.hack//SIGN

.hack//SIGN is a 27-episode anime series that makes up one of the four original storylines of the .hack franchise. 26 of these episodes were shown on television, and the 27th episode, Intermezzo, is only available on DVD.

The series was initially shown on TV Tokyo between April 3 and September 25, 2002, but has since been adapted for American audiences and shown on Cartoon Network starting February 1, 2003 and has been more recently distributed on DVD by Bandai Entertainment[?].

.hack//SIGN follows the story of Tsukasa (司) as he struggles to cope with his inner self, his past, and his inability to log out of the MMORPG The World.

The series can be fairly confusing for those who do not regularly watch the series, and it is very much integrated in many ways with the rest of the series storylines, further complicating the plot for the uninitiated.

The background music and opening and ending themes, Obsession and Yasashii Yoake (優しい夜明け) were composed by Yuki Kajiura[?] (梶浦由記), who is also known for her compositions for the anime series Noir. The latter two songs were performed by her musical group See Saw[?].

Theme Songs

• Opening
  • "Obsession" by See Saw
• Ending
  • "Yasashii Yoake" (Gentle Dawn) by See Saw

External Links

• dothack.com (http://www.dothack.com/) - The official American website for the series, as well as other portions of the .hack franchise.
• hack.channel.or.jp (http://www.hack.channel.or.jp/) - The official Japanese website for the series, as well as other portions of the .hack franchise.
• TV Tokyo: .hack//SIGN (http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/hack_sign/) - The official TV Tokyo website for the series.
• .hackers (http://www.blackwings.net/hack/) - Probably the most detailed fansite at this time regarding all aspects of the .hack franchise, including .hack//SIGN.