| Hellsing | |
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 Hellsing volume 1 (English version) |
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| ヘルシング (Hellsing) |
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| Genre | Action supernatural fiction |
| Manga | |
| Author | Kouta Hirano |
| Publisher |  Shōnen Gahosha |
| Demographic | Seinen |
| Serialized in | Young King OURs |
| Original run | 1997 – ongoing |
| Volumes | 9 volumes (10 expected) with 92 total chapters (current) |
Hellsing (ヘルシング Herushingu?) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Kouta Hirano with an anime adaptation. The action genre is a class of creative works characterised by a greater emphasis on exciting action sequences than on character development or story-telling Supernatural fiction is a classification of Literature used to describe Fiction exploiting or requiring as plot devices or themes some contradictions of the commonplace ˈmɑŋgə is the Japanese word for Comics (sometimes called komikku コミック and print Cartoons In their modern form manga date from shortly is a Japanese Mangaka born in Adachi Tokyo, Japan, most famous for his manga Hellsing. is a Japanese Publisher named for "Shonen Gaho" ("Boy's Illustrated News Magazine" one of its first magazines (if not the first the company ever published is a monthly Seinen Manga magazine published in Japan by Shonen Gahosha, aimed primarily at male audiences mostly older teens and young adults is the Japanese term for a book that is complete in itself and is not part of a series though the Manga industry uses it for volumes which may be in a series For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics. ˈmɑŋgə is the Japanese word for Comics (sometimes called komikku コミック and print Cartoons In their modern form manga date from shortly is a Japanese Mangaka born in Adachi Tokyo, Japan, most famous for his manga Hellsing. is a Japanese animated television series based on on Kouta Hirano 's Manga series of the same name. Hellsing chronicles the efforts of the mysterious and secret Royal Order of Protestant Knights, Hellsing, as it combats vampires, zombies called "ghouls", and other supernatural foes who threaten the United Kingdom. Vampires are mythological or folkloric revenants who subsist by feeding on the blood of the living zombie is a reanimated human corpse Stories of zombies originated in the Afro-Caribbean spiritual belief system of Vodou, which told of the people being controlled The term supernatural or supranatural ( Latin: super, supra "above" + natura "nature" pertains to entities events The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located
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Publication and broadcast history
The manga series began in 1997, and is still being published monthly in Young King OURs magazine in Japan. is a monthly Seinen Manga magazine published in Japan by Shonen Gahosha, aimed primarily at male audiences mostly older teens and young adults The English version of the manga is published by Dark Horse. Dark Horse Comics is one of the largest independent American Comic book publishers behind dominant publishers Marvel Comics and DC Comics
A 13-episode anime adaptation of the manga was produced by Studio Gonzo in 2001, though the story and characters have large differences from the original manga. is a Japanese animated television series based on on Kouta Hirano 's Manga series of the same name. This is due to the fact that only the first two volumes of the manga had been written and published in 2001.
An OVA series of the same name is in production and follows the original story of the manga more closely. abbreviated (and sometimes as OAV) is a term originating from Japanese animation ( Anime) for animated films and series which are made specially to be
Hirano is also working on a prequel to Hellsing, entitled Hellsing: The Dawn. It is published at irregular intervals in special editions of Young King OURs.
Hellsing creator, Kouta Hirano stated in an interview that he will finish Hellsing with volume number 10 and that he has another project planned which he is keeping a secret until the time comes to reveal it.
Overview
Hellsing is unique in that it takes much of itself from late 19th century and early 20th century Western fiction. The 19th century of the Common Era began on January 1, 1801 and ended on December 31, 1900, according to the Gregorian calendar The twentieth century of the Common Era began on It includes themes primarily from H. P. Lovecraft's Cthulhu works and Bram Stoker's Dracula, rolled together with some fast-paced action sequences. Howard Phillips Lovecraft ( August 20, 1890 – March 15, 1937) was an American author of horror, fantasy Cthulhu is a giant fictional creature one of the Great Old Ones in H Abraham "Bram" Stoker (8 November 1847 – 20 April 1912 was an Irish writer of novels and short stories who is best known today for his 1897 horror Dracula is an 1897 novel by Irish author Bram Stoker, featuring as its primary Antagonist the vampire Count Dracula. The main characters are part of the Hellsing organization, which may have been inspired by the Lovecraftian Miskatonic University's Wilmarth Foundation, an organization formed for fighting demons and the undead. Miskatonic University is a fictional university located in the equally fictitious Arkham, set in the real-world Essex County Massachusetts. Cthulhu Mythos fans will appreciate the parallels. The Cthulhu Mythos is a Shared universe created in the 1920s by American horror writer H The name Hellsing is derived from Abraham Van Helsing, and it has been indicated that the series takes place in the same continuity as the novel Dracula.
The series is different from many other anime/manga in that it focuses more on close-quarter combat using exotic guns, similar to the style of heroic bloodshed, with lots of jumping and diving. Heroic Bloodshed is a genre of Hong Kong action cinema revolving around stylized
Studio GONZO drew the thirteen-episode TV series intensely stylized and matched with an extensive soundtrack, scored by Yasushi Ishii, which mixes rock, blues and jazz with experimental elements. is a Japanese Composer and voice actor from Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. Rock music is a genre of Popular music often though not necessarily employing Electric guitar, Bass guitar, and Drums. The Blues is a vocal and instrumental form of Music based on the use of the Blue notes It emerged as an accessible form of self-expression Jazz is an American Musical art form which originated in the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States Experimental music is a term introduced by composer John Cage in 1955
The manga, which currently spans ninety chapters, is vastly different from the TV series in the themes presented and the atmosphere employed. There is little limit to the atrocities characters can commit in the story ranging from rape, mutilation, torture and cannibalism yet at the same time it delves heavily into strength of character, kindness and heroism. The artwork is unique and highly detailed; it is almost always quite bloody, featuring gore and dismemberment in a manner which, while grotesque, is often amusing. Hirano mostly works with thick outlines, highly detailed tone-work and inking; he also makes use of heavy shading, with large areas obscured by shadow. While initially this appears as a shortcut to drawing detail, it is mainly used as an effect to add drama or tension to a scene: in this manner, it is often accompanied by highly detailed artwork and usually focuses on the face; only in rare circumstances does Hirano actually seem to use it (in conjunction with the fact that most characters wear dark clothing) to skip any detail. Another unique feature is the use of 10 chapters per volume past Vol. 6, when the normal amount is 6 or 7-- each chapter is unusually short, being only 10 or more pages long; this could be a lack of motivation on the part of Hirano (who has described himself in liner notes as "lazy") or could simply reflect the more detailed artwork of each chapter.
The story begins as a form of mystery genre. The main characters scramble for answers to mysterious clues which portend a dark apocalypse. The plot switches to an unusual war story which focuses on the doughty soldiers who suffer and toil in battlefield trenches and the unbalanced leaders who revel in the bloodshed. The story also presents several interesting and diverse philosophical themes and phrases riddled with possible alternate meanings. One of the most noted examples is the question, "Are you a dog, a man or a monster?" Alucard often raises this question as well as the concept of being 'Human'.
Hellsing draws on inspiration from dozens of different anime/manga/movies/novels/etc. Some are coincidental, while others are actually cited as sources of inspiration. One thing no one has agreed upon is the exact details of the "Vampire Lore" of the Hellsing universe which is a mixture of many different fictional portrayals including Stoker and Ricean vampires. Abraham "Bram" Stoker (8 November 1847 – 20 April 1912 was an Irish writer of novels and short stories who is best known today for his 1897 horror The Vampire Chronicles is a series of Novels by Anne Rice that revolves around the Fictional character This is made no easier by the introduction of artificial vampires.
The ongoing prequel to the manga, entitled Hellsing: The Dawn, is set in September of 1944, in the midst of World War II. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including The story features Walter (then only 14 years old) and Alucard fighting Millennium in Warsaw, Poland. Warsaw (Warszawa; also known by other names) is the Capital and Largest city of Poland. Poland (Polska officially the Republic of Poland Because of its popularity, the importance of the story in relation to Hellsing, and the fact that some scenes from The Dawn were present in the OVA trailer, it is possible that The Dawn will be animated as part of the new OVA series. This is supported also by the appearance of Alucard, as he appears in The Dawn, at the end of the credits in the first episode. However, there has been no mention of The Dawn making an appearance in the OVA by either the creators or Hirano, so it remains to be seen. It should be noted that the credits for OVA III depicted Alucard fighting Nazis, young Walter sneaking about and "Her". These scenes give greater probability of the Dawn being part of the OVA series, at least as flashbacks.
Major characters
- Alucard
- The main protagonist. is a Fictional character in the ''Hellsing'' anime and manga series created by Kohta Hirano and is the main Protagonist of the ''Hellsing'' Alucard is the most powerful warrior of the Hellsing organization. He is not only a vampire, but also one of the most ancient ones, his original "life" dating back into the 1400s. His name spelt backwards is "Dracula"; this is intentional, as he is, in fact, Count Dracula, the titular character of Bram Stoker's famous novel. Dracula is an 1897 novel by Irish author Bram Stoker, featuring as its primary Antagonist the vampire Count Dracula. [1]
- Seras Victoria
- Alucard's fledgling vampire, and soldier of the Hellsing organisation. is a Fictional character from both the Hellsing anime series and manga series by Kouta Hirano. Seras was a member of the D11 special forces unit, until being mortally wounded by Alucard's attempt to destroy a vampire masquerading as a priest. On the verge of death, and with a large hole in her chest, she chose to allow Alucard to turn her into a vampire. Serving as Alucard's protégé, she now works for the Hellsing organization. Alucard is often known to call her "Police Girl" or "Draculina".
- Integra Hellsing
- Leader of the Hellsing organization and Alucard's "Master". more commonly Integra Hellsing, is one of the main characters from the Anime and Manga series Hellsing. Often considered a woman of iron personality, she acts to the customs that her position asks of her. She inherited the Hellsing organization at the age of 12 when her father died. Although she often seems strict and domineering, she is respected and admired, even among her sworn enemies.
- Walter C. Dornez
- Walter is a 64-year-old retired member of the Hellsing organization. is a Fictional character in the ''Hellsing'' anime and manga series created by Kouta Hirano. Though now serving as Integra Hellsing's butler, he still has proved the capacity to live up to his nickname "The Angel of Death" or " the joker" with deadly microfilaments. He had a close friendship with both Integra and Alucard.
- Alexander Anderson
- A warrior priest or paladin who works for the Vatican Section XIII, Iscariot. is a character from the Manga / Anime Hellsing, acting as both an antagonist and Anti-hero. A priest or priestess is a person having the authority or power to administer religious rites in particular rites of sacrifice to and propitiation of a deity or deities A paladin (from Latin palatinus, plural palatini; cf derivative spellings below was a high-level official in numerous countries of medieval Iscariot is a fictional organization from the Manga series Hellsing. Anderson is Iscariot's ultimate weapon in the fight against the undead. With regenerative capabilities, and a variety of holy weapons (including his signature blessed bayonets, of which he has many) his mission is nothing less than the complete destruction of all the demons of Hell. As this includes many of Hellsing's subordinates, Anderson is one of Alucard's greatest foes.
- The Major
- A former SS officer, once in charge of the Nazi experiments with vampires, until the operation was destroyed by Alucard and a young Walter in 1944. The Major is a character in the manga and OVA series Hellsing. The ( German for "Protective Squadron" abbreviated SS - or ( Runic)- was a major Nazi organization under Adolf Hitler and the Now he's back to exact revenge and start an endless war.
Secondary characters
- Enrico Maxwell
- Enrico Maxwell is the overzealous religious leader of the Iscariot Organization (Vatican Section XIII). is a character from the Manga and Anime series Hellsing. In the TV series he's voiced by Hideyuki Tanaka.
- Captain Pip Bernadotte
- Captain Pip Bernadotte (also translated as Vernedead in some English volumes) is the leader of the Wild Geese, a group of mercenaries hired by Hellsing. is a fictional Mercenary captain and the leader of the Wild Geese in the manga series Hellsing.
- Millennium Members
- To see bios of each Millennium member, including the Major, Doctor, Schrödinger, Rip van Winkle, Captain, Zorin, Tubalcain, Luke, and Jan, see Millennium. This article deals with the fictional group Millennium from the Hellsing series is a Fictional character in the Hellsing manga series by Kouta Hirano. is a character in the manga Hellsing and a member of the Millennium forces This article deals with the fictional group Millennium from the Hellsing series
- Heinkel Wolfe is a pistol wielding assassin for the Iscariot organization who partners with Yumie, a Japanese nun with a split personality. Heinkel Wolfe and Yumie Takagi are a pair of Catholic assassins who work for the Iscariot organisation in the manga Hellsing, and is promenently featured in the manga AssassiNation is the sixth album by Krisiun, released in 2006 on Century Media. They act as bodyguards for Maxwell in Hellsing volumes 4 to 5 and are later seen among the brigade of Catholic priests sent to apprehend Integra under Father Anderson's leadership.
Organizations
Royal Order of Protestant Knights, Hellsing
The Hellsing organization (formal name the Royal Order of Protestant Knights) is the central focus of Hellsing's plot. In Hellsing's universe the organization is an integral part of the true power-structure of Great Britain, which is in fact still ruled by a hidden aristocracy and the monarchy. See also Kingdom of Great Britain Great Britain (Breatainn Mhòr Prydain Fawr Breten Veur Graet Breetain is the larger of the two main islands The organization is tasked with defending the country's shores from any and all supernatural threats.
Millennium
A mysterious group of Nazis that has been hiding in Brazil ever since the end of World War II. This article deals with the fictional group Millennium from the Hellsing series Nazism, which was a short name for National Socialism (Nationalsozialismus refers primarily to the Ideology and practices of the National Socialist German |utc_offset = -2 to -4 |time_zone_DST = BRST |utc_offset_DST = -2 to -5 |cctld World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including They are the organization behind the elusive FREAK chips. A microprocessor incorporates most or all of the functions of a Central processing unit (CPU on a single Integrated (Note: FREAK chips were only seen in the TV series. In the manga, the chips were implanted to study each artificial vampire and its surroundings. They defined the vampire's status, behavior, intent, and aggression. They were also used to destroy the vampire remotely from Millennium's base. The means of actually making artificial vampires in the manga remain a mystery. )
Iscariot (Vatican Section XIII)
The Iscariot Organization, named after Judas Iscariot, the apostle who betrayed Jesus, is a top-secret wing of the Vatican charged with the active pursuit and extermination of demons (such as vampires) and heretics. Iscariot is a fictional organization from the Manga series Hellsing. Judas Iscariot, יהודה איש־קריות Yəhûḏāh ʾΚ-qəriyyôṯ was according to the New Testament, one of the twelve original apostles Given that the Hellsing Organization not only employs vampires but is run on the principles of staunch Protestantism, Iscariot is their natural rival, despite their similar aims.
The Wild Geese
The Geese are a group of mercenaries boasting around 100 members, led by their captain, Pip Bernadotte (the mansion is said to house about 100 soldiers and Pip's rank, Captain, usually leads a company which is up 100 members). is a fictional Mercenary captain and the leader of the Wild Geese in the manga series Hellsing. They seem to operate internationally, having performed their last operation in Uganda where Pip lost his eye, back in 1992. The Republic of Uganda is a Landlocked country in East Africa. It is not known how old this group is as it is not stated if Pip or one of his ancestors founded them. Its members are of mixed ethnicity, age, and background and recognize Pip as their leader. They are described as professionals by Walter, but, overall, are no more effective in hand-to-hand combat against vampires than any other 'human' soldier has demonstrated thus far. Pip himself plainly states that they are useless in a "close fight," which is why he set a minefield, and a defensive perimeter, which proved remarkably effective until they were tricked by illusions cast by Zorin Blitz. In volume 7 Pip is killed by Zorin while attempting to save Seras. At the end of Volume 7 there appears to be only 3 members of the Wild Geese still alive, the rest having been killed by Zorin Blitz and the vampire Waffen SS under her command.
(Note: The term human is used rather loosely in Hellsing, but appears to indicate beings who do not have the comfort or curse of eternal life/youth. The Captain, though not a vampire, is a werewolf, and, as such, is eternally youthful. See also Lycanthropy (disambiguation Werewolves, also known as lycanthropes, are mythological or folkloric humans with the ability to This means that he is a non-human. Humans in the Hellsing series can have any number of superhuman powers and still merit this title, as is clearly demonstrated by Anderson and Walter. In the case of the Wild Geese, they certainly do not possess any supernatural powers. )
The Convention of Twelve
In addition to the Queen, Hellsing also answers to the Convention of Twelve or Twelve Conventions. This organization, called the Round Table Conference in the English dub of the TV series, is a secret society of knights, comprised of members of the Parliament, military leaders, and other prominent people from the nobility who manipulate the affairs of England from the shadows, almost like the Illuminati. "Illuminata" redirects here For the 1998 John Turturro film see Illuminata (film. It is also similar to the Round Table of old, which swore loyalty to the throne as well. While the medieval Knights of the Round Table occupied seats around an actual round table, to symbolize equality, the modern Knights sit around a long, rectangular table, at which Integra Hellsing and Sir Hugh Islands, Irons in Dark Horse's translation, occupy the seats at head and foot. Knights of the Round Table were those men awarded the highest order of Chivalry at the Court of King Arthur in the literary cycle the Matter of Britain This may be intentional as Integra and Sir Islands show themselves to be the most powerful and influential of the organization, though Integra is apparently the youngest there. However, in the OVA series, the table is depicted as being round, specifically ovoid, thus making determination of rank in this way difficult.
References
- ^ Manga; hellsing Volume 8.
See also
External links
- Hellsing OVA Website (USA) (Japan) Official website for the OVA series. The first volume was released in Japan on DVD on February 10, 2006.
- Hellsing (2002) at the Internet Movie Database
- General Hellsing manga info Listing in the Anime News Network's manga encyclopedia (includes link to anime listing)
- Young King OURs Official website of Young King OURs, the monthly magazine that Hellsing is published in
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