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Alternative Titles

Synonyms: Hellsing Cross Fire, Crossfire

Japanese: ヘルシング

Information

Type: Manga

Volumes: 10

Chapters: 92

Status: Finished

Published: Apr 30, 1997 to Sep 30, 2008

Genres: Action, Horror, Supernatural

Themes: Adult Cast, Gore, Historical, Vampire

Demographic: Seinen

Serialization: Young King OURs

Authors: Hirano, Kouta (Story & Art)

Statistics

Score: 8.30¹ (scored by 43,652 users)

¹ indicates a weighted score.

Ranked: #336²

² based on the top manga page. Please note that 'R18+' titles are excluded.

Popularity: #145

Members: 95,922

Favorites: 5,828

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Reviews

Filtered Results: 18 / 21

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Aug 18, 2008

NanashiMoriko

Recommended

Hellsing was part of my introduction to anime and as such it is one of my favourite fandoms. But it has only kept its place there because of its unique way of capturing the reader with action that I can only describe as being kick arse.

There is a great plot to this manga, well thought out and very grand. Being an action manga there are quite a few pages which are full of just pictures, no words, but yet the plot still unfolds well and is not lost.

Due to ...

Jun 1, 2013

KingIK

Not Recommended

WARNING: This review contains an opinion that may differ from your own. I ask that you please read it with an open mind. If you're a fan of this manga/anime, hey I'm completely okay with that. I respect your opinion. Just how you should respect mine. ...

I know I'll get some hate for this, but whatever, this must be said. When you create a manga, there are three things that you can judge it on. First is the characterization, then the story and lastly the art. Hellsing fails when it comes to story and characterization. Before I go any further, I'll tell you right now there will be some very minor spoilers but there's nothing that will ruin the series for you and I'll warn you ahead of time.

The story takes place in the United Kingdom where the British government employs a special group named the Hellsing organization. They defend the country from things that go bump in the night. It' run by Sir Integra; (SPOILER UP AHEAD) it was originally started by her great grandfather, the notorious vampire hunter, Abraham Van Helsing. They incorporate a powerful vampire named Alucard. So yeah, you can kind of see where this is going, the Hellsing manga is like one of those "what if" stories. In this case, it's with Bram Stroker's “Dracula” Novel where instead of killing the count, Abraham Van Helsing keeps him alive and uses him to fight off demonic entities, vampires and ghouls(SPOILERS ARE OVER). I won't go any further, because I don't want to ruin what's left of the story (which isn't that much anyways).

Hellsing's narrative is really lacking, there isn't much depth and it doesn't engage you. Not to mention, it's way too simple (especially for a seinen manga), and isn't that multi-layered or complex aside from a plot twist that occurs towards the end of the series. I wouldn't have had a problem with it if the manga was shorter, but at 92 chapters, I was expecting more story. Obviously, Kouta Hirano knew this, so he needed a way to entertain the reader; which was to throw in a whole bunch of action and graphic bloody violence to the point where it became borderline exploitation. I remember reading Hellsing up to the halfway point and kept asking myself when will the story take off? It never did. Even though the story isn't that well written, I'll admit it's very well paced and there's always a smooth transition from one scene to the next.

Now on to the character's, okay let me start off by saying that Alucard has to be one of my all time favorite characters in all of manga and anime. He is the definition of badass and is a great example of the anti-hero. It's always fun to see him destroy his enemies mentally and physically. Not only that, but his whole persona and appearance is memorable. With his red duster and hat, to his large pistols and circular framed glasses. Of all the characters in the manga he had the most depth and was the most fleshed out. But still, he could have gotten a little more development. You couldn't imagine how frustrated I got when finally, we were given some back ground info on him but it turns out that it was only about 5 or 6 pages worth of material. Then it went back to nonstop action and violence. :( Furthermore, as for the others, they got little to no characterization whatsoever. For example, Seras Victoria, she barely got any development. Aside from trying to adapt as a newly turned vampire, there wasn't much else to her. About midway through, I began thinking that Kouta Hirano just put her in there because she had big tits. Don’t get me wrong, Seras is put to good use in the series but she just lacks depth. Like Alucard, we only get a small amount of info on her past later on in the manga. The same thing applies to the other characters as well. Sure, some of them had personalities that might make one stand out from another, but they were all one sided and flat. As I read further on, it became apparent that Hirano was too caught up with making them look cool and badass when they're fighting. And so, he completely forgot to develop them.

Finally the art, the best part about the Hellsing manga; the manga author may not be able to write, but he sure can draw. The character designs are distinctive and fit perfectly for this horror themed manga. Implementing thick lines into the designs was an interesting idea. Backgrounds were very detailed and crisp as well. Although, Hellsing’s art doesn't start out that great in the first 8-10 chapters (especially the design for Alucard). But by volume 3, it changes for the better.

All in all, Hellsing is a mediocre Seinen manga in my opinion. If you're looking for great storytelling and Characterization, look someplace else (Berserk, Vinland Saga and Monster). But if you want action and graphic violence then you’ll probably enjoy this. My suggestion to you is go watch Hellsing Ultimate instead, it’s a very faithful OVA adaptation of this manga. It’s a little more enjoyable than its counterpart because there is an OST, animation and of course, Crispin Freeman’s AMAZING dub performance. This all distracts you from the fact that the story and characterization isn't so great. So I think you’ll definitely have a more enjoyable experience with that.

May 31, 2009

alex264

Recommended

Hellsing throws you into a dark world where monsters and humans coexist and do battle. Think of Bram Stroker's "Dracula" meeting the James Bond series, with a modest touch of fantasy. If your a person who enjoys being succinctly entertained with fast paced action and dialogue, then this is the manga for you. From an American's outlook, I could see where the Japanese lines blended with western comic ideals. Many characters are presented from different, competing groups, trying to hold dominion over the others for various iconographic reasons(God, Country, Money, Power, Abilities). It just seemed much more up front than some mangas I've read ... where things usually are more subtle at first. Not Hellsing though, from the moment you start reading you are thrown into the midst of essentially, a fast bloody short story with rising action, climax and the falling action. Not to say that the manga didn't try to delve deeper into the obsession over war, pursuit of perfection, and the preciousness of life. These are only a few of the themes that were blended with the fast paced plot for a thought provoking, but albeit entertaining story.

The story isn't very grand in terms of details, but it allows the reader to focus on a few integral characters at a time, which becomes more exciting as they all join together right before the climax.With the exception of the abrupt ending, most of the plot revolves around the main character and his anti hero actions towards evil. I enjoyed seeing all of the situations pitted against Alucard, and how his seemingly never ending powers dealt with them. I was bugged at first that it was just fight after fight, but towards the middle a greater battle is taken up and the fights more or less become the story. It made for good and mildly original entertainment.

The art in Hellsing matched the story perfectly. To say it was just "cool" or "dark" is an understatement. Every character has their own feel to them through their drawings. Integra is always collected and in charge with her cigarette smoke. Walter is respectful but yet mysterious with his eye piece shining, and Allucard oozes dark, fearful power. Its too long to go into, but every character almost seems evil do to the nature of the story and how it fits so well with the art. No one is perfect and the art reflects that idea well.

Due to its fast paced, skirmish then break skirmish then break story structure, I originally thought that character development was lacking in Hellsing. But Hirano uses the battle structure as a way of showing you what type of character the person is. There are many many speeches in these battles that explain their ideals, motives, etc. It isn't really done as subtley as some similiarly natured manga, but still gets the job done. Most of the characters pass away fast, and so only a few get gradually built up. These brief characters are actually quite interesting and original, which makes it easier to appreciate them as much as the built up characters before they die abruptly. The majority of the characters in the series have interesting abilities and larger than life motives for pursuiting battle. If I had to say what the series major weakness was, its most likely the fact that the brief characters aren't given more page time and lack development, which can't be made up just because most of them are interesting and original.

I recommend that you read this series as it is meant to be read, periodically. Read one volume, and then wait a couple days or even a week to read the next. There are many cliffhangers and plot developments that serve to enhance the enjoyment level greatly. I did this and was excited and involved until the end. The action is the bread and butter of this series, and the characters were all very cool, with only a few being "very developed". If you are wanting a break from your deeply thought provoking, hipster manga, than pick up a copy of Hellsing and your adrenaline will thank you.

"Let us drive away those who have forgotten us, let us pull awake those who have fallen in their sleep. Let us pull them up by their hair and pry their eyes open and make them remember. Let us remind them of the taste of fear. Let us remind them of the sound of our military shoes pounding. Let us remind them that there are things between the earth and the sky which they would not even dream to be possible.

We will burn the world down.

Here we go, gentlemen."

- The Major

Oct 13, 2021

foxhunt99

Not Recommended

Funny

After buying and reading Hellsing in the hardcover edition, I felt that this series is very average. I have two major issues with this manga. Hellsing is an action manga, there is really not a lot of plot, the majority of the manga are action sequences. A good action manga usually needs some kind of character development. However, this manga does not have a lot. The main character Alucard is the most powerful character from the very beginning of the manga, he never met any real challenges throughout the manga. Thus, there is a lack of excitement when he wins. The only character who ...

Dec 18, 2016

butthurtbrigade

Mixed Feelings

It's a pretty meh manga all things considered. I don't consider Hellsing as a horror (if it was intended as one it failed in that department) and is more just a straight up action and it's.. okay I guess. Feels visceral enough but because the characters are vampires and ghouls they have an annoying ability to keep coming back to life no matter how much punishment they take.

There's not really much a storyline which is a shame because the whole Vampire Van Hellsing thing has a lot of potential but it doesn't really live up to much. If you just want a manga with ...

Sep 17, 2012

TheWhiskeR

Recommended

Hellsing was my first manga and actually it was the fact I started reading more of them.

There is everything you can expect from an bloody-vampire-action-gore manga like this. After just a quick glance at the front of the book, you know it's going to be good. Alucard is the most badass vampire you can find in the modern literature. I wasn't bored for a single page and, after finishing one volume, I couldn't wait for another volume to come out.

Overall, if you want some fast action and nice plot, choose Hellsing.

Feb 24, 2011

azhwi

Recommended

Preliminary (42/92 chp)

Just finished it. Here's my thought. That's right. One thought:
DAMN.

The first five books are build up - and the last five are just nothing but action: non-stop, ridiculous, bloody, violent, glorious fight scenes. Okay, so there are some odd touching moments, times of regret and sadness, confusion, heart-stopping, shattering disbelief... And all through it, blood, blood, blood and teeth.
And some bullets. Some really BIG guns.

Okay, a few things. The story is top notch. My beef is the art. Which is crazy I know - but that's the thing. It gets so hectic and detailed, that sometimes it's hard to determine what's going on. ...

Dec 14, 2009

MurakiXHiera04

Recommended

Hellsing was the only vampire story that didn't contain any love story and is filled with a good, blood-spurting time. I definely recommend this series over twilight, Vampire Knight, or Rosario Vampire.

The character of the story was filled with what I even began to think was real. The plot was one of the best I had ever read and I am determined to read to the very last book. The comic relief let me be able to still read even when it was leading to a battle filled ...

Jul 6, 2020

metropyramid

Recommended

This manga is one I definitely can say I enjoyed. The synopsis for this series does not do it justice.

Story - 7
-----------
The story was good. It wasn't absolutely amazing (to me), but it was good enough to keep me interested and encourage me to read on. When you describe the overall major plot of this series, it sounds a bit silly, but that's honestly one of the things I love about it.

This is mainly a "vampire" series, but it isn't a typical vampire romance where the vampires sparkle in the sun, so if you have expectations for a vampire romance story, this may ...

Apr 4, 2023

nate_iskm

Recommended

Occultism and World War II has a connection that should be more explored. And Hellsing did that

The manga is a great exploration of famous monsters of literature and the catastrophic reality of seeking power. The pace and the narrative takes the reader to the complex nature of human being, where the ultimate monster, the vampire, is actually more close to the humans (outside the manga, irl) than the church or the military, accusing of what Nietzsche said in the past (yea, that abysm quote)

So it's highly recommended to the ones that need a great narrative, that doesn't want so much of the readers brain, but ...

Dec 13, 2019

Zigizmund

Recommended

Do you remember your first manga?

I remember. this manga was "Hellsing." I was a sixteen young man with fire in his eyes and an infinitely large heart. When I started reading manga I didn’t really like it ... ahh I was not prepared for the fact that the manga belongs to the nazi-exploitation trash genre. It took me a while to realize how cool it is.

Nazi vampires in bloody frenzy and all this is very smartly drawn, art at its best ... it's wow. it’s a manga pearl, a gold nugget for the genre with Nazi vampires in bloody fury.

This story is quite chamber, but ...

Nov 19, 2012

shibalover

Recommended

What do you get when you put vampires in the 1940s during World War II? Hellsing.

It's an interesting idea that's executed generally well in this manga. The main character's name is Alucard, and he's basically the strongest vampire in the world. Alucard and co. typically don't fight against Nazis, they mostly fight against other supernatural forces. The Hellsing organization only care about defending London, and they do whatever they need to do so they can keep London safe.There are only 10 volumes and the series doesn't seem too dragged out. It does get extremely gorey at points, but hey it's a war what do you ...

Aug 23, 2013

Agnusogi

Recommended

Hellsing is a extreme manga. The characters are very overstate and have little appeal: fighting, dismember and snigger. This is all. It's the nice and bad of this manga. It's good but limited.
The story is very stupid and to some moments very bad explained.
The design is very great. The characters are very funny but aren't deep(don't have a past).
In conclusion a manga very funny and stupid.

Sep 12, 2022

Elfezen

Recommended

Hellsing has been one of the classical works of the vampire genre and it revolves around the remarkably powerful vampire, Alucard, whose name is based on the original son of dracula. The Alucard of Hellsing has become one of the most prominent vampires of all time, his stylish and beautiful clothing combination with red and black, his majestic appearance with the long hairstyle and the sharp fangs, as well as his personality which is an amalgamation between kindness as well as ferocity conditioned at each situation he is involved in, have all contributed towards his character perfection. The storyline revolves around the Hellsing Organization, which ...

Jul 18, 2018

SBYTD

Recommended

OH MY GOD.
What can i say, this is one of those stories that has so much potential that go to waste.
I love and hate every thing about this manga, most of my hate can be turned to love if i watched the anime instead.

The translation that i read gave me a constant headache because of the accents, the action scenes were lacking, some were amazing but others you wont see anything happen and the worst of all is when there is a fighting scene and you have no idea wtf is going on, where is right where is left who is that and what is ...

Nov 27, 2022

KylerSnowBro

Recommended

Hellsing is a badass adventure. Filled with plenty of kickass action, sharp art, fun comedic moments, memorable characters, and executions. The story follows the seemingly immortal vampire and servant, Alucard. Tasked with hunting down his own kind for his master, Integra Hellsing.

Alucard has been an obedient servant for several years by the time the story begins. However, we get to experience the Hellsing Organisation's toughest challenge yet: when a routine assignment fetches Alucard his own vampire servant, and later on, info that starts Alucard and co's. hunt for sinister enemies from the past.

Action is the epitome of this book and what hooks you in, ...

Dec 11, 2022

AzoreanEve

Recommended

Whole series rating: 3.5
It's fun and cool and entertaining, especially if you like vampires, and want to see some SCP-like vampires.
Some of the ideas are really cool but they could have been done better. Like, the art is good but the page structure is generally very bland and repetitive, there could have been a better use of maybe page flow or contrast. Idk, I can't quite pinpoint what it is but the series is lacking something in the more final fights. You'd expect them to be more epic and high-stakes but instead I was a bit let down.
Still a very entertaining read, ngl.

Jul 5, 2023

Kinglink

Recommended

There's two parts to Hellsing. Broken up into ten volumes, the first seven really feel like they are the setup for the final set of three volumes, and I draw this line also because it creates two distinct parts to the series. The first seven volumes could be seen as the first two acts of the Hellsing Story.

The first act really helps define who the principle characters are, with a focus on the protaganists. There's Hellsing, the leader of a religious order, Alucard, the vampire who serves Hellsing in fighting against monsters (mainly vampires), and Seras Victoria, a police officer that ... Alucard turns, and is now brought into the war between the Hellsing Order and the monsters.

Hellsing as a manga lives and dies on those battles between Alucard and eventually Seras as Vampires. In Act one it's mostly random vampires to let readers understand the heroes of the story well. however the battles are well drawn. Hellsing's fights are well designed and drawn. It's effortlessly to tell what's going on, and there's large scale action in almost every fight but drawn in such a way readers will never lose focus.

Act two mostly involves Hellsing learning of the "Millennium" and from there finding out who is behind that group and eventually what their motives are. This fleshes out the story, and starts to build pieces of a great conflict. I'll avoid spoilers on who the enemy but they are easy to hate, and the story is well designed.

Like I said, the first seven volumes of Hellsing are great. Fantastic action, great characters, interesting battles, and a story building to a great purpose.

The problem is Act three is the finale where the development of the story and characters pays off. And unfortunately it's also where Hellsing loses me. While the art is still good, the battles are a quite a bit harder to follow, almost every character just gets random powers that are neither explained nor given relevance other than "It's super cool", and while the art still is incredible, I don't really feel like I want to read the final 3 volumes again. I much prefer the first 7, and would just read them and stop there.

The thing is, Hellsing is about this super cool vampire who takes down monsters. A character that had been developed into a bad ass character in those early volumes. He has powers, and likely some limitations but the final three volumes spends most of it's times just throwing new powers for every character into the world just to make the battles as big and epic. That would work, but none of these new powers are explained or defined, and none of them are interesting enough to be worthy of the huge power creep. Instead of having Alucard deal with the challenges and limitations they've imposed on him up to that point those final volumes are just trying to be as super-cool-awesome a finale as can be, and sadly it tosses aside almost all the development of the world and characters to do it.

I'd give Hellsing probably a 9 for those first two arcs, they were really well done and made me excited to see how the series ended, but that ending is so weak, the rating for the series drops sharply. I end up giving Hellsing a 7. A good but not great manga.