I need to confess something.
When I first watched Hellsing (2001), I thought I’d witnessed Alucard in all his glory, that crimson coat, that impossible grin, that quiet promise of destruction. Then I discovered Hellsing Ultimate, and realised I’d only seen his shadow. What I loved had been a restrained echo of something far more brutal, unhinged, and complete. Now it is time I compare Hellsing vs Hellsing Ultimate and come to a conclusion of what is better, or which I enjoy more.
Both adaptations have merit. Both are unforgettable. But they’re entirely different beasts, reflections of two eras, each serving its own dark purpose.
[Post read time: 8–14 min]
Article guide:
- The original Hellsing (2001)
- Hellsing Ultimate (2006–2012)
- Animation and production
- Character focus and development
- Pacing and tone
- Soundtracks worth comparing
- Verdict
The original Hellsing (2001)
The 2001 Hellsing anime, produced by Gonzo, ran for thirteen episodes. It adapted roughly the first two volumes of Kouta Hirano’s manga before diverging into original content. The studio didn’t have the full manga to work from, so it created its own ending. Around episode seven, the tone shifts; what began as a supernatural conspiracy thriller becomes smaller and more contained.
The atmosphere, however, remains compelling. It’s gothic, moody, and intimate, anchored by Alucard’s restrained menace and Integra’s icy resolve. There’s a sense of mystery to its world that makes it feel like a dark secret rather than a spectacle.
If you’re drawn to classic early-2000s horror anime, this version sits comfortably beside shows like Witch Hunter Robin or Ergo Proxy in tone and pacing.
Hellsing Ultimate (2006–2012)
Five years later, Hellsing Ultimate, a ten-episode OVA series produced across several studios between 2006 and 2012, arrived. This time, the goal was clear: to adapt Hirano’s manga faithfully and completely.
The result is pure chaos in the best way possible, theological warfare, Nazi vampires invading London, zeppelins blotting out the sky. The manga’s escalating insanity comes to life with unrestrained confidence.
Where the 2001 version is gothic horror with action elements, Ultimate is an ultraviolent war epic dressed in gothic aesthetics. Alucard transforms from terrifying yet contained to barely-leashed apocalypse, delivering theatrical monologues about humanity and monstrosity while gleefully annihilating armies.
Animation and production
Same story, different budgets; two eras of blood and shadow.
Technology and budget made all the difference. The original shows its early-2000s television limitations, particularly in later episodes where the animation falters.
Ultimate had OVA money and time; every episode runs up to fifty minutes and looks spectacular. The fluid combat, detailed gore, and meticulous shading still hold up today. The violence isn’t realistic; it’s stylised excess, drenched in symbolism and spectacle.
If you want atmosphere and restraint, go with the original. If you want Hirano’s vision in full cinematic form, Ultimate delivers.
Character focus and development
The longer format gives Ultimate space to develop its characters properly. Seras Victoria’s transformation from human police officer to vampire soldier feels earned, painful, and triumphant. Integra Hellsing, still commanding in both versions, is sharper here; her authority and humanity both shine.
Father Anderson evolves from menacing zealot to mythic rival. His final confrontation with Alucard becomes tragic rather than just climactic.
And then there’s The Major, absent from the 2001 anime, but pivotal in Ultimate. His calm, horrifying love of war produces some of the most chilling villain speeches in anime. Through him, Hirano’s fascination with madness and ideology finds its purest expression.
Pacing and tone
The 2001 series races to tell a complete story within its thirteen episodes. It moves quickly, compressing and inventing to fill thirteen episodes.
Ultimate takes its time, balancing carnage with quiet reflection. The slower pacing lets the story breathe and makes the apocalyptic moments land harder.
Watching both back-to-back feels like tracing an evolution: from gothic mystery to theological war epic.
Soundtracks worth comparing
Fans will always debate which soundtrack reigns supreme, and honestly, both deserve their crowns.
- Original Hellsing: Yasushi Ishii’s jazz-infused score — smoky, sophisticated, and unsettling — perfectly matches the gothic tone.
- Hellsing Ultimate: Bigger, more orchestral, more bombastic. It suits the grand scale of the OVA, full of choirs, drums, and dread.
Neither is “better.” They serve their own shows flawlessly.
Hellsing vs Hellsing Ultimate Verdict: two visions of the same darkness
If you have time, watch both.
- Hellsing (2001) stands alone as a solid Gothic horror action series. Self-contained, atmospheric, and character-driven.
- Streams here on Crunchyroll and Netflix
- Hellsing Ultimate (2006–2012) is the definitive version. Hirano’s complete vision, uncut and unapologetically excessive.
- Streams here on Crunchyroll, JBOX and Netflix
If you can only choose one, make it Ultimate. The Major’s war on London, Alucard’s true nature, and the philosophical battles about monstrosity and humanity capture what Hellsing was always meant to be.
Alucard’s essence emerges more fully here: monster, philosopher, soldier, and something almost tragic. The original gave us a taste. Ultimate gave us the feast.
All screenshots used in the post are from the anime series “Hellsing” (2001, Studio Gonzo) and “Hellsing Ultimate” (2006–2012, Geneon / Madhouse / Satelight / Graphinica). Images used under fair use for review and commentary purposes.
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