Spike 558
14-04-03, 10:02 PM
Currentely, i am studying a course on Popular fiction at University, where I am comparing Dracula (the original text by Bram Stoker) with The Vampire Lestat (Anne Rice).
Such comparisons, coupled with the impact vampirism has on popular culture got me thinking about Hellsing. Why is it so insanely popular? It's do with vampires, right? How does it fit alongside the other popular vampire anime Vampire Hunter D - Bloodlust?
To begin with, lets consider Dracula by Bram Stoker. Such is the books popularity that it has never been out of print since it's original publication - over one hundred years ago. Here, is where the original concept of vampirism began. Yet, the text itself is presented as accounts written by the human members of the cast (Harker, Mina, van Helsing and Dr. Seward). Thus, Dracula is the most memorable creation in the book but he doesn't get a say in the entire text! He is a living embodiment of evil and disruption to order. Therefore, it is his fate to be presented in such a light.
The Vampire Lestat on the other hand takes this concept and turns it on its head. Now it's the vampire whose exclusively the narrator. he describes his life as an immortal as being filled with the freedom to do whatever he likes. If vampires are a disruption to order, then why not revel in it?
How does this fit in with anime? Simple. Vampire Hunter D - Bloodlust presents the vampires in their traditional form - as a threat to the populace and a disruption to life as we know it. The fact that the vampire there secudes Charlotte and gives D (the hero of the movie) an objective to complete is proof enough.
Hellsing, on the other hand, has a protagonist (Alucard) who has truly embraced the concept of: Hey, I'm immortal. i can do whatever the hell I like!. Furthermore, the appeal of Hellsing lies with the protagonist being a vampire himself and the sharing of the world through his eyes.
There you go, I'll guess I'll sit and wait for the next bucket of slime to be dumped upon me.
Such comparisons, coupled with the impact vampirism has on popular culture got me thinking about Hellsing. Why is it so insanely popular? It's do with vampires, right? How does it fit alongside the other popular vampire anime Vampire Hunter D - Bloodlust?
To begin with, lets consider Dracula by Bram Stoker. Such is the books popularity that it has never been out of print since it's original publication - over one hundred years ago. Here, is where the original concept of vampirism began. Yet, the text itself is presented as accounts written by the human members of the cast (Harker, Mina, van Helsing and Dr. Seward). Thus, Dracula is the most memorable creation in the book but he doesn't get a say in the entire text! He is a living embodiment of evil and disruption to order. Therefore, it is his fate to be presented in such a light.
The Vampire Lestat on the other hand takes this concept and turns it on its head. Now it's the vampire whose exclusively the narrator. he describes his life as an immortal as being filled with the freedom to do whatever he likes. If vampires are a disruption to order, then why not revel in it?
How does this fit in with anime? Simple. Vampire Hunter D - Bloodlust presents the vampires in their traditional form - as a threat to the populace and a disruption to life as we know it. The fact that the vampire there secudes Charlotte and gives D (the hero of the movie) an objective to complete is proof enough.
Hellsing, on the other hand, has a protagonist (Alucard) who has truly embraced the concept of: Hey, I'm immortal. i can do whatever the hell I like!. Furthermore, the appeal of Hellsing lies with the protagonist being a vampire himself and the sharing of the world through his eyes.
There you go, I'll guess I'll sit and wait for the next bucket of slime to be dumped upon me.