hontou ni sou omou?

Like Kurogane, I enjoyed this immensely. His entry also notes the main things that were added, relative to the digest. What I liked most was Seras’ struggle to come to terms with her vampiric nature and the depiction of the relationships between Integra and Alucard as well as Alucard and Seras.

As I saw the earlier Gonzo production of this series as well as having read the seven volumes of the manga, the pacing and amount of information was in this episode was just nice for me. However, for those without manga knowledge, it might seem a little bit abrupt especially the initial part about Integra vs her uncle. And I actually burst out laughing during the scene with the above screencap because of this piece of Mai Otome fanart by Urayo (whose work was introduced to me by Chalcahuite - thanks!).

The extremely brutal succession battle over the Hellsing Institution was the impetus for Integra to become the person she is today and establishing Alucard as the base of her authority and ability to fulfill her family’s mission. By the time Alucard has fully awakened, Integra’s whole demeanour and tone of voice has developed into the foundation of her current confident and somewhat ruthless personality.

Alucard’s turning of Seras into a “draculina” was not so clear cut as in the TV series if I remember correctly. He asks her if she is a virgin and then after she is shot and dying, simply as to what to do instead of whether she would be willing to become an undead. The comical dream sequence with the fishcake pattern background didn’t feel out of place at all because it was very much in keeping with the manga’s style and occasional bursts of zany humour.

I felt Alucard’s training of Seras also seemed more relaxed and “let her find her own pace” than the TV series. Perhaps because the story is told more in terms from Seras slowly realising that she’s no longer human than the original “must get over being a vampire to use abilities for the mission” feel of the TV series.

Perhaps because the seiyuu have all worked together before (and probably combined with better direction and production), I felt that there was a lot of chemistry between the cast. Integra speaks to Alucard with a mix of concern and annoyance; Alucard to her with a mix of respect and mischief; Alucard to Seras with a mix of lazy contempt and fatherly fondness; Seras to Alucard with a mix of childish uncertainty and happy eagerness. Alexander’s psychotic nature was always lurking underneath the surface as he dragged the last word in his sentences at the orphanage, with his voice becoming increasingly guttural and hysterical when fighting Alucard and finally slithering and menancing as he left in a whirlwind of Bible pages.

Next ep looks like the start of the Nazi arc. There’s also a fascinating still of Alucard kneeling before someone - how he came to serve the Hellsings isn’t really made clear in the manga thus far so I’m eager to find out.