Hellsing Ultimate
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| Hellsing Ultimate | |
|---|---|
| ヘルシング (Herushingu) |
|
| Genre | Horror, Action, Supernatural |
| OVA | |
| Director | Tomokazu Tokoro |
| Studio |  Rondo Robe Satelight Wild Geese |
| Licensor |   Geneon  Madman Entertainment |
| Episodes | 4 (Ongoing) |
| Released | Hellsing I February 10, 2006 December 5, 2006 Hellsing II August 25, 2006 June 12, 2007Hellsing III April 4, 2007 October 16, 2007Hellsing IV February 22, 2008 UnknownHellsing V Unknown Unknown |
Hellsing Ultimate (ヘルシング Herushingu?) is a Japanese OVA anime series based on the internationally popular Hellsing manga series by Kouta Hirano.
The OVA series is being produced by animation studio Satelight and Geneon. "Hellsing I OVA DIGEST FOR FREAKS", which is a 30 minute-long sample version of Hellsing OVA I, aired on TV Kanagawa stations at 2:45 AM on January 22, 2006. The first episode of the Hellsing OVA was released on DVD in Japan on February 10, 2006. The episode is 50 minutes long. The first episode premiered in the U.S. at Anime Expo 2006 on July 2 and was released on DVD December 5, 2006, and the second episode was released on June 12, 2007. Hellsing OVA II was released in Japan August 25, 2006. OVA III was released April 4, 2007,[1] and was released in the U.S. on October 16, 2007.[2] The original Japanese release date for OVA IV was set for October 5, 2007,[3] but was postponed to February 22, 2008, as mentioned on the cover of the January 2008 issue of Young King OURs. The English dub director, Taliesin Jaffe, stated that he was already starting to work on OVA IV, although with the dissolution of Geneon, the future of the OVA series' North American distribution remains unknown.
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[edit] Plot
Hellsing follows Alucard and police girl-turned-vampire Seras Victoria as they exterminate the vampires and other creatures of the night for England's Hellsing Organization. The Hellsing OVA is a closer adaptation of the manga than the Hellsing TV series.
Episode One of the OVA follows the manga's first Volume [4]. It covers Seras being turned into a vampire, the introduction of the characters, and the first fight with Father Alexander Anderson [4]. There are some minor departures from the manga, such as inclusion of Seras' dream sequence with subtle super deformed aspects[5], and inclusion of Seras being welcomed by Integra, Walter, and Alucard (after the dream sequence she woke up to see Alucard by her side). These departures are not as drastic as the departures in the TV series. It should be noted that the OVA series features humor similar to that of the manga, which was not included in the TV series.
Episode Two of the OVA follows the manga's second volume, dealing with the Valentine Brothers' assault on Hellsing's headquarters [6]. It is slightly different, as Alucard's battle with Luke Valentine is extended, and there are a few scenes of the brothers individually killing Hellsing soldiers that were not in the manga [7]. The last two chapters of the manga are also left out, probably since the entire episode is heavily action based, although they are seen as images during the credits. Omissions include the introduction of Pip, and Enrico Maxwell with Anderson. The Omake which premieres in volume 2 of the manga is also left out, which likely means it will not be seen in animated form.
Episode Three of the OVA follows the events shortly after where the credits of Hellsing Ultimate II ended: the introduction of the Wild Geese mercenaries, Integra's meeting with Enrico Maxwell, Alucard and Walter's discussion about Millennium, the mission to Rio de Janeiro, the massacre at Hotel Rio, and the duel between Alucard and Alhambra. In addition the scene with Enrico interrogating the priest from Volume Four was omitted and instead a scene with the Major from Volume Four was added.
Episode Four takes on from where the former left. As Hellsing and the Vatican hold a meeting with Her Majesty -the Queen of England- their conference is interrupted by a message from The Major and his associates citing their intentions to wage war on England. Meanwhile, a VTOL aircraft carrier called the Eagle gets hijacked by Millennium. Integra decides to send Alucard to deal with the perpetrators and their leader, Rip Van Winkle. And meanwhile the Major is making his way to England, with his minions, to drive England for another war.
[edit] Production history
For the American release, Geneon has assembled the original cast from the English dub of the television series, including Crispin Freeman (Alucard), K. T. Gray (Seras), Ralph Lister (Walter), Victoria Harwood (Sir Integra) and Steven Brand (Paladin Alexander Anderson). Taliesin Jaffe is the director, who also plays Huger, the vampire killed by Alucard in the first OVA. As of August 2007, the US branch of Geneon has, from information provided by press releases, been removed from distribution and production of both Hellsing Ultimate and numerous other anime. This is due to issues with a merger of distribution responsibilities between Geneon US and ADV Films. Therefore, the release dates for Hellsing Ultimate in terms of the US dub are non-existent. [1]
[edit] Release info
The exact number of volumes planned is not known; however, the aim of the series is to adapt the entire manga which is expected to extend to 10 volumes. (likely including Hellsing: The Dawn).[8]
The first episode was originally aired on a Japanese satellite TV network in a 35-minute preview cut entitled "Hellsing: Digest for Freaks" on January 22nd, 2006. (Although sometimes it has been mistranslated to Hellsing: Digest for Fleaks)
Each disc contains one episode, with a minimum running time of 35 minutes. The running time is subject to change; for example, the first episode was extended from 35 minutes to 50 minutes, the second episode is 40 minutes, and the third episode is 45 minutes.
The first volume was released 2006-02-10 in Japan. Volume 2 was released 2006-08-25 in Japan. Volume 3 was released 2007-04-04 in Japan. Volume 4 was released 2008-02-22 in Japan.
The first volume was released in the US on 12/05/2006 in three different editions:
| Regular Edition | Limited Edition | Best Buy 'Exclusive' [9] |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP $24.98[10] | MSRP $44.98 | MSRP $24.99 |
| English 5.1 DD Japanese 2.0 DD |
English 5.1 DD English 5.1 DTS Japanese 5.1 DD |
English 5.1 DD English 5.1 DTS Japanese 5.1 DD |
The Limited Edition is a two disc set: the first disc contains the 50-minute Hellsing Ultimate episode, and the second includes an interview with English dub director Taliesin Jaffe and Alucard voice actor Crispin Freeman, promotional videos, TV commercials, credit-free ending animation, and a production art gallery.[11] The Limited Edition also comes with a bust figure of Alucard in semi-demon form (however, the skin tone of the bust is more tan than Alucard is usually shown to be).
The Best Buy 'Exclusive' edition does not contain the Alucard figure that the Limited edition does.
The dubbed OVA2 was released on 06/12/2007 also released in three different versions:
| Regular Edition | Limited Edition | Exclusive Edition |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP $24.98 | MSRP $44.98 | MSRP $24.99 |
| English 5.1 DD Japanese 2.0 DD |
English 5.1 DD English 5.1 DTS Japanese 5.1 DD |
English 5.1 DD English 5.1 DTS Japanese 5.1 DD |
Like the first volume, the Limited Edition is a two disc set: the first disc contains the 40-minute Hellsing Ultimate episode, and the second includes an interview with English dub director Taliesin Jaffe and both of the Valentine Brothers' voice actors, credit-free ending animation, a production art gallery, and more. The Limited Edition also comes with a 200-page Production Art Book with Never Before Seen Artwork.
The Exclusive edition does not contain the booklet that the Limited edition does.
The dubbed OVA 3 was released on 10/16/2007 in three different versions:
| Regular Edition | Limited Edition | Exclusive Edition |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP $24.98 | MSRP $44.98 | MSRP $24.98 |
| English 5.1 DD Japanese 2.0 DD |
English 5.1 DD English 5.1 DTS Japanese 5.1 DD |
English 5.1 DD English 5.1 DTS Japanese 5.1 DD |
Like the other volumes, the Limited Edition is a two disc set: the first disc contains the 45-minute Hellsing Ultimate episode, and the second includes an interview with English dub director Taliesin Jaffe with JB Blanc (Enrico Maxwell) and Victoria Harwood (Integra), credit-free ending animation, production art gallery, and more. The Limited Edition also comes with a bust of Alexander Anderson.
The fourth volume was originally set to be released in Japan on October 5, 2007, but was postponed twice due to various production and budget delays. It was officially released in Japan on February 22nd, 2008.
[edit] Ending themes
- Episode one, Gradus Vita by Hayato Matsuo, performed by the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra
- Episode two, Merche Funebre by Hayato Matsuo, performed by the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra
- Episode three, Letzte Bataillon by Hayato Matsuo, performed by the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra
- Episode four, Das Engelandlied lyrics by Hermann Löns, music by Herms Niel
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Animation / Hellsing III [Limited Edition]
- ^ AnimeOnDVD.com >> Disc Reviews >> Hellsing Ultimate Vol. #3 (also w/limited edition)
- ^ Animation / Hellsing IV [Limited Edition]
- ^ a b hellsing ultimate ova 1.
- ^ manga; hellsing Volume 1.
- ^ hellsing ultimate ova 2.
- ^ Manga; hellsing volume 2.
- ^ hellsing ultimate trailer 5 min Ultimate trailer includes dawn scenes including Walter's entrance to the base, and the unique to dawn outward appearance of Alucard.
- ^ http://www.dvdaficionado.com/dvds.html?cat=0&tiq=90998
- ^ AnimeOnDVD.com >> Disc Reviews >> Hellsing Ultimate Vol. #1 (also w/limited edition)
- ^ Hellsing OAV::Geneon Entertainment
[edit] External links
- Official English site for Hellsing Ultimate
- Official Japanese site for Hellsing Ultimate
- Hellsing Ultimate OVA Series at the Internet Movie Database
- Hellsing I at the Internet Movie Database
- Hellsing II at the Internet Movie Database
- Hellsing III at the Internet Movie Database
- Hellsing IV at the Internet Movie Database
- Trailer for Hellsing OVA 3
- Cast of Hellsing OVA interviewed by Tony Blass at Anime Expo 2007
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