.hack//Sign
. hack / / Sign is an anime television series from 2002, part of the franchise. hack. The anime was aired from 5 June 2007, the channel Animax in German.
Action
In 2007, the MMORPG The World is widespread and over 20 million players meet there virtually and have adventures. This virtual reality serves as a venue for the anime.
When the character Tsukasa wakes up in this game, he can not remember anything, and unlike the other virtual characters he perceives this virtual world as real. He feels pain and perceives odors and temperature. Soon he realizes that he can not leave the game and has special abilities. That's why he will soon by the "Red Knights " ( Crimson Knights ), the self-appointed guardians of the game pursued. He will also be seen together with a cat-like character who should not exist. Players who cheat / hack are usually banned from online games.
When they find him, it comes to a fight, and a monster appears and protects Tsukasa. Here the attacking Red Knight is not only killed in the game, but suffers as a real player who belongs to this character, an epileptic seizure. It is advised to all players, stay away from Tsukasa and the monster, with another group already forged a plan to separate Tsukasa from the monsters and to arrest him.
However, Tsukasa also has friends who want to help him clear up the situation. So he sets out together with Mimiru, Bear and further in search of answers to his condition and a solution for him. They hear of another rumor about a cheat item, known as the Key of the Twilight ( key dusk ). However, the hunt for this Item also calls enemies on the plan that it would like to have for yourself and want to use it against others or the world.
In search of the key, they meet a programmed image of the builder of the game. This tells them in cryptic manner about the awakening of a girl who will change the world. Tsukasa knows this girl who is staying at a secret location, only he knows.
Characters
Production and publication
The 26- part television series was produced in 2002 under the direction of Koichi Mashimo by Bee Train. The character design is by Yoshiyuki Sadamoto, artistic director was Yoshimi Umino. The Mechanical Design designed Kenji Teraoka and Tatsuya Oka. The series aired from April 4 to September 25, 2002 by TV Tokyo in Japan. Later follow with. Hack / / intermezzo. Hack / / Unison and. Hack / / Gift three OVAs.
The anime was translated including English, Spanish, French and Italian. In Germany, the series was released in mid-2005 to a total of seven DVDs at Beez Entertainment distributed by Al! Ve, the collection box, which could be purchased with the seventh DVD, yet also included a figure from the series and a printed mouse pad. From the 5th June 2007, the German version of Animax aired. The series was re-released in the summer of 2008, in two so-called. Hack / / SIGN boxes, in addition to improved image quality, the aspect ratio of 4:3 to 16:9 was changed and the offshoot. Hack / / Limality lies with Japanese language edition and German subtitles distributed in both boxes.
Synchronization
Music
It appeared three soundtrack CDs and a CD single. Only on the CD single can be heard in full length the theme song. The lyrics are mostly Japanese, and often contain English lyrics. So the music of the opening credits was sung only in English. There are also borrowed from the German language. So the title Walking was sung entirely in German. The soundtrack was released on edel media & entertainment in Germany.
The music is by composer Yuki Kajiura from which arranged the music for many of the productions by Bee Train. Were sung by different singers, the title to which See-Saw or ROUND TABLE feat. Nino belonged. The header title obsession and the credits song Yasashii Yoake were produced by See-Saw.
Reception
The fan - magazine Funime refers to the series as " eye candy " with " wonderful " musical accompaniment and beautiful synchronization in the original. The German dubbing is tolerable. The atmospheric music is particularly highlighted.
The journal Manga scene praises the musical accompaniment, which support well the atmosphere. The character design was " well regarded " and the animations good, even if it is often only spoken. The mysterious plot make you want more.