Questions, answers, and guesses about the Hellsing OVA series.
Q: What is the Hellsing Ultimate OVA? Is it a continuation
of the TV series--like a Season 2?
A: The OVA is not a second season of the TV series. In
fact, the OVA intends to tell a quite different story from the TV series.
The OVA starts the Hellsing story over from the manga's beginning. The OVA creators have promised
to make the OVA stay close to the plot from the manga.
There are similarities between the OVA and the TV series. OVA 1 is a lot like the TV episode
1, and OVA 2 is like the TV episodes 5 and 6 as far as plot, characters, and dialogue are concerned. Both animes
are following the plot from the Hellsing manga during those episodes.
So, OVAs 1 and 2 will look familiar to fans of the TV series. But OVA 3 will draw from Volume 3
of the manga, something never seen animated before.
Q: Why didn't the TV series use the story from the manga?
A: OK, here's what
happened.
The Hellsing manga was created first. Next came the TV series. The problem was
that the TV series used up plot material faster than Kouta Hirano could complete it. After the TV series had used up all the
storylines from the manga, the series creators had to complete the season by writing their own stories.
That's why the TV series more-or-less follows the manga until Episode 6, and then
veers off into different territory. The series producers had run out of manga material.
The TV series fans noticed this splitting-off effect, and have often concluded
that the TV series was canceled halfway through the season, or that it ran out of money. Both of these rumors are false.
They just ran out of official manga material to base their episodes on.
Q: Who decided to make another Hellsing anime, and why?
A: Kouta Hirano said that producer Yasuyuki Ueda approached him with the
idea. (In one rumored version, they were out drinking, and Ueda bet Hirano he could write a Hellsing script. This is unconfirmed,
though interesting.)
Q: How many episodes will the Hellsing OVA have? How long will each OVA episode be?
A: At first, Geneon announced a run of 20 episodes, 35 minutes each. Later,
they put forth the idea of making 10 OVAs, or one episode for each manga volume.
However, Geneon may be using a more flexible system.
OVA 1 was supposed to be 35 minutes, but was later lengthened to 50 minutes;
it covered Volume 1 of the manga. OVA 2 ended up being about 40 minutes long, but did not cover all of manga Volume
2--some events were left over.
This was probably because Volume 2 of the manga ends in a relaxed way; the last
few pages are interesting, but have less action than the fight with the Valentine Brothers. Geneon chose
to end OVA 2 after that fight; that way, the episode would end with a climax. In short, they picked a good place to stop,
even though that place wasn't really the end of manga Volume 2.
So, it appears that the contents of each episode are subject to change. Geneon
is thinking about how to arrange things in order to create the best episode possible. There may be 10 OVA episodes, or
12, or 8. We'll have to wait and see!
Q: How often do the episodes come out?
A: At a rough guess, expect a new OVA episode every 6 or 7 months.
Each OVA episode has been delayed at least once, so keep checking the release dates on the News page. While delays are
frustrating, it's good to know that Geneon won't push an episode out the door before it's truly ready.
When is OVA 4 coming out?
It's been delayed several times, but the new release date for Japan is February
22, 2008. A release date for North America is not yet available.
Q: When can I buy it? Where can I buy it? How much does it cost?
A: If you want the OVAs in your hands as soon as possible after they're released,
companies like Play-Asia.com and Amazon.co.jp will ship worldwide. Just remember that you'll likely be receiving a Japanese-language version with
no subtitles.
I hesitate to quote costs, since they may change between the time I post this and
the time you read it. It's best to check around. If you know of a local distributor who carries anime titles, express your
interest in Hellsing to them, and ask if they will be carrying it. It never hurts to get the word out!
Q: How much of the manga is covered per OVA episode?
A: This is hard to predict. OVA 1 covered almost all of manga volume 1, but
did it by skimming over certain plot points at high speed. OVA 2 covered most of manga volume 2, with a bit left
over. Everyone's hoping that the 'leftovers' will be covered in OVA 3. (EDIT: And it looks as though they wil be!) (EDITED
AGAIN: And it was!)
So, it looks like Geneon isn't using a 'one volume, one OVA'
rule. It might be better to assume something like 'about 8 manga chapters per OVA'. And of course, fans don't want
anything left out, so that sounds like the smart thing to do.
Q: I haven't read the Hellsing manga yet. Should I?
A: The fans would certainly recommend it--they love the manga! The only reason
to avoid reading them would be to avoid 'spoilers'; it would be like reading the book before watching a movie.
Q: Do you have (character)'s name spelled incorrectly? I thought it was spelled another
way.
A: This question almost deserves its own section. Most Hellsing characters have
alternate names, depending on where you look.
Some variations are: Arucard/Alucard, Integral/Integra, Anderson/Andersong, Seras/Selas/Ceres--and
Walter's last name, which could be Dolneaz, Dornez or Ddollneazz (And these are just the equivalents in one language--English!).
I don't know if my versions are correct; I just decided to pick them and stick with them.
Q: Why is Alucard helping Hellsing?
A: Alucard was captured by the Hellsing Organization some years ago. Presumably his
powers were weaker back then. The Hellsing Organization then kept him and 'modified' him to: (1) make him stronger, and
(2) keep him under their control.
He is now used by Hellsing to fight their enemies and hunt down other vampires. He
must obey a 'master' from the Hellsing family line; Integra is his current Master. In the manga, Alucard has sometimes
asked Integra's permission to take action.
Alucard seems to be rather loosely controlled, and he doesn't seem to mind his servitude.
There are many theories as to why this might be, but no one knows yet.
Q: How did Hellsing modify Alucard, and how strong did they make him?
A: The manga has never given out these details. It's likely that magic was used
to make him obedient, but no one knows.
Alucard's full powers aren't known either. His ability to regenerate after injury
is phenomenal, clearly much stronger than the healing abilities of other vampires. He also seems to use some kind of telepathy,
be able to fly or float, and radically change shape. No one knows if these abilities came from Hellsing's modification, or
if he had them before his capture.
Q: Why was Alucard locked up in the dungeon?
A: In a recent chapter of the manga, a character said Alucard was
locked up because he was too dangerous. (Which leaves an interesting question--what finally made them decide that?)
Q: Is Alucard really Dracula?
A: Yes. It was hinted at in the TV series, but the manga has come right
out and said it. The OVA seems to be getting the big hints out quickly; in OVA 1, Integra calls Alucard 'Count', and in OVA
2, Alucard has a dream which implies he was once the Dracula of history and fiction.
Q: What are Anderson's powers, and how did he get them?
A: Alexander Anderson was modified by Iscariot to be a more effective vampire
hunter. The manga doesn't explain how. Anderson has superhuman healing abilities, enhanced strength and speed, is apparently
able to summon objects from thin air (bayonets and sacred texts) and perhaps can even teleport.
Q: Are some of the Millenium members werewolves?
A: The only real werewolf in Millenium is the Captain. There was some confusion
about this, because other Millenium members are called 'Werewolves' in the manga. But that phrase referred
to the characters' military title, not a chapechanging ability.
There really was a WWII German fighting group called "Werwolf Kommandos";
they were Hitler Youth volunteers trained in fighting and sabotage. So, there are "Werewolves" in Millenium, but that is the
name of their fighting unit. They can't change into that particular supernatural creature.
Q: Why does this series seem to glorify Nazism?
A: There is some concern over this, but there really needn't be. The enemies
of Hellsing are Nazis because Nazis make such good enemies--they're a lot of fun to hate. Nazis are often used as a symbol
of evil--in old Captain America comics, in editorial articles, and in movies ranging from Raiders Of The Lost Ark to Casablanca. Millenium
should be seen in about the same vein; they're fictional, convenient, interesting bad guys.
