Hellsing

Vampires are real, and Hellsing is the secret British outfit that keeps that fact from the public while defending the nation. The organization relies on unusual operatives, chiefly Alucard, a centuries-old vampire who answers to the Hellsing family and takes on the bloodthirsty threats others can't handle. Seras, a rookie vampire and former police officer, wrestles with her new nature even as she trains and fights beside Alucard. Integra Hellsing runs the agency with icy resolve, but a surge in supernatural activity suggests something far more dangerous is gathering, forcing the team to confront escalating violence and mysteries without revealing the truth to ordinary people.

Released in 2001, the series adapts Kohta Hirano's manga and was directed by Umanosuke Iida, with Chiaki J. Konaka contributing to the scripts. Its production emphasizes dark visuals and action-heavy sequences that set the show apart in its era.

The series didn't collect major mainstream awards, though it earned strong recognition among genre fans. Voice performances and the show's atmosphere received frequent praise from viewers, and it helped establish careers for several cast members within anime voice acting circles.

Hellsing made a noticeable mark on vampire fiction in anime, helping popularize a darker, more violent take on the genre. Alucard became an easily recognized figure among anime antagonists-turned-antiheroes, and the show inspired fan art, cosplay, and discussion about its gothic aesthetic and moral ambiguity.

Critics and audiences generally responded positively, reflected in a solid vote average on fan sites. Reviewers highlighted the stylish action, grim tone, and moral complexity, while some took issue with pacing and moments where the anime diverged from the manga. Central themes include power and control, faith and fanaticism, loyalty, and the thin line between hunter and monster.