Hellsing

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This article is about the manga and anime franchise. For other uses, see Hellsing (disambiguation).
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Hellsing (ヘルシング Herushingu?, romanized as HELLSING in Japan) is a Japanese media franchise created by Kouta Hirano, which consists of manga, anime, soundtracks, and other collectibles. Hellsing chronicles the efforts of the mysterious and secret Hellsing Organization, as it combats vampires, zombie-like creatures called ghouls,[1] a powerful werewolf,[2] and other supernatural foes who threaten the kingdom of England. The name Hellsing is an alternate spelling of "Helsing", as in Abraham Van Helsing, from the Bram Stoker novel Dracula.

Contents

[edit] Manga

Main article: Hellsing (manga)

The manga series began in Japan in 1997 and, as of 2008, is still being published monthly in Young King OURs magazine. The English adaptation of the manga is published by Dark Horse Comics, the French version by Editions Tonkam, the German version by Planet Manga, the Spanish one by Norma, the Polish one by J.P. Fantastica and the Traditional Chinese version by Tong Li.

Hellsing: The Dawn is an ongoing prequel to Hirano's manga series Hellsing.

The Dawn features a fourteen year-old Walter C. Dornez and Alucard, there shown as a girl in her teens, attacking Millennium's base of operations in Warsaw, Poland, during September of 1944, in the midst of the Warsaw Uprising.

[edit] Anime television series

Main article: Hellsing (TV series)

Following the release of the manga, an anime TV series produced by Gonzo,[3] based on the manga of the same name by Kouta Hirano. The 13-episode TV series was produced by Gonzo in 2001, with the story and characters quite different from the original manga. The TV series was broadcast on Fuji Television in Japan from October 10, 2001 to January 16, 2002 and in the US on Starz!'s Encore Action channel from October 4, 2003 to December 27, 2003.

[edit] Episodes

  1. "The Undead"
  2. "Club M"
  3. "Sword Dancer"
  4. "Innocent as a Human"
  5. "Brotherhood"
  6. "Dead Zone"
  7. "Duel"
  8. "Kill House"
  9. "Red Rose Vertigo"
  10. "Master of Monster"
  11. "Transcend Force"
  12. "Total Destruction"
  13. "Hellfire"
Opening

English lyrics of Logos Naki World.

  • "Aim 4" by Keith Flint (German version)
Ending
  • "Shine" by Mr. Big
  • "Laughs" by Keith Flint (German version)

Hellsing: Impure Souls Ani-Manga

  • Published by Dark Horse (US), a printed adaptation of the popular anime series.
  • Packaging info: 160 pages, soft cover, full color, 5" x 7"
  • Release Date: December 21st, 2005

[edit] OVAs

Main article: Hellsing Ultimate

Hellsing Ultimate is a Japanese OVA series that is more closely based on the Hellsing manga series. It is being produced by animation studio Satelight and Geneon and currently runs 4 episodes. Episodes I, II, and III of the OVA are based on Volumes 1, 2, and 3 of the manga, respectively. Episode IV is based on Volumes 4 and 5.

Episodes
  1. Hellsing I (February 10, 2006)
  2. Hellsing II (August 25, 2006)
  3. Hellsing III (April 4, 2007)
  4. Hellsing IV (February 22, 2008)
Ending
  • Hellsing I - "Gradus Vita" by Hayato Matsuo, performed by the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra
  • Hellsing II - "Merche funebre" by Hayato Matsuo, performed by the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra
  • Hellsing III - "Letzte Bataillon" by Hayato Matsuo, performed by the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra
  • Hellsing IV - "Das Engelandlied"
Teaser Trailer

[edit] Hellsing Organization

Main article: Hellsing Organization

More formally known as the Royal Order of Protestant Knights, it is a fictional organization from Hellsing.

The name "Hellsing" comes from the character Abraham Van Helsing from Bram Stoker's Dracula. The leader of Hellsing organization, Sir Integral Fairbrook Wingates Hellsing (Integra), is the great-granddaughter of the grizzled professor. In the Hellsing 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. The organization is tasked with defending the country's shores from any and all supernatural threats. Controversy is often raised, especially in the manga, over the highly unconventional methods Hellsing chooses to do this, namely the use of anti-Christian powers and creatures. In the TV series the agency resembles a counter-terrorist paramilitary strike force in uniform, methods and gear, however in the manga and OVA the soldiers are rarely seen, as the manga only focuses on the main characters.

[edit] North American, British, and Australian DVD and UMD releases

DVDs published by Geneon (Pioneer) and ADV Films in the UK (Region 2):

  • Volume 1 (of 4), Impure Souls (also with series box): contains episodes 01-03; release date: July 23rd, 2002; Geneon Signature Series rerelease (without series box): June 7th, 2005; UK release date: July 21st, 2003; AUS release date: November 13, 2002
  • Volume 2 (of 4), Blood Brothers: contains episodes 04-06; release date: September 10th, 2002; Geneon Signature Series rerelease: September 6th, 2005; UK release date: September 22nd, 2003; AUS release date: November 13, 2002
  • Volume 3 (of 4), Search and Destroy: contains episodes 07-09; release date: November 12th, 2002; Geneon Signature Series rerelease: November 1st, 2005; UK release date: November 17th, 2003; AUS release date: January 15th, 2003
  • Volume 4 (of 4), Eternal Damnation (also with Limited Edition figure): contains episodes 10-13; release date: January 21st, 2003; Geneon Signature Series rerelease (without LE figure): January 10th, 2006; UK release date: January 19th, 2004; AUS release date: February 11th, 2003
  • Box Set: contains all four volumes (entire series); release date: April 8th, 2003; UK release date: September 20th, 2004; AUS release date: January 14, 2004

North America and Australia OVA release

  • OVA Volume 1, US release date: 5th December 2006; AU release date: 4th of April 2007
  • OVA Volume 2, US release date: 12th June 2007; AU release date: 16th of October 2007
  • OVA Volume 3, US release date: 16th October 2007; AU release date: 22nd of April 2008

UMD (Universal Media Disc) for Sony's PlayStation Portable (PSP):

Like many of its other popular anime properties (like Samurai Champloo, Akira, and Gungrave), Geneon will be releasing Hellsing on the UMD for PSP (Region 1).

  • UMD Volume 1: contains episodes 01-03; release date: August 16, 2005.

The volume count for the UMD hasn't been announced yet but the UMD volume count is expected to be the same as the DVD volume count (4).

[edit] Original soundtrack releases

Original Soundtrack One

  • Raid by Yasushi Ishii

Original Soundtrack Two

European Soundtrack release:

Best of Hellsing. Jesus Christ is in Heaven now. Original Soundtrack by Yasushi Ishii[citation needed]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Hellsing manga, volume 1, chapter 1, page 12 — ISBN 1-59307-056-X
  2. ^ OVA questions (See the second to last answer on the page)
  3. ^ http://www.wizarduniverse.com/magazine/anime/002383840.cfm
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