Hellsing Ultimate Review – Blood, Fire, and Immortality in Gothic Glory

1. Introduction

Hellsing Ultimate is a brutal, stylish, and unapologetically violent dark fantasy action anime that reimagines the classic vampire mythos through the lens of supernatural warfare and religious zealotry. Based on Kouta Hirano’s manga, this OVA series is a faithful, uncensored adaptation that dives deep into the blood-soaked crusade of the Hellsing Organization and its most dangerous weapon—Alucard, the ultimate vampire. With stunning animation, gothic aesthetics, and philosophical overtones, Hellsing Ultimate stands as a cornerstone of mature anime storytelling.

2. Plot Summary

In an alternate version of modern Britain, the Hellsing Organization, led by the stoic and powerful Integra Hellsing, works to defend the country from supernatural threats—primarily ghouls, vampires, and the undead. Their greatest asset is Alucard, a nearly invincible vampire bound to serve Hellsing. As vampire attacks escalate and a shadowy Nazi organization known as Millennium resurfaces, war erupts between humans, monsters, and gods. The series unfolds into an apocalyptic conflict touching on themes of identity, morality, and the true nature of monsters.

3. Main Characters

• Alucard – The ultimate vampire and protagonist. Insanely powerful, sadistic, and immortal, he is both executioner and philosopher.

• Integra Hellsing – The no-nonsense leader of the Hellsing Organization, embodying authority and righteousness.

• Seras Victoria – A young policewoman turned vampire who serves under Alucard, symbolizing innocence lost to darkness.

• The Major – The main antagonist; a war-obsessed Nazi whose goal is to plunge the world into endless conflict.

• Alexander Anderson – A fanatical priest and member of Section XIII (Iscariot), Alucard’s ideological rival and combat equal.

4. Arcs & Sagas

🦇 Introduction & Seras’ Turning – Sets the stage with Seras Victoria’s transformation and introduction to the Hellsing Organization.

☦️ Iscariot Conflict – Introduces the Catholic Church’s Section XIII and the ideological war between religion and monstrosity.

🧟 Millennium Arc – The Nazi vampires of Millennium begin their invasion of London, leading to a full-scale supernatural war.

💀 London’s Fall – Chaos reigns as vampires flood the streets, and Alucard unleashes the true extent of his power.

⚰️ Final Showdown – A metaphysical conclusion between Alucard, Anderson, and The Major, culminating in Alucard’s transcendent evolution.

5. Powers & Abilities

• 🩸 Regeneration – Alucard’s body can regenerate from nearly any form of damage, even complete disintegration.

• 💀 Familiar Summoning – Alucard can summon legions of souls he's absorbed, including an entire army.

• 🔫 Casull & Jackal – Custom-made anti-monster handguns used by Alucard.

• 🛡️ Holy Weapons – Anderson wields blessed bayonets and, later, a divine artifact that transforms him into a monster.

• 👁️ Omnipresence – Alucard's powers grow to existential levels, including quantum manipulation in the final episode.

6. Top Moments & Battles

🔫 Alucard vs. Luke Valentine – A one-sided massacre showcasing Alucard's cruelty and power.

🗡️ Anderson vs. Alucard (Final Battle) – A tragic, intense confrontation about humanity and faith.

🔥 Millennium's Attack on London – A nightmarish spectacle of war, death, and vampires flooding the capital.

🧛 Seras Awakens – Seras fully accepts her vampirism and crushes Zorin Blitz in a jaw-dropping power-up scene.

🎖️ The Major’s Monologue – His infamous “I love war” speech, one of the most iconic villain moments in anime.

7. Influence & Legacy

• Redefined the vampire genre in anime with unflinching violence and gothic elegance.

• Pushed the boundaries of OVA animation quality, maintaining theatrical-level production across all episodes.

• A cult classic among fans of horror, action, and anti-hero narratives.

• Alucard remains one of the most iconic anime antiheroes of all time.

8. Anime & Manga Status

• Manga: Completed (1997–2008) – 10 volumes.

• Anime:

  • Hellsing (2001) – Loosely based on the manga, diverges into an original story.

  • Hellsing Ultimate (2006–2012) – Faithful manga adaptation, 10 OVA episodes.

Ultimate is the definitive version.

9. Where to Start Watching?

🔥 Start directly with Hellsing Ultimate (2006). Each OVA is around 45–60 minutes and chronologically adapts the manga.

Skip the 2001 anime unless you’re curious about an alternate version.

10. Anime vs. Manga Differences

• Hellsing Ultimate is nearly frame-for-frame faithful to the manga.

• The original Hellsing (2001) anime diverges drastically midway with different villains and a toned-down plot.

• The manga offers more minor character interactions and background lore, but Ultimate captures its essence perfectly.

11. Movies & OVAs

• 🎥 Hellsing Ultimate IS an OVA series (10 episodes total).

• No separate theatrical films, though each episode is cinematic in quality and tone.

12. Fan Theories & Speculations

🔄 Alucard’s Final Return – After disappearing post-battle, Alucard returns once he kills the countless souls inside himself, suggesting metaphysical rebirth.

🔮 Is Alucard truly immortal? – Fans debate whether his existence now transcends time and death entirely.

💔 The Major’s Humanity – Is he a cyborg with no soul, or did he sacrifice his humanity to embody war?

13. Final Arc & Endgame

• Anderson sacrifices his humanity to become a monster and defeat Alucard—only to be defeated and pitied.

• Alucard is “killed” by Schrödinger’s paradox, forced to confront his own infinite existence.

• The Major dies satisfied, having waged his war of chaos and madness.

• Alucard returns years later, having transcended death itself.

The ending is poetic, bleak, and deeply philosophical.

14. Live-Action Adaptations

🎬 No official live-action version exists yet.

However, the cinematic flair, gothic visuals, and intense dialogue make Hellsing a recurring fan favorite for hypothetical Western or Japanese adaptations.

(John Wick director Chad Stahelski has expressed interest in developing a live-action Hellsing film).

15. Ratings & Reviews

🩸 Overall Rating: 9.0/10

🔫 Action & Gore: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (10/10)

🕯️ Atmosphere & Aesthetic: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (9.5/10)

🎭 Characters & Dialogue: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (8.9/10)

📚 Philosophy & Themes: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (8.7/10)

🎨 Animation & Soundtrack: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (9.4/10)

16. Recommendations

✅ Perfect for fans of Berserk, Devilman Crybaby, or Castlevania.

✅ Highly recommended if you enjoy blood-drenched battles, vampiric lore, and existential antiheroes.

✅ A must-watch for those seeking a mature, gothic anime with cinematic intensity and unforgettable moments.