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Sir_Catherine Vice Captain
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 Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 11:54 am
I've always preferred the more straightforward seriousness of anime Integra as well as admired her devotion to duty and other elements that are often described as 'cold'. At the same time, there is clear evidence of emotion in the anime Integra so I've always felt the notion that she was 'cold' and unemotional to be a discredit. There is more humor to the manga's Integra, yes, but humor is not what attracted me to the character. Her emotional/human side is more apparent in the manga as well, but I see that it is there in the anime and that is enough for me.
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Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 7:31 pm
While I was originally drawn to anime Integra, after reading the manga, I've come to like her the best. As others have said, she has a soul. She's snarky. She's chic. She feels.She's undeniably human, which, if you stop to think, makes her all the more amazing of a character. She has to deal with one disaster after another, and through it all she remains steadfast with a dry wit that clearly shows, "She's going to make it through this one, too." And, like any character with depth, she exhibits growth. She grew from a cocky and overconfident person caught between girl and woman, to a strong, sober, and determined woman who will do whatever it takes in the name of God, Queen, and Country. To be able to grow instead of break under pressure, to go through it and not let it make you hollow and dead inside, is an incredible feat makes her worthy of my respect and admiration.
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Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 8:43 pm
Manga integra has a healthy balance between being hard and being soft. She's a motherly commander, let's say, in the OVA. But in the Tv episodes, she was a hard mistress. The only time I saw her be feminine-like in the episodes was when Alucard asked her if she'd ever thought about drinking his blood. I like the OVA Integra better because she has a natural sense of humanity about her. She gets pissed off as well as become a motherly person if need be.
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Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 9:33 pm
In the manga, Integra undergoes a lot more character development than she does in either of the anime series. In the anime, she's far more static.
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Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 12:37 am
I must say I like manga Integra more.
She grows as Hellsing's leader more and more, she shows her human side xd , by that I mean feelings towards her men, etc. .
And as NoLifeKing said, she goes under more character development.
Anime Integra is just the same from begining to end.
Static as he said.
Ok yes, I'm with NoLifeKing66 xd
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Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 1:40 am
OA Integra is essentially a man with boobs, although she does her best to hide them. Manga Integra is a woman, and she's not afraid to be a kick-a** strong one at that.
Let's also remember when comparing the two that one was made by some lazy scripwriters who only knew the first few chapters of a greater story, and Manga Integra is the process and result of that greater story, and therefore is essentially a different person altogether even though she's the same character.
let's not forget in either form she was raised by a homicidally-inclined old man and a vampire of highly-questionable morals, neither of which were likely very good role models for decorum and femininity.
I'm not going to say one is better than the other because they both suit their own universes. I am however going to admit that personally I do prefer the manga version a bit more for various reasons.
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Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 12:54 pm
Okay, okay, I might aswell get in my lil' bit. I think everyones already posted something close to my basic opinion, but I'll restate. To say that OA Integra has no character development is rather harsh since there was no way she really could. Take OA Integra, and compare her to the first two volumes of the manga and you have the exact same person. The reason she never went past that person in the OA is because the OA never had Rio de Janeiro and a certain phonecall late in the night. That is the turning point in the manga where she really starts to change. The OA, however, shows a nice growing connection between the characters, you have to give it credit for that. It managed to do THAT with only the first two volumes, thats pretty good, since there really where no relationships developing at that time. OA Integra has a nice design, when the artists weren't being lazy asses. Sure, there are times when she appears stiff and manly and ewww.... but then there are times when she really looks the way she should, and the animation is gorgeous. Yes, I'm talking about those few well animated episodes where there is detail, instead of a slideshow with moving lips. I have to show some loyalty to the anime, afterall, I watched it before I read the manga. It was my first connection to the characters, aswell as my first love of AxI As for manga Integra, I will say I prefer her, but had the OA had more content, they would have most likely been one in the same... Infact, Integra in the OA would have probably had the same character development and given us a deeper look into it. The OA was very accurate, and pretty awesome up until the Valentine brothers attack and there was no "Beware the Millennium" message. It was awesome for manga fans before Incognito showed up. I can go on longer about Integra in the OA, and just how she changes, but I think everyone already has. So yeah. Quote: let's not forget in either form she was raised by a homicidally-inclined old man and a vampire of highly-questionable morals, neither of which were likely very good role models for decorum and femininity. Hellz yes, that is a fact.
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Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 4:52 pm
Suni moon Take OA Integra, and compare her to the first two volumes of the manga and you have the exact same person. Not exactly. In the animes, Integra is much calmer, much cooler, and much more collected. In the manga, she was confident to the point of being cocky and quickly lost her temper whenever anything when wrong. She doesn't become that calm, cool, collected leader until much later in the series.
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Sir_Catherine Vice Captain
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Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2008 9:08 am
NoLifeKing66 Suni moon Take OA Integra, and compare her to the first two volumes of the manga and you have the exact same person. Not exactly. In the animes, Integra is much calmer, much cooler, and much more collected. In the manga, she was confident to the point of being cocky and quickly lost her temper whenever anything when wrong. She doesn't become that calm, cool, collected leader until much later in the series.
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Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2008 11:38 am
She may have had a few small outbursts in the first two books, but no more then she had in the anime.
You can call her calm and collected in the anime, but I see her 'freakout' just as much.
Oh, and do you know what I remember most about the anime without having watched it for a few months?
The amount of times Integra yells "ALUCARD! scream " over the 13 episodes of the series. She does have a number of last straw outbursts in the series, but I'd hardly call them a loss of control, and I really don't think she's any more levelheaded in the anime then she was in the manga.
Yes, she is more static in the anime, and in the anime is she is somewhat of the 'strong leader' early on, but nowhere near to the extent that manga Integra becomes by the end of the series.
Integra in the OA is still a work in development, and she does have her breakdowns, panic attacks, and screaming matches with people, particularly during the attack by the Valentine brothers, sometime around episode 8 and onward.
If anything really differs from early OA Integra, I would say it is simply her slight lack of character, since her entire personality hadn't really come forth at that point in the series.
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Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2008 2:39 pm
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Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2008 10:14 pm
I never liked Integra until I finished the OA and started reading the manga series, so I have to say Manga Integra definately.
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Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2008 1:34 pm
I'm fond of the two versions of Integral Hellsing. There's no much difference in her character that is attributed to her alone, rather to the circumstances that makes her grow different.
In the Anime, Integra had to face a rebellious, sexually forward servant since their meeting, furthermore she had no steady allies aside of Walter, Fergusson and, on occassions, Islands. Her ties with her father was more affectionate and his loss deeply affected her. Integra, due to her unsteady position of power, began to crave it. The fact vampires in the Anime aren't the pitiful monsters that are in the Manga, made her tempted (and finally accepting, IMO) to that nature. The world of humans was far beneath her (as displayed in Order 4), Alucard both lured Seras and Integra into his world rather cleverly.
She does have development. What are people talking about? But it isn't the same of Manga Integra. Instead of becoming an iconic human figure, in the tv series, she's accepting more and more Alucard, his world, and his offer because of the violations, betrayals and personal loss of power.
I never thought Integra dutiful in the Anime, just like Alucard, she seemed a prideful creature and made her fascinating.
Now Manga Integra is the total opposite to Anime Integra. Her father, while important, didn't seem to have a great emotional loss to her. She was his heir, more than his daughter. She had also secured her power position far more easily than her Anime counterpart and I believe the change is in her strong beginning with Alucard. In the tv series, Alucard defies her, in the Manga, he humbly submits to her since their meeting. This, in the trauma that was her sucession to power, made Integra more cocky to face the knights and win their approval (who wouldn't be when you have Alucard at beck and call?). However, because of how protected she was, she didn't have the calm composture experience her Anime counterpart had in crisis. She had to develop as the Ice Queen leader through the series. When reached volume 6, this stage seemed complete with her ability to command Iscariot for a short period and, furthermore, her display of how humanity is superior to all when crowded alone.
She has no sense of pride (she's confident, but not prideful), unlike her anime self. All she does is selflessly for the sake of her country, even begging to Maxwell, even (much to her horror) signing a death warrant to Walter or those cops in Brazil.
While Anime Integra was fated to fall into darkness, Manga one was fated to shine brightest of any character for her principles.
I believe the key for this change is her relationship with Alucard. In one medium, Alucard challenges the worth of humanity, offering the lure of eternity, power and freedom beyond her wildest dreams. When humanity fails, she turns to that. In the other, Alucard pretty much validates that humanity is superior and he regrets the choice he took long ago, and displays openly how horrible is to be a monster. This makes her resolve to be human strengthen. Of course, there are other factors that involve her change, but her most important relationship is with Alucard and the differences in their bond and in HIS personality molded her as a completely different character. I wouldn't say Alucard raised her, Arthur Hellsing did. Integra was a woman when she met him (trapped in a young girl's body). But he was the greatest influence in her life after her father died and she was a budding young woman.
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Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2008 8:36 pm
I need to point out that young Integra was initially challenged by Alucard in both the OA as well as the manga. The two representations of Integra and Alucard's first meeting are done with only minor differences.
Alucard does not immediately drop humbly before her in the OA anymore than he does in the manga. I very much enjoy my screen cap of young Integra telling Alucard to "Shut up!" in response to his telling her to give up and join him. In the manga there is a wonderful drawing of Alucard kneeling to young Integra, same as he does in the OA.
How do you see OA Integra turning to Alucard's offer and rejecting a failed humanity? I see her questioning Alucard's value, (asking him the difference between him and the cheap imitations they are fighting) and being praised by Walter for the fire of her spirit. I don't see her thinking humanity is beneath her at all.
In my opinion she does not accept Alucard's implied offer of blood at the end of the final episode. He offers, but only because he knows she will refuse. He offers because to him she is worthy of such an offer, but it is her fire and humanity that makes her worthy and, at the same time, makes her refuse any such thing. She smiles because she understands this.
I've got to point out that anime Integra is also doing what she does for the sake of her country. The woman is in a cell at the end of the show. Had she craved power or put herself above her job, she could easily have had Alucard free her and avoided arrest. Would have stirred up a hell of a lot of trouble and done more harm than good to England, and so instead she allows her public actions to mime what the public knows and expects.
In the end, I see both Integras as glorious, neither destined for darkness.
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Sir_Catherine Vice Captain
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Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2008 9:35 pm
Sir_Catherine I need to point out that young Integra was initially challenged by Alucard in both the OA as well as the manga. The two representations of Integra and Alucard's first meeting are done with only minor differences. No, she wasn't. In the Manga, Alucard never challenged or defied young Integra. He, as a corpse, listened her romantic daydream about a knight in shining armor waiting for her to her rescue. So the first action he did as soon he turned to her is kneeling while Integra was in shock. He asked after her well-being and orders. Never, during their meeting in the Manga, Alucard defied Integra. He was pretty much following suit the savior role she'd wanted to find. He already knew she was suitable because of her blood, he tasted both, Richard's and Integra's and chose Integra as his Master for Richard was rotting like his brain/spirit. In the OA didn't make reference of how connected blood is with memories and spirit like they do in the Manga. Integra never said she would never join Alucard, btw, what she said was: she would never follow a Vampire's ORDERS. wink There's a slight difference in there. One, brought up by Studio Gonzo responses in interviews of Newtype or her character talk in the last DVD, made her choice pretty obvious by the end of the OA. Sir_Catherine How do you see OA Integra turning to Alucard's offer and rejecting a failed humanity? I see her questioning Alucard's value, (asking him the difference between him and the cheap imitations they are fighting) and being praised by Walter for the fire of her spirit. I don't see her thinking humanity is beneath her at all.
In my opinion she does not accept Alucard's implied offer of blood at the end of the final episode. He offers, but only because he knows she will refuse. He offers because to him she is worthy of such an offer, but it is her fire and humanity that makes her worthy and, at the same time, makes her refuse any such thing. She smiles because she understands this. OA basically glorified vampirism (while Manga went to the opposite direction): vampires are far superior, even Integra is tempted to be one of them. Her fascination for the undead world is very clear by her jealousy with Seras in Order 2, her acceptance Alucard's vampirism IS very different from the Freaks in Order 3 (which you seem to forget, Integra was questioning him and accepted he was right), her idea of Alucard's world being her own and making justice that isn't of the world of humans (Order 4). Her hesitating in Order 11. She doesn't want to be Seras, a poor vampire servant (like what he first offers and does not bother to turn it down), she doesn't want to be a mindless ghoul (order 9), it's the offer of blood, of true power that makes her hesitate. Alucard knows and smirks. This is just before she lost her organization, her honor and her reason to live as a human being. I disagree, Alucard would never offer because he knows she will refuse. Alucard was annoyed when Integra ignored him in Order 11 and thus contradicting your idea, furthermore, he turned Seras Victoria because he saw Young Integra reflected on her eyes during their meeting according to Studio Gonzo because he always wanted to turn Integra. He doesn't want Integra follow his orders (or Seras for that matter), he probably wants a True Undead he could fight/share his time with because he's bored and Integra would make a very interesting playmate, and is no secret he's obsessed with her. Two rolled up in one. IMO, Alucard offered because he was certain Integra would accept this time. He's a creature of pride and he didn't even *offer* he served the blood for her taking. He was cocky and sure of himself and, well, he reads her thoughts. Because there is no reason why she would refuse, I believe. She has nothing left: everybody has betrayed her and chained her, her honor, her body, her blood, her health, everything was violated. OAIntegra is very spiteful and has a great pride that Manga Integra does not have. She makes her own rules and does not abide the justice of men (see Order 4). Integra Hellsing only has one thing: revenge and a need to be herself. She's in pieces in the end of the Anime. Vampirism in Hellsing OA seems to be the way of the powerful instead of the weak. Sir_Catherine I've got to point out that anime Integra is also doing what she does for the sake of her country. The woman is in a cell at the end of the show. Had she craved power or put herself above her job, she could easily have had Alucard free her and avoided arrest. Would have stirred up a hell of a lot of trouble and done more harm than good to England, and so instead she allows her public actions to mime what the public knows and expects.
In the end, I see both Integras as glorious, neither destined for darkness. I disagree with this. The Studio Gonzo commentary also indicates Integra was in the break of falling and this was pretty much portrayed with the blank expression she wears just when Alucard shows up, not even bothering to eat. Of course she didn't break the prison yet, she was playing for their rules waiting and waiting. Was she released? No. Everything has a limit. Even iron breaks. Integra's not a martyr who would leave the blood of her people go without being avenged, furthermore she was *violated* twice, not a complete rape, but look up what state her mind could have been. Studio Gonzo had the intention to cripple Integra in body, mind and spirit to make her realize humanity's not worth it. Not to play by their rules, IMO. Look at her in order 7, she wasn't doing the mellow response Manga Integra (who was depressed) had. She wanted vengance, tenthfold, for the dishonor of what happened to her organization episodes ago. Imagine the rage and impotence she has in Order 13 ending, added it the brush of death/ghouling and molestation she had in Order 9 that made her hesitate to Alucard's offer of his blood. This is what exactly I believe OA will choose to be. She's a very different character in a context that makes vampires (real ones) "good" (Helena, Alucard, Seras) and leaves her weaker and weaker as a human (a glorious spirit caged in a "weak" body in the Anime), while in the Manga she's given the torch of human icon by about anybody and her body is like a temple nobody touches (superficial eye wound aside). Of course OA Integra still cares about her country and that's why exactly she'll become a vampire. To protect it on her own way (after avenging the crimes against her and Hellsing) because it was painfully obvious Hellsing power could never be restored: public sham? The media are far more powerful than the Queen. Unlike the Manga, the Anime is far more into intrigue and realistic portrayal of UK. Integra does this at her way and she has always wanted to be a vampire, apparently, there's no excuse to not be anymore. Integra would think she's getting the rid of corruption, plain and simple, the enemy was *human* and the ones who saved her life in the end were vampires (Alucard and Seras). Seras herself proved Integra one can be a vampire and serve a good purpose. Is she less than Seras? She doesn't think so, IMO again. This resolution also has a historical value: Lots of parallels between Vlad and Integra. Vlad, in his captivity, after waiting for a while, converted to Catholicism (one of the "sworn" enemies) to be released and fight for his country again and fight a greater menace together. I admit it was brilliant too how Anime closed Alucard-Seras & Integra-Alucard relationships the way they began. Alucard licks Seras' blood on her chin from her agonizing state, Seras does the same with him in Order 13. In a Dungeon, Alucard drinks Integra's blood to be released. In a Dungeon, Integra, IMO, will drink his blood to release herself. Finally, even outside the SG comentary, what clue me in was in the way Alucard offered vampirism was also beautifully fit in the only circumstances Integra would accept it (the death of Hellsing, the betrayal, her own powerless state). He didn't challenge her, he didn't ask pesky questions, he humbly asked for her orders while the blood drips and reminded her it's her choice. He's not her enemy, he's just her humble servant and would never master her. A clever approach from Alucard, because he was been doing it wrong before. What Integra needed in that moment was to be reassured she was going recover her power, and thus, her use. As you remember, Integra would never follow a vampire's orders, it would be on her own. How well it wrapped: because this doesn't contradict Y Integra's declaration or Walter's statement. It's validating it. It seems to me that Studio Gonzo looked for the only likely scenario Integral would become a vampire. All the circumstances, body language and words exchanged (also the mirror-narrative closure with their meeting) was benefical to this point. This doesn't mean Integra's weak, in the least. When I say she falls to darkness I don't mean any disrespect because she is my favorite character. I mean that in the OA, darkness is good, real vampires are "cool". She's not "giving in" to be with Alucard as some more... romantic fans seem to claim, she's just looking for a pragmatic way to avenge her loss, recover her power and follow what she wanted. Do you see her happy in the series? Integra lived stressed. It's liberating. Vampirism, in Dracula, was also way for *women* to be released of the male dominate world that crippled them. While Hirano used the literal: monster-threat spiritual value. Studio Gonzo, IMO, made the more sympathetic take of female liberation in Integra, Seras and Helena. That is my interpretation. Wherever in the Anime or Manga, Integra chose the right and better path to take. They were opposite paths because what was portrayed was completely different.
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