#aph howard

So... I started watching SpyxFamily...

ハワ英の映画鑑賞の話～クドクド眉毛を添えて～

Halloween Event: The Scaredy Cat

-Event End-

I always thought this specific scene was pretty interesting. A lot of the 2013/2014 Halloween event is heavy on the "look at all the little differences between nations and humans" aspect but these panels in particular are especially sweet.

Firstly, this confirms that England has a secretary, and unlike Japan, who's presumably entrusted Osaka with that position, he's a human. Being a nation's personal right hand man is an actual career, which is pretty neat! Not only that, but this Howard guy's grandson is England's /current/ secretary, meaning that, in certain situations, it might be an inherited position. Regardless of how they got there, the concept of a nation having this kind of bond with a human (who isn't their ruler or anything) is a really interesting thing to put in the series and has a lot of potential.

And about Howard himself: good GOD so much could be done with him! I get the sense that he's supposed to be England's parallel to Davie in a way, but it feels like their story was much more intimate. England took Howard in even though he had some sort of disability (with his "bad leg"), and this action likely saved him from later hardship since he notes that he "did so much for him." Their relationship wasn't just that of a boss and secretary, it was a mutual friendship in which they both deeply cared for each other and were willing to help the other in his time of need. In addition, Howard was so eternally grateful that he dedicated his life to him, to the point where he was "too obedient."

When he passed, there's no doubt in my mind that England was devastated; he chose Howard himself rather than him being appointed as his secretary. If the tears, blushes, and smiles aren't proof enough of this, Howard mentions that he received a letter that England sent. I don't believe it's ever mentioned that he can speak to spirits (at least not all the time), and it's obvious that they haven't seen each other for a long while, so that begs the question: did England send that letter as a coping mechanism? As a way of saying goodbye? Writing letters to people who have passed isn't an uncommon thing to do.

You know I do not often think about Nation/Human ships, but when I get back to it then boy xD England/Howard is my absolute favourite when it comes to these ships, cause it is very easy to work with it! Howard is completely thought out too, he wasnt real (though spies with that name could have probably existed), and you are free to do what you like with this ship! NOT TO MENTION So, there is also one theorie I have, and that theorie is supported by canon. So, animals who spend a lot of time with nations can get immortality from them, the immortality of the nations rubs off on them. That much is known. Everyone knows that. But I also do remember that one time one of the readers asked Himaruya if that would be possible with humans too. And it seems it is. However, there is a very good reason why we do not see any immortal humans in the show. Appareantly, humans are not made for immortality. They would stop growing old, yes. But their brains would not be able to deal with it. With enough time, they would loose their sense of time. And in the end, they would go insane.

How is that important to Howard, now? Well. He grew old, we know that. He spend a lot of time with England, and he grew old. He and England where very obviously close friends, England has his Grandson as his secretary, and still remembered him quite a few years after his death. Even Howard himself was surprised when he appeared as a Ghost on Halloween once. And now here is the kicker. He grew old. Yet, when he appeared as a ghost to England... He was still young looking. Looking the same age as when he first met England. I am saying that Howard spend so much time with England that he stopped to age, and in the end... suffered the consequences. England was his close friend. They spend so much time together that the nations immortality rubbed off on the other, and that did not even seem to be the case with any of the nations leaders themselves. Meaning, that when Howard started to go insane, England probably needed to force himself to leave him alone, so that he could maybe, hopefully, in the end die in peace. He probably still felt so guilty afterwards that he would care personally for his friends Grandson, maybe out of friendship, maybe out of a feeling of guilt and obligation. 

I am just saying this ship has SO GOOD angst potential. Friendship potential. Friends to Lovers so sad end, yet they can still been again cause ghosts or Howard could visit him the same way Rome can visit Italy and Romano. This ship has so much potential and does not get enough attention at all, it is such a great dynamic either way. 

And all possible nation/human ships have THE SAME POTENTIAL!

🕶️

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※Posted with the artist’s permission