Customer Reviews

Hellsing - Impure Souls (Vol. 1)

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Welcome to the Hellsing Organization; an army dedicated to keep the country safe from the undead. The group fights against vampires and ghouls of all sorts in the dark of night. Their ultimate weapon is a hunter that is a vampire himself, Arucard; an unstoppable figure that can face just about any sort of evil that the darkness has to offer him. Vampires and ghouls are not safe with this elite team of hunters and soldiers lurking about.

"Hellsing: Impure Souls" begins this dark journey with three episodes. Here we find out what the Hellsing Organization is all about, and we meet Arucard; a vampire who has dedicated himself to serve his master, Sir Integra (the head woman in charge of the group), and fight against the unholy monsters. He's forced to transform a dying police woman, Seras Victoria, into a vampire in order to spare her life to kill a menacing blood-sucker holding her hostage. While Seras is getting used to being a new member of the Hellsing Organization, she also is in battle with herself over what she has become. In the meantime, Arucard is up against some competition; a regenerating foe that wields The Bible and an assortment of knives. All of this is an exciting set-up for a blood-soaked introduction to the series.

"Hellsing" is a quickly addicting anime series about vampires and ghouls--as well as the hunters and soldiers that fight against them. The animation is stunningly impressive and stylish while at the same time the story and characters are exceptional. The series reminds me a bit of the "Spawn" series without feeling nearly as disturbing or intense. It's extremely easy to lose yourself in each of these three episodes--and as soon as they're over, you're eager to see the rest.

This is adult anime that is in no way intended for younger viewers. The episodes contain graphic violence, blood and gore, strong language, mature situations, and dark and disturbing themes and imagery. The only really downside to this DVD is that it only contains three episodes, which makes the running time for the DVD a little over an hour. While this can be seen as a good or bad thing, it's still a weak-point for the DVD. Other than that, the picture and sound quality is really great. Extras on the disc include a creditless opening, an art gallery, action figure info, a trailer music video and more.

"Hellsing: Impure Souls" is the exciting beginning to this action-packed and stylish anime adventure. For those who are bigger fans of ghouls and vampires than the fantasy genera, this is definitely something to check out. "Hellsing" has the makings of a great anime series, and that's from only seeing the first three episodes. Take the ride into the darkness--if your soul dares.

When I bought the first three DVD's of Helsing, I was blown away by its amazing story and take on the classic theme of "vampires". Helsing provides a fresh look into a done to death genre and with fascinating characters and story developments, I was instantly hooked. In fact I would have easily given this series a "five star" rating if not for its weak ending. I think many people who have given this series a high rating probably have not had the opportunity to see the final few episodes which were quite disappointing. The series had moving along so well but then it ends rather abruptly leaving a whole host of unanswered questions to the viewers. Regardless of, I would still strongly recommend this series to most viewers and it is unforunate that this series suffered the same fate of most Japanese anime and comics, i.e. a weak ending.
Oh well...

Gonzo outdid itself. Again.

Hellsing, although a short series with only 12 episodes, was a definite hit, taking on a new spin on vampires in the streets of Britain. (Side note: There are sepculations from Gonzo to start a sequel. More information later.) I sat there for all 12 episodes with satisfaction as a horror series is given not just its share of shrieks and shrills, but a storyline with heart.

The main character is Arucard, a vampire. And as all vampires, he has the curse of immortality and the desire for blood. But he works for the other side. He slays vampires and the lot for the Hellsing Agency. It is headed by Integra Wingates Hellsing, descendent of Baron Van Hellsing the legendary vampire hunter and a Knight of the Round Table. They protect the Queen and Britain, but more is afoot than they know...

With a simple but crisp animation, coupled with stunning presentation and matching soundtrack, Hellsing was regarded as one of the best animations in Japan of the year 2001, third after Mahoromatic and Scryed. Not quite shocking, yet it leaves you feeling displaced.

Gonzo has been well known for their excellent CG in Blue Sub #6 and Vandread, but Hellsing is probably one of their best titles yet. They don't go overboard with the CG and the story bones well for vampire fans. For many anime fans, this will be one of the coolest series ever.

Order 01: Alucard must track down a vampire disguised as a priest in Chedder, where he also meets Victoria Seras.
Order 02: Victoria becomes more aware of the Hellsing organization when on a mission to obliterate two teenage vampires.
Order 03: Victoria is assigned to take out a crazed vampire medical patient where she also meets Alucard's new enemy.

The story in this series is VERY violent. Enough to make you wince atleast once. Alucard will immedietly become a favorite with many anime fans since he is purely a psychotic killing vampire. Take Vampire Hunter D's clothing mixed with Trigun's Vash's attitude and you should have a pretty good idea of what Alucard is like. It's rare that a moment goes by where Alucard isn't smiling. Victoria acts as kind of the viewers reaction to all this fighting and provides some good comic relief and female influence to the show. Other characters include Sir Integra Hellsing (leader of the Hellsing organization), Sir Walter (faithful servent of Integra), Peter Ferguson (main captain of Hellsing) and Paladin (a Catholic who exterminates vampires).

The English dub has been made to fit the location of England. All the English cast members (with an exception of Alucard) have English accents. It doesn't bog down the story too much, but what bothered me about the English script was the blatant use of the F word. It's only used a couple of times in Episode 2, but it will become a habit of Pioneer in later episodes. But then again, I guess thats what would lure more people into the series.

The extras are pretty good for the first release. We get a creditless opening, music video (in Japanese), 50 concept art images and a gallery on the Alucard action figure (sans the hat).

Overall, Hellsing is a great series I recommend that everyone atleast give a try. If you like pure insane violence mixed with vampires and cursing and a good rocking soundtrack, you should have no problem warming up to this show.

Ah, Hellsing... one of the finest pieces of anime this side of Gehenna.

The story details the Hellsing agency, leaded by Integra Wingates Hellsing. She is the descendant of the legendary doctor/vampire-hunter Abraham Van Helsing from Bram Stokers Dracula.
Because of her bloodline, she has control of a maliciously powerful vampire named Alucard, whose origin has yet to be revealed.

Alucard has become the top agent of the Hellsing agency, whose job is to protect the Queen of England from all sorts of undead rabble and/or monsters.
During a mission, Alucard "embraces" a female policewoman, making her a creature of the night as well.
The policewoman, named Ceres Victoria, struggles to accept her new undead form, which is also a main theme of the anime.

The art of the anime is stunning... though it varies in some of the later episodes. Also, the soundtrack is smooth and cool.
Definitely worth a buy if you like horror, vampires (or Vampire Hunter D), or H.P. Lovecraft (as the series is highly inspired by the Lovecraftian realm).

Finally, I should mention that Alucard is... so... bad-[one].

Hellsing may have only 13 (yes its 13, not twelve, I have seen all of them)episodes, but it is still one of the best animes I have ever seen. It kind of reminds me of Trigun for some reason, except minus the comedy part.
In my opinion, the whole usage of Vampires as a storyline was set out alot better than Vampire hunter D or any of the other vampire anime movies. Alucard (In the official version his name is spelled Arucard but it really make sense since backwards Arucard is Dracura not Dracula) is just one bad...guy and the fight scenes are really cool. The show has an interesting art style and the frequent use of the color red and black really creates a good image. 3 episodes or not, this is one show you cannot miss.

Buffy fans may not like this vampire take as it is more "classic" Dracula vampire-noble, viscious, dark/tragic but unapologetic. Like some swashbuckling heroes, Alucard possesses power & skill he rarely fully unleashes(in the name of making things interesting?) & an honor few of the modern-day humans around him seem capable of understanding.
Victoria, with her refusal to "feed" thru the first dvd, was annoying, but it fits--given a choice of death or joining Alucard at a moment's notice, she was not fully aware of what she was getting herself into, but we see the classic loyal tie between vampire master & those bitten. As in real life, it seems Victoria's finding it harder to carry out what she must do(drink blood) to the abstract thinking she can do it when agreeing to becoming a vampire.
Integra is very British, the most annoying character in my book, but even her personality is portrayed very well. She will destroy vampires at whatever cost, even if she must use one of the most infamous vamps of all time to do it(strange bedfellows)
I cannot wait to see the whole series. Too bad appears we only get 4 dvd's/13 or so episodes.

There are some times when you don't feel like watching an anime series that requires a 300 page book to explain all its subtle plot nuances. Sometimes you want to see guys with big guns fight guys with big swords. Hellsing is a series that's just nice to sit down and watch and not have to think very much.

If you want to hear the good stuff, read one of the many glowing reviews.

The only problem I had with the series was I seem to be the only one that noticed a lack of consistent character design. Several of the minor characters change their look between episodes. Their eyes get higher on their forehead or scars get longer. It seems like the animators were working with different designs or changing them on their own. Episode 9 has a very detailed Integra Hellsing throughout, with short bangs in front of her forehead (which she doesn't seem to have in any other episode), and then the first scene of 10 she walks out of a helicopter looking quickly drawn and quite like a character out of Gundam Wing. Victoria's nose is like Prince John's mole from "Men In Tights." Its size, shape, and even position seem to change by the scene, and even as she turns her head. This one flaw is annoying, but doesn't really take a lot away from this fine series.
And to answer a few people's questions there are only 3 episodes on the disc because there are only 13 episodes and they're streching it to 4 dvd's.

3 + 3 + 3 + 4 = 13

They COULD smush it all onto 2 dvd's, but keep in mind they're out to make money people.

ps - Why are Victoria's eyes red in her childhood pictures? They were blue in the first episode when she was a human...

Yes... I have been waiting on tetherhooks for this series ever since I got a glimpse of it at a convention I went to.

Be warned, this anime is NOT for the fainthearted (nor the kids)... its Spawn style dark and the drawing style reminds me a lot of the Sandman comics I used to read.

The story revolves around the Hellsing orginisation and their quest to rid the world of the sudden surge of 'man made' vampires that have been running rampant. The head of the orginisation is Sir Intergral Wingates Hellsing (a woman). To hunt these vampires, she uses one of her own. A vampire operative by the name of Arucard

Of all the characters in this anime, Arucard, the rogue vampire deserves special mention... he is the type of character that you can never quite figure out.. his voice is done superbly in japanese by Johji Nataka (Folken in Escaflowne), deep and menacing. Crispin Freeman does the english dub and sounds..alright... but no where near as deep.

The only thing wrong about this is the fact that it contains only 3 episodes. Other than that, if you like horror with style... give this disc a try

The first episode was amazing, it kind of reminded me of Resident Evil because of all the ghouls running around. The music was something new and left me wanting to hear more. The animation was the only problem. In the first episode, the animation was flawless, it almost looked like movie quality animation, but in the 2nd episode the character animations got sloppy. Their faces and hands werent drawn as nice and it looked choppy at times. Ive noticed this is other anime shows in the past too, and I wish they hadnt done that here.

The dubbed version of the show was pretty good except for Arucards voice, it just didnt sound as creepy as the original. And I dont know why they thought it was necessary to redub the sounds that the ghouls made. If you decide to get this, watch the subtitled first.