Rating: 
Summary: The oddly ill arranged 'end' to a multi-media series...
Review: Obviously, those who are buying this DVD have followed the series. .hack//SIGN was designed to be a TV series that flows into a video game series, and in Japan they released their product in a row so you can follow the story from beginning to end. In America, the series of SIGN jumped out of the gate around the same time the first video game was relased. Sadly, you couldn't follow the series in America and then plpay the games unless you waited until now (or watched SIGN on Cartoon Network through the summer of 2003) and then play the games. This is the biggest fault of Bandai America. Aside from that, this has been a very interesting, and progressively experimental ride..hack//SIGN creates major ripples in people participating in the WORLD (on-line game) as they try to understand the enigma of Tsukasa, who appears to be a comatose player caught in the game. While the actual workings of this phenomena (the comas) isnt explained in the series, or the game, or game OVAs, it is explained in the final series/installment called .hack//Twilight's Bracelt being released soon by Bandai. And once explained, it still doesn't make much sense; assuming the personality in the game is AI, how does Tsukasa regain the computer's memories outside the game when awakened? With headsets, it doesn't play that there is a psychic bond since this universe is about straightforward technology and AI, and not about mysticism. Aside from that, the story works well. A great amount of care in writing and drawing draws detail to words and expressions instead of battles/terror/sex/adventure, and it succeeds brilliantly on that level. This is one of the few anime where you feel words count and people are actually talking to each other, and relating in the myriad emotional ways they do in real life with body language, expression, subtext and so on. THE WORLD is merely a mask for the player (the end credits portray this) as the body is a mask for the mind and will of a person; the parallels are nice. The biggest pity was not seeing the poeple outside the game more, but that wasnt the story and would have hurt the impact of the final scenes which sum up the series- people reaching for each other but never QUITE connecting. The games go beyond this series as Aura is awake and fleeing from Skieth and the vengeful mother who wants her dead. While the game spends most of your time wandering levels fighting monsters, it has tidbits of story thrown in to progress the entire experience above a mere game and into a saga. The game also explains the fate or further experiences of the characters from SIGN. Sora's dilemma is resolved in the 3rd game. While you don't get to play with any of the SIGN characters until the end of the 4th game, you will meet some of the SIGN characters and get weapons from them as you succeed at levels where the story progresses. I believe you see all the characters at some point, as well as seeing ghosts of them spouting lines from the series in the root towns. It is sad to see the series end, despite the two extra episodes. It would be great to continue this well written, tho under animated, series. For the blood/sex/death/action/mecha crowd, this series was probably frustrating and obnoxious because the subtlety needs the viewer to attempt a connection with the anime. SIGN was not an anime that lashes out with splendor and mayhem, but pays off in a different way.
Rating:
Summary: The oddly ill arranged 'end' to a multi-media series...
Review: Obviously, those who are buying this DVD have followed the series. .hack//SIGN was designed to be a TV series that flows into a video game series, and in Japan they released their product in a row so you can follow the story from beginning to end. In America, the series of SIGN jumped out of the gate around the same time the first video game was relased. Sadly, you couldn't follow the series in America and then plpay the games unless you waited until now (or watched SIGN on Cartoon Network through the summer of 2003) and then play the games. This is the biggest fault of Bandai America. Aside from that, this has been a very interesting, and progressively experimental ride. .hack//SIGN creates major ripples in people participating in the WORLD (on-line game) as they try to understand the enigma of Tsukasa, who appears to be a comatose player caught in the game. While the actual workings of this phenomena (the comas) isnt explained in the series, or the game, or game OVAs, it is explained in the final series/installment called .hack//Twilight's Bracelt being released soon by Bandai. And once explained, it still doesn't make much sense; assuming the personality in the game is AI, how does Tsukasa regain the computer's memories outside the game when awakened? With headsets, it doesn't play that there is a psychic bond since this universe is about straightforward technology and AI, and not about mysticism. Aside from that, the story works well. A great amount of care in writing and drawing draws detail to words and expressions instead of battles/terror/sex/adventure, and it succeeds brilliantly on that level. This is one of the few anime where you feel words count and people are actually talking to each other, and relating in the myriad emotional ways they do in real life with body language, expression, subtext and so on. THE WORLD is merely a mask for the player (the end credits portray this) as the body is a mask for the mind and will of a person; the parallels are nice. The biggest pity was not seeing the poeple outside the game more, but that wasnt the story and would have hurt the impact of the final scenes which sum up the series- people reaching for each other but never QUITE connecting. The games go beyond this series as Aura is awake and fleeing from Skieth and the vengeful mother who wants her dead. While the game spends most of your time wandering levels fighting monsters, it has tidbits of story thrown in to progress the entire experience above a mere game and into a saga. The game also explains the fate or further experiences of the characters from SIGN. Sora's dilemma is resolved in the 3rd game. While you don't get to play with any of the SIGN characters until the end of the 4th game, you will meet some of the SIGN characters and get weapons from them as you succeed at levels where the story progresses. I believe you see all the characters at some point, as well as seeing ghosts of them spouting lines from the series in the root towns. It is sad to see the series end, despite the two extra episodes. It would be great to continue this well written, tho under animated, series. For the blood/sex/death/action/mecha crowd, this series was probably frustrating and obnoxious because the subtlety needs the viewer to attempt a connection with the anime. SIGN was not an anime that lashes out with splendor and mayhem, but pays off in a different way.
Rating:
Summary: Perfection
Review: Of all the anime and series Ive ever seen this is the best hands down I put the level of detail in this series right up there with AKIRA and thats saying alot. The music is perfect for each scene the story is deep really deep lots of hidden secrets like if you put all the dvd cases together the first letter of each title spells "LOGOUT" I mean that is just mind blowing to me and the 2 extra episodes...wow Intermezzo I mean talk about a trip ending at the end I didnt see that one even coming. To sum the whole series up in one word "WOW" buy the games they will make you like the series even more and with twilight coming out it will only get deeper.
Rating:
Summary: Perfection
Review: Of all the anime and series Ive ever seen this is the best hands down I put the level of detail in this series right up there with AKIRA and thats saying alot. The music is perfect for each scene the story is deep really deep lots of hidden secrets like if you put all the dvd cases together the first letter of each title spells "LOGOUT" I mean that is just mind blowing to me and the 2 extra episodes...wow Intermezzo I mean talk about a trip ending at the end I didnt see that one even coming. To sum the whole series up in one word "WOW" buy the games they will make you like the series even more and with twilight coming out it will only get deeper.
Rating:
Summary: Too Much Information
Review: The .hack series wouldn't be right if it didn't end with a knock down, drag out boss beating fight. Subaru, Tsukasa, and the rest of the players take up arms against their mysterious opponent - Morganna. As they foil plans and counter moves, Morganna's rage grows and The World becomes dangerous enough to threaten the real world. Aura must be born to save the game, and for that to happen Tsukasa must discover his true identity and find a way to log out. This is the first grand battle for the mind space of the net, and success is defined by more than increased player levels. Deeper qualities of character are needed to prevail. Real courage must replace skill points. Expect a few surprises as several characters reveal their true natures. And a strong ending To make up for there being only three series episodes, this DVD provides to additional episodes. 'Intermezzo' is an interesting side arc that covers some of Mimiru's own story. With Tsukasa and Subaru's relationship taking the foreground in the series itself, this is an unexpected insight into one or the series most interesting characters. Finally, 'Evidence' is a retelling of the main story line with some additional touches of detail that underline the poignant core of the story. This series has shown consistent strength in concept and story. While it didn't take quite the turns I thought it would it has shown an independent creativity beyond that defined in the game portion of this series. Not every thread is completely resolved, but most a brought within the sphere of imagination. Which is, of course, one of the key themes of the story.
Rating:
Summary: Too Much Information
Review: The .hack series wouldn't be right if it didn't end with a knock down, drag out boss beating fight. Subaru, Tsukasa, and the rest of the players take up arms against their mysterious opponent - Morganna. As they foil plans and counter moves, Morganna's rage grows and The World becomes dangerous enough to threaten the real world. Aura must be born to save the game, and for that to happen Tsukasa must discover his true identity and find a way to log out. This is the first grand battle for the mind space of the net, and success is defined by more than increased player levels. Deeper qualities of character are needed to prevail. Real courage must replace skill points. Expect a few surprises as several characters reveal their true natures. And a strong ending To make up for there being only three series episodes, this DVD provides to additional episodes. 'Intermezzo' is an interesting side arc that covers some of Mimiru's own story. With Tsukasa and Subaru's relationship taking the foreground in the series itself, this is an unexpected insight into one or the series most interesting characters. Finally, 'Evidence' is a retelling of the main story line with some additional touches of detail that underline the poignant core of the story. This series has shown consistent strength in concept and story. While it didn't take quite the turns I thought it would it has shown an independent creativity beyond that defined in the game portion of this series. Not every thread is completely resolved, but most a brought within the sphere of imagination. Which is, of course, one of the key themes of the story.
Rating:
Summary: finale
Review: The main disk was great, the clip episode notwithstanding. My only gripe was with the bonus disk episode. Tsukasa dancing- now that is just wrong. Tsukasa dancing with Silver Knight and Sora- deeply disturbing, and thorougly unnecessary.
Rating:
Summary: A great series, but get the limited edition
Review: This is a 1 (or 2) DVD set that contains the final 4 episodes of the .Hack//Sign series as well as the bonus episode(s) Intermizzo (and Unison in the L.E. version). The last 4 episodes of the series really picks up leading to shocking "conclusion" (which continues in the PS2 games). The limited edition version contains a second DVD with second bonus episode entitled "Unison" which you won't get in the standard version. This episode contains a mix of characters from //Sign and the PS2 games and takes place after the games. The LE version is cheaper than the standard one and you get a bonus episode. There should be no question on which one to get. Now if only they would actually ship it out.
Rating:
Summary: BEST ANIME EVER!! JUST SAW THE JAPANESE VERSION
Review: THIS IS THE BEST VOLUME OF DOT HACK YET!!! I just saw the japanese version of these episodes!!! There are 2 extra episodes that were sold separately in Japan!!! In one of them, EVERYONE FROM ALL THE SERIES COME TOGETHER!!!!!!! The ending is awsome!!!! Everything is answered!! THIS IS A MUST BUY F0R ALL DOT HACK ADDICTS!!!!!!!!!! ... There is a total of 6 episodes on this dvd!!! I can't wait for it to show up!!! C Ya L8R --This text refers to the DVD edition
Rating:
Summary: Absolute Perfection
Review: Well, the first part of .hack comes to an end. This is the limited edition DVD, and it contains two NEW episodes. They were made in Japan, and were released in a box set called .hack//intergration. They are called 'Intermezzo' and 'Unison.' Once you've watched the final episode, I suggest you start buying the games. The games have much more to them once you've seen all of .hack//SIGN, and Unison only makes sence after the games. The DVD as a whole is great, and makes a perfect end to a perfect series.
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