Hellsing

I had mixed expectations before seeing this series. First, I really like stylised action anime and I really like vampire-hunter genre. I was also excited by the reviews I've read at IMDb and how fans of other vampire movies recommended Hellsing to me. But I also read the the makers of "Hellsing" also created "Ninja Resurrection" which turned out to be one of the worst, most appauling animes I've seen.

Well, after watching the English dub of the series I have a lot of positive things to say. The dubbing was excellent, and the casting for Allegra was especially noteworthy. The animation was very good as was pacing of the series and the characterisation. My absolute favourite element of the series was how it showed the relationship with the Hellising Organisation with the Crown of England. Watching the politics unfold was a real treat, and it was so realistically done. There were a lot of unanswered questions, but I didn't have a problem with that as their mystery both added to the series' mystique and left the door open for a possible second season.

Although I would have preferred the final fight seen go the more vampiric route, rather than a demonic powers route, I do not cite this as an objective criticism of the movie. I guess certain "hell" themes make me a tad uncomfortable, but that is just a personal reservation of mine.

In the final analysis, I recommend this series. The direction was so solid and the story was so interesting that watching the 13 episodes back to back felt more like watching a really good epic movie. See it!

One of the best anime I've seen. Ratings for all 13 episodes,

Ep 1 ~ 8/10; Ep 2 ~ 8/10; Ep 3 ~ 8/10; Ep 4 ~ 8/10; Ep 5 ~ 8/10; Ep 6 ~ 8/10; Ep 7 ~ 8/10; Ep 8 ~ 9/10; Ep 9 ~ 10/10; Ep10 ~ 8/10; Ep11 ~ 9/10; Ep12 ~ 9/10; Ep13 ~ 8/10

Bags of atmosphere (the British - especially London - setting is perfect). All the vocal performances are spot-on (English dub), the artwork is great, the plot is intriguing, and the mythology of the Hellsing Organisation, the Iscariot Order, the Round Table (very X-Files), and the vampires/freaks/ghouls is pretty deep. Love Hellsing's secret ties to the British military (SAS), police (D11), and security services (MI-5). Not wild about the beginning or end titles music, but some of the incidental music is great. Insanely consistent. Overall rating, 8.5/10.

My husband LOVES Anime. Those big eyed ditzy girls who squeal and bounce in unnatural ways. The love stories. The "college aged" (riiiight) boys and girls who work so clumsily toward some farce of a romance. The weird creatures with big ears and eyes that talk like 2 yr olds. All the things I can't stand. Then he brought home Hellsing. Horror cartoons? Vampires and zombies? Blood and decapitations and mutilations? My first thought was, "Well, he's not going to let my 13 yr old son watch this but WOW! I LOVE IT!"

The animation is gritty, harsh and solid. The story is involved and keeps you hooked. They push the envelope with the death scenes but it works! "Police Girl" has a bit of that big-eyed look and occasionally her breasts will change size drastically depending on the supposed camera angle, but overall, she's likable. And if Alucard likes his custom made guns more than the old fashioned bite and drain, who can blame him? His weapons are a sight to see.

So if can't stand anime but you're a horror fan, give Hellsing a shot! Just be prepared to watch only 12 episodes... That's all there are. :(

My hubby would still like me to sit down with him and watch the cutesy stuff, but is happy that he can at least say that his wife likes *some* anime. ;)

Rowan

I'm in to all movies and sorry to say that Anime movies stands for among the minor parts of my interests. However, a good movie is a good movie, in this case series.

This is a story about the struggle between Vampires etc. and the Hellsing incorporation with some gory violence and blood so most dumb people would put this among horror movies. Hellsing isn't really scary or anything of the like, the reason why this is classified as a horror is as simple as this; it's a story about vampires. No matter how stupid that sounds. The thing is that Anime series overall do have another side where the authors let's you inside the story where you're falling for the characters. I'd categorize this as Action/Drama/Thriller, altogether.

As I said earlier, I'm really amazed in the way the authors are revealing the characters all the way through as you follow the 13 episodes, a little difference from lots of other similar series and movies. Marvelous, but the real thing is Arucard! Slowly revealed as the cold, arrogant, quite bored and stiff creature that is continuously in seek for a perfect match, a worthy enemy and a real challenge. Taking the situations lightly while processing and reshaping Ceres Victoria through the episodes. I could write tons of more but you people probably rather see the movie than having me destroying your definition of the characters, so I'll stop this right away!

But over all, these Vampire series doesn't really feel like it's got a start until the last episodes where the real stuff kicks off and leaps straight upwards. Truthfully, I think this would make a great pre-story or opening to another fifty episodes or so...

However these Hellsing series has an absolutely stunning tense and as mentioned earlier, the characters are really a part of yourself as you follow the story.

Don't hesitate to view this, clearly an 8/10. //Magnus Vedin

Here are some key points to why I like this series: Stylistic animation. Entertaining dialog. A feast for the eye--that is if you like this style of animation rendering. Imaginative way of presenting the characters' power.

It's a fun series to watch--- it's not pretentious, not trying to be deep, or to convey some life philosophy. It's like a roller-coaster ride. The plot is interesting. Even though it's not entirely unpredictable, there were moments of delightful surprises.

The series is just long enough to tell the tale, instead of dragging on with senseless episodes. Each episode contributes to either the development of the story or of the characters.

All in all, it's a fun animation if you don't mind seeing animated and exaggerated violence and lots of blood.