Re: Hellsing
There was a three (or let's say two, when you take the pics out) pages long interview with Kouta Hirano published in a German magazine. Since I don't know much details about Hellsing, I have no clue if it contains any news to fans or if it was already translated somewhere.
I summarize a little since I don't think that it's *that* interesting:
He first tells how he became a Mangaka and that he started Hellsing short stories in the adult genre, then how Hellsing started out as regular series and why he used the term as title. He states again that volume 10 will be the last volume and a big final, getting published in Japan at the end of 2008.
Then he's answering questions about the use of the Nazi topic in the Manga (German interview >.>), he explains the difference in how the theme is seen in Japan and Germany and then - curse him - says that he supports the censorship of the Nazi symbols in the German version. He basically says that censoring a Manga in another country is fine and the original work is not hurt by that, which just made him lost a few points on my fav list.
Anyways, he talks about the context of violence in the Manga and that he don't think that media are responsible for violence amount the consumers. Then he describes his daily routine - he starts working at 3pm and finishes usually between midnight and 3-4am. His favorite character is Alucard, followed by Andersen and The Major.
About Hellsing: The Dawn, he explains that it was stopped because it wasn't successful enough and that's why it isn't finished yet. He can't published it with another publisher due to contract bounds with Gahosha but he hopes to find a solution to carry it on.
He thanks for being invited to the German con (where the interview was asked) and that he loves meeting the European fans.
About the Anime, he found it important to not involve himself much into the Anime production. He was asked by the animators for ideas and opinions but he don't wanted his word used 1:1, so he stayed out of it on purpose. He likes both the TV series and especially the OVA very much, although he was skeptical about the TV series at first.
Artists he got influenced by are Katsuhiro Otomo (Akira) and Mamori Oshii (Ghost in the Shell - but he personally favors Patlabor).
Well, then thanks to the fans, thanks to the organisators, ect.
That's it
