Hetalia: World Series, Season 04

This latest installment of Hetalia hijinks continues one of the most bizarre concepts in anime: a series of short films in which the young characters are based on countries involved in World War II. The initial concept focusing on the wartime allies plotting against each other has long since been displaced by absurd situations and the prominent inclusion of non-WWII characters that embody Prussia, the Seychelles, and the dubious microstate Sealand. This new round of episodes continues the non-sequitur humor and weird plotlines, with abrupt time-traveling episodes thrown into the mix (not to mention a lot of cats scampering about). Various stories feature Germany and Italy stranded on an island, America and Japan trying to build a friendship via whaling, France holding a convoluted monologue about the end of the world, and Sealand running about trying to become anyone's friend. None of this makes the slightest bit of sense, but this late in the series, fans will either appreciate the increasing level of unapologetic strangeness or will balk at the escalating oddball antics and incoherent storytelling. Anyone coming to Hetalia for the first time, however, will be utterly confused. Compiling episodes 25-52 from season four (presently the final season) in a dual-language set, rated TV-MA, extras audio commentaries, bonus episodes, interviews, and more. Recommended for those collecting the series, this is optional elsewhere. (P. Hall)