Rating: 
Summary: Excellent series, the best deal
Review: Very first off, Amazon.com incorrectly state that .hack//SIGN is based on a PlayStation2 game. This is not true. .hack//SIGN is a story about an online PC game called THE WORLD. The direct sequel to .hack//SIGN is a PlayStation2 game called .hack//INFECTION. Someone at Amazon.com, clearly someone who did not see the series before writing the review, got these points confused and they will not accept corrections of their editorial review, just the title and some technical details.First off let me preface this by saying I don't like Anime. Usually it is too silly, too violent, or too "adult" for me, so I'd never been into an Anime series before...it had kind of a medieval look to it, so that interested me. Plus, this friend of mine had told me basically what it was about; an online RPG where one user can't log out. So when I had the first episode, I watched it, and I liked it. I ended up watching the whole 26 episodes, in Japanese, with English subtitles, translated and captioned by fans. Being my first Anime experience, I realized one major difference between "cartoons" and this Anime is that while cartoons are self containing - that is, you don't have to see them in order, and the plot starts at the beginning and ends at the end of each episode. Kind of like Star Trek was, only no multi-part episodes. ;) Rather, Hack Sign was like an 8 hour 40 minute animated superfeature, with ending and opening themes inserted every 20 minutes. Before I point out some of the flaws in the series, let me point out that the objectives in making a successful film script are radically different between an 8 hour 40 minute script and a 2-3 hour script. That said, character development is unusually slow. The characters very slowly reveal themselves, but then again, it is an online video game, and people on the Net like to be anonymous except with businesses and close friends. Also, while it was happening, the plot was somewhat hard to follow. A lot of scenes were unnecessary and redundant. One episode was a "recap" episode which was highlights from the ones previous. Correction. 8 hour 20 minute animated superfeature. It's still longer than the original Star Wars Trilogy. ;) And more fun to watch, I must say. Most of what Hack Sign is about, I've already covered. I can't reveal too much about the story without spoiling it, and that is even more so true with this DVD that contains only the first 5 episodes. By themselves, the first 5 episodes will leave a new Hack Sign fan more disappointed than the end of Fellowship of the Ring did. They should have put the whole series on one or two DVDs. If you want to see the whole story, you'll have to collect all the DVDs. With 26 episodes, there should be 5 DVDs. I doubt Bandai will be stupid enough to market a DVD #6 with only Episode 26 on it and maybe some bomb special features, but sadly enough I confess I'd buy it, especially as the last episode is the best one. :) As far as the special edition. You can get the DVD with the episodes for $... most places, more if you go to a mall. This is...more than that, but it is such a great deal. The first thing you see when you open the box from Amazon.com is the air padding. Yep! Better than bubble wrap, you get air padding. Those are always fun to have around. No, seriously, the first thing is the black hexagonal box. It is a very sturdy box, made of thick cardboard, with high quality prints on all sides, Three of the sides say .hack//SIGN and the other 3 have character animations. When you open the box, which is held shut with an elastic band and a lilte mushroom post, the first gift you see is the Grunty plush. He's about 4" long and 2-3" tall and wide. He doesn't stand on all four legs well, as he's rather front-heavy, but it can be done. Next you get a nice envelope which contains stickers, and three postcards you'd be a fool to nail. Mine are up on my wall, taped on the back so they don't get damaged. After that, a demo disc of Hack Infection, the PlayStation2 sequel for Hack Sign. Next, the first Soundtrack to .hack//SIGN complete with lyrics and artwork. There is a second Soundtrack and an Extra soundtrack which contains instrumentals and remixes, but these are not included. I have HEARD that Soundtrack 2 will ship with the second set of episodes, which will be great because both are awesome albums, and funny enough, I don't typically like Anime music either! Next is the DVD itself, which contains 5 episodes, the textless (no credit overlays) opening and closing themes, previews for three unrelated Animes, a video preview of the Playstation2 game, and most interestingly of all, you can watch the episodes in not only English and Japanese, but the Instrumental Score as well which is NO lines, NO sound effects, JUST the music! It's cool! Throw the English subtitles on so you know what they're saying, and enjoy! Finally, there is a T-shirt (mine was Size XL) with .hack//SIGN on the front, and Mimiru on the back with Bear and Tsukasa in the background. If you like Hack Sign, I strongly recommend getting this. If you don't know Hack Sign yet, you really should get this because it's the complete set and everything in it is above and beyond awesome...I was very happy with Amazon on this deal! Thanks again Amazon!
Rating:
Summary: Once in a lifetime experience...
Review: .Hack//SIGN is a anime like no other. Where it shines is it's storyline. It's magnificent, you'll be scared on how far you get "into" it. It's about a online game called "The World", the players who play this game, and Tsukasa, A character which seems to be doing impossible things within the game and the worse thing is he doesnt know why he's able to do it. The problems he goes through and the the thoughts of his situation, not being able to log out, being able to do things within the game which no one else can do, and above all this, to remember who he really is. Little by little you find out about the characters relation in game to the real world, why they play the game, what they truly play the game for. Most of them play to get away from the evil, greed, sadness, and limitations that the real world has to offer. You follow these characters and you really get to know there personalities, each incredibly different than the other. If you're looking for something new and totally different, than I suggest you watch this anime. It's a once in a lifetime experience, it truly is. The music and animation is incredible also. It's so odd how the music fits the anime so perfectly. You'll be in total awe of .Hack 5/5*
Rating: 
Summary: This "boxed set" is misleading
Review: I bought this thinking I was buying the whole series as a "boxed set" this is the definition used with every other boxed set. It is a collection of all the dvds in a series in one package. The boxed set I purchased had only 1 dvd and 5 episodes, I am returning it and would like my money back.
Rating:
Summary: Great Goodies, Great Story
Review: Role players, gamers, and Otakus, this is the series! This series has wonderful character designs and a plot line that should not be missed. Why buy the box rather than just tape it off TV or by the individual DVDs without a box? Look at the cool stuff you get!! The music is excellent, the game demo is fun, the shirt design is sweet, and those funny little creatures (the baka hippo thing) are just too kawaii (*cute* in japanese). And the box its self is unique in it's shape. Not your typical square slide the dvd in job. And for a series that thinks out side the box, why should it be! Worth the money for this collectable box set. This is also the best price I've seen for it on the web. They only made limited number of them and I know some other sites are already out. Don't miss your chance to get this fantastic series.
Rating: 
Summary: Hack//signs is way too slow
Review: This series is extremely slow. I saw the whole japanese series I would say it was sorry. I really don't recomend this series to anybody. The whole series is all walking around and conversating about how to find a key and wonder why Tsukasa can't go back to the real world. This whole series is all dialogue. There is only like a couple fighting scenes near the end. It is so slow, I have never seen something so slow...If you want to be left opened at the end of the series be my guest and buy the whole series. One of my most pet peeve in this series is that there is alot of unneeded flash back. It was so bad that one of the chapter was just all flashback (what a waste of my time). Only reason I am not giving it a one star rating is the intro to the series is one of the best I have ever seen and also the soundtrack is [good]. I also love how the character design.
Rating:
Summary: A must have for anime fans!
Review: This is a great anime story, specially if you are into role playing games as well. The box edition comes with a great selection and the sound track is amazing.
Rating:
Summary: Stunning!!!
Review: This is a truly peice of art, it's worth every penny. Get this now.
the story is sooo out of here, creative and geniwine. If you see this i bet you anything that you'll get hooked and by the video game which is also great. Ths stuff that come with this set are amazing, you could buy the DVD alone but you don't know what you're missing. Get ready to login to the most succesful online game ever! "The World" is now played by millions of people across the globe. players can trade items, form parties and go on quests. But none of that concerns Tsukasa. all he wants to do is logout.But he can't. For some reason he's trapped within the world. He gains some unique forbidon abilities and can't seem to get enough trouble. Imagine if such a thing happens to you? stuck in a game. this captivating Anime is gurenteed fun and enjoyment. You so darn lucky to find one of those rare sets available on-line. Animenation.com sold out of this item before it even got released!! so buy it now.
Rating: 
Summary: What series are you people watching ??????????
Review: Yes, the music is great and so is the art but the show is dull with poorly defined characters and a slow pace that could lull a hyperactive ten year old to sleep. This is one of the worst animes ever made ! I've seen some more episodes on Cartoon Network....it doesn't get any better, folks. Save your money and buy something good. CLAMP has out X (slow paced in the beginning but with gorgeous animation and a great story, and amazing characters), or Chobits (a light and fun series from CLAMP about a guy who finds a cute female robot in a dumpster and falls in love with her). You'll be MUCH better off taking my advice.
Rating:
Summary: Incredible, visually stunning ANIME!
Review: The premise of the story is fun, engaging, captivating and brilliantly executed! Taking place mostly in an online / everquest-like world, combined with quick flashes to the 'real-world,' help to create characters with incredible depth that you grow to care about. It takes many twists and turns as you spiral towards an incredible ending... Which I can't tell you about, of course! The MUSIC and the animation are supurb! You'll want to go out and get the soundtrack ASAP (BT's theme) is my favorite. And who knew something called a "grunty" could become endearing!!! But it will--watch all 25 ephisodes!!! One of the best ANIME series I have ever come seen (and I own a ton)!
Rating:
Summary: Hurry up, get yours now!
Review: Alright, this limited edition set comes with alot of stuff. I'm going to split it up. The box: Unlike any anime boxset ever. It's in a weird, 3 dimensional haxagon shape. It has art of characters an 3 of the sides, and the logo on the other 3 sides, so that however you turn it, you can see some charcters and the logo. This box is something that connot be described in words, though, to be honest. The T shirt: Well, this is a pretty nice little shirt. On the front, you have the .hack//SIGN logo. On the back is Mimiru, with Tsukasa in the background. Very nice. My only problem with it is, though, is that the size is XL. Much too big for me, but I wear it to bed or around the house. The soundtrack: Simply beautifull. I have been listening to it non stop since I got it. Some of the best anime music around, the only anime music I enjoy more is in Cowboy Bebop. I can't wait for more .hack//SIGN music in the upcoming limited edition sets. The postcards and stickers: Well, you have stickers of Tsukasa, Mimiru, bear, BT, and a Crimson Knight. I don't know what I will do with them, but I'm sure I'll find something. The postcards are very nice looking, I'll probably never use them, though. The .hack//INFECTION PS2 game demo: If you haven't played the game, this is a good way to find out whether you want it or not. The game takes place after the anime is over, so you might want to wait untill you see all of the anime. The Grunty plush toy: Well, it's very cute! A bit small, but very cute. It looks great sitting next to my .hack//SIGN box. And finally, what you've been waiting for... ...The DVD!: It all takes place in an online game called "The World". It is an MMORPG, or massive multiplayer online role playing game. It stars a player called Tsukasa, a Wavemaster. For some reason, he is unable to "logout", or quit, "The World". He is stuck inside the game. He meets some interesting players, like Mimiru, a energetic girl with a big sword, Bear, a nice old man who is pretty smart (also has a big sword), BT, another wavemaster, but a girl, Subaru, the leader of the Crimson Knights, and the Crimson Knights, who try to stop cheaters and other people doing illegal things in "The World". The audio and video quality are wonderful, and the anamorphic widescreen is quite nice. So, that's it. Buy it now, it says limited edition for a reason. And the Amazon.com price is great, definately worth it. I hope this review has helped anyone who is undecided on whether to buy this or not.
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