Hellboy Animated

Lore & Background

The series was co-produced by Lawrence Gordon Productions and Dark Horse Entertainment, with animation done by Japanese animation studio Madhouse. Both films were distributed by Anchor Bay Entertainment, instead of Sony Pictures or Universal Studios. A third film was being planned but was never greenlit. Both films were re-released on Blu-ray as a double feature by Lionsgate Home Entertainment on April 12, 2019.

Ron Perlman reprises his role as Hellboy from the live-action films. Selma Blair and John Hurt also reprise their roles as Liz Sherman and Professor Trevor Bruttenholm, respectively.

Reader's Guide

Hellboy Animated represents a notable expansion of the Hellboy franchise into direct-to-DVD animation, bridging the live-action films with an anime-inspired aesthetic. The involvement of Mike Mignola and Guillermo del Toro lent credibility, while Madhouse's animation brought a distinct visual style. The series maintained the core voice cast from the live-action films, including Ron Perlman, ensuring continuity for fans. Though only two films were produced, the series generated spin-off comics and merchandise, including a Best Buy exclusive figure. Its legacy lies in demonstrating the viability of animated adaptations of comic properties outside the mainstream superhero market, and in preserving the tone and mythology of Mignola's work in a different medium. The planned third film that was never greenlit leaves the series as a concise but complete narrative arc.

Did You Know?

• Both films received the signature of Mike Mignola and Guillermo del Toro.
• The animation was done by Japanese animation studio Madhouse.

Production & Creative Collaboration

The Hellboy Animated series stands as a unique intersection of American superhero storytelling and Japanese animation craft. This straight-to-DVD project, rooted in Mike Mignola's iconic comic book characters, was co-produced by Revolution Studios—the same studio behind the live-action adaptations—while the actual animation work was entrusted to the renowned Japanese studio Madhouse. The result is a distinctly anime-inspired visual language applied to the world of the B.P.R.D. Both entries carry the creative blessing of Mignola and Guillermo del Toro, lending them an official stamp of approval from the franchise's two most visible creative forces. Distribution fell to Anchor Bay Entertainment, a notable departure from the major studio releases that handled the live-action films. Although a third installment was once in development, it never received the green light to move forward. The series eventually found a second life when Lionsgate Home Entertainment packaged both titles as a double-feature Ultra HD Blu-ray set in April 2019, introducing the animated adventures to a new generation of collectors.

Voice Cast & Musical Identity

One of the most compelling aspects of the animated series is its commitment to continuity with the live-action films through its voice casting. Ron Perlman, whose gravelly delivery became synonymous with the character, returns as Hellboy, while Selma Blair and John Hurt reprise their roles as Liz Sherman and Professor Trevor Bruttenholm respectively. The handling of Abe Sapien's voice is particularly interesting: Doug Jones, who brought the character to life through prosthetic performance in the theatrical films, provided the voice for the second animated entry, though the first film's Abe was voiced by an uncredited David Hyde Pierce. Peri Gilpin lends her voice to Kate Corrigan, a character central to the Sword of Storms narrative. Behind the scenes, composer Christopher Drake crafted the musical score, giving the series its own sonic identity separate from the live-action soundtracks. This ensemble approach ensures that longtime fans feel an immediate connection to the animated world while still experiencing the fresh energy that anime-style production brings.

Narrative Structure & Story Arcs

Both animated entries follow an anthology format, each containing a full-length title that stands as a self-contained adventure. Sword of Storms (2006) sends Hellboy and Kate Corrigan to Japan, where they uncover a professor possessed by the Japanese demons Thunder and Lightning. These entities seek a powerful haunted sword that, once claimed, would free them and unleash their brothers in a cataclysm meant to destroy the world. The narrative splits: Hellboy is thrust into an alternate dimension where he battles Yokai, while his B.P.R.D. partners Abe Sapien and Liz Sherman work to intercept one of the Dragons in the first wave of the approaching chaos. Blood and Iron (2007) shifts its focus to Professor Trevor Bruttenholm, exploring his 1934 encounter with a vampiress known as the blood countess alongside present-day events. Hellboy also confronts Hecate in this installment. Together, the two films showcase the breadth of Mignola's mythos, moving from supernatural Japanese folklore to European gothic horror.

Extended Universe & Merchandise

The animated series spawned a surprisingly rich extended universe beyond the two main films. Dark Horse Comics published three volumes under the Hellboy Animated banner, continuing the adventures of the animated cast. The Black Wedding (January 2007) featured stories by Jim Pascoe and Tad Stones with art from Rick Lacy and Fabio Laguna. Judgment Bell (June 2007) included Pascoe's "The Judgment Bell" and Stones' self-contained "The Menace of the Mechanical Monster." The Menagerie (December 2007) brought in Jason Hall and Nate Piekos as writers. Two minicomics—Phantom Limbs and The Yearning—were bundled with the respective DVD releases. On the video side, a bonus short called Iron Shoes accompanied the Blood and Iron disc, while The Dark Below appeared on streaming platforms in 2010 with Zebulon Pike voicing Hellboy. In the physical collectibles space, Gentle Giant Ltd secured the license for action figures, with a Best Buy exclusive figure shrink-wrapped to the Blood and Iron DVD serving as a first-look release.