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.hack//Sign

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.hack//Sign
Tsukasa (front), Aura (right), Subaru (left).
GenreAdventure,fantasy[1]
Anime television series
Directed byKōichi Mashimo
Written byKazunori Itō
Music byYuki Kajiura
StudioBee Train
Licensed by
Original networkTXN(TV Tokyo)
English network
Original runApril 4, 2002–September 25, 2002
Episodes26(List of episodes)
Original video animation
.hack//Intermezzo,.hack//Unison,.hack//Gift
Directed byKōichi Mashimo
StudioBee Train
Released2002–2003
Episodes3(List of episodes)
Related works

.hack//Sign(stylized as.hack//SIGN) is a Japaneseanimetelevision series directed byKōichi Mashimo,and produced by studioBee TrainandBandai Visual,that makes up one of the four original storylines for the.hackfranchise. Twenty-six original episodes aired in 2002 on television and three additional bonus ones were released on DVD asoriginal video animation.The series features each characters designed byYoshiyuki Sadamoto,[2]and written byKazunori Itō.[3]The score was composed byYuki Kajiura,marking her second collaboration with Mashimo.[4]

The series is influenced by psychological and sociological subjects, such asanxiety,escapismandinterpersonal relationships.[5][6]The series focuses on aWavemaster(magic user) named Tsukasa, aplayer characterin avirtual realitymassively multiplayer online role-playing gamecalledThe World.He wakes up to find himself in a dungeon inThe World,but he suffers from short-term memory loss as he wonders where he is and how he got there. The situation gets worse when he discovers he is trapped in the game and cannot log out. From then on, along with other players, Tsukasa embarks on a quest to find the truth behind his abnormal situation.

The series premiered in Japan onTV Tokyofrom April 4 to September 25, 2002. It was broadcast across East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia and Latin America, by the anime television network,Animax,and across the United States, Nigeria, Canada and United Kingdom, byCartoon Network,YTVandAnimeCentral(English and Japanese) respectively. It was distributed across North America byBandai.

The storyline moves at a leisurely pace,[7]and has multiple layers[8]—the viewer is often fed false information andred herrings,potentially leading to confusion until the true nature of events is unveiled towards the end of the series.[9]It relies oncharacter developmentand has few action scenes; most of the time character interaction is presented in the form of dialogue.[7]English language reception to the series has been generally positive,[2][10]but some of these sources have negatively criticised the series as a result of its slow pacing and character-driven storyline.[8]

Synopsis

[edit]

Setting

[edit]

The series is set in a fictional 2009, introducing acomputer viruscalledPluto's Kissas the cause of a massive Internet shutdown.[11]The results are described as catastrophic:[12]traffic lights shut down, planes collide in midair, and theAmerican nuclear missilesare nearly launched. As a consequence,cyberspaceis subjected to severe restrictions. The virus affects all operating systems except for one, Altimit OS, the only operating system immune to all computer viruses.[12]

Displaying ornate buildings and numerous canals lined by decorative walkways, Mac Anu (Delta Server's Root Town) is reminiscent ofVenice.[13]

Two years later free access to the networks recovers, bringing with it the release ofThe World:the firstonline gamesincePluto's Kiss,developed for Altimit OS.[11]The Worldis portrayed as afantasysetting wherein player characters can be different classes, adventure by themselves to go searching through dungeons or join with others and form parties, fight monsters andlevel up,collect new items and participate in special events.[3]At the center of each server is a Root Town, which contain shops, a save point, and the Chaos Gate that players use to travel between servers in the game.[14]

Harald Hoerwickis introduced as the creator ofThe World.He secretly designed the game as a virtual womb in order to create the ultimateartificial intelligence(AI), by receiving emotional and psychological data from the players. His motivation is revealed to be the death ofEmma Wielant,a German poet with whom he was in love; the AI, who was namedAura,would serve as the "daughter" they never had.[15]Harald left the gathering of the required data for Aura's development at the care of the core system ofThe Worlditself, an omnipresent AI calledMorganna Mode Gone.[12]The storyline of.hack//Sign,set in early 2010,[11]revolves around the premise of Morganna attempting to stall the growth of Aura indefinitely, after realizing that she will lose her purpose once Aura is complete.[citation needed]

Plot

[edit]
See also:List of.hack//Sign episodes

The series follows the story about Tsukasa being mind-trapped into the game. Despite being a "fantasy quest type adventure", it does not rely on action sequences.[3][10]Instead, the show is driven by mystery, slowly revealing its secrets to the viewer while paying much attention to the individual characters.[7]Questions like what happened to Tsukasa in the real world, who he really is, and why he cannot log out are driving points of the story.[10]

Soon after the beginning of the series, Tsukasa is led to a hidden area. There he meets Morganna, depicted as a voice without physical appearance, and Aura, who appears as a young girl clad entirely in white, floating asleep above a bed. The storyline introduces Morganna as an ally, but her real intentions are unknown at this point.

As the story progresses many characters are introduced, some who want to help, some who have ulterior motives. Then more questions arise as to "what is happening in the game itself, who are these various characters, what are their true goals and what will happen to Tsukasa".[10]All the while he is seen struggling with his increasingly dire situation as well as his own social and emotional shortcomings. Tsukasa isolates himself, but eventually he begins to get closer to other players, and builds strong relationships with some of them; the most important is the one born between him and Subaru, a kind and thoughtful female Heavy Axeman.[10][16]

In the meantime, the series follows the quest for theKey of the Twilight(Hoàng hôn の kiện,Tasogare no Kagi),a legendary item rumored to have the ability to bypass the system inThe World.[8]Some characters want theKeyto gain the power this supposedly confers. Others believe the item will provide Tsukasa with a way to log out. Despite their reasons for seeking it, everyone agrees that it is related to Tsukasa in some way, as he is also a factor bypassing the system in the game. His body being in a coma in the real world adds a sense of urgency to the quest.

Near the end of the series, Tsukasa's real-life identity takes a more central place in the storyline, particularly in relation to his growing bond with Subaru. The series shows his fear and insecurity as he confesses to her that he is probably a girl in the real world.[17]It is also at this point when Tsukasa is told Morganna's plan by a highly skilledhackercalledHelba.Morganna conceived the plan to link Aura to a character who could corrupt her with negative emotional data, placing her in a state where she would never awaken. The chosen character was Tsukasa, as his mind was filled with distressful memories of his real life. Helba also suggests that when Aura is able to awaken, "theKey of the Twilightwill take form ".[18]

The story reaches the climax, when Tsukasa confronts Morganna. He declares that he is no longer afraid of her or of reality, and will log out because there is someone he wants to see.[19]This statement triggers Aura's awakening, allowing Tsukasa to log out. The last scenes feature an emotional encounter between Tsukasa's real-life self, who is shown to actually be a girl, and the real-life player behind Subaru.

Characters

[edit]
Main article:List of.hack characters
Clockwise from top-left: Helba, Bear, Crim, Sora, BT, Subaru, Tsukasa and Mimiru

The primary characters in the series are Tsukasa, BT, Bear, Mimiru and Subaru (as depicted in the intro of the series).

Tsukasais the protagonist of the story and plays a Wavemaster. At the start of the series he is seen waking up to find himself trapped inThe World,unable to log out. He is initially depicted as a cynical introvert who tends to avoid others as much as possible, but his character development shows him growing to realize there are people who care about him.[20]One of these people isSubaru,a female Heavy Axeman introduced as the leader of the Crimson Knights, a player organization designed to fight injustice (such asplayer killing) inThe World.Most of the time Subaru is the only character preventing the Crimson Knights from running wild; she knows that they must be restrained from abusing their power. She eventually joins in the search of a way to help Tsukasa, and builds a close relationship with him.[16]

Also close to Tsukasa isMimiru,a Heavy Blade who is poor at planning things out and following through on them. She is the first player to meet Tsukasa, and later forms a bond with him and vows to protect him. She usually hangs out withBear,trying to solve the mystery of Tsukasa's inability to log out. Bear is an older player of the game and plays a Blademaster. He appears as cool and collected, always willing to help out newbies. He also conducts research in the real world on Tsukasa. One of Bear's acquaintances isBT,a plotting and scheming Wavemaster.[citation needed]

BT teams up withCrimandSorato find theKey of the Twilight.Crim is a powerful Long Arm, friend of Subaru who founded the Crimson Knights organization with her, but afterwards left it as he found it did not match his personality. Amiable, easygoing and sociable; he prefers to keep the real world and the game separate. Crim's stated goal when playing is simply to have fun,[21]although he never turns down a chance to help somebody in need. Sora is a Twin Blade player killer who enjoys hunting players down, especially attractive female ones, and demanding their Member Addresses in exchange for their lives. He sees Tsukasa as the strongest link to theKey of the Twilight,and starts working with BT in the quest for it.[citation needed]

Concept and design

[edit]

The project development began in early 2000 as a joint effort between Bandai andCyberConnect2,with the original idea of producing an online game.[22]In online games people can interact with each other and create their own stories. The producers wanted to design a game that would offer the players the same experience, but they later thought it would be more appealing with its own storyline, like in standard offlinerole-playing video game.[22]According to Daisuke Uchiyama, sub-leader of Bandai's video game planning department, the result was a challenge to the RPG genre itself:[23]an offline RPG, entitled.hack,set in a simulated MMORPG namedThe World.[22]

ForThe World's design, writer Kazunori Ito did an extensive research on online games available at the time:[22]the staff played titles such asPhantasy Star Online,Final Fantasy XI,andUltima Online.[24]Nevertheless, according to Hiroshi Matsuyama (president of CyberConnect2), they were not actively looking to make the fictional game seem like a real-life one.[22]Instead, the idea was to create a "gigantic game system that, if the CC Corporation (the creators ofThe Worldin the game) actually existed, it would make sense for them to be behind "[emphasis added];[22]a game described by Matsuyama as largely "futuristic and alien".[22]

As the project started shortly before thePlayStation 2's release, the authors seized the opportunity to make the.hackgame on the new platform.[23]This decision allowed them to develop into unexpected directions.[23]Shin Unozawa, general manager of Bandai's game department, suggested dividing the game into four parts and release them in three-month intervals.[25]The idea being to follow thefour panel mangastyle as well as to keep sales constant throughout the year.[25][26]Taking advantage of the PlayStation 2's capability to read DVD-Video, the authors also decided making an OVA series (.hack//Liminality) comprised by four episodes, one to go with each game.[23][25]Nevertheless, they still felt the need to bolster the project with something more, therefore they decided to produce.hack//Sign,a TV show timed to air with the first game's release.[25]For Kōichi Mashimo it was a hectic schedule: he was directing both animated projects, and was also in the midst of developing theNoiranime series.[25]

Imagery

[edit]
The real-world scenes' raw presentation denotes the predominance ofThe Worldover reality.[27]

The virtual environment depicted in.hack//Signdraws onmedievalimagery:[27]settings range from a Venice-like city to aGothicstone church, passing by settlements such as villages andcastles;the series' scenery shows examples ofCeltic art.[14]Natural landscapes such as forests and tundras complete the setting design, which overall displays the fantasy theme seen in most MMORPGs.[3]

Sadamoto's character designs follow the fantasy theme as well,[28]drawing influence from thesword and sorcerysubgenrein particular.[29]Character designs also draw onCelticimagery: Director Mashimo acknowledged similarities between Bear's design andMel Gibsonin his role asWilliam Wallace,[30]an example of Celtic warrior.[31]All the characters are given distinctive patterns resembling tattoos, the visual representation of a fictional gameplay aspect called Wave.[14]

In contrast withThe World's scenery, real-world sequences areminimalistin their presentation.[27]They display faces frequently obscured by shadows or hidden by extreme angles. The dialogue is not heard, but shown through title cards: when someone speaks the screen blacks out and a line of red or blue text appears with the dialogue.[13]The combination ofvisualandacousticnoise makes reality appear as "some kind of less authentic, alternate channel".[13][27]

Music

[edit]

Yuki Kajiuraprovides a soundtrack permeated by the Celtic style and gaming theme of the series.[32]The songs feature synthesizer andstringscompositions,[32]as well as vocals consisting of English chanting.[33]Celticinfluence is prominent in themes such as "Key of the Twilight" and "Open Your Heart".[34][35]Performed byEmily Bindiger,"Key of the Twilight" blends a pulsing drum and bass mix with guitar intonations.[32]"Open Your Heart", on the other hand, combines Bindiger'scontraltovocals with anuilleann pipessolo.[35]The.hack//Signsoundtrack also features vocals by Yuriko Kaida. "Mimiru" has her humming across a saxophone melody performed by Kazuo Takeda;[36]in "Das Wandern" she sings over a lone piano.[36][unreliable source?]

European influence is prominent in instrumental pieces as well, "Foreigners" being a prime example.[32]Reminiscent of a classic Irish diddy, the track comprises a flute dancing across a tribal-like percussion set.[34]Orchestral music includes pieces such as "Fear" and "Kiss". "Fear" features anelectronicmelody wrapped around a digital-beat groove,[32][34]mixed with a distant voice uttering "feeaarr!".[34]Combining "the childlike humanity into a frightening digital reality", the song is an "analogy to the series' plot".[32]"Kiss" is a theme that entirely features traditionalsymphony,although only using a few performers.[34]It is a violin and piano mix, used to set mood in the series.[32]

The opening theme of the series is "Obsession". Performed by Kajiura's musical groupSee-Saw,the track features an electric guitar and rapid electronic beat.[34][unreliable source?]The closing theme is "Yasashii Yoake"(Ưu しい đêm minh け,"gentle dawn" ),also performed bySee-Saw.[32]It is a blend of Japanese vocals, anIrish bouzouki,acoustic guitars and percussion.[34]Both themes were released as a single on May 22, 2002, by Victor Entertainment.[37][38]Three original soundtracks with vocalsEmily Bindiger,with music and arrangement (and lyrics in vocals themes) by Yuki Kajiura were released. The first original soundtrack was released in North America with the limited edition of the first.hack//SignDVD.[39][40]This album is a mix of vocal themes and BGM. Most of the vocal songs and a couple of BGM tracks have strong Celtic influence. The BGM is completed with tracks with noticeable console-RPG style.[41]The second original soundtrack was released in North America with the limited edition of the second.hack//SignDVD.[42][43]All of the tracks are fairly slow, with catchy beats. The final music soundtrack was titled ".hack//Extra Soundtrack".[44]In North America this soundtrack was included with the limited edition of the fourth.hack//SignDVD.[45]DSTV-channel/full>

Discs
Obsession/Yasashii Yoake by See-Saw
No.TitleLength
1."Obsession"4:28
2."Yasashii Yoake" ( ưu しい đêm minh け)5:08
3."Obsession (Karaoke)"4:28
4."Yasashii Yoake (Karaoke)" ( ưu しい đêm minh け (Karaoke))5:09
Total length:19:13
.hack//Sign Original Soundtrack 1
No.TitleVocalsLength
1."Yasashii Yoake TV-SIZE"1:31
2."The World"Emily Bindiger5:02
3."Kiss"1:48
4."Key of The Twilight"Emily Bindiger3:45
5."Valley of Mist"3:34
6."Where The Sky is High"2:46
7."Fake Wings"Emily Bindiger2:35
8."Interlude"2:05
9."Fear"2:40
10."Aura"Emily Bindiger3:04
11."Before Dawn"1:54
12."Foreigners"2:07
13."BT"2:36
14."A Stray Child"Emily Bindiger2:47
15."Sit Beside Me"3:20
16."Magic and Sword"2:19
17."A Bit of Happiness"2:30
18."Silent Life"4:08
19."Obsession (TV-MIX)"1:35
Total length:52:16
.hack//Sign Original Soundtrack 2
No.TitleVocalsLength
1."Open your Heart"Emily Bindiger3:31
2."Smallest Delight"2:33
3."Labyrinth"2:23
4."In the Land of Twilight, Under the Moon"3:45
5."In your Mind"3:03
6."Bear"2:14
7."Echoes"2:07
8."Cyber-Slum"3:32
9."Strangers"2:11
10."Where you Are"1:26
11."Limits"2:35
12."Broken Wings"1:17
13."Mimiru"Yuriko Kaida3:34
14."Useless Chatting"2:26
15."Secret Project"2:21
16."Say Goodbye"1:52
17."To Nowhere"Emily Bindiger3:15
18."End of The World"3:11
19."Das Wandern" "Yuriko Kaida1:26
20."Open your Heart～reprise"Emily Bindiger4:36
Total length:53:29
.hack//Extra Soundtrack
No.TitleVocalsLength
1."Obsession (str. ver.)"5:54
2."Warp"Yuriko Kaida3:32
3."Fake Wings (bitter sweet ver.)"Emily Bindiger1:50
4."Rain and Storm"3:01
5."Aura (evil ver.)"Emily Bindiger2:11
6."Morganna"4:08
7."Deep Despair"1:55
8."Suspense & Mystery"2:09
9."Fake Wings (make decision ver.)"Emily Bindiger3:25
10."Who am I?"2:51
11."Digital Monsters"2:44
12."Aura (Awakening ver.)"2:21
13."Morganna (Tolerance ver.)"2:32
14."Distrust"2:08
15."The World (extra ver.)"Emily Bindiger5:24
16."attack 07"0:11
17."edge (instr. ver.)"2:25
18."bridge 01"0:48
19."bridge 02"0:48
20."bridge 03"0:35
21."bridge 04"0:59
22."bridge 05"0:52
23."bridge 06"0:40
Total length:52:33

Themes

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Despite its visual concept,.hack//Signis not a sword and sorcery story, but an exposition-driven character study.[2]It proposes "a trip inside the psychology and soul of an emotionally bruised, but slowly healing person."[5]Themes range from psychological to sociological and are dealt with using classical dialogue as well as image-only introspection.[5][6][10]

The somber scenery symbolizes Tsukasa's tormentedstate of mind.[5]

Among the most prominent themes in.hack//Signareanxiety,its causes, and the effects it has uponhuman behavior.[5]Scenes of the real world show people living an apprehensive, even painful reality:[27]characters' background includes subjects such asdysfunctional familiesand physical impediments.[citation needed]Tsukasa himself is psychologically affected by years ofphysical abuseand neglect,[6]a state that gets worse throughout his experience in the game, where his reality disappears and he begins to doubt his own existence.[5]When anxiety is excessive (like in the case depicted by Tsukasa's story) and can not be relieved by practical problem-solving methods, "the humanegouses maneuvers such as adefense mechanismto deny, falsify or even distort reality. "[5]The anime series explores this process as the root of emotional and behavioral issues such asdetachmentandisolation.[6][10]

Escapism,if only as representing a consequence of anxiety, is a significant theme in.hack//Sign.[5]The series explores how technology, such as the Internet and online games, can be used to escape reality.[10]The Worldis portrayed as a means that people use "to escape their lives", assuming roles online thatcompensatefor their shortcomings in the real world:[27]to some, it is a place where they can overcome their physical limitations; to others, it is a social outlet or a world free of rules.[citation needed]In addition, the preference given to the virtual world over reality represents the intrusion of technology in the social structure:[27]as people engage in "the wide potential of cyberspace", they become more withdrawn in the real world.[27]

Interpersonal relationshipsare a prominent theme too.[6]The show explores the psychological effects social connections have upon people with emotional needs.[10]Initially Tsukasa shows no respect for any values or other people, but as he engages in relationships, he begins to gradually change, learning to care about others and acquiring the strength to face the reality of his life.[5]

Media

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Releases

[edit]

Originally,.hack//Signwas broadcast in Japan onTV Tokyobetween April 4 to September 25, 2002.[citation needed]The same yearVictor Entertainmentreleased the entire score in three albums, along with a single containing the opening and ending of the series.[46]

In North America,.hack//Signwas licensed and distributed by Bandai Entertainment,[47]anddubbedby PCB Productions, who are known for their adaptations of fare likeGeneshaft.[2]The dub aired onCartoon Network'sToonamibetween February 1, 2003 and March 1, 2004.[48]The series was also released on DVD, spanning six volumes. The limited edition ran from March 4, 2003 to March 16, 2004, followed by the regular edition from March 18, 2003 to March 16, 2004.[49]A recap episode calledEvidenceand the DVD only episodeIntermezzowere included in the sixth volume, andUnisonwas only included in its limited edition.[50]Following the multimedia concept of the franchise,[51]Bandai also acquired the license for the.hackgames,[47]the first one being released the same month the anime series began broadcast.[52]

The multimedia approach is shown through the DVD release as well. The limited edition not only included the three soundtrack albums of the series, but also the soundtrack of.hack//Liminalityand a demo disc of the first game.[39][42][45][53]

The series was compiled three times. The first DVD box set was released on October 26, 2004, by the name.hack//Sign – Complete Collection,and the second, more affordable one on August 22, 2006, by the name.hack//Sign: Anime Legends Complete Collection.Neither of these releases contains the OVA episodeUnison.[54][55]

Following the closure of Bandai Entertainment,Funimationannounced atSDCC2013, that they acquired four.hack titles including SIGN.[56]In 2015, Funimation released the DVD boxset.hack//Sign: The Complete Series,which contains all 28 episodes, including both OVA episodes.

Publications

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A compilation artbook called.hack//the visionswas included in the February, 2003 issue ofNewtypepublished byKadokawa Shoten.The book contains.hack//Sign,.hack//Legend of the Twilight,and the.hackgames illustrations which were originally shown in different issues of Newtype during 2002. Participating artists included Rei Izumi, Yoshiyuki Sadamoto, Satoshi Ohsawa, and Yuko Iwaoka.[citation needed]

An information book aboutProject.hack.was published byFujimi Shoboin June, 2003. The book, calledEncyclopedia.hack(ISBN4-8291-7530-3), is a compilation of theories and information about storyline, setting, and characters of the franchise, taken from the series itself.[57]Another information book aboutProject.hackwas published bySoftbank Publishingon September 27, 2003. This publication was calledhack//analysis(ISBN4-7973-2455-4) and, unlikeEncyclopedia,included never-before-seen information onThe Worldand the characters of the franchise. Information about.hack//Signcharacters like Bear and BT was expanded in this book.[58]

Reception

[edit]

The series has generally been positive. Holly Ellinwood of Anime Active saluted Ito's "well thought out, even provocative" storyline in the 2006 review of the series, saying that it is "far more cerebral, evenexistentialthan the anime's other less sophisticated contemporaries. "[10]Nevertheless, reviewers agree that it is the series which viewers either love or hate.[2][3][59]According to Mike Toole from Anime Jump, it "deserves to be both maligned and admired".[2]NeedCoffee's reviewer regarded the show as "one of the most controversial titles in recent years".[59]Negative criticism focuses on the slow-paced story and the almost total absence of action sequences, elements which are also considered as what makes the series "most unique".[7][9]

Bamboo Dong ofAnime News Networkcalled the series "interesting to watch," saying the story gets more "detailed and complex" by the show's fourth episode, praised the music selection, the voice casting, and the artwork.[60]Dong also said that while the storyline has "aspects of mediocrity," the storyline is intriguing and intense, and that the series is something that "has to be watched at least once." Nick Creamer ofAnime News Networkcalled the series the "grandfather of MMO anime," saying it is mellow, contemplative, and slow.[61]He further said that the show puts you in the middle of relationships between the character and although these are not originally described, views come to understand the logic behind their actions, and added that the "underlying art" of the series holds up. He also said that the series has consistent backgrounds, a diverse music score, and calls the anime, ultimately, a story of "anxiety and identity and virtual selves."

The series received high marks for technical aspects. Chris Beveridge from Anime On DVD feels the animation is "gorgeous" and the "colors are lush and vivid".[3]Tasha Robinson from SCI FI Weekly says that "The World's hugely varied settings provide ever-changing backgrounds, "[9]which are considered by Rob Lineberger of DVD Verdict as "detailed and innovative".[8]In his review of the first English release, Mike Toole described the series as "a beautiful, rich-looking series, with frequently sumptuous character design and animation that's only emphasized by the quality of the DVD."[2]A negative opinion is expressed by Rob Lineberger himself, who says that "many of the animated sequences were static characters with slightly moving lips."[8]Tasha Robinson, instead, shows a more neutral perspective on this subject, saying that "the animation is simple but attractive."[9]A concern several reviewers express is that the gaming environment the series tries to simulate should be more crowded, being a game supposedly extremely popular worldwide.[2][9]A different opinion is that of Anime Academy's reviewer, who writes that the anime's depiction of the game-world setting is realistic and accurate.[62]

Bandai's release earned praise for the quality of the video transfer and the DVD extras (particularly in the limited edition).[2][3][63]Reviewers appreciated the Englishvoice acting:Lauren Synger from DVD Vision Japan feels that "everyone was very appropriate to their characters", noting that Brianne Sidal did an excellent work capturing Saiga's Tsukasa.[64]Lineberger, in contrast, finds the English dub to be "antiseptic and uninspired".[8]Bamboo Dong ofAnime News Networkthinks for her part that Mimiru sounded bland and poorly executed, but overall, the actors did a good job "delivering their lines and giving life to their characters."[33]

Ridwan Khan of Animefringe welcomes the "excellent".hack//Signscore composed by Yuki Kajiura,[32]which is hailed by Mark McPherson from Anime Boredom as "the best orchestrated track ever made for a television series".[7]Most reviewers agree that the soundtrack is one of the series' most prominent features.[2][8][62]A negative criticism on the music is that it tends to overwhelm the dialogue in the first couple of episodes.[2][3]Kōichi Mashimo has stated that he specifically had the music louder than the dialogue as he tried to do some experimentation, and it was his intent to draw complaints from the audience.[30]Still, Chris Beveridge thinks it is an "interesting device to sort of ratchet up the speed of things."[3]

Notes and references

[edit]
  1. ^".hack//SIGN".Funimation.RetrievedAugust 5,2018.
  2. ^abcdefghijkToole, Mike (October 16, 2003).".hack//SignReview ".Anime Jump.Archived fromthe originalon September 26, 2007.RetrievedJanuary 20,2007.
  3. ^abcdefghiBeveridge, Chris.".hack//Sign (Version 1.0) – LoginReview ".AnimeOnDVD.Archived fromthe originalon April 15, 2009.RetrievedJanuary 21,2007.
  4. ^".hack//Sign Original Sound & Song track 1".CD Japan.RetrievedJanuary 15,2007.
  5. ^abcdefghiMatsuda, Miyako (April 2003)."Presentation".Protoculture Addicts(75): 4.ISBN978-2-9805759-8-3.Archived fromthe originalon September 27, 2007.RetrievedAugust 14,2007.
  6. ^abcdeMatsuda, Miyako.".hack//SignEssay ".Protoculture.Archived fromthe originalon September 27, 2007.RetrievedAugust 14,2007.
  7. ^abcdeMcPherson, Mark (May 9, 2004)."hack//SignReview ".Anime Boredom.Archived fromthe originalon October 11, 2007.RetrievedJanuary 24,2007.
  8. ^abcdefgLineberger, Rob.".hack//Sign (Version 2.0) – OutcastReview ".DVD Verdict.Archived fromthe originalon December 11, 2006.RetrievedJanuary 24,2007.
  9. ^abcdeRobinson, Tasha.".hack//Sign (Version 1.0) – Login ReviewReview ".SCI FI Weekly.Archived fromthe originalon December 29, 2006.RetrievedJanuary 21,2007.
  10. ^abcdefghijEllinwood, Holly.".hack//Sign: Anime Legends Complete CollectionReview ".Active Anime.Archived fromthe originalon September 27, 2007.RetrievedJanuary 24,2007.
  11. ^abcHamazaki, Tatsuya (June 1, 2005). "History of The World"..hack//AI buster 2(in Japanese).Kadokawa Shoten.ISBN978-4-04-422206-2.
  12. ^abcHamazaki, Tatsuya (January 1, 2006). "Area.4 Memory"..hack//AI buster.Tokyopop Press Inc.ISBN1-59532-869-6.
  13. ^abc".hack//SignReview ".theOtaku.Archived fromthe originalon August 8, 2007.RetrievedJuly 10,2007.Internet Archivecopy.
  14. ^abcHamazaki, Tatsuya (January 1, 2006). "Town Mac Anu"..hack//AI buster.Tokyopop Press Inc.ISBN1-59532-869-6.
  15. ^.hack//Liminality,episode 4,Trismegistus.This episode was released along with the.hack//Quarantinegame.
  16. ^abBear:"The reason Tsukasa is still barely able to be involved with people is because of Subaru. If I was the enemy, I would strike at her."BT:"If that happens, then Tsukasa would surely be unable to recover. (...) We should not think of those two separately.".hack//Sign,episode 24,Net Slum.
  17. ^Tsukasa:"Is there really a place for me to return to?"Subaru:"There is. As long as you desire it."Tsukasa:"I don't like this place. But... (...) I thought that I was a guy. But that's because my memories were altered. (...) I think the real me is a girl. Do you still want to see me [in the real world]?"Subaru:"Yes. Because..."Tsukasa:"Because?"Subaru:"Because I've been touched by your trembling soul.".hack//Sign,episode 24,Net Slum
  18. ^Bear:"When Tsukasa is able to log out, then Aura will awaken."Helba:"I believe so. And at that moment, theKey of the Twilightwill take form. ".hack//Sign,episode 24,Net Slum.
  19. ^Morganna:"If you obey, I do not need to exercise my power. Do not make me use my power. You know how truly powerful I am!"Tsukasa:"I'm no longer afraid of you or my father! There is someone that I want to see [close-up of Subaru's face]. So I'm going to return, return to the place where I belong!".hack//Sign,episode 26,Return.
  20. ^Beveridge, Chris.".hack//Sign (Version 6.0) – TerminusReview ".AnimeOnDVD.Archived fromthe originalon April 25, 2011.RetrievedJanuary 21,2007.
  21. ^Crim:"I have enough obligations and duties in the real world. I come here to play.".hack//Sign,episode 19,Recollection.
  22. ^abcdefg"Interview with Hiroshi Matsuyama and Daisuke Uchiyama".GamePro.2003. Archived fromthe originalon October 11, 2007.RetrievedMarch 17,2007.
  23. ^abcd"Interview with Daisuke Uchiyama".RPGFan.2003. Archived fromthe originalon June 25, 2003.RetrievedMarch 17,2007.
  24. ^"Most Wanted MMO — Interview with Hiroshi Matsuyama".G-CIA(in Japanese). Archived fromthe originalon February 4, 2005.RetrievedFebruary 4,2005.｢PSO｣｢FF11｣｢エヴァークエスト｣｢ウルティマオンライン｣｢ディアブロ｣｢リネージュ｣｢ラグナロクオンライン｣・・・たいてい の オンラインゲームは du んで nghiên cứu tế みですよ. "Translation:"PSO, FF11, EverQuest, Ultima Online, Diablo, Lineage, Ragnarok Online... We did our research by playing most of the online games out there.Internet Archivecopy.
  25. ^abcdeWong, Amos (March 2005). "Inside Bee Train".Newtype USA.4(3): 10–13.ISSN1541-4817.
  26. ^"Interview with Hiroshi Matsuyama".IGN.2003. Archived fromthe originalon December 31, 2006.RetrievedMarch 17,2007.
  27. ^abcdefghHall, Justin (2004)."Signs of.hack".Chanpon.Archived fromthe originalon March 17, 2007.RetrievedApril 10,2007.
  28. ^Synger, Lauren.".hack//Sign (Version 2.0) – OutcastReview ".DVDVisionJapan.Archived fromthe originalon September 28, 2007.RetrievedAugust 8,2007.
  29. ^Alexander, Christina.".hack//Sign (Version 1.0) – LoginReview ".PopCultureShock.Archived from the original on October 30, 2007.RetrievedAugust 1,2007.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  30. ^abIyadomi, Ken (2002)."Interview with Kōichi Mashimo".AnimeOnDVD.Archived fromthe originalon August 3, 2008.RetrievedMarch 3,2007.
  31. ^Didcock, Barry (January 8, 2006)."Does the Celtic heart still beat?".Sunday Herald.RetrievedSeptember 7,2007.but here he [Mel Gibson as William Wallace] looks every inch the Celtic warrior.
  32. ^abcdefghiKhan, Ridwan.".hack//Sign Original Sound & Song track 1Review ".Animefringe.Archived fromthe originalon November 30, 2006.RetrievedJanuary 20,2007.
  33. ^abDong, Bamboo.".hack//Sign (Version 1.0) – LoginReview ".Anime News Network.Archived fromthe originalon March 17, 2007.RetrievedJanuary 26,2007.
  34. ^abcdefg".hack//Sign Original Sound & Song track 1Review ".Anime Dream.Archivedfrom the original on July 11, 2007.RetrievedJuly 13,2007.
  35. ^abToole, Mike."Fiction — Yuki KajiuraReview ".Anime Jump.Archived fromthe originalon September 26, 2007.RetrievedAugust 5,2007.
  36. ^ab".hack//Sign Original Sound & Song track 2Review ".Anime Dream.Archivedfrom the original on July 7, 2007.RetrievedJuly 13,2007.
  37. ^"Obsession／ ưu しい đêm minh け"(in Japanese).RetrievedJuly 16,2012.
  38. ^"CD Japan:.hack//Sign OP&ED Single - Obsession".CDJapan.Archived fromthe originalon November 17, 2006.RetrievedJanuary 15,2007.
  39. ^ab".hack//Sign — Limited Edition (Version 1.0) – Login".Bandai Entertainment.Archived fromthe originalon November 13, 2007.RetrievedDecember 29,2008.
  40. ^"CD Japan:.hack//Sign Original Sound & Song track 1".CDJapan.RetrievedJanuary 15,2007.
  41. ^Khan, Ridwan."Animefringe:.hack//Sign Original Sound & Song track 1Review ".Archived fromthe originalon November 30, 2006.RetrievedJanuary 20,2007.
  42. ^ab".hack//Sign — Limited Edition (Version 2.0) – Outcast".Bandai Entertainment.Archived fromthe originalon November 17, 2007.RetrievedDecember 29,2008.
  43. ^"CD Japan:.hack//Sign Original Sound & Song track 2".CDJapan.Archived fromthe originalon October 30, 2006.RetrievedJanuary 15,2007.
  44. ^"CD Japan:.hack//Extra Soundtracks".CDJapan.RetrievedJanuary 15,2007.
  45. ^ab".hack//Sign — Limited Edition (Version 4.0) – Omnipotence".Bandai Entertainment.Archived fromthe originalon November 16, 2007.RetrievedDecember 29,2008.
  46. ^".hack//SignDiscography ".Victor Entertainment(in Japanese).RetrievedJanuary 21,2007.
  47. ^ab".hack//SignNews ".Anime News Network.RetrievedJanuary 14,2007.
  48. ^".hack//Sign".TV.Archived fromthe originalon January 14, 2009.RetrievedFebruary 28,2007.
  49. ^".hack//Sign".Bandai Entertainment.Archived fromthe originalon December 17, 2007.RetrievedJanuary 19,2007.
  50. ^".hack//Sign — Limited Edition (Version 6.0) – Terminus".Bandai Entertainment.Archived fromthe originalon December 24, 2007.RetrievedJanuary 14,2007.
  51. ^Ross, Carlos.".hack//SignReview ".THEM Anime Reviews.Archived fromthe originalon October 9, 2007.RetrievedAugust 14,2007.
  52. ^".hack//SignNews ".Anime News Network.RetrievedJanuary 14,2007.
  53. ^".hack//Sign — Limited Edition (Version 3.0) – Gestalt".Bandai Entertainment.Archived fromthe originalon November 13, 2007.RetrievedDecember 29,2008.
  54. ^".hack//Sign — Complete Collection".Bandai Entertainment.Archived fromthe originalon December 24, 2007.RetrievedJanuary 14,2007.
  55. ^".hack//Sign: Anime Legends Complete Collection".Bandai Entertainment.Archived fromthe originalon December 24, 2007.RetrievedJanuary 14,2007.
  56. ^"Funimation Adds 4.hack Anime".Anime News Network.RetrievedJuly 19,2013.
  57. ^Mạo 険 xí họa cục (June 2003).Encyclopedia.hack(in Japanese). Phú sĩ thấy thư phòng.ISBN4829175303.
  58. ^.hack//analysis ~Project.hack giả thiết tư liệu tập ~(in Japanese). ソフトバンククリエイティブ. September 2003.ISBN4797324554.
  59. ^ab".hack//Sign (Version 5.0) – UncoveredReview ".Needcoffee.RetrievedFebruary 22,2007.
  60. ^Dong, Bamboo (March 15, 2003).".hack//SIGN Limited Edition DVD 1: Login [Review]".Anime News Network.Archived fromthe originalon March 3, 2019.RetrievedFebruary 18,2021.
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