Alucard is the central character and anti-hero in Kouta Hirano's manga and anime series, Hellsing. The series is known for its dark and violent themes, along with its stylish and action-packed scenes featuring a diverse and colorful cast of characters, each with their own unique personality, backstory, and purpose. Through the interactions and conflicts of these characters, the show explores themes of religion, war, morality, and identity.
The covert British organization known as Hellsing is focused on combating supernatural threats, with Alucard serving as the organization's ultimate weapon against vampires and other supernatural beings. While obedient to Integra and loyal to her, Alucard also takes pleasure in fighting and killing, often taunting his enemies due to his sadistic nature and twisted sense of humor.
Origin and identity of Alucard from Hellsing
However, what is the origin of Alucard's transformation into a vampire, and what is his true identity?
Vlad III Dracula, also known as Vlad the Impaler, was a Wallachian prince who famously battled the Ottoman Empire in the 15th century. His brutal reputation stemmed from his habit of impaling his enemies on stakes, but he was also fiercely protective of his country against invaders.
But he also faced opposition from his own nobility, who conspired against him and took conflicting stances. Both his brother Radu, who sided with the Turks, and his father-in-law Matthias Corvinus, who unjustly imprisoned him on charges of treason, betrayed him. Alucard was condemned to be executed by Mehmed II, the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, who captured him.
After being captured by the Turks and betrayed by his own people, his life took a tragic turn. In a final act of survival and defiance, he drank the blood of fallen soldiers on the battlefield before being sentenced to beheading. It was then that he turned against God and embraced the forces of darkness, becoming a true vampire.
Alucard's transformation into a vampire only fueled people's fear and hatred of him. In addition to waging war on his enemies, he preyed on innocent people out of bloodlust. Eventually, Abraham Van Helsing, a Dutch physician and vampire hunter, defeated him after years of imprisonment and experimentation.
Afterwards, the current leader of the Hellsing Organization, Integra Hellsing, took on his authority from her father Arthur Hellsing.
Alucard possesses an extensive array of supernatural powers that make him nearly invincible. Even if his body is completely destroyed, he has the ability to heal from any injury. He can transform into various forms such as a dog, a swarm of insects, a bat, or a young girl.
Additionally, he has the power to manipulate darkness and shadows, create illusions, and manipulate the thoughts of others. He can also summon and control his familiars, which are the spirits of those whose blood he has consumed.
Nevertheless, Alucard has his own weaknesses and imperfections despite his apparent immortality and dominance. He is bound by the vampire's laws, which include the craving for blood, vulnerability to silver and blessed weapons, and aversion to sunlight and holy symbols.
Furthermore, filled with remorse for his decisions and haunted by the weight of his past, he seeks a worthy adversary who can challenge him, triumph over him, and finally bring an end to his everlasting existence.
Alucard is often considered a unique creature, with some arguing that he is not a true vampire due to his lack of common weaknesses like stakes, crosses, and garlic. Additionally, they claim that he is unaffected by the typical consequences of being a vampire, such as the loss of humanity, free will, and soul.
However, these arguments overlook the evidence that proves Alucard is indeed a vampire. He shares the same origins as most vampires, having undergone the transformation by consuming blood.
Alucard, a enigmatic and multifaceted character in Hellsing, challenges traditional vampire stereotypes. He embodies the duality of being a monster and a savior, a human and a demon, and simultaneously a hero and a villain. You can find the manga in print volumes from Dark Horse Comics or online on various websites.
Furthermore, Hellsing can be streamed on Crunchyroll, Hulu, and Netflix in specific regions. Its blend of comedy, horror, and thrilling action has made it a popular and enthralling series that is guaranteed to keep viewers engaged.
Editor's P/S
Alucard, the central protagonist and anti-hero in the captivating manga and anime series, Hellsing, possesses a captivating origin story that intertwines history, betrayal, and supernatural transformation. Initially known as Vlad III Dracula, the Wallachian prince valiantly fought against the Ottoman Empire, earning a fearsome reputation for his brutal tactics. However, he faced treachery from his own nobility, including his brother Radu and father-in-law Matthias Corvinus, leading to his capture by Mehmed II.
In a desperate act of survival, Vlad III Dracula consumed the blood of fallen soldiers and embraced the forces of darkness, becoming the vampire Alucard. This transformation fueled people's fear and hatred, prompting Abraham Van Helsing to defeat and imprison him. Eventually, Integra Hellsing took control of Alucard, making him the ultimate weapon against supernatural threats.
