / aph. starry-sky. com/ indy. html