.hack//Sign Vol 2
Content: A
Video: A+
Audio: A+
Presentation: A
Overall: A
Company: Bandai
Length: 125 mins
The second volume of .hack//sign improves significantly over the first by bringing more depth to the characters and by getting closer to the core of what makes online role-playing games so attractive to so many people.
This volume opens up with Tsukasa captured by the Crimson Knights after Crim’s decision to help the Knights in the last episode of the previous disc. Feeling some guilt for leading Tsukasa into the trap, even though it was unintentional, Mimiru begins to organize a rescue. From there, the episodes begin to explore why each of the characters chooses to play the game and the reasons why people chose to create connections with one another. Each character brings their own philosophy to the table, yet each is still searching to find if their beliefs are true.
It gets a bit existential as the series begins to look for answers to questions outside the self. I mean, how many anime have jokes based on Waiting for Godot? However, this aspect is never overwhelming. The characters still take front stage. As well, there are malevolent events on the horizons as the characters begin to search for clues to the Key of the Twilight, an item that may destroy The World.
Visually, the DVD still looks stellar even with five episodes on the disc. I experienced no distortion or bleeding. The disc really has reason to be considered part of Bandai’s Platinum Series. The animation is still clean, but not overly impressive. Once again, the series is often about ambiance as the characters discuss their situations and beliefs, so there is not much action.
Aurally, the disc sounds great. The American voice actors do an admirable job, but the Japanese actors seem to give a less boisterous, more nuanced performance, which I prefer. Yuki Kajiura’s score is still excellent, and this volume includes several new and re-worked tracks. A couple vocal pieces seem to be a bit overused, but nothing too disturbing.
The extras are still a bit scarce. There is a character gallery, but the more useful extra is a .hack timeline. The timeline follows computer events up towards The World coming online and includes some fascinating background information. The timeline is not complete, so I hope it continues on the next DVD. If you are enjoying the story so far, I recommend taking the time to read the timeline. As well, as with the first volume, if you buy the limited edition you get the second soundtrack on CD. Definitely worth the extra money.
This volume is much of the same, but more focused and interesting. The series has really begun to capture the feelings and emotions of people playing these sorts of games. An episode featuring a new character named A-20 (who I hope will make future appearances, as she was pretty funny) illustrates how two people are seeking their purpose in the game along separate lines by working together. An interesting episode focusing more on Bear examines how people bring their own life experiences into the game when they play. One of my criticisms of the first volume was that there was not enough division between the “real” world and the “game” world. Fortunately, this volume addresses that problem in realistic and entertaining ways, such as Mimiru stepping away to make tea and the ensuing discussion between other characters as she does.
.hack//sign continues to take a unique road as compared to other anime based on videogames. The time taken to explore the characters is paying off in creating a much richer world than one usually sees, and it is a much more enjoyable and richer experience for that.
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