Search - .hack//SIGN - Terminus (Vol. 6) on DVD

The oddly ill arranged 'end' to a multi-media series...

Stephen Ressel | North Dakota, USA | 03/09/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."

Too Much Information

Marc Ruby? | Warren, MI USA | 04/15/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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 endingTo 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."

Terminus-the best .hack DVD out of all 6 volumes

Jennie Montgomery | Oxnard, CA United States | 03/21/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

".hack//SIGN-Terminus is by far the best .hack DVD out there. If you are a true .hack fan then you simply must by this DVD. It contains episodes 23-25 (all of the last episodes) plus 2 bonus episodes. The bonus episodes are "Intermezzo", which focuses on Mimiru and why she plays The World the way she does. The second episode is "Evidence" which was broadcasted earlier in the .hack//SIGN series. This DVD is pretty awesome, but if you buy the limited edition .hack//SIGN Terminus DVD, you will also recieve an extra DVD that comes with an extra episode "Unison".
Unison brings all of the characters from .hack//SIGN and the .hack video games together in conclusion to the first seoson of .hack and eventually leads up to the second season. I give this product a 6 out of 5 (its that great) and recommend it to any .hack fan."

A dramatic ending

Kellyannl | Bronx, NY USA | 05/15/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"A triumphant victory - and a shattering tragedy - mark the emotionally charged final volume of SIGN.The storyline can be roughly sectioned into three parts. In the first, the older party members consult with Helba to try to develop a strategy to finally defeat The Voice. Their personal subplots are wrapped up as - among other things - B.T. seems to have finally realized she's been overlooking another good man while she's been futiley setting her cap for Crim, and Bear makes Tsukasa a touching if somewhat expected offer regarding the real world.The second involves the final physical battles of the series as the party faces Tsukasa's Guardian - losing their best fighter right out of the gate when Crim has to break off the second the crisis begins to finish things once and for all with Sora, who still doesn't understand exactly how serious the situation is.Finally, the younger party members take center stage as they face a battle of wills with The Voice to wake Aura, the sleeping girl - and presumably thereby free Tsukasa. The Voice does not take opposition lightly - and success will not come without a dear price...The story is not wrapped up completely, designed to segue straight into the four Playstation 2 video games in the .hack franchise. But it ends in a place that gives you enough to work with to make up your own mind about what happens after the bittersweet conclusion if you don't want to play the games - and that's good enough for me.With a final 15 minutes that pay off for those who have invested time in the fates of these characters, SIGN fans will not be disappointed."