Kouta Hirano is a celebrated manga artist who created Hellsing and Drifters, both incredibly popular and critically acclaimed in the anime world. The underrated success of these two is unmatched and this was the man behind them. The mangaka has an estimated net worth of $1 million to $5 million.
The Hellsing author’s wealth stems from the popularity of these two manga series, which have been adapted into successful anime series, and naturally, their associated merchandise. His rise in the manga industry started with Hellsing, which quickly gained a global following and secured his place among the elite manga creators.
How Did Hellsing and Drifters Become Massive Hits?
Hellsing includes 10 volumes of fantasy, action and gothic brilliance. It revolves around the Hellsing Organisation, led by Sir Integra Hellsing, who defend England from supernatural threats, specifically vampires. Sir Integra Hellsing is based on the fictional character from the gothic novel, Dracula by Bram Stoker. The most powerful vampire, Alucard, is the trump card of the organisation.
The manga’s unique mix of horror, action, and historical references, combined with its detailed art style, captivated readers across Japan and worldwide. It was a massive hit and is remembered to this day. Hirano’s wealth has definitely been bolstered by the incredible success of Hellsing which sold 4 million copies worldwide.
The end of Hellsing brought a new beginning for Kouta Hirano. While Drifters wasn’t necessarily as successful as Hellsing, it created major buzz for the mangaka’s portfolio. Drifters combines Hirano’s signature style of mixing historical references with supernatural elements and intense action.
This fantasy action series tells the story of historical figures, such as Japan’s legendary samurai Shimazu Toyohisa, Oda Nobunaga and even Joan of Arc, who are transported to a parallel world to fight in a cosmic battle between good and evil. Drifters‘ solid fanbase has actually made the original samurai not show up when you Google the name. With a premise that interesting, Hirano was still a prominent figure thanks to the success of Drifters. The manga has sold over 1.5 million copies worldwide.
So, if you’re a bookworm or a history geek, Hellsing and Drifters are worth watching. Fans of anime have commended both of them as two of the best anime in the industry. Unfortunately, the author still has to update Drifters and he has a penchant for procrastinating.
Financial Impact and Earnings for Kouta Hirano
The Hellsing and Drifters mangaka is estimated to have a net worth of $1 million to $5 million, taking into account not just the manga sales, but also the revenue from anime adaptations, international licensing, merchandise, and potential royalties.
In the end, the Hellsing author’s influence over manga and anime is recognisably huge. His financial success cannot match how incredible Hellsing and Drifters were. Not only were they something unique back in the early 2000s but their plots hooked audiences beyond what I’m sure Hirano would’ve ever expected. They still feel beyond underrated but time has tested the two series and they still hold up.
Hellsing and Drifters are now available on Crunchyroll!
