Hellsing 2: Blood Brothers [DVD] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]

Seras Victoria, made a vampire in the first series when Arucard mortally wounds her while killing a vampire priest, still struggles with her change. But, in the three episodes on this DVD, she has begun to come to terms with what she has become. As the chaos and struggle mounts, she begins to show the sparks of a much stronger personality than she has in previous episodes. Certainly, her tale is the story arc that makes 'Hellsing' more than a series of episodes.

In the first episode, 'Innocent as a Human,' Arucard and Victoria confront a new kind of pornographer, the purveyors of 'snuff cams' that make use of vampires and ghouls, and who market their product via the internet. Following this, 'Brotherhood' and 'Dead Zone', introduce us to Jan and Luke Valentine, two vampires nearly as powerful as Arucard himself. Together with their troops, they mount an attack on the Hellsing headquarters that puts Sir Integra Hellsing's band of vampire killing knights in danger of extinction.

As the previous DVD has already demonstrated, 'Hellsing' has exceptional production values for what it is. The characters are strong and stylish, the artwork and music well above standard, and the underlying story is dark and thoughtful. With only one more DVD in this series, there is still much to resolve, especially the story behind Arucard and his childe Seras Victoria. Be warned that you should turn on the English subtitles. These often vary considerably from the fairly simpleminded overdubbing. But my real regret is that little in the way of collateral material is provided on the DVD's. I would very much like to have an interview with Kouta Hirano, who developed the manga comic from which the story is drawn.

Order 04 (B): The Hellsing organization tracks down a person who distributes video of people being killed. The latest video featured on of the members from the Hellsing organization.

Order 05 (B+): Jon and Luke Valentine attempt to infiltrate the Hellsing organization.

Order 06 (A): Jon fights Victoria and Walter while Luke takes on Alucard. Also, Alucard's ture power is revealed.

My favorite episode on this disc has to be the last one. If you thought Alucard was insane and violent already, just wait until you see him release Control Art Restriction Rating to level 1! Also, bothe Alucard and Victoria get new weapons. Alucard gets a "Jackal" which is a little bit bigger than his last gun. Victoria gets a huge gun thats as long as Walter that can easily pierce through armor three times. As I mentioned in my review of Volume 1, the F word comes into play a lot, especially in this volume. It seems like Jon can't even finish a sentence without saying it. Atleast the Valentine brothers didn't get an English accent.

The packaging on this volume includes a special Hellsing crest badge. The extras includes interviews with the series staff, production sketches, textless closing and an image gallery of the Victoria figurine.

Overall, this volume rates higher than the last one and still retains the devilish attitude of the first volume.

In this second volume in the series, "Hellsing: Blood Brothers," more evidence and clues point to man-made vampires being created by an unknown source. This means very bad news to the Hellsing Organization. To make matters worse, a TV journalist is determined to make things a lot more difficult for them by trying to expose them on camera to show them to the world. Seras is still having a hard time dealing with the fact that she's a vampire, but is slowly adapting. However, the real bad news is the violent and crazy Valentine Brothers who decide to take out the Hellsing crew once and for all by means of infiltrating their headquarters. No worries, though; Arucard knows how to deal with these unreasonable foes in his own way. All of this leads to yet another exciting chapter in the "Hellsing" series.

Very much like the first DVD, this second volume is action-packed and never lacking in style. It is here where we get to see Arucard's true powers come to light when he fights one of the Valentine Brothers. These three episodes do a great job of maintaining tone and structure. While the first DVD was a nice introduction to the series, it's this second volume where we really get to see what this group of soldiers are made of when they're facing true evil.

I know it goes without saying, but I still must point out that this is not an animated series for young children. These episodes contain graphic violence, blood and gore, strong language, mature situations, and dark and disturbing themes and imagery. As with the first volume, this DVD only contains three episodes with the entire feature running a little over an hour long. Extras on the DVD include a creditless ending, a staff interview, an art gallery, action figure info and more.

All in all, "Hellsing: Blood Brothers" is another exciting chapter for the "Hellsing" series that keeps the action and intensity rolling. It is clear that the battle against ghouls and vampires continues on with these three episodes. What's next for the Hellsing Organization? Only time will tell with the next chapter.