Next month, Hetalia, the anime and manga franchise featuring anthropomorphized nations and a hefty amount of homoerotic subtext, is getting its very own live-action musical adaptation, and the play’s producers have just released the first photos of the cast in costume as their respective nations.
In Hetalia’s early days as a webcomic, creator Hidekaz Himaruya kept the primary focus on the Axis trio of Italy, Japan, and Germany, who are depicted as broad caricatures of the stereotypical image of the three countries’ fun-loving, reserved, and disciplined societies. As the series has continued, dozens of countries/characters have made appearances, including micronations such as Sealand and defunct powers like the Holy Roman Empire.
However, for the upcoming play, titled Hetalia Musical: Singin’ in the World, the producers have narrowed it down to nine nations taking center stage, starting, of course, with Italy, played by Ryoki Nagae.
The other characters confirmed as making the cut are Germany (Yoichiro Omi)…
…Japan (Keisuke Ueda)…
…America (Ryuko Isogai)…
…England (Daisuke Hirose)…
…France (Juri)…
…Russia (Yuki Yamaoki)…
…China (Taishi Sugie)…
…and, finally, Austria (Takuya Kikuchi).
Singin’ in the World has a bit tougher mountain to climb in bringing its source material into the real world than two other recent anime-to-live-action projects, the Rurouni Kenshin Takarazuka musical and Prison School TV drama. Both of those productions feature entirely Japanese character lists and also less stylized costumes than Hetalia. Looking through the photos here, though, we don’t think fans of the series will have any trouble telling who’s supposed to be who when the curtain rises on the Hetalia musical.
Speaking of which, Singin’ in the World opens on December 24 at the Zepp Blue Theater in Tokyo and runs until December 29. Evening performances will be held every day, and also matinees on the 24th, 26th, 27th, and 29th. Tickets are priced at 7,900 yen (US$66), and can be reserved here starting November 8.
Related: Hetalia Musical: Singin’ in the World official website
Source: Anime News Network
Images: Hetalia Musical: Singin’ in the World official website (edited by RocketNews24)
Live-action Attack on Titan musical reveals in-costume photos of full cast【Photos】
Live-action Spy x Family stage play releases first in-costume cast photos【Photos】
First live-action Spy x Family stage play video previews more in-costume cast members【Video】
Cast of live-action Gintama anime adaptation appears in costume for first time 【Photos】
Classic anime Fushigi Yugi’s musical adaptation cast shown in costume for first time 【Photos】
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
New KitKat pizzas are coming to Pizza Hut Japan
Fewer ramen restaurants declare bankruptcy in Japan for first time in several years
We travel to Fuji to see how they make Japanese toilet paper
Does this video about an abandoned dog leave you wiping your eyes or shaking your fist?
It’s naked time: An American’s first onsen experience 【Video】
We try an unusual buffet of dishes made from wild game at a roadside stop in Chiba
We followed Tokyo’s mystery walking map and ended up creating our own bar-hopping adventure
We try Brozer’s ridiculous Tomato Spaghetti Burger because we love carbs and can’t help ourselves
Starbucks Japan releases new popcorn Frappuccino at one special location
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Princess Mononoke magnets return just in time to treat yourself to awesome anime decorations
Umamusume anime girl plushie recalled for having parts she absolutely should not have【Pics】
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Japanese women showing rebounding interest in giving Valentine’s Day chocolate【Survey】
We ate sushi made from Japan’s most expensive tuna ever【Taste test】
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Human washing machine pods coming to Japanese hotels【Photos】
Cast of new Bleach rock musical appear as their anime-inspired characters for the first time
Believe it! Naruto live-action stage play returns, shows off huge new cast and costumes【Photos】
Prison School’s live-action cast appears in costume, looks the part of its anime inspiration
Supporting cast of live-action Fullmetal Alchemist movie appears in costume for first time【Video】
A live-action Attack on Titan musical is on the way【Video】
Live-action Spy x Family stage reveals its four Anyas!【Photos】
Rurouni Kenshin comes to picture-perfect life as photos of stage musical’s cast are released
Cast of this summer’s live-action Naruto stage play looks more awesome than ever in new photos
Live-action Hunter x Hunter stage play is first in almost 20 years, reveals in-costume cast【Vid】
Trials of Mana gets live-action adaptation as stage play, full cast of heroes to appear
Netflix shows off live-action Cowboy Bebop cast in costume, Japanese Internet less than impressed
Fans Compare Apparent Leaked Live-Action Bleach Photos to Cosplay
Fairy Tail hero’s abs are as hot as his flames in first cast photo of anime’s upcoming stage play
Hit ’90s shojo anime classic Marmalade Boy live-action movie trailer, release date revealed
Live-action Evangelion play ditches Shinji, Rei, and entire anime cast for new story, characters
Leave a Reply