Hellsing 6" Figures 2002 Yamato Toys   Distributed By: Yamato Toys USA

Vampires are nothing new to film, animated or not.  There have been more movies, series', and television made about vampires than any other supernatural creature; be it zombies, werewolves, or otherwise.  But like most things that are released in bulk, one out every 50 have any redeeming qualities.

The same can be said for anime figures...  They are nothing new and there is definitely a plethora of them on the market today; even in the U.S. they are quickly becoming the fastest selling action figures available.  But again, how many of them actually merit recognition?

Well, here we have an amazing instance.  Not only is Hellsing one of the best animated works in recent memory, but it is assuredly the best vampire anime since Vampire Hunter D (which is only now starting to show its age).  Then to add to this the fact that the figures are absolutely stunning makes these the must have toy this year to date.

The Hellsing Organization, named after the famed vampire hunter, is mankind's unrecognized and last line of defense against the terrors of the undead and supernatural.  However, even the resources of this underground group are stretched to the breaking point when artificially created children of the night begin popping up.  There is only one hope, and that hope is Arucard, the rogue vampire-turned-vampire-killer.  He is joined by a Hellsing agent, Victoria Seras, who was turned into a vampire by Arucard in an attempt to save her life.  Together they make a hell of a team and an even better pair of action figures!

These figures stepped straight off the screen and into the coolest blister cards you have ever seen (more on the cards in a minute).  Seriously, the figures are exact replicas of their animated counterparts, right down to Arucard's razor smile and Victoria's Hellsing Organization breast patch.  Both the figures looks, and colors, are spot on perfect!

Some figures think that they can make up for a lack of quality by packing the blister pack with tons of extras.  I can't stand it when I get a new toy and when I try to set it up, there are 3,000 too many pieces for the figure to actually hold (yes, I DO OPEN my toys...guess I'll just have to forget the millions of dollars that all those collectors out there are raking in with their mint collections...oh well!).  But that is not the case here...the figures each come with a blood bag, which is a genius inclusion seeing as how the bags fit in with the series.  It seems that both Arucard and Victoria have a taste for "type A".

Ms. Seras comes with her standard gigantic 30mm sniper cannon, and a shell that slides right into the chamber!  Arucard comes with his iconic twin .45's and yes the black one is even inscribed with the "Jesus Christ is in Heaven Now" markings and cross.  He also comes with two additional hands for holding the pistols...each, of course, with the pentacled gloves.  As if the figures were not enough, there is a special bonus for those of you do not open your toys.  The blister card (both cardboard and plastic bubble) are coffin shaped, which adds tremendously to their displayability. 

Hellsing fans, get these toys NOW.  Anime fans, you can wait till tomorrow morning.  The rest of you horror/anime/vampire fans, well...you are gonna get them sooner or later, so you might as well make it sooner.  These figures are fantastic; you need them; go buy them.  These toys are so realistic that you may want to feed them, but use plastic utensils...they don't like silver.

-aaron-