Hellsing Manga: A Guide to the Gory, Gothic Masterpiece
Hellsing, a classic manga series, has captivated fans of horror and anime alike with its supernatural and action-packed storyline. The series is written and illustrated by Kouta Hirano and was originally serialized in Young King OURs, a seinen manga magazine published by Shōnen Gahōsha. The manga was released in ten tankōbon volumes from May 1997 to September 2008.
The story of Hellsing follows the Hellsing Organization, a secretive group that battles against vampires, ghouls, and other supernatural threats that put England in peril. The series has been licensed for release in English by Dark Horse Comics and has gained a strong following in North America.
In addition to the original manga, Hirano also released a prequel series called Hellsing: The Dawn, which consists of six chapters and was published in Young King OURs Zōkan from 2002 to 2006.
The popularity of the manga led to the creation of a thirteen-episode anime television series adaptation by Gonzo, which aired on Fuji TV from October 2001 to January 2002. The anime was directed by Umanosuke Iida and Yasunori Urata, with a screenplay by Chiaki J. Konaka.
A ten-episode original video animation (OVA), titled Hellsing Ultimate, was produced by Geneon and followed the manga storyline more closely than the anime series. It was released between February 2006 and December 2012. In North America, both the TV series and the OVA were licensed by Geneon Entertainment and later by Funimation.
Overall, Hellsing is a gripping manga series that has captured the attention of fans across the globe with its engaging storyline, unique characters, and thrilling action sequences.
Table of Contents
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The Plot
The world of Hellsing manga is one where supernatural beings and vampires coexist with humans.
The Hellsing Organization, a secretive group established by the Hellsing family, is responsible for protecting not only Britain but the entire world from supernatural threats. The organization’s most powerful weapon is Alucard, a mysterious and formidable vampire who is bound to serve the Hellsing family.
The story follows the Hellsing organization as they confront various supernatural threats, such as rogue vampires, Nazi experiments, and an apocalyptic cult led by the Major.
The plot is fast-paced, action-packed, and full of unexpected twists and turns that keep readers engaged until the very end.
The name “Hellsing” comes from the Royal Order of Protestant Knights, originally led by Abraham Van Helsing, who is famous for his role in Bram Stoker’s novel “Dracula.”
The mission of Hellsing is to search for and eradicate the undead and other supernatural forces of evil that threaten the queen and the country. The current leader of the organization is Sir Integra Fairbrook Wingates Hellsing, who inherited the leadership of Hellsing as a child after the death of her father. Witnessing his death transformed her from a once-innocent and shy little girl into a tough and deadly force.
She is protected by the loyal Hellsing family butler, Walter C. Dornez, who is also a formidable opponent, and Alucard, the original and most powerful vampire, who pledged loyalty to the Hellsing family after being defeated by Van Helsing a century before the events of the story. The Hellsing guardians are joined early on in the story by Seras Victoria, a former police officer whom Alucard turned into a vampire.
As the number and intensity of undead-related incidents increase both in England and worldwide, Sir Integra discovers that the remnants of a Nazi group called Millennium still exist and are determined to revive Nazi Germany by creating a battalion of vampires. In an apocalyptic three-sided war in London, Millennium, Hellsing, and the Vatican’s section XIII Iscariot clash, and Millennium reveals its true intention: to destroy the vampire lord Alucard, thus ending a feud that began during World War II.
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Themes in Hellsing
Hellsing manga explores a variety of themes that make it a compelling and thought-provoking read. Here are some of the major themes in the series:
Power and Control
The concept of power and control is central to the series. Characters like Alucard and the Major seek to exert their control over others, while characters like Integra and Seras struggle to find and maintain their own power in a world filled with supernatural threats.
Identity and Transformation
The series explores the themes of identity and transformation through Seras’ transformation into a vampire and the complex relationships between Alucard, Integra, and other characters in the series.
Good vs. Evil
The struggle between good and evil is a central theme in Hellsing manga. The series challenges the traditional notions of good and evil and presents complex, multi-dimensional characters that blur the lines between the two.
Human Nature
The series also explores the darker aspects of human nature, such as greed, cruelty, and violence. The characters in Hellsing manga are flawed and often make questionable decisions that highlight the complexities of the human condition.
Unique Features of Hellsing Manga
Hellsing manga is known for its unique features that set it apart from other manga series. Here are some of the standout features of the series:
Art Style
Hellsing manga has a distinctive art style that emphasizes the gothic, macabre aesthetic of the series. The characters are rendered in a detailed, realistic style that enhances the violence and gore of the story.
Violence and Gore
Hellsing manga is not for the faint of heart. The series is infamous for its graphic violence and gore, which is often used to shock and horrify readers. However, the violence is not gratuitous and serves a purpose in the story.
Gothic Aesthetics
Hellsing manga is heavily influenced by gothic literature, art, and architecture. The series is set in a gothic, Victorian-era England and features themes of death, decay, and the supernatural.
Why You Should Read Hellsing Manga
Hellsing manga is a masterpiece of the horror and supernatural genres. The series is expertly crafted, with complex characters, intricate storylines, and themes that will leave you pondering long after you finish reading. It’s a must-read for fans of horror, action, and anime, and a great starting point for those new to the genre.
Hellsing Characters
Hellsing manga boasts a diverse cast of characters, each with their unique personalities, motivations, and abilities. Here are some of the major characters in the series:
Alucard
Alucard is a fascinating and multi-dimensional character in the Hellsing universe. As the most powerful vampire in the series, he possesses immense strength and supernatural abilities, and is virtually invincible. However, despite his fearsome reputation, Alucard is not simply a one-dimensional villain. He is bound to serve the Hellsing family, and while he is ruthless and unyielding in his pursuit of their enemies, he also displays a surprising sense of compassion and empathy towards those he deems worthy.
Alucard’s character is steeped in mystery and contradiction, and his relationships with other characters in the series are complex and often unpredictable. He forms a close bond with his protégé Seras Victoria, whom he turned into a vampire, and the two share a deep and enduring loyalty.
Alucard’s interactions with other members of the Hellsing organization, particularly Integra Hellsing, are marked by a mix of respect, disdain, and begrudging admiration.
Overall, Alucard’s character is a rich and compelling exploration of the human condition and the eternal struggle between good and evil.
Integra Hellsing
Integra Hellsing is the leader of the Hellsing organization and a member of the Hellsing family. She is a strong, intelligent, and commanding presence in the series, and her unwavering determination to protect humanity from supernatural threats is one of the driving forces of the story.
Seras Victoria
Seras Victoria is a former police officer who is turned into a vampire by Alucard. She struggles to come to terms with her new identity and the implications of her newfound power. Seras is a complex character who grows and evolves throughout the series, and her relationships with Alucard and Integra are central to the story.
The Major
The Major is the primary antagonist of the series and the leader of a Nazi organization that seeks to create a new world order. He is a charismatic and enigmatic character who is obsessed with war and destruction, and his ultimate goal is to bring about the apocalypse.
Walter C. Dornez
Walter C. Dornez is the Hellsing family butler and a former member of the Hellsing Organization. He is a skilled combatant with a variety of abilities, including exceptional marksmanship, hand-to-hand combat, and the use of wires.
Walter is a complex character who undergoes a transformation over the course of the series, going from a loyal and obedient servant to a more rebellious and independent figure. Despite this, he maintains a strong sense of duty and loyalty to the Hellsing family and will do whatever it takes to protect them, even if it means sacrificing his own life. His relationship with Alucard is particularly interesting, as the two share a mutual respect for each other’s skills and often work together in battle. Overall, Walter is a key member of the Hellsing organization and a formidable force to be reckoned with.
Alexander Anderson
Alexander Anderson is a member of the Vatican’s Iscariot Organization and a devout Catholic. He is a skilled fighter and one of the main antagonists in the series. Anderson’s conflicts with Alucard and the Hellsing organization highlight the themes of religion, morality, and ethics in the series.