Sweden

Overview

Sweden is a character representing the Kingdom of Sweden in Hidekaz Himaruya's manga and anime franchise Hetalia. Recognized as one of the Nordic group members, he is depicted as the tallest individual in the series. Formerly a powerful Viking warrior known historically as the Lion of Northern Europe, he has transitioned into a neutral, welfare-focused modern state. In secondary character notes, he is assigned the human name Berwald Oxenstierna.

Appearance

Sweden is a tall man with an eight-head-tall proportion, featuring bright blonde hair parted to the left and small blue eyes. He wears distinctively angular glasses, without which he appears to glare constantly. He is depicted wearing navy naval uniforms, long coats, windbreakers, hats, gloves, and boots.

Personality

Extremely quiet and lacking in facial expressions, Sweden barely opens his mouth when speaking due to his cold homeland, expressing himself with a distinct Tohoku regional accent. Though his stoic demeanour often intimidates others, he is actually honest, serious, and kind-hearted. He has a shy and playful side, occasionally performing dry jokes with a completely straight face, and enjoys domestic hobbies like making furniture, interior decorating, woodworking, glasscrafts, and music.

Abilities

Sweden possesses historical martial strength, having once dominated a vast domain around the Baltic region. He exhibits high manual dexterity, capable of precision woodworking, custom furniture making, interior design, and sewing. He also keeps canned fermented herring, known for its intense odor when opened.

Background

Once feared as a dominant Baltic power, Sweden eventually relinquished his armed pursuits over time in favor of neutrality and public welfare. In his past, he resided under Denmark's household until he decided to flee alongside Finland. Later, he gained guardianship over Sealand by acquiring him at an auction, and took in Ladonia as well, establishing a quiet, paternal domestic life.

Relationships

He shares a remarkably close bond with Finland (Tino Väinämoinen), whom he fled Denmark's home with and familiarly refers to as his wife. He acts as a father figure to Sealand (Peter Kirkland) after buying him at an auction, as well as to Ladonia, maintaining a firm but caring upbringing. He maintains longstanding, complicated connections with Denmark, Norway, and Iceland within the Nordic group.

Trivia

The name Berwald Oxenstierna is believed to be derived from Axel Oxenstierna, the prominent 17th-century Swedish statesman. The author noted that Sweden's basic facial model shares its underlying design template with Germany, though drawn to convey a sturdier impression.