Hellsing

This is by far the best vampire series I have ever seen. I'm not much into anime, but this is a must see for vampire movie lovers. I loved it so much I bought the Manga and the DVD (different story lines through). Alucard is a slightly insane vampire in the service of the Hellsing Organization. The mission of the Hellsing Organization is to "search and destroy" creatures of darkness that threaten the innocent. Sir Integra Wingates Hellsing is Alucard's master. Sir Integra is a beautiful woman with an indomitable spirit. The byplay between these two is beautifully done. They snipe at each other constantly, but will back each other to the death. This is a show about honor, integrity, humanity and never giving up. The bad part??? Only 13 episodes.

Great anime with lots of dark humor and satire, and plenty of action (Arucard has to be one of the biggest bad-asses of all time). Though only 13 episodes long, the show does a fairly good job of tying together all the loose ends, but the comic on which its based provides a more detailed storyline, so if you become a fan check out the literature. Do yourself a favor and watch it in Japanese with the subtitles--it's how the characters were intended to sound. Also, pay close attention to the music while you watch. It's a great mix of some jazzy elements and some darker stuff, but it's not your typical vampire or fighting music. The soundtrack is well worth a purchase, and does a great job of setting the tone for this incredible series.

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.

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 find Hellsing to be by far the best anime I've watched, not because of the story or art, but because of the characters. Just put together Sir Integra Wingates Hellsing, Alucard, father Alexander Andersong and other secondary characters like Jan Valentine. It's f****** awesome dudes, they rock too much.

The other thing, that seemed overlooked in most reviews - the OST. This is by far the best OST I've ever heard, I listen it 8 years now, each and every song and not a hint of being fed up of it. Pure brilliant.

In the end, it could have been better, in drawing, in story, etc... Still its genius is to overwhelming to get something different than 10/10 from me

I've watched the OVA also, it lacks the strength of the original and the weebo Seras Victoria scenes... it's just tooooo much for me