Hellsing
Hellsing is an anime and manga series by Studio GONZO. While the anime series is already over, the manga series is still produced in Japan.
Overview
Based on the 1998 manga by Kouta Hirano, the Hellsing anime series (composed of 13 episodes) is unique in that it takes much of itself from late 19th century and early 20th century Western fiction. It includes themes primarily from H. P. Lovecraft's Cthulhu works and Bram Stoker's Dracula creatively rolled together with some fast-paced anime action sequences. Studio GONZO went all out to make the series intensely stylized: characters are well-detailed with beautiful, smooth animation, and there is an extensive soundtrack, scored by Ishii Yasushi, which handily mixes punk rock and jazz with experimental elements.
The main characters are part of the Hellsing organization, which seems to have been inspired by (and ended up as a bastardized version of) the Lovecraftian Miskatonic University's Wilmarth Foundation, an organization formed for fighting demons and the undead. Cthulhu Mythos fans will definitely get a kick out of the parallels.
Additionally, the series was different from many other anime/manga in that it focused more on close-quarter combat using exotic guns, similar to the style of heroic bloodshed, with lots of jumping and diving.
Fans of Hellsing have noticed similarities between the series and the 2004 film Van Helsing. Hellsing (the anime and manga) came first, and if anything the later project copied elements of it.
The names of the characters
The name Hellsing comes from the character of a similar name in Bram Stoker's Dracula, Abraham Van Helsing. The leader of Hellsing organization, Lady Integra(l) Wingates Hellsing, is the great-granddaughter of the grizzled professor. The lead male character is named Alucard (a deadly vampire with two huge guns), and fans spend hours debating whether or not Alucard is truly Dracula. Alucard mentions in episode nine that his name is an anagram, which is true: it's simply Dracula spelled backwards. But if the character is Dracula, why does the vampire theoretically now work for his opponent's descendent?
Among fans there is some disagreement whether Alucard is ARucard, ARKard or ALucard. This is due to the simple fact that Hellsing took a while before it was imported from Japan. As usual fans took care of translating from Japanese and served it free on the Internet before the release rights were bought by anyone outside of Japan. Due to the fact that different groups were handling these translations, some different transliteration appeared in the fansub. One of the basic problems was that the Japanese language doesn't distinguish R and L, so the protagonist (and some other characters) ended up with varied names. 'Alucard' was used in the translation of Hellsing Manga version, while the anime version used 'Arucard'. While both are official, the correct name would be 'Alucard', if the anagram is to make sense.
More name quirks may be examples of Engrish or common misconstructions. For example, Integra(l)'s title is sometimes given as Sir rather than Lady. 'Seras Victoria' is a British character, yet her name sounds as if it were put in Japanese (surname first) order.
The Hellsing anime series was released in North America by Geneon/Pioneer Entertainment, while the manga series was released under the Dark Horse seal.
Organizations and characters
- Hellsing Organization
- Alucard - The protagonist of the anime and manga, and also the most powerful warrior of the Hellsing organization. He is not only a vampire, but also one of the most ancient ones. He usually dresses up in a Victorian fashion, including a gaudy suit and a flamboyant bowtie, covered by a long red trench coat. He also wear a wide flapping fedora hat and a pair of 'Lennon' style shades (round lenses on a wire frame). In addition to his magic (control of shadows and other powers), he is an expert gunfighter using custom made Hellsing Organization guns, such as:
- Hellsing ARMS454 Casull Auto 'Joshua' - Crafted from a melted silver cross, using custom made .454 Casull containing a silver core. The weapon is 29cm in length. It was too heavy and large for normal use, but a perfect match for Alucard's heightened strength.
- Hellsing ARMS 13mm Auto 'Jackal' - With the length of 39cm and weighing at 16kg, this gun, made of pure dark silver, is not a weapon a man can wield, but it was never meant for a man. Firing 13mm armor piercing, explosive core, silver cased baptized bullets, it was especially designed to fight against Freaks (and possibly Iscariot's Anderson). On its side, the words 'Jesus Christ is in Heaven now' are engraved (the same words were written in black ink on Anderson's gloves).
- Seras (Celas) Victoria - A policewoman who got the rough end of a ghoul-infested city a vampire took over. Taken hostage by that vampire, she was given a choice by Alucard: she could either die together with the vampire, or turn into a vampire herself and live. She chose to live, so Alucard turned her into a vampire. She was employed by the Hellsing Organization immediately afterwards. She is still the kind and doubting woman she was before, but now has to deal with her new condition and aggressive urges. Victoria's preferred weapon is
- Hellsing ARMS Anti-Midans Cannon 'Harkonnen' - Weighting at 33lbs (unloaded), this 30mm cannon uses various types of shells available, including depleted uranium with silver for piercing through a column of enemy and explosive silver for killing a general diameter of enemy. Carrying this weapon, the now-vampire Seras serves perfectly as long-range fire support. Her immense strength allows her to use the weapon while moving as well.
- Lady Integra (Integral) Wingates Hellsing - Cold, sharp, calm, business-like — a description that fits the leader of the Hellsing organization perfectly. Her connection with Alucard seems deeper than just business. She has been connected with him ever since the death of her father when she was a child. She also possesses the 'keys' to the mystic locks that limit Alucard's power.
- Walter Kumm Dorne - Walter has been with the Hellsing family since the age of 14. Now he serves mainly as Integral's butler, and makes the special weapons Alucard and Seras use. However, he is still one of the most capable Hellsing operatives, wielding razor-sharp wires from a special pair of gloves. Walter's efficiency and power is so great that Alucard nicknamed him the 'Angel of Death,' and even at the age of 69 Walter can still rip his way through hordes of the undead. In manga, he also helps Integra make numerous difficult choices that Alucard occasionally poses, such as whether or not to kill innocents in order to achieve mission objectives.
- Alucard - The protagonist of the anime and manga, and also the most powerful warrior of the Hellsing organization. He is not only a vampire, but also one of the most ancient ones. He usually dresses up in a Victorian fashion, including a gaudy suit and a flamboyant bowtie, covered by a long red trench coat. He also wear a wide flapping fedora hat and a pair of 'Lennon' style shades (round lenses on a wire frame). In addition to his magic (control of shadows and other powers), he is an expert gunfighter using custom made Hellsing Organization guns, such as:
- Iscariot (Vatican Section 13)
- Enrico Maxwell - The leader of Iscariot, although not a prominent character in the anime. In the manga, however, he is the one that provided information about the Millennium, as well as provide addition help to the Hellsing organization in order to root out the Millennium.
- Alexander Anderson - Little is known about him, except that he seems to have a strong hatred for vampires. His rapid speed, strength and regeneration ability make him a formidable opponent for the legions of Hell. His weapons of choice are a pair of sanctified machetes. His knowledge of holy spells, focused through the pages of the Bible, can 'jam' the black magic of Alucard. Anderson even uses it to multiply his blades and change his location. When he is not out hunting down vampires or vampire worshippers, he is the patron of an orphanage. (Note: There seems to be quite a bit of confusion about what Anderson's blades are. It is put forward in the manga that they are bayonets, as evident by one of Anderson's many nicknames, "Bayonet Anderson.")
- MILLENNIUM - This mysterious organization hiding in Brazil is behind the FREAK chip. They seem like a supernatural version of The Boys from Brazil. Most of the members are monsters of some sort, or have found a way to prolong their lives. The organization was founded by escaped Nazi officers and scientists of the "Letzt Batallion," translated in English as the "Last Batallion."
- Luke and Jan Valentine - These two FREAKs (humans turned into vampires with the aid of a chip) have much influence in the underworld. With their army of vampires, they stormed the Hellsing HQ. Luke uses a sawed-off M1 Garand, while Jan uses a FN P90 with extended barrel.
- Incognito - This vampire arrived from the dark continent (Africa). Extremely powerful, he combined dark magic with an enchanted Armscor 40mm Grenade Launcher that fired dark curses at his opponents. It is also possible that he was able to summon the dark Egyptian god, Seth, into his body.
- Tubalcaine Alhambra - Also known as "Dandy Man", this corrupted police officer sent a SWAT unit in an attempt to kill off Alucard and Seras when they arrived in Brazil. He justified his actions by labeling them as terrorists. When he finally confronted the pair, his attacks consisted of using explosive holy playing cards (which were very similar to the tactics used by Gambit in X-Men). However, he can also use these cards to transport himself and make decoys, along with other things. Appears only in the manga.
- Warrant Officer Schrödinger - A werewolf. Based on his appearance, he could be a former Hitler Youth. Usually sat underneath the Major's throne like a pet, but also acts as an envoy for the Millennium. He has regeneration abilities that match Alucard's. He was blown apart by both Seras and Alucard, yet he still managed to return to Millennium's headquarters. Appears only in the manga.
- First Lieutenant Rip Van Winkle - A vampire in the employ of Millennium who stole a VTOL carrier from the British. She uses a long-barreled musket that fires magic bullet capable of shooting down helicopters. She also enjoys singing operas, especially Der Freischütz, and she often compares herself to the character Caspar from the opera. Appears only in the manga.
- Major - A former SS officer. While he only appears in the promotional piece for a possible second season of the Hellsing anime (which was canceled), he is the leader of Millennium in the manga, and is constantly scheming from the shadows. His trademark appearance is the glint of glasses and the white gloves appearing in the darkness. He has an insane obsession for war and bloodshed. In fact, his purpose for inducing vampirism was to recreate a reich that would last a thousand years, as well as create a world without a purpose, except for endless war.
- Captain Hans Gunsche - A silent, stoic adjutant to the Major. He developed a long-running rivalry with Walter after being defeated by him during World War II, and longs for a rematch. Appears only in the manga.
- Joleen Britz - A tall, massively muscled female vampire who works for the Millennium organization. She is the commander of Millennium's zeppelin forces, and is apparently the instigator of the Valentine Brothers' attack on the mansion. She is a formidable fighter, wielding a giant scythe with enough force to cut a man in half. Appears only in the manga.
See also
External links
- Hellsing website (http://hellsing.pioneeranimation.com) from Geneon/Pioneer Animation
- British Hellsing website (http://www.advfilms.co.uk/hellsing/main.html) from ADV Films
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