Key Takeaways:
– Kouta Hirano, the creator of Hellsing, devised the character of Alexander Anderson with the specific intention to rival Alucard.
– Alucard is considered one of the strongest characters in the history of anime and manga.
– A formidable antagonist, Anderson's presence adds a layer of competition, keeping the narrative engaging.
– Anderson along with Section 13, were already established in Hirano's previous work, Crossfire.
As the creator of Kouta Hirano's highly acclaimed Hellsing series, Alucard remains an undefeated and unparalleled character. With his numerous strengths, Alucard earned his reputation as one of the most formidable and powerful characters in the realms of anime and manga. However, there was one entity capable of countering his prowess – Alexander Anderson.
Introducing Alexander Anderson: A Rival for Alucard
Alucard, supporting the Hellsing organization in combating vampires and supernatural forces, seemed unbeatable due to his diverse setup of potent powers. From shapeshifting to harnessing dark energy, Alucard's extraordinary abilities and strengths made him an unconquerable protagonist. Despite various villains making their appearances in the narrative, none could overshadow Alucard. That was until Alexander Anderson from the Iscariot organization, or Vatican Section 13, came on the scene.
In an interview included in the official 2012 Japanese Hellsing guidebook, Hirano admitted to crafting Anderson's character with a singular aim – offering Alucard a worthy competitor.
Section 13 in Hellsing: Remnants of A Past Masterpiece
Familiar to Hirano's followers, Section 13 was not a new creation for Hellsing. The organizational entity already existed in Hirano's previous work, Crossfire, where influential characters like Yumie and Heinkel played significant roles. Upon introducing Anderson to Hellsing, the presence of the already established Section 13 felt organic, reinforcing their incumbency as Hellsing Institute's rival. Although choosing to limit the character count from Crossfire, he opted to retain Yumie, Heinkel, Maxwell, and of course, Anderson.
Impacting the Narrative: A Testament to Superior Storytelling
Alucard, simply put, was too mighty for the narrative, illustrated time and again by his relentless victories. Recognizing this, Hirano strategized to maintain the narrative's dynamism by introducing an equally powerful adversary, Alexander Anderson. Anderson's existence added an essential spark to the otherwise one-sided tales of Alucard's supremacy, making the narrative more engaging and unpredictable.
Considering other characters for this competitive role, the “Captain” was a potential option. However, Hirano concluded that the Captain lacked the strength to effectively rival Alucard, even in a tag-team battle scenario with Anderson.
Reflection and Conclusion: The Genius of Hirano's Narrative Strategy
Crafting a narrative featuring an unrivaled protagonist can be tricky, risking audience fatigue due to predictable outcomes. However, Hirano managed to circumvent this pitfall brilliantly. Through Anderson, Hirano not only introduced an exciting narrative dynamic but by drawing from his previous work, he also provided audiences wiith a familiar entity, enhancing emotional investment in the story.
Ultimately, Alexander Anderson's creation helped transition the Hellsing narrative from a potentially mundane series of Alucard triumphs to a more contested, engaging storyline.
You can stream Hellsing in its entirety on Hulu and Netflix.
