Russia and Spain were the reason why I got into Hetalia, actually, though that doesn't mean Itsuki watches it too. I sadly dropped the series when the sixth season started, because they keep focusing too much on fanservice and the Roman Empire instead of introducing new countries.
I guess my most Hetalia-ish year was 2011, when the idea for Someday was growing in my mind. I think Itsuki's favorite character would be Lithuania.