.hack//SIGN Review
.hack//SIGN is the story of 8 characters in a virtual reality RPG game. Focusing on Tsukasa who has managed to acquire the ability to actually physically harm players in the real world, and is unable to log out. He is found in the middle of something much bigger, the RPG world is at risk. But what is it at risk of? and by who?
.hack//SIGN is a very slow paced and detailed anime. The soundtrack and animations are beautiful, and only help in the development of the thick plot. Unfortunately, the ending of the anime was quick and required a few minutes to figure out what happened. This, in my opinion, was a major letdown, and I have to deduct a full point because the anime was completely ruined.
Furthermore, the anime did not make me want to keep watching, but let me consume it at a slow pace. Which may be good or bad, depending on your opinion.
In any case, I rate this anime 3.0/5.0. If the ending would have been smoother, it would have been a 4.0/5.0, at least.
August 23rd, 2006 at 12:56 am
Yeah, I especially agree with the fact that the ‘hack’ does not have the same addictiveness as a more fast paced, action filled anime would. .hack//SIGN was always just ‘meh’ in my books since it did not make such a great impression on me after watching a couple of episodes. I don’t like how things are so dragged out without having anything explained at the beginning and I especially dislike the abstractness. I can only imagine that the director must’ve dragged things out for too long and as a result, s/he had to wrap things up quickly near the end. That must’ve been an interesting train wreck much like Full Metal Alchemist’s ending. -____-;;;
August 23rd, 2006 at 12:12 pm
I actually liked the abstractness and having to use one’s brain a bit rather than an anime that gives evverything to you. A slow digestable anime can be very good, if done correctly.
I actually really liked FMA’s ending (not ova), it was well thought out and made one think. .hack//sign however, made one completely confuzed, I didn’t even think the anime was finished
Oh well.
August 23rd, 2006 at 3:00 pm
Well i havent watched anime in forever but the very fact that i am obessed with RPG’s and my favourite book series (guardians of the flame, most arent sold in anything but used book stores. at least the original) is about people being sucked in dungeon and dragons and having to fight their way through the game. its really a neat idea.
August 23rd, 2006 at 7:50 pm
I agree that the idea of being sucked into an RPG is a neat idea. So many possiblities afterall. ^_____^
Abstractness is okay but I like it in a limited amount. .hack//sign was just a mess of confuzzle-ness and huh’s for me.
As for FMA, the idea they used in the ending (in which I won’t say what since I don’t want to ruin it for anybody) is good, but to cram all that in 2 episodes was what made it such a train wreck. The whole anime has an awesome plot; things were actually well thought out. Then, they had to rush through everything in the last couple of episodes with an idea that should’ve been better introduced and explained in more episodes.
August 24th, 2006 at 12:14 am
I dont even remember FMA’s ending that well, but i do know that I really liked it and the way it ended and everything. just a dif in opinion i supose
August 24th, 2006 at 8:39 am
I tried to watch .hack/sign, whatever its called, on YTV when it was on, but the voice acting was bad and the plot seemed slow. Maybe its slightly better with the subs….but I agree with Bitter about the long winded explanationing….
August 24th, 2006 at 11:47 am
well, i dont think your allowed an opinion if all you watched is the ytv version.
August 24th, 2006 at 10:10 pm
why is that? I only watched the YTV version of Inu-yasha and that was decent
August 25th, 2006 at 4:26 pm
all YTV animes suck, except magic school bus, jacob too too, etc
August 26th, 2006 at 11:42 pm
lol! Well, not all dubs are bad though most of ‘em are. Inuyasha and Fma dubs are surprisingly okay since they don’t censor the swearing or the gore. (I hate it when they do that. They digitally erased the blood in so many anime like Escaflowne. -____-;;;) Can’t remember .hack//sign’s seiyuus though…
August 27th, 2006 at 4:54 pm
eew, how can they remove blood. i mean add it sure, but remove! just no good! hrmph
March 24th, 2008 at 6:23 pm
.Hack//sign was soo good. i liked this one cuz it was different from all the rest.
March 25th, 2008 at 11:25 am
I agree, Nayr, there was something special and unique about it, maybe even magical! It just captivated my attention and I could not stop watching. Thanks for the comment!
-Rashid
September 24th, 2008 at 12:31 am
Well I dont agree with the review, cause I Love the anime, so, I didn’t find it slow, many ppl may think that is an adventure action anime, since it’s suppouse to be based in a MMORPG, and it’s actuallty based on thinking and using your mind…
What can I say, I love the abstract, and well, I don’t really think this anime has THAT much to say its abstract…
And also it has a great cast of characters, Specially Tsukasa…
And wel, what can I say, I coulnd’t stop watching either ^^ And Tsukasa is one of my fav characters