APP/HMD
Character Name: Yao Wang [People's Republic of China]
Character Series: Axis Powers Hetalia
Character Age: 4000 years old immortal but looks about 26ish
Background: APH Wiki | History of China | History of the People's Republic of China (1949-1976)
Canon point: 1958
Personality: A credit to his long lifespan and complex history, China is a multi-faceted individual. At first glance, one might think he's just a cheerful and happy guy who harbors an insatiable love of cute things and considers food his first priority. While this is both a sincere and dominant part of his nature, it's by no means the only part.
For one thing, China hasn't forgotten when he was considered the center of civilization. For another, he hasn't quite shucked the ego that came along with that recognition, and it's this pride that leads him to believe he knows what's best in all things- making him incredibly nosy about other people's business as well as bossy and a stickler for perfection. This "manager" part of his personality is inevitably brought to light in his interactions with the other Asian nations; however, what he sees as a simple imparting of wisdom and benevolent instruction to the younger countries he's more or less raised, they see it as him being overbearing and unreasonable. Predictably, this drives most of them to distance themselves from China and not treat him as the big brother he so desperately wants to be viewed as. China never seems to understand the consequences of his high-minded smothering and tries to cling to his "siblings" even in the face of open hostility (such as with Taiwan).
Sometimes, China's goofy persona is just a role he plays to put a happy face on things. His history is one pockmarked with tragic and painful events, and he hasn't forgotten any of them. (Japan betraying him, England taking away Hong Kong, and let's not even start on Russia.) Deep beneath his carefree attitude is a lingering anger and resentment at everyone who took advantage of him, and while he's normally very good at shoving it to the back of his mind and keeping it under control, sometimes his true feelings leak through. In the case of Japan, the bitterness is mixed with grief; he still sorrowfully thinks of how war has "changed" the island nation he used to (and still does) consider his brother and wishes that there didn't have to be a rift between the two of them, that they didn't have to fight on opposite sides ever after.
But it's not just Japan that invokes this wistful sadness. China is an old, old nation cursed with a long memory, and much like England, he longs for the golden days of his past. Moreover, China wishes for the era when he and the other Asian nations were basically closed off to the outside world and left to enjoy their lives without interference or influence of foreign powers. His long lifespan has afforded him a perspective that allows him to see just how much everything he's known has changed with time, and this sometimes leads him to slip into moments of melancholy. It's not helped by the fact that he's more or less set in his ways and can be as hardheaded as a rock, much like any old man one might encounter.
Another aspect of China's age is that, while he's irritated easily (especially around nonsensical braggarts like Korea) he has a paradoxically-infinite patience in that he has what one might call an "old man's sense of time"- meaning that he knows that Rome wasn't built in a day no pun intended and that there's no harm in waiting, whether it's for a debt to be repaid or for a better opportunity to roll around. He's extremely pragmatic, alternating between being direct and straightforward to delaying and prevaricating as the situation warrants. Yet one should never assume that China has lost his edge just because he can't touch his toes of his age; he's more than willing to fight back if provoked or defend what he considers his. He's utterly unafraid of pushing limits if it means reaching his goals, and sometimes goes too far. When this happens, his behavior can become very extreme, making him aggressive, controlling, demanding and cruel. (Enough to be on par with Russia.) He's not above threats, intimidation or coercion, and is overall a very bad enemy to have after you.
Aside from that, China is also deeply religious and superstitious, although he's been trying to hide it lately in order to appease his current boss, Mao Zedong. In fact, much of China's traditional ideals and values have lately been made to undergo changes. But despite this, China still secretly believes in the old ways and takes comfort in custom where he can.
Abilities: He's a nation! Also immortal. And he's an excellent cook, as well as incredibly artistic; he can even draw on a single strand of human hair. (However, he sucks at drawing anime compared to Korea or Japan.) Plus, it's likely that he's an expert at all sorts of martial arts.
Sample Entry:
.....America, you could have simply sent invitation if you wished for me to visit your house. No need for kidnapping. Very bad manners, aru! I am very busy nation and cannot be wasting time with just anybody. You should know how angry my boss will be at me, aru!
And who is this escort you have saddled me with? She is too persistent, and it is becoming-
-Aiyaaaah! I already told you once before that I do not want the roast duck for the evening meal. Are you crazy, aru? It probably has the plague!
[ooc: the Avian flu began in China during 1957, sob]
And thanks to the 4th Wall event, some interaction threads! Here and here and here.
HMD
To me, RPing a Hetalia character successfully means striking a fine balance between silly and seriousness. Sometimes I won't be so good at doing that, so please feel free to contact me if I'm coming across as especially insensitive; while I'll be making light of historical incidents for the sake of comedy, I'll still do my best to treat those topics with due care when appropriate.
I've been doing constant research into this nation's history and global relations, but my main sources tend to be either Wikipedia or books I've checked out from the library. I'm not Chinese and may never know as much as a native speaker. So if you've noticed that I've slipped up on something, don't hesitate to tell me!
Anon commenting is on, IP logging is off, comments are unscreened but will be screened on request. My AIM is RahuRoux and my EMAIL is likealegend@yahoo.com. PMs to this journal are also fine.
Resource page coming soon!