Hellsing

Publisher
ADV
Director
Yasunori Urata
Production
Gonzo Digimation
Format
Series
Running time
13 episodes
Year
2001

Hellsing

By James Knight
9th May 04

Hellsing was recommended by a friend of mine and I'm glad he did. This series has to be one of the best out there.

Hellsing starts off by introducing all the major characters. Alucard (the toughest vampire that walks -- and possibly the king of all vampires), Intergral Hellsing (who runs the Hellsing Institute), and Celas Victoria: the only female officer group called D-11. I guess you could say they are the basic SWAT compared to the army Hellsing runs. We find out she is struggling to fit into her unit when we first meet her.

Her life changes immediately in the first episode, when her friend Jack is turned into a Ghoul (who are under the control of vampires, and are usually made when a vampire kills a human). Later she comes to find that her fellow SWAT officers called D-11 who have died also turned into ghouls.

Alucard is dispatched by Intergral to kill off the ghouls and the lead vampire in the area, which leads to Celas and Alucard's first meeting; Alucard saves her life.

Afraid of Alucard, Celas runs away from him because she sees he is not human. She runs into a church where the vampire Alucard was sent to kill is. During the church scene, Celas unknowingly falls into the hands of the vampire priest -- which leads to her making a choice that affects her for the rest of the series.

Alucard asks her if she wants to die or live basically and she chooses to live. Alucard blows the vampire away by shooting through Celas' chest and then while dying in his arms, Alucard makes her into his childe -- his vampire subordinate.

Through out the series we see Celas struggling through what she's become. The series doesn't focus on Celas but we do get to see hints of character development here and there with the choices she makes.

Basically each episode is what you'll hear Integral say at least once while watching: "Search and Destroy". Its the Hellsing Institute's job is to kill the vampires that are terrorizing humans and also stop the artificial vampires called FREAKS. The part of the FREAKS I admit I was confused about, but it didn't bother me much. They were still just vampires that needed to be killed in the end.

This series does shine in many ways. There's this weird mystery surrounding Alucards' devotion to his master Integral, which is never fully explained. Its assumed that Alucard has been the family protector since the Hellsing Institute was founded. The mystery of Alucards true name is not known. He has been referred to as Alucard/Arukard/Arkard through out the series. I watched the subtitles version and it could have been just a mistake on their part, but I don't think so. In one of the episodes Alucard gives a clue on his name. I wont spill it for you here but just watch and pay close attention.

The Hellsing Institute also seems to compete with the Iscariote Insitute who are run by Catholic Priests, but this is kind of done away with because of some internal politics in H.I. One note about H.I, they seem to be judge, jury, and executioner in some cases. But I wont tell you how, you'll just have to see.

The animation is beautiful, crisp, and clear. The music is haunting and powerful at times (especially when Alucard is kicking ass). The villains are especially cool. The two teenage vampires with a thirst for violence were probably the 2nd coolest IMO. My first pick for coolest villains would have to be the Yin & Yang brothers.

THIS IS NOT A STORYLESS ANIME. There is a lot of plot and character development towards the series end, which sets up a Season 2 of Hellsing, which from what I've heard wont be made.

Rent it. Try it. Buy it.

Also recommended: Vampire Hunter D. Cowboy Bebop.

9/10

-- James Knight 9th May 04

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