Vlad III Dracula
The Wallachian prince who became Count Dracula after turning his back on God.
In the Hellsing manga and anime series created by Kouta Hirano, Vlad Drăculea III is the historical figure who became the vampire Count Dracula. He spent much of his mortal life fighting the Ottomans and was held captive by them as a child, facing heavy abuse and sexual assault by his captors. Through his battles, Vlad sacrificed many, ally and foe, in the name of God, believing that God does not reward conventional prayer, but instead wants mortals to show their faith through battle. However, when his army was defeated and he faced execution, Vlad, believing he had been abandoned by God, turned his back on the divine by drinking the blood of the battlefield, becoming Count Dracula.
Quick Facts
- Identity
- Vlad Drăculea III
- Relation to alucard
- Former identity of Alucard
- Legacy
- Became the vampire Count Dracula, later codenamed Alucard
Lore & Background
In Hellsing, the events of Bram Stoker's Dracula are briefly deviated in regards to motive and his defeat. Dracula travelled to England to pursue Mina Harker out of affection, rather than a lust for power. During his defeat, Dracula is staked in the heart by Quincy Morris, but unlike the novel, is not decapitated by Arthur Holmwood, who instead rescues and embraces Mina. Following his death, Dracula is taken back to England by Van Helsing where he is revived. The Count pledges his loyalty to Van Helsing, deeply respecting that a mere human was able to defeat a demonic creature. Years after his defeat, Dracula became a servant of the Van Helsing family, who not only augmented his formidable abilities, but also placed shackles on his power. He was given the codename "Alucard" by Arthur Hellsing.
Reader's Guide
The information available focuses on his historical identity as Vlad Drăculea III, his transformation into Count Dracula after being abandoned by God, his defeat by Abraham Van Helsing, and his subsequent service to the Hellsing family under the codename Alucard. His backstory includes his childhood captivity by the Ottomans where he faced abuse and sexual assault, his battles against the Ottomans, and his belief that God wants mortals to show faith through battle. His defeat in England involved being staked by Quincy Morris but not decapitated, and he was revived by Van Helsing, pledging loyalty out of respect for a human who defeated a demonic creature.
More in Lore & History
Elsewhere in Hellsing
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