Hetalia Axis Powers began as a webcomic by Hidekaz Himaruya in 2006 and became an anime in 2009, personifying countries as characters. Feliciano Vargas represents North Italy and is defined by his cheerful personality and obsession with pasta, which became his most quoted trait among fans. Clips of his pasta shout circulated on soundboards and in anime edits during the early meme era, and the exaggerated delivery kept it alive as a shorthand for Italian food humor long after the series peaked in popularity.