WARNING // LONG POST
Anderson is a character of two inverse extremes that he expresses with absolute unwavering certainty.
Best summarized as the belief that "all demons are evil" (bloodlust), and the belief that "all children are innocent" (care).
And everything in between is conflict. Because if all children are innocent, and all demons evil; humanity is the conflict between the two.
Once the child dies, and no longer cries, it becomes nothing but a monster.
When Anderson is certain in his standing, his eyes are visible. They express the extreme. But the moment his beliefs conflict or overlap, He shuts down and closes off.
His glasses function as a physical portrayal of this. A barrier between himself and the world for those moments where he's processing, or feeling emotions he doesn't know how to express.
---
There are three core aspects to Anderson's portrayal, beyond the extremes in which he functions. Aspects that are all presented within his introduction.
Issues with Authority.
This interaction isn't exactly "extreme". But one must recall Catholicism is structured around faith in authorities. So, Anderson's questioning, the 'get to the point and explain why this matters', alludes to Anderson not cooperating if he doesn't approve. Regardless of authority. Regardless of shared faith.
*His issues with authority is also shown in the muesume
This scene goes a step further and presents a key conflict between Anderson and Maxwell's beliefs.
Anderson thinks Maxwell is too clever. that he schemes and plots - for power, control, influence and Maxwell thinks Anderson is out of control because he acts without scheme.
2. Belief in Innocence
While Anderson curses out Hellsing, the moment he goes on to say "It's England's problem" his expression closes off.
Because that's not a statement he means in its entirety.
Does he have issues with the people? Yes. But he also recognizes the diffrence between "demon" and "human".
And a vampire attack means there is a demon preying upon potential innocent. Innocent that are undeserving of the devil's wrath. Personal prejudice aside.
This is seen when he praises Maxwell for his faith, only to curse him out for his cruelity.
Contrary to when he's seen defending Integra. Regardless of her being their enemy. Because he recognizes her humanity.
Her humanity won his respect. Humanity means as much as faith, for the two go hand in hand.
3. Why he's an Iscariot.
Having issues with authority, and a conflicted heart. It prompts the question of "why does Anderson work with them?" and "why do they call upon him when he's a proven liability? "
Well, the answer is because they serve the same goal. All demons are evil.
The moment Renaldo informs him the case is in Ireland, all of Anderson's frustrations are gone. Because that means he gets to deal with it. It's not that Anderson "works for them" per say. More "Anderson works with them".
---
He wishes to be the bayonet of god, to serve god without emotion, regret, or conflict. Dealing with demons is something he can do with absolute certainty.
His bloodlust is fully invested, unashamed, and unmistakably lethal. Bloodlust not held by human law or command. But the will of God.
This is why he's fucking Terrifying. A monster of a fanatic without a leash to hold him back. A force that can't be swayed because his mind is already set.
He's to much of liability to rise through the ranks. But he's far to skilled (if not most skilled member of Iscariot) for them to set him aside. And even if they tried, well... it's Anderson.
Maybe, at best, he'd stay at the orphanage (hard maybe). Because the other half of his unwavering ideology is that "all children are innocent".
---
You don't realize until you get to know Anderson. His self destructive tendencies, the dehumanization, the conflict. How he plunges himself into the abyss as a mere tool because he doesn't want to feel.
That the moments where he's open, alive, and without conflict. Moments where he's human. Genuinely himself. Without goal and a just a little awkward.
Are absolutely precious.
The first page, with the orphans. In Every. Single. Frame. Anderson's eyes are visible.
And this continues to be the case if there is anything to do with the orphans. With only acceptations being...
His memory of Maxwell coming to the orphanage; It begins open, but closes off as he approaches Maxwell's corpse.
His expression remains closed off as he mourns. The child who was corrupted, and who he had to kill.
Whenever his two lives blur, such as being in a fanatic headspace at the orphanage, or a fatherly headspace in a war zone, he closes off unless he's left alone.
2. When he dies; With his eyes dried out and lost to the wind like dust. He says his final thoughts and prayer. And hold a final image in mind.
Being the orphanage and his kids. Them laughing, being unbothered by the mess of the world. Oblivious to the weight of life.
That is his comfort in those final moments. The thing he values over all else.
All children are innocent. All demons are evil. Innocence is deserving of protection. Demons are deserving of death. Because those demons are a threat to the exsistance of innocence.
That is what I'd say is the foundation of his character.
(more details/thoughts about this) (extended thoughts/commentary)
116 notes
·
View notes