.hack//Sign

Story - 6/10
The story goes about a MMORPG: 'The World'.
One of the characters, Tsukasa, can't log out anymore. The strange thing is that he isn't even in front of his computer.
How can he go back to the reality?

It's a simple, but original story.
There could be some more humor in it though.

Art - 7/10
Colorful characters and backgrounds. It looks good.
...
Sound - 4/10
The sound in this anime are decent.
Bad intro and outro, totally not my style.
The music in the anime itself is allright, as long if they don't sing. The same tune is repeated a lot too, and there is too much music. It looks like they put in music to make you less bored.
If you watched some episodes, you'll get enough of it.

Character - 6/10
Some of the characters are interesting, and they're all looking good.
Colorful characters, as I said in 'Art'.

Enjoyment - 3/10
The tempo in this anime is too slow, only in the last 4 episodes they speed it up.
Before people say that I don't like the anime because I don't like MMORPGs, that's not true. I do like MMORPGs. ;)

Overall - 6/10
I don't recommend this anime, except if you're really bored.
Some people will like it, some people won't. (Like with every anime.)

Before I start off with this review I'd like to point out that I haven't played any of the .hack video games, so this view is directly from a person that has no background information from the video games.

This .hack is definitely different but similar in it's own accord compared to the other .hack series. The story is very plain and boring when read on paper, but really think about it, if you try to imagine the events happening in the real world it would be pretty messed up and interesting, the one thing I really liked about this ... series is the fact that they put more emphasis on the players themselves rather than the characters inside the video game, the main character Tsukasa is "stuck" in the game, he can't seem to log out (although in the real world tsukasa is actually a female playing a male character in the video game).

The story gets more complicated as the number of episodes escalates but it mostly still revolves around the main character tsukasa, weird events start happening and the item called "Key of the twilight" is mentioned, which is I'm guessing the same item that they were looking for in .hack//roots, with that being said these events happened before roots, since in this one he obtained the key of the twilight while in roots it's considered to be a myth. Now the amount of episodes that Sign has is quite understandable, 26 isn't too much and too little either. Overall the story could use some more excitement considering there's almost no action in the whole series, the most you'll ever see is them wielding out their weapons and threatening each other to fight, but other than that it's usually just pure talking.

The art of the anime is pretty straightforward, nothing too fancy or too unique about it, this was made in 2002 so don't expect much about they way they look, for those that are really picky with the art and animation, all I can say is that for you guys, it's bearable to watch and I'm sure that's convincing enough for you guys to check the anime out.

Now the final thing I want to talk about are the characters, tsukasa's design is very very plain, and I'm completely comparing him/her to Haseo on this one because the way Tsukasa looks makes you want to go to sleep, I understand that his character in the video game isn't really for close combat or anything flashy like that but come on now... he's the main character can't you make him a bit cooler looking? The character that really intrigued me the most is Mimiru, the heavy blade character that befriends Tsukasa and Bear and is helping him/her trying to figure as to why Tsukasa can't log out of the game. What makes her so interesting is that she's the lead female character of the anime and yet she takes on the role as to what the male is supposed to be, which is the buffed up warrior role, and I think she plays her character quite well to a point where you know she has the ability to protect tsukasa and at the same time have that soft female side from her, (and plus I think I can relate to her because I've always liked warrior classes from mmorpgs)

Overall .hack//SIGN isn't such a bad anime, I've seen way worse ones out there and it's clearly safe to say that you really need to play the video games if you want to experience the true feeling of getting into this anime because clearly from my perspective as a person who hasn't played the video games you can really see from the scores I've given this.

cheers.

I don't often write reviews as I like to just enjoy and appreciate what I'm watching, but this anime was a complete waste of time. Not to sound immature but with the fantasy RPG setting, the massive franchise it spawned, and the flashy upbeat opening, I thought this was gonna be some grand, action-packed epic adventure. It was not. It's 26 episodes of everyone just moping and talking. Not that talking's bad, but where did any of these conversations go? Absolutely nowhere. I don't care about any of these characters. They're so dull and flat. The main character whose name I never remember even while ... watching is just Shinji Ikari except instead of not wanting to be in the robot he doesn't seem to really want to play the game. But who's forcing him? This was just an absolute chore to watch. I'm normally pretty good with 26 episode series because even if I only have time to watch 1 a day I can still knock it out quick. This took me months because the whole time I couldn't decide to drop or just finish it off. If you want a sci-fi series that moves at a slower pace but is actually good go watch Ergo Proxy.

Well, you have to admit the animation is good, the sound is awesome I love the music. The only draw back was the fighting, where was it. Also I have questions about some of the people you meet like... Sora, what 7 year old is really this good at games so complex and parents let him stay up so late? xD BUT the Love between the main chars awwww <3 hehe I like that =P but over all a 8 this is the average of the scores as of the way it should be not a random number.

If you like a slow paced story, focussing on the characters with thoroughly immersive music, you will greatly enjoy this anime. If you like fast paced stories with action scenes led forward by the storyline, this anime is not for you. For those whom the rest of this review is not yet redundant, feel free to read on.

The story is well crafted; while it appears the story is light-hearted, underneath it all it is quite dark. The theme of escapism runs throughout the series, and this is synced well with the aesthetics. The World is colourful and diverse, with canal based cities, green cliff-tops above ... the clouds, deserts and snowy mountains to name a few, as well as the powerful music. You never forget it's just a game though, with the chaos gates and memories sounding like they were being retold through a headset being 2 very MMO effects used. The real world on the other hand, is black and white, crackly and silent, with lines told in text. It emphasises how enticing The World is compared to real life.

The characters' stories are told fairly uniquely, in that there are two stories, for the in-game character and their real-life counterpart. These personalities are often different, and it underlines the theme of escapism. Interpersonal relationships do well from this as well, as characters can interact with not only other in-game characters, but also their real-life character. This complexity makes the character's feel realistic, and having characters from various walks of life reinforces another virtue of MMos: that people, no matter their age or gender or social status, can interact as equals.


The music is by Yuki Kajiura. Her music is always outstanding, but it is either forced upon you, interfering with the story and making the music and the story very disjointed, or is used to immerse the viewer in the story, enhancing the experience. I can happily say this is definitely the latter, which is impressive considering how many of the soundtracks are sung in English; in fact, the songs are both the best of the soundtrack, and the most immersive.

I came looking to burn through the anime and add the soundtrack to my music player; instead .Hack//Sign sat me down and showed me a masterpiece; this is definitely a must-watch for any who can watch a slowly unfolding story. It plays out like a spiral; you think it is unchanging, moving forward, but without realising the story is getting deeper and darker with each episode you go through. It does have some flaws; the ending was so fast I thought I missed an episode, and the camera does sometimes stay on characters for a long time, with little animation going on, but these are nit-pickings that don't have any real effect on my enjoyment of the anime.

Sign was one of the first in the .hack // series that I watched, and I can say that I am completely disappointed. I already knew the problems of this anime and really thought I could ignore it, it used that proposal of the MC stuck in the online game, which makes me already excited, even because I like the style. Yes, let's go to the review!

1 - Story [6/10] - As I said earlier, I like Sign's proposal, but I don't think it was done well. The worst point of this anime is the fact that the development is extremely slow, the dense dialogue ... does not hold you at any time, while watching the anime I felt that the dialogues did not change much and were not interesting, the plot and much dragged and undeveloped. Believe me, I am not the type who likes to put action on everything like SAO, but this anime had an embarrassment in action fights to make it more fun to watch. Despite all this, the anime has a good ending and as I said, a good story proposal, the problem was actually the execution of the idea.

2 - Art [6/10] - I could be content with the very lively art scenes of Sign (There are very few) and give a 7 or 8 note for the art, however, the thousands of scenes without animation, scenes of painting static made me take a step back and give a grade 6, which could simplify as: Something interesting to watch.

3 - [8/10] - Yes! Sign deserves an 8 at BGM, honestly, the soundtrack is somehow very good! I can't say it was very well used, but it is still good. The opening was not a big deal when it comes to art, but the opening song is really fun.

4 - Character [6/10] - In this category I can say that I am very rigorous, the protagonist is the center of all animes, no matter which one, the characters that integrate are what will give life to the work. The feeling that frustrated me with Sign was the fact that the protagonist is a pain in the ass! All the first 10 episodes of Sign boil down to how to be friendly with the protagonist, that really bothered me. He is too slow to make decisions and has dragged himself through the work like a poor guy who can't solve anything. Unfortunately, I didn't get to like him ... Besides, all the other characters are in fact "acceptable", by the standard of characters, nothing too flashy.

5 - Enjoyment [1/10] - Simply boring! As I said earlier, I don't mind not putting action in this type of anime, however, not the salvation for this anime. He was not amused at all. It failed to generate impact, failed to make it exciting, failed to make it interesting. Nothing! Only dialogue and dragged development. What a disappointment!

Overall - The anime had a lot of problems, which made it boring. And I already say that it is impossible to ignore, unless you just want to put it on the list. I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS WORK!

If you go into .hack//SIGN expecting an epic action/adventure, a deep mystery, or to enjoy an escapist fantasy, you're going to be disappointed. SIGN is a character study, and deeply introspective. It's not about videogames; it's about people who play videogames, and why.

What makes it interesting is that the characters are roleplaying. What you see is not what is actually happening in the game (a common critique), but what they are collectively imagining is happening. The catalyst for the story is an encounter with a problem that supersedes the game, yet exists almost entirely within it. Slowly, over the course of the series, you ... get a glimpse at the people behind the avatars. They shed the skin of stereotypical anime characters, existing within a bright color palette and strict archetypes, and become ordinary humans.

Despite the cast spanning the gamut - from school kids to struggling single parents to CEO's, they are deeply relatable to the average viewer. Everyone has a reason to escape, to want to become someone else; and it's only when confronted with someone significantly more disturbed than themselves that they can look inward and face their own demons. This show is about a group of disparate people coming together to save someone, and in the processes, saving themselves.

The pacing is, at times, unbearably slow - the bulk of the show is the characters having conversations with each other. The conversations are highly revealing if you're paying attention, but otherwise do not push the overarching "plot" forward. The soundtrack and world design is gorgeous and otherworldly, but it's only a stage. "The World", the videogame, is not what this piece is about. It's about the characters. If you can't accept that, you'll absolutely hate this show. If can, you might be pleasantly surprised.

Before I get deep into things, I'd like to say that this show isn't for everyone, and if you're not willing to listen to prolonged dialogue this one isn't for you.

The show centers around a character under the name of Tsukasa who plays the role of a Wavemaster in the MMORPG labeled as "The World." He finds himself in a dungeon without any memories of who he is, or what he's done. During his journey he comes across many different friends and allies, along with some powerful enemies.

Alright, as for the story. I was always into the whole dark feel of the show. It really ... wants you to understand that the people controlling the characters in-game also deal with their own personal problems outside of the internet. One of the most noteworthy in the series was one of the characters suffering from a handicap using The World as a way to overcome their inability to walk. Later in the series, characters try to build relationships with each other outside of the game.

My biggest beef with the story is that much of it is unexplained in the show, but delivered in the series of games. Lots of plot holes can be found within them and it leaves me a bit unsatisfied now that I 'need' to order the games just to know everything "The World" has to offer me.

The art was "alright." Some sequences where the show dealt with computer special effects were really slick, but the character animation was a bit chunky. The fight scenes usually involved the characters exchanging glances lecturing each other each exchange of blades. The scenery of the show were really nice on the eyes, allowing you to get in touch with the environments.

The music of this show is absolutely astounding. It's a mix of trance and Celtic music, really giving the feel for the show. My personal favorite is "Key of the Twilight" which really stands for the show entirely.

Overall, I thought this show was a treasure. The pace isn't for everyone, but to me it seemed perfect. The music, characters and story really made this one shine bright. There's a lot of mixed reviews out there, check it out yourself and make your own decision.

First off this is an odd show in the sense that it's set in an MMORPG but there are next to no action scenes; this show, understandably, gets a lot of flak for this reason. Most go in expecting World of Warcraft:The Animation and come out with a bad taste in their mouths, a simple synopsis read would've saved them the trouble of watching the whole thing expecting and then giving it an undeserved bad rap even though the show delivers on all the promises it makes.


Storywise .hack//SIGN isn't spectacular it follows the adventures of Tsukasa, a Wavemaster who is unable to log out ... of the World MMO, gets caught up in a huge scandal that comes to involve nearly every character in the World.

The art wasn't the best, in my opinion of course, the design just rubbed me the wrong way at times the characters seem flat and have an odd "fish-eyed" look about them, Tsukasa in particular seems to look in different directions at times.

The music is beautiful, simple as that. I don't know what more to say.

To me the characters are the shows main draw they all receive their fair share of development and through the course of the show it steadily paints a picture of who the players are behind their characters. Intricate details help give them depth and make them as human as possible. Personal favorites are Crim and Sora, the former which deserved much more screentime and the latter whom, despite his annoying manner, the reason for which is explained, you can't help but love whenever he appears. Despite all the enjoyable characters there are some who I despise and shall remain nameless...Subaru.

I thoroughly enjoyed this show, yes it has it's lowpoints where everything seems to creep to a halt, but then there are the highpoints which are amazing. Scenes that evoke powerful emotions, scenes that would make this series a masterpiece (if it weren't for the series shortcomings.)

Overall 7/10 you won't be disappointed if you know what you're getting yourself into.

Personally i didn't mind the overall story-line of this anime that being said it was annoyingly slow and it took me a at least 3 days to get through this anime, also there is 28 episodes total. Damn that was a long time of watching in a day.

Anyway the story of this anime seems pretty straight forward right? Guy is stuck in game, meets a array of different characters whom each have their personality flaws.

That's all pretty good and right. Is one character really that bad in my opinion, hmm now i think about it my least favorite character was A20 because she never ... really stood up for herself and she somewhat pissed me off as a result, sure she wasn't really a main character or anyone of great importance to the series in the end but as i was watching her constantly getting beaten up by monsters to the point she ended up told off on several by Mimiru.

Another Character that also bugged me was Grim, with other character's talking about him i thought he would have been at least have a better personality towards others. I found myself on several occassions yelling at the screen "maybe just listen". Everything like that aside there was none of the things most people look for such as fan service (pantie shot e.t.c) or action, basically not enough to get a person hooked. I can't say i would watch this again.

I really wanted to like the .hack series and had high expectations for this, though it's not what you may be expecting.

The story sets up a great mystery - why is Tsukasa trapped inside a virtual world, and what's the deal with these strange monsters and characters? The premise is there, but it's all very slow-paced which can really try your patience if you do not enjoy works solely for character interaction and want a steady plot. That being said, the characters are varied and there is development of personality and relationships over the series. The major downside though, and what made ... me score this series poorly, is that so much is left unresolved. I persisted until the end because of how well the mystery was developed and I wanted to know the answers, and was left unsatisfied.

The opening theme is very nice, and the artwork itself is nothing special compared with recent anime, but environments within the World are nicely done. Brief glimpses into the 'real world' in silent black and white do add something to the messages about escapism.

Overall, it's something that shows certain themes through character interaction. If like myself, you came looking for an action-filled mystery, try looking elsewhere.

Greetings, chill seekers, Kiba Snowpaw is back at it again, this time diving into the icy depths of the digital world with .hack//Sign. This digital den, part of the .hack franchise, is a mammoth monument to multimedia, intertwining novels, manga, TV anime and OVAs to form one grand narrative. Now, this review comes from the heart of a furry who has been gaming, watching anime, movies and series, and devouring manga since the 80s, so you know you’re in for a real winter wonderland of insights.

The overall consensus of .hack//Sign is akin to the first few steps into a snowstorm; you're unsure where it's going, ... it's slower than you'd like, and the visibility isn't fantastic. But, as your ever-chilled Kiba will tell you, a snowstorm can be a thing of wonder. The story is much like that storm, you have to brave through it, to experience the beauty of each unique snowflake - in this case, character development and interactions. And let me tell you, frost furs, it's like uncovering a layer of fresh powder.

Like a pack of wolves, .hack//Sign isn't just about one character. It's about the ecosystem of characters, their interactions, and how each one of them brings their unique howl to the narrative. Like footprints in the snow, they gradually drive the plot forward, revealing their own mysteries and forming a trail for us to follow. But like any good trail, it's not always straight. It winds, it doubles back, sometimes it feels like it's leading nowhere. But, as any seasoned wolf will tell you, that's where the thrill of the hunt lies.

However, sometimes, this anime may leave you feeling as though you're chasing your tail. There are moments when the story meanders, when the pace slows to a crawl, and when the exciting reveals seem as elusive as a snow hare in a blizzard. But fear not, my frosty friends, for even in the deepest snow, there is always a path to be found.

Now let's talk about the art. Just like a breathtaking alpine landscape, the art of .hack//Sign is awe-inspiring. The character designs are as varied as snowflakes, and the world they inhabit is as thought out as the intricate patterns on an icicle. However, the animation can sometimes feel as stiff as a frozen river. The characters aren't always as detailed as one might hope, giving the impression of a winter scene that's been sketched but not fully painted.

The sound, on the other hand, is like the echoing howl of a wolf pack on a frosty night - it is the lifeblood of the landscape. Composer Yuki Kajiura has crafted a symphony that not only underscores the drama unfolding on the screen but also elevates it. Her compositions give each scene depth, and her tunes wrap around each moment like a cozy winter scarf.

Speaking of characters, in .hack//Sign, they are as multi-layered as an onion. Or a snowball, if you prefer. They are gamers, they are role-players, they are people hiding behind masks of their own creation. And just as one peels an onion or unrolls a snowball, these characters reveal their layers slowly, often painfully. But it's this process of revelation that adds to the beauty of the narrative.

The beauty of .hack//Sign lies in the idea of escapism. The world of the game allows its characters to express themselves in ways they cannot in the real world. And this provides a stark contrast between the vibrant fantasy world and the monochrome reality. This world feels as big as our own, filled with tropical forests, barren deserts, and frozen wastelands, each area carrying its own emotional palette that perfectly complements the events happening there.

In conclusion, my fellow ice wolves, .hack//Sign is a frosty treat that shouldn't be overlooked. Its story of escapism and the horrors that can follow, its compelling and imaginative animation, and its soundtrack that truly sets the tone of the narrative, all make it a must-watch. It's an avalanche of emotions and an exploration of a world that feels as real and as enticing as the ice-cold wind on a snowy night. So, brace yourselves, fluff up your fur, and get ready to dive into the frosty world of .hack//Sign.

Kiba Snowpaw's rating: 8.7 icicles out of 10.

While I love the Dot Hack series and honestly loved this series, this review will be for people who may not have played the games. Dot Hack Sign is the first(that I know of) to do trapped in a MMORPG. The characters consist of Tsukasa who is unable to log out, and is the only character to experience this problem. Mimiru, a heavy blade who is someone who tries to help Tsukasa but becomes frustrated easily. Bear, a sword user who is the logical/calm one of the cast. Finally there is Subaru, a heavy axe wielder, and also a guild leader ... and another who tries to help Tsukasa. For the most part this anime consists of drama as the characters bicker in a way that is reminiscent to high school. As they continue to get angry at each other, you're left wondering why they don't go their separate ways and be done. Even at the end of the anime when you think they have bonded, you are thrown a curve ball gain. The characters while fleshed out a bit, aren't given the development they fully deserve, instead leaving it up to you to piece it together. The soundtrack is written by kajiura yuki, who is known for her work on the SAO soundtrack and her contributions to works by Ufotable. If you are looking to experience the full entirety of Dot Hack I recommend saving this for last. This serves as a prequel and only expands more on the games.

Each category will contain detailed pros and cons and then I will write if I would watch this anime again and if I recommend it.

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Story - 6/10

+ The mystery involving the main protagonist and the plot was entertaining. I liked the involvement of additional mysteries throughout.

+ Having played the first .hack game series a long time ago, the game world of the anime brought back some nostalgia for me.

- The story is pretty slow-paced and I found myself bored quite a bit since the anime is mostly dialogue. I could only watch a few episodes at a time to prevent myself from standing up, going ... outside to scream, then coming back inside very calmly to turn the TV off.

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Characters - 8/10

+ The main protagonist is cynical and unsociable at first, but he progresses into a positive person later on. Great character development there.

+ Most of the characters have personalities that can be identified in a typical JRPG. Hey, that's not a bad thing!

+ The dialogue offers little to obscure information about the players behind their characters. Although not important since the anime focuses on the game world, it gives it a sense of realism to know just how different the players are from their characters.

- A few characters were either dumb, annoying, or both.

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Art - 10/10

+ The colors of each character and the different areas of the game world are beautiful and attractive. I love, love, love the art! Look at me, I'm like an 8-year-old girl again.

+ The animation is very smooth and rich, like the greatest strawberry smoothie you've ever seen. Not the best one you've tasted though, sadly.

+ The buildings of the main town and the numerous canals that run through it are reminiscent of a lovely European city. I want to live there.

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Sound - 8/10

+ The music score is very well done and it offers plenty of different sounds. I might consider buying the soundtrack at some point.

+ The opening theme is impressive and can be addicting, which alone gives this category high points. I found myself humming the theme on the toilet after a few episodes.

+ Most of the characters have terrific dialogue and the English dub helps bring those characters to life, most of the time.

- A few characters have annoying or bland voices. One particular minor character made me want to punch her in the throat.

- The music can be overwhelming at times, especially during some of the dialogue.

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Enjoyment: 5/10

+ Even though I felt like I was struggling with this anime at times because of the slow-paced story, I'm glad I watched it to the end. In retrospect, the mystery of the character tied to the game world encouraged me to go on. The personalities of the characters, the excellent animation, and the great music helped drive that encouragement even further.

- For an anime set in an MMORPG game world, I was pretty disappointed and surprised by the lack of action scenes. I don't know if it was intentional, but plenty of action scenes would have made this anime a lot more enjoyable to watch.

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Final Score - 37/50

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Would I watch this anime again? Probably not. It's good enough for me to complete it once.

Do I recommend this anime? I would say yes. Don't let some of the criticism I have stop you, if the positive points in my review piqued your interest, give it a shot!

Before we begin here, I want to say that I went into the anime with slight bias as I have played all 7 of the .hack games and have been an established fan before watching any of the anime.

.hack//Sign is a pretty alright anime; nothing ground breaking in any sense of the word, but fun to watch if you understand its source material. While I will say it lacks a lot of action for being about someone trapped in an MMO, it really doesn't need that much action. All it really does it set the stage and give background information to the first game ... of the .hack series, .hack//infection.

The story was pretty good, a little rushed around the end but coherent and at times kind of tense.

Art is dated by a bit but some of the background environments looked well made and its by no mean ugly.

Sound was kinda eh, no music from the show stuck to memory, but i remember i didn't hate it.

Characters aren't as fleshed out as they should be. If the show lacks action and features mostly talking, then it needs compelling characters to truly sell the show. What we got were Blackrose and Orca rip-offs and a few calls to the original game series and Tsukasa was ok i guess. It kind of felt like these characters were just shells of better characters.

Gets a 7. Not bad, but by no means great.

This anime is wonderfully produced.

The sound and animation are excellent, and I enjoyed it a lot. Most of the characters have enough depth to them to carry the story.

The story towards the end gets some what sloppy, and that did take away from the over all enjoyment of the series. However, up until the last few episodes I couldn't wait to see what was going to come next.

All in all, an excellent watch. . and A must watch if you play kind of morpg regularly.

Well, I think it has about time that I get into checking this series out, considering when at the time I was watching Sword Art Online, people were making such references to this series and I having no idea about this show or this franchise, as a matter of fact and while this has the digital world aspect, it also had a RPG (Role-Playing Game) element in it and considering my disinterest in the latter (not hatred, just not that into it) but more into the former, this might be a hard feat to accomplish and wonder how will I enjoy the series.

Amidst a popular ... online role playing game in the near future, characters try to play out the goals they set for entertainment and passing of time. The World as the RPG is called is one with a setting of monsters, player characters and dungeons. Tsukasa is a detached and introverted character that has a number of mysteries about his player character. Many weird happenings seem to surround Tsukasa and his involvement in a rare item called 'The Key Of The Twilight' sparks Tsukasa's meeting with different online characters and the befriending of their real life counterparts; All without ever meeting face to face in reality. What is strange about Tsukasa is that he can't seem to log out of The World. Subaru and Silver Knight of The Crimson Knights continue to look for proof of why Tsukasa cannot log out or the existence of The Key of the Twilight. Meanwhile Bear, Mimiru, and BT as Tsukasa's friends try to help him understand who he really is and how he can return to the real world.

Here’s the one thing in this show that might tune out a lot of people out: At the first beginning of the series, it felt very slow-paced and the plot is mostly hard to follow at a few times or even sometimes if you went to take a bathroom break, you won’t miss any important detail considering it’s very scatter-brained. Also, the plotline where the character Tsukasa can’t log out in the game and the whole “you die in the game, you die for real” aspect, which I still call bullshit considering people would check that before any game’s initial release and yes, it may be just an anime but it doesn’t mean any type of logic should back thrown in the backseat. There’s also that this is a dialogue-heavy show, which is fine for an anime although the dialogue can be dull a few times, possibly enough to put you into sleep.

Characters in here are actually……decent although slightly askew with more character than meets the eye. Tsukasa, the lead character, is kind of a jerkass in the game, but in the real world has been through a lot of depressing things in his life. Mimiru, one of the first characters we met in the show is the tomboyish energetic player who, like any other player, plays there for fun and when it comes to helping Tsukasa, she seems more like the lead rather than him. If it would’ve been focused on her from the beginning, I would have liked it more. Bear is the older yet kind of wiser player; Subaru (which I did joked about her name because I didn’t know at first, ‘Subaru’ is also the Japanese name for the Pleiades star cluster.) is the one of the heads-in-charge of the Crimson Knights, who wants to keep things civil in “The World” (BTW, most generic name for a MMORPG game) and Crim is the one who helped mentored Subaru for when she first enter “The World”. BT is the insider of all things “The World” and……she hates lettuce? Wait, what was important about that? Oh, and Sora is the douchebaggish character who apparently assaults women when playing the game.

The animation supplied by Bee Train is not really that stellar but offers nothing in the first half. Bee Train is being responsible for the infamous girls-with-guns trilogy (Noir, Madlax, El Cazador de la Bruja), which only two of them are my favorite (Noir, ECDLB) and most of it is just talking and talking and for a game that is RPG, I expected to be at least more balanced with the action and dialogue but it was a major drag. Character and art design are nothing risqué and mostly very safe territory and the closest thing to some fan service is the outfits that Mimiru and Subaru got on in the game.

One thing I can say about the music is that it’s the best thing going for the show as I found every piece of music, including the opening “Obsession” , the ending “Gentle Dawn” and the background music, made by Yuki Kajiura, to be the more interesting part of the show. Hell, I hear on the DVD you can select an option to only hear the music and there’s the Bandai/PCB Productions dub, which is decent as best but has some stilted acting from the cast as they are really no standouts, although this is the first time I hear noticed Brianne Siddall, who usually play young boy roles in anime, and hearing more of Amanda Winn-Lee since she went from Texas voice-acting from being in L.A.

FINAL VERDICT: This has a good premise going for it but met with lackluster execution but manages to go somewhere in the final part of the series. I can honestly see why most people love it, which associates it with the RPG element, which I will recommended to those who loved it but if you’re like me and you enjoyed the soundtrack more, just get that and don’t look back.

Lay back and chill because this series will get you thinking. Well keep this review short, sweet, spoiler free. This review includes both OVA's .hack//Intermezzo(Eps.27), .hack//Unison(Eps.28)

Story) 9
+ Parallels between two worlds
+ Keeps the viewer wondering
+ Deep emotional journey
+ Ties together nicely ( w/ OVA's )
+ Questions "Real World" v.s "The World" (game world) struggle
- Babies the viewer with "a" unnecessary episode

... Art) 8
+ Unique environments
+ Generally favored towards darker tones
+ Semi-fluid animation
- Animations showing its age

Sound / Music / VA) 10
+ OP & ED set that "otherworldly" feeling
+ Music flows relatively harmoniously with setting the tone
+ (Japanese) VA's fit their roles beautifully with each character
+ Nice array of different audio pieces (e.i. grunts, clashing swords, portals)

Characters / Character Development) 9
+ Each character has a "mask". One gets only glimpses of the characters "true" self
+ Deep and thoughtful
+ Motivations for being in "The World" varies
+ Backgrounds behind each character are interesting/enticing
+ Mature development that unfolds evenly
- Continuous mystery might leave some feeling lost

Personal Enjoyment) 9
(Behind the scenes - After dropping this series years ago due to irregular scheduling of the show due to TV Station complications and my (strange) dislike in the animation I resumed what was left years ago. Faint memory of the first 5 - 10 episodes was all that was started with, the only piece of story that stuck with me throughout the years was this is a "realistic" MMORPG and someone named Tsukasa.)

As a newcomer to the series with no knowledge of the manga/games I found this series fantastic! Combining real world complications (e.i. jobs, responsibilities) with virtual moral values (e.i. Player Killing A.K.A. PK) adds quite the layering to the series. The characters add to the spectrum of who are "You" in "The World" each bringing a different flavor and seeing where the viewer himself/herself might align brings in a personal tie in more like an RPG which is a rarity. The episodes are all crucial with just a few being reminders and are packed with character and story driven content that is spaced perfectly with what they had to work with and kept me thinking how will these characters cope with this mysterious bugged out world?

Overall) 9.1 / 10
Be gentle, you might find more to the Anime/Series than initially thought. This series as a whole does an excellent job using what was given to them and created unique, solid characters/music/story that quickly captures your heart and brings you along for the irregular ride. .hack//Sign overall is a mysterious collage of friendship with deep, passionate undertones at the end of it all.
MuchLove&Peace.

One of my favourite anime.

What to expect:

Slow-driven social and internal developent focused on characters/groups interactions in an incomplete information atmosphere with competing goals and purposes. A great deal of the series focuses on conversation, often introspective ones. Dives into philosophy.

Realistic characters who are more diverse than a typical hyper-active "defeat everything" Bildungsroman shounen, this includes a realistic and clinically depressed amnesiatic lead. The characters all experience a variety of e.g. trauma and coping mechanisms, and these themes may not be appreciable for those searching for a simple feel good escapist story. In my experience, those who have dealt with trauma typically have ... a far higher appreciation of this anime.

Social issues which were taboo or out of the general public consciousness in Western countries at the time of production, dealt with on a philosophical basis and with thought experiments. These include dealing with what it means to be alive, the differences between online and real-ife lives, the relationship of technology to society, virtual versus physical bodies/embodiments or soul vs flesh, amongst other issues which were taboo and very-well=written into the story. Including aspects of romance.

Lush designs. The artwork for the settings are phenomenal, with lush detail and a wide variety of settings, they enthral you with mystery and a sense of needing explloration. .hack// brings to life an rpg fantasy which was really just a dream when it was created. (Bear in mind this series was released before World of Warcraft and all it influenced.) The series presents a romantic image of a complex RPG and both the mundane and the arcane tasks and behaviours one can espouse there. Note: communications in the series correspond with period communications.

Ethereal, otherworldly, divine music. The soundtrack to .hack//SIGN is perfectly developed to flow with the series. The soundtrack also holds immense standalone value and is probably the best OST I've ever heard. Kjiura Yuki simply outdid herself in her work for .Hack/SIGN and this cannot be overstated.

Multi-layered story. .Hack//SIGN serves as the classic introduction point to the .Hack// franchise. (however one could start elsewhere.)
.Hack// is a multimedia franchise which created something of a shared universe, long before the MCU. This was both praised and scorned (if you lived in a region where access to .hack// materials was difficult to procure.)
.Hack//SIGN focus primarily on the wavemaster Tsukasa, and is principly the story of Tsukasa and their development amidst a greater world of events.
However, the story is not only the story of Tsukasa and where Tsukasa's story ends, other stories continue. .Hack//SIGN is the prequel for example to the original trilogy .Hack// games, which follow an important character from the installment.
Other characters also have other lives, actions and histories; and exist in their own installments which serve as prequels, sequels and concurrent stories. Expect for example to hear mention of famous characters or events from in-universe, and have these names appear again. The series portrays this realistically (as the players experience news and have their own memories), but also these "loose ends" are hardly loose as they connect with bigger events beyond a single-installment.

The franchise has in fact many layers of depth, from the real world, to The World, to a slow unravelling of mysteries of The World and the behind the scenes and everything in between.




What not to expect:

Action/fighting. This is just about the opposite of an action anime. The series relies heavily on talking. Problems are not generally solved by fighting, and reprecussions of fighting/arrogance, ireesponsibility, loss are all weighed highly.

Classic shounen / Escapist power trip. The lead character is most often in need of help, reluctant and anti-social.

Fast pacing. The series is not fast-paced as it focuses on slowly building character dynamics. You learn a lot about characters, their mindsets, and how each introspects and views the world. It brings up many interestign psychological, sociological and philosophical points as a result; but the series has slow resolutions to psychological events, with a lot of weight, much like in the real world. The latter part of the series does speed up with a lot of larger events oming together and reaching a head, but don't expect these to come on early or quickly. The characters grind so to speak.

"strong male lead" - Tsukasa is not what would be described as a strong male lead. A better comparison often made would be Shinji from Evangelion, who is damaged and clearly "going through some stuff." Except in Tuskasa's case, there is no giant robot.

All in all, I recommend this anime to:
those interested in slower anime (it's nice watching late at night due to the settings to), beautiful art and music, philosophy/psychology/sociology, RPGs of the 90s, romance, LGBT, trauma, relationships, communication, thought experiments, mystery.

Note: For a good retrospective of the installment, I highly recommend the video series done by youtuber: Nero

I'm going to be honest. This is a masterpiece and you need to see it. Ignore the score it has and watch it. It needs way more love for how compelling it is

First off let's start with the opening. The opening intro is incredibly well done and alluring. One of the best anime openings of the 2000s.

The characters? There aren't many but they're heavily developed as the story unfolds and they all have a story to tell.

The setting is an MMORPG called The World where a young boy named Tsubasa is suddenly teleported to. He didn't go there willingly and he has no ... idea HOW he got there nor he can he log out.

The beauty of .hack//Sign isn't the world itself but the story. See, the MMORPG isn't the plot. It's a backdrop.

The MMORPG they're in is purely used as the setting for the story. It's about the characters whose stories are as human as they can be.

The characters all suffer from real world issues. They all play the MMORPG to escape their lonely or troubled lives just like most people. They want a distraction.

If you're expecting a heavy action based MMORPG anime like Sword Art Online, this isn't that.

This is PURELY a drama. It's a mystery drama. There is no grinding for higher levels or trying to become stronger.

It's purely a drama/mystery set within an MMORPG setting.

There's about 4 characters in the entire show with minor NPCs and other PCs who only appear 1 or 2 episodes showing up.

These 4 characters are heavily developed thoughout the show and the bond they form is truly something, you learn about their life outside the MMO and who they actually are + their troubles (i.e alcoholism)

I can't really compare this show to another because it's just that deep.

There's genuinely moments that make you question what is going on.

There are moments that may trigger you if you have PTSD from abuse.

There are VERY dark moments involving or relating to suicide/self harm.

This is not a cute Shonen type anime. This is not an anime where everybody is happy.

This is a real life anime set within an MMO setting.

I will reiterate what I said earlier..the MMO IS NOT PART OF THE PLOT.

It's purely the backdrop for the events that unfold.

I highly highly highly recommend this anime purely because it's got an incredible score (as in music), a very very well developed cast of characters and the animation is very crisp even today.

And there's a plot twist you wouldn't ever expect.

The entire anime is about Tsubasa and finding out who he is and why he is in The World. But it's also about real world problems impacting the lives of those around him.

It isn't supernatural. It isn't for kids. It's a very deep and incredibly well crafted anime.

Tsubasa doesn't have super powers. He isn't the hero of the story. He is merely another player.

The story doesn't have a hero. Just like real life.

If you like realistic heavy drama anime that will leave you questioning what is going on and wanting more then I highly recommend it.

It's one of those late night adult swim Seinen type shows.

Just remember if you decide to watch it..Tsubasa isn't the hero. And nobody is coming to save him.