Hellsing: The Dawn - Reviews

Itroduction

 Hellsing: The Dawn is a prequel to the Hellsing: Ultimate OVA series and an anime adaptation of the one-volume prequel manga of the same name. It was included in certain DVD releases of Hellsing: Ultimate and is only available in Japanese with english subtitles (atleast as far as I know). (Warning, Spoilers)

Story

 The story centers around teenage Walter and Alucard being sent to Nazi-occupied Poland in 1944. Their mission is to wipe out the Millenium organization and it's army of artificial vampires.

 Now, this is not a bad setup, though it has it's problems. For one thing, we already know how the mission will turn out because of Ultimate; The Major fails to win the war with his vampires because Walter and Alucard kill them all, yet they don't suceed in killing The Major or his subordinates either. So pretty much there's no suspense in how things turn out.

 It could still be entertaining to see how things happened though. But now we're getting to the big problem: IT'S TOO SHORT! The special is only three episodes long and doesn't even  completely cover the one-volume source material. It doesn't help that the last half of the last episode is basically just a commercial for Kouta Hirano's other series Drifters. The story lacks even a basic conclusion and I, personally, felt cheated.

Characters

 Several old Hellsing characters appear but development is virtually non-existant, due to the aforementioned story problems. The best part is easily seeing how different Walter was in his youth. We also get to see Arthur Hellsing when he was head of the oganization and he was far different from the breif glimpses of him in Ultimate (so I geuss those count as development in reverse?). And the Major is still the same war-hungry bastard we all love to hate. Alucard also seemed mostly the same, for his half a minute of screen time. Seriously, He's in his coffin the entire time and only appears just before the last episode ends! So, the characters have good bits, but weren't given the time they deserved.

Animation

  The animation of Dawn is on par that of the original Hellsing: Ultimate. And therefore isn't worth dwelling on because the original animation for Ultimate was excellent. The only flaw (like the original) is the ocasionally distracing thick, black outlines around the characters. But that's just nitpicking. I think Graphinca & Kelmadick worked on the animation for this but I'm not certain.

Sound

 The Dawn's soundtrack is just music recycled from Hellsing: Ultimate, which was also good and doesn't need discussing.

 Sound quality is good and the voice acting seems good, though I try not to judge Japanese voice acting since I don't speak Japanese.

Conclusion

 In the end Hellsing: The Dawn Left me feeling disappointed (and maybe a little ANGRY). It had good potential but the same standard and effort as Ultimate just wasn't put into this.

 

"Hellsing: The Dawn" serves as a prequel to the widely acclaimed "Hellsing" series, offering viewers a glimpse into the origins of some of the franchise's most iconic characters during the tumultuous times of World War II. Focusing on the youthful Walter C. Dornez and Alucard, then in a different form, the series aims to shed light on their early exploits against Nazi vampires. While "Hellsing: The Dawn" brings back the dark, gothic atmosphere and intense action that fans love, its execution and depth struggle to fully capture the essence that made the original series a standout, reflecting its middling rating.

Nocturnal Glimmers

• Gothic Ambiance: True to the "Hellsing" franchise, "The Dawn" excels in recreating the dark and brooding atmosphere that envelops the series. The gothic aesthetic, combined with the World War II backdrop, offers a visually compelling setting that is both eerie and fitting for the narrative's tone.

• Action Sequences: When "The Dawn" shines, it's often through its action sequences. The animation captures the frenetic and brutal combat that "Hellsing" fans have come to expect, featuring stylish confrontations between vampires and humans that are both graphic and exhilarating.

Fading Shadows

• Narrative Depth: One of the prequel's notable shortcomings is its narrative scope. Given its brief format and the grandeur of the world it's set in, "The Dawn" struggles to develop a fully satisfying story. This leaves viewers with more questions than answers, making the series feel like a missed opportunity to explore its characters and setting more thoroughly.

• Character Exploration: While the series provides a tantalizing peek into the pasts of beloved characters, it falls short of delivering the depth of character development that fans might have hoped for. Walter and Alucard's backstories, crucial to understanding their motivations and personalities, are only lightly touched upon, leaving a hunger for more detailed exploration.

Eclipsed Potential

• Unrealized Insights: "Hellsing: The Dawn" sets the stage for what could be a fascinating exploration of its characters' origins and the early days of the Hellsing Organization. However, the series doesn't fully capitalize on this potential, offering only glimpses that tantalize rather than satisfy the viewer's curiosity about the lore and history of the "Hellsing" universe.

Conclusion

"Hellsing: The Dawn" attempts to weave a compelling prelude to the dark and violent world of "Hellsing," promising an exploration of origins and untold stories. While it captures the series' signature aesthetic and delivers action-packed moments, its limited scope and depth prevent it from achieving the richness and complexity that the main series is known for. Fans may appreciate the opportunity to revisit the universe and see familiar characters in a new light, but may also be left wanting for the depth and development that could have made "The Dawn" a more fulfilling addition to the "Hellsing" saga.

While seeing Walter in action again after the events of Hellsing Ultimate was a treat, I didn't feel that it answered any of my questions about Walter's character, and more importantly, (SPOILERS) his betrayal. We got to see a bit of young Aurthur's and Isles's interactions, as prevoiusly mentioned in the ending of Ultimate episode 5, but, as prevoiusly stated, didn't really answer any questions or, in my opinion, add to the characters. 

It didn't even have a proper ending, turning out to be only a trailer for Drifters.