Southern Italy
Lovino Vargas, representing Southern Italy and commonly known as Romano, is a central character in Himaruya Hidekazu's series Hetalia Axis Powers. As the elder brother of Northern Italy (Feliciano Vargas) and the grandson of the Roman Empire, he personifies the southern region of the Italian peninsula. To distinguish him from his younger sibling, he is predominantly referred to by his regional nickname within the work.
Overview
Lovino Vargas, representing Southern Italy and commonly known as Romano, is a central character in Himaruya Hidekazu's series Hetalia Axis Powers. As the elder brother of Northern Italy (Feliciano Vargas) and the grandson of the Roman Empire, he personifies the southern region of the Italian peninsula. To distinguish him from his younger sibling, he is predominantly referred to by his regional nickname within the work.
Appearance
Visually similar to his younger brother Feliciano Vargas, he is slightly shorter in stature. His short brown hair—parted on his left—is darker than his brother's, reflecting Arab ancestry, and features a distinctive right-facing curl that triggers an involuntary vocal yelp when pulled. His eyes are green or hazel. His standard attire consists of a beige military coat paired with a black collared shirt, necktie, gloves, trousers, and black boots.
Personality
Romano exhibits a stark contrast in behavior based on who he interacts with: he is abrasive, vulgar, and hostile toward men, but exceptionally gentle and cheerful around women. Despite putting on a tough front, he is secretly timid and prone to crying hysterically when overwhelmed. He is notoriously lazy and struggles with domestic chores, often letting his room become cluttered, though he can demonstrate surprising capability when forced to act. Beneath his prickly nature lies a deep-seated inferiority complex regarding his brother's artistic and economic talents.
Abilities
Though lacking dexterity for fine manual labor and housecleaning, he inexplicably possesses top-tier pickpocketing skills. He is adept at cooking and agriculture, and can effectively serve as a tour guide or sell farm produce. Although his military power is low and he frequently flees from danger, he harbors immense latent combat capability, once single-handedly defeating armed mafia groups when Spain was sick and vulnerable.
Background
Inheriting the legacy of the Ancient Roman Empire, Romano spent a lengthy childhood under the rule and care of Spain (Antonio Fernandez Carriedo), which heavily shaped his cultural traditions, religious views, and habit of taking daily siestas. In his youth, he suffered from St. Vitus' dance but recovered through music. Centuries of coping with rampant mafia influence fostered a somewhat cynical outlook on life, continuing up through the 19th-century Italian unification that united him with his brother.
Relationships
He shares a complex connection with his younger brother Feliciano Vargas, frequently shouting insults at him out of lingering jealousy while staying bonded as siblings. He maintains a deep relationship with Antonio Fernandez Carriedo (Spain), who raised him and whose safety he fiercely protects when crises arise. He holds a strong aversion toward Ludwig (Germany) and Francis Bonnefoy (France); he regularly provokes Ludwig, yet hides behind him whenever threatened.
Trivia
The human name Lovino Vargas was created by the author in response to fan queries and is not used in the canonical dialogue of the main story. His favorite foods are tomatoes, pizza, and pasta, and he has a personal habit of sleeping entirely naked. In the spin-off W Academy setting, he belongs to the Go-Home Club.
