Hellsing is the very substance of what anime should be about. Now before you hit the back button from just reading what you probably think is an over simplistic highly-opinionated statement and go to another review let me explain why I'm saying this. In judging whether any anime is worth watching, there are three important things to consider: characters, plot, and atmosphere. Hellsing is filled to the brim with all three, and it's not just quantity I'm talking about, but mainly quality and more than that an addictive nature that defines this series as a classic to be watched time and time again.

Spoiler Warning.

When I first watched the series I thought the main character, Alucard was just another Vampire Hunter D wannabe. I wrong. First of all, juxtapose to D, who constantly saves the village-folk of his realm, Alucard is an anti-hero. He's not in it for the good of humanity. He could care less if humans get killed or if the "bad guys" win - he is a demon after all. After watching the series you'll come to the conclusion that he'd rip the heart out of any human (friend or foe) that stood between him and his prey (we'll get to that in a sec). If he takes any interest at all in the other characters it's simply their skill or attributes - not a personal love. He admires Integral for her defiance against any odds. He takes pleasure in shattering Celas' innocence (and what compassion he shows is ambivalent - perhaps a personal pride in his child). But most of all, the single trait that makes him a "good guy" is that he enjoys horrifying (that is taking every last ounce of hope) his enemies/victims - who just happen to be inferior undead - have before he devours their soul.

Alucard calls the leader of the Hellsing organization "master" just to satisfy his curiosity about humans and his lust for a good fight. Instead of saving Celas from the vampire who has entranced her, he shoots through her to kill the fiend and offers her the chance to become immortal like himself. He taunts Integral by offering her the immortality that

she will never willingly accept. He constantly reminds Celas that she is no longer pure and eventually shows her the joy in bloodlust. He shows moments of what appears to be love for both Integral and Celas, but the way the character is set up it's a mystery if he's good or evil. Not quite what you expect for the protagonist? Good. Then you're beginning to find out why this series is one of my favorites.

Next we have Integral. Yes she is a woman, but she dresses and talks like a man. She smokes a small cigar, all the time barking out orders, while simultaneously retaining a femininity that shines through her rough exterior. As the leader of the Hellsing organization she is their figurehead (their princess in the tower so to speak). She's not quite the feminist that you'd expect. She's more of a lady given a grave responsibility. As a child she ran to the last place she could to escape her evil uncle - to the Hellsing dungeon, where her father told her there she would find a weapon to be used in dire need. Her presence awakens the demon Alucard, who joins her cause more than likely for his own amusement, as well as interest in Integral's defiant attitude.

Celas begins as a young cadet, placed in the middle of a vampire-infested town with a dead crew of men. She is easily taken captive by a vampire posing as a priest. Alucard gives her his blood to both give her immortality and become her master - but before you think he did her any favor remember that it is he that fires the shot that kills her. Celas quickly grows from a mindless girl into quite a good investigator and undead assassin for the Hellsing organization. She grows to accept her vampire traits, all the while retaining her humanity. Alucard enjoys it when she lets her rage get the best of her - and she's quite destructive when she's pissed off. She shows a devotion to Alucard beyond her personal safety - something quite familiar if you're into vampires, known as the blood bond. Though Alucard offers her freedom,

she doesn't feel she's ready.

Walter appears to be the loyal butler of the series but presents a lot more. He's a fearsome enemy of all who oppose Miss Integral and the Hellsing family. His weapon is a series of wires that extract from his gloves and apparently cut through anything. He is quite the interesting character.

The enemies are worth mentioning too. Alucard has a monster priest working for the Vatican to contend with - one who can be shot in the forehead and still regenerate, as well as disable Alucard's ability to use magic. There are a couple of psychotic teenagers, two brothers, and finally an ancient evil known as Incognito (who invokes the powers of the dark god Set). All of them have to contend with Alucard, who delights in letting himself be blown to bits before coming back together to fully horrify his enemies. The enemies all have personalities themselves, and aren't the simplistic antagonists that a lot of anime uses. Even the pettiest of the enemies of Hellsing have their own class and style.

And don't forget about the other minor characters. We have the trusty old sergeant and the troops that Celas meets - some friendly.. others deceitful and antagonistic. There is also a police detective and little girl vampire, who isolates herself to read books.

Now, that being said lets look at plot. We have the perspective of Celas, the fledgling vampire. As she grows we see her lose some humanity as well as naivety. We have the leader of Hellsing, who is constantly challenged by male-dominated society and her own frailty, but who also perseveres fighting each challenge that comes. There is also the side of the story presented by seeing reality through the antagonists' eyes. As for complicated twists and turns, there really are none. An event is set in motion and happens. Simple and yet not simple. The only mystery is Alucard.. who he is and what he'll do. You really don't know if he's going to step in to help or just sit it out and watch the bloodbath ensue. Often Alucard's humor is the key of the plot, as well as Celas wielding a

tank cannon against the forces of darkness. All the while Alucard chooses to follow Integra's orders for reasons no laid out. True it was Integra that freed Alucard but as powerful as Alucard is, why would he have been there and why does he choose to follow this mortal? Apparently Alucard has agreed to limit his power as instructed by Integra. He shows only small layers of his true potential throughout the series, choosing the last episode to even give a taste of what he truly is. And yes I'm sure we've already figured out the riddle behind the name by now - watch the last episode for another clue.

Atmosphere is intense. The music is great - often not so much what you'd expect and contemporary, unlike the typical anime music (which sounds like early bad eighties music). This is sort of in the fashion of Cowboy Bebop. The art is nice and sharp. Scenes are properly detailed. You really get a feel for where things are and there's consistency in the details. I especially love the opening video and music and the credits. The music in fights and during the story is constantly surprising and innovating. It give certain a nostalgia to the series.

And that, my friends, is what makes this series so special. It's not any particular element that you can separate and point out as superior to any other show. It's the quality and quantity of presentation that makes the series special. You really get the feeling that the authors and artists weren't just cranking out another vampire series with nifty gore and fight scenes, but really put their heart and soul into making this a true anime masterpiece. If you're like me you'll be addicted to this series from the start. It's not quite what you might expect. There's an element from every popular series somewhere to be found, but the show isn't a rip-off of another series. It's for the most part unique. The characters are enchanting and the plot is subtle yet, at times, bold. Unlike what you might expect, I found the action to be the least desirable element - although it certainly rocks.

10/10