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.

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

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.

After watching the complete series of Hellsing I have to say I was left wanting more. I did enjoy the originals: Vampire Hunter D and such but I just liked the portrayal of Alucard as a protagonist alot better. All and all I would give it and 8 maybe 8.5.