List of ''.hack//Sign'' episodes

Originally, .hack//Sign was broadcast in Japan on TV Tokyo between April 4, 2002 and September 25, 2002. The same year Victor Entertainment released the entire score in three albums, along with a single containing the opening and ending of the series.[1]

In North America .hack//Sign was licensed and distributed by Bandai Entertainment,[2] and dubbed by PCB Productions, who are known for their adaptations of fare like Geneshaft.[3] The dub aired on Cartoon Network between February 1, 2003 and March 1, 2004.[4] The series was also released on DVD, spanning six volumes. The limited edition ran from March 4, 2003 to March 16, 2004, followed by the regular edition from March 18, 2003 to March 16, 2004.[5] A recap episode called Evidence and the DVD only episode Intermezzo were included in the sixth volume, and Unison was only included in its limited edition.[6] Following the multimedia concept of the franchise,[7] Bandai also acquired the license for the .hack games,[2] the first one being released the same month the anime series began broadcast.[8]

The multimedia approach is shown through the DVD release as well. The limited edition not only included the three soundtrack albums of the series, but also the soundtrack of .hack//Liminality and a demo disc of the first game.[9][10][11][12] The series was compiled three times. The first DVD boxset was released on October 26, 2004 by the name .hack//Sign – Complete Collection, and the second, more affordable one on August 22, 2006 by the name .hack//Sign: Anime Legends Complete Collection. Neither of these releases contains the OVA episode "Unison".[13][14] The third, named .hack//Sign: The Complete Series, was released by Funimation in 2015. This release contains the OVA episode "Unison".

Television episodes

No. Title Original airdate English airdate
1"Role Play"
"rouru purei" (ロールプレイ)		April 4, 2002 (2002-04-04)February 1, 2003 (2003-02-01)
Tsukasa wakes up to find himself in The World, but he has no idea why he is there, and is not sure who he is. The situation worsens when he discovers he is trapped in the game.
2"Guardian"
"gadeian" (ガーディアン)		April 11, 2002 (2002-04-11)February 8, 2003 (2003-02-08)
Mimiru and Bear are concerned about Tsukasa's inability to log out. Meanwhile, the Crimson Knights treat him as an illegal character. Tsukasa decides to meet Mimiru and Bear to show them his guardian monster.
3"Folklore"
"denshou" (伝承)		April 18, 2002 (2002-04-18)February 15, 2003 (2003-02-15)
BT suggests Tsukasa is related to the legendary item, the Key of the Twilight and Sora suspects the same. Bear tells Subaru that Tsukasa may instead be a victim of a bigger problem.
4"Wanted"
"shimeitehai" (指名手配)		April 24, 2002 (2002-04-24)February 22, 2003 (2003-02-22)
Tsukasa's guardian has been uncontrollably attacking characters. Wanting to talk with him, Subaru gives the order to make him a 'wanted' on all servers of The World.
5"Captured"
"toriko shuu" (虜囚)		May 1, 2002 (2002-05-01)March 28, 2003 (2003-03-28)
Tsukasa, now in hiding, learns to control his guardian. Silver Knight and Sora plot a double-cross to lure Tsukasa out, and have him trapped by the Knights.
6"Encounter"
"enkaunto" (エンカウント)		May 8, 2002 (2002-05-08)April 5, 2003 (2003-04-05)
In captivity, Subaru talks with Tsukasa and she finds out just how real The World has become to him. She decides to release him, but they are interrupted as Sora arrives to 'rescue' him.
7"Reason"
"riyuu" (理由)		May 15, 2002 (2002-05-15)April 12, 2003 (2003-04-12)
Mimiru meets an inexperienced player, A20, and helps her to learn the ways of The World. Through her, Mimiru answers her own question of why she plays the game.
8"Promise"
"yakusoku" (約束)		May 22, 2002 (2002-05-22)April 19, 2003 (2003-04-19)
Wanting to meet up with Tsukasa once more, Mimiru sends him mail asking him to meet at a certain place. She intends to wait there, for however long, until he appears. BT meets Crim and ask for his help in searching for the Key of the Twilight.
9"Epitaph"
"エピタフ" (epitafu)		May 29, 2002 (2002-05-29)April 26, 2003 (2003-04-26)
The investigation into the Key of the Twilight begins, and it seems they will get the help of the hacker Helba. Tsukasa encounters a player who asks him to watch her Puchiguso, (or Grunty in the English version) which turns out to be sick.
10"Compensation"
"daishou koui" (代償行為)		June 5, 2002 (2002-06-05)May 3, 2003 (2003-05-03)
Bear deals with being an inadequate father when BT tells him that may explain his concern for Tsukasa. Subaru and Tsukasa become closer while BT and Crim delve further into BBS clues concerning the Key of the Twilight.
11"Party"
"pateii" (パーティー)		June 12, 2002 (2002-06-12)May 10, 2003 (2003-05-10)
Mimiru and Bear decide to take on a non-fighting quest, forming a party with Tsukasa. Sora decides to come after Tsukasa.
12"Entanglement"
"sakusou" (錯綜)		June 19, 2002 (2002-06-19)May 17, 2003 (2003-05-17)
Tsukasa is shocked to see Aura covered in vines as Morganna asks him if he really wants to return to 'that filthy world'. Bear and Subaru discuss what will happen to Tsukasa's player when and if he wakes up.
13"Twilight Eye"
"tasogare no me" (黄昏の眼)		June 26, 2002 (2002-06-26)May 24, 2003 (2003-05-24)
The players have figured out how to open the Twilight Eye, and to follow the path it reveals. BT and Crim are going in, but BT is plotting something with Sora. With the help of Helba, Bear, Mimiru, and Tsukasa are able to follow.
14"Castle"
"gyaku shiro toshi" (逆城都市)		July 3, 2002 (2002-07-03)May 31, 2003 (2003-05-31)
After opening the Eye, BT, and Crim find a hidden area and begin their search for the key. Bear, Mimiru and Tsukasa arrive too. They find not the Key, but a fragmented AI version of "Harald Hoerwick". After speaking to him the place begins to break apart and Morganna attacks Tsukasa. After Bear falls down in the cliff, Macha orders the guardian to kill Mimiru, but instead kills Tsukasa as he sacrifices himself to save her. Tsukasa finally logs off immediately after his death.
14.5 (27)"Evidence"
"shou" (証)		July 10, 2002 (2002-07-10)June 7, 2003 (2003-06-07)
An overview of the series so far using a series of flashbacks.
15"Depth"
"shinen" (深淵)		July 17, 2002 (2002-07-17)June 14, 2003 (2003-06-14)
After the incident, Tsukasa suddenly logs in and screaming at the same time at Morganna's domain. He learns he cannot die in this place and begins to doubt his own existence. Tsukasa finds Subaru and she reassures him of his situation.
16"Conflict"
"konfurikuto" (コンフリクト)		July 24, 2002 (2002-07-24)June 21, 2003 (2003-06-21)
BT asks Crim to meet outside the game and is rejected. She vents her anger on Subaru. Later, she joins some characters who want her help only to find out they have tricked her. She is saved by Tsukasa and the meaning of her name is revealed.
17"Declaration"
"sengen" (宣言)		July 31, 2002 (2002-07-31)June 28, 2003 (2003-06-28)
Silver Knight foils every attempt Subaru makes to meet Tsukasa and his friends, believing that someone of her stature and responsibility should have nothing to do with an illegal character like Tsukasa. When Subaru becomes aware of this, and realizes how far they have deviated from their original purpose, she decides to disband the Crimson Knights.
18"Recollection"
"tsuioku" (追憶)		August 7, 2002 (2002-08-07)July 5, 2003 (2003-07-05)
Subaru wanders The World, recalling her first steps in the game and how she and Crim founded the Crimson Knights. Unprotected, she is attacked by another character, and Tsukasa finds her badly beaten. They bond even closer and we see a glimpse of the real life Subaru.
19"Tempest"
"arashi" (嵐)		August 14, 2002 (2002-08-14)July 12, 2003 (2003-07-12)
Tsukasa takes Subaru to Aura's domain but when they get there Aura is missing. Meanwhile, the others follow Bear's suggestion to finalize the search for the Key of the Twilight. Subaru meets Mimiru and tells her about Aura but thinks she shouldn't have left Tsukasa alone there. Morganna attacks Tsukasa and he is left lifeless on the bed.
20"Despair"
"zetsubou" (絶望)		August 21, 2002 (2002-08-21)July 19, 2003 (2003-07-19)
Tsukasa is left catatonic by Morganna and Macha begins to feel sorry for him. Unbeatable, distorted monsters begin to appear in The World and the others decide to seek Helba's help to talk again with the AI Harald.
21"Phantom"
"yuurei" (幽霊)		August 28, 2002 (2002-08-28)July 26, 2003 (2003-07-26)
Bear, Mimiru, and Subaru travel to another fragment of the AI Harald, encounter another unbeatable monster, but are saved by Balmung. From Harald, they learn about Aura and her connection with Tsukasa.
22"The Eve"
"zenya" (前夜)		September 4, 2002 (2002-09-04)August 2, 2003 (2003-08-02)
All the characters but Tsukasa meet to pass through Helba's gate. Tsukasa is scared to go, but Crim tells him of Subaru's condition in real life. The gate appears and they enter, except for Subaru who is determined to wait for Tsukasa.
23"Net Slum"
"netto suramu" (ネットスラム)		September 18, 2002 (2002-09-18)August 16, 2003 (2003-08-16)
Tsukasa arrives and the party reaches Net Slum, Helba's domain. Helba reveals Morganna's plan, and Tsukasa reveals to Subaru that he is a girl in real life. The party realize they must defend Subaru from Morganna, since Morganna wants Tsukasa to be in despair. Tsukasa decides that he wants to meet Subaru in real life.
24"Catastrophe"
"katasutorofu" (カタストロフ)		September 18, 2002 (2002-09-18)August 23, 2003 (2003-08-23)
The party retreats to the Cathedral to guard Subaru and Tsukasa. Morganna sends Sora and four guardians after them. During the battle, Tsukasa finds courage. Macha disobeys Morganna, and sacrifices herself to save Tsukasa and Subaru. Enraged, Morganna transports Tsukasa, Subaru, and Mimiru to an unknown area.
25"Return"
"kikan" (帰還)		September 25, 2002 (2002-09-25)August 30, 2003 (2003-08-30)
Despite Morganna's tricks, Tsukasa, Subaru and Mimiru reach Aura. With Subaru as his strength, Tsukasa finds the courage to defy Morganna and awakens Aura, allowing him to log out. Tsukasa, now confirmed to be a girl, wakes up from her coma. Leaving the hospital, she is met by a girl in a wheelchair, who is Subaru's player.

OVA

No. Title Original airdate English airdate
26"Intermezzo"2003 (2003)June 7, 2003 (2003-06-07)
About 2 years before .hack//Sign, Mimiru is playing as an earlier character. She and her selfish companion meet a Long Arm named Mimika, a character controlled by three girls. Mimika sacrifices her character, teaching Mimiru the meaning of the game.
28"Unison"2003 (2003)N/A
One month after the events of .hack//Quarantine, Tsukasa returns to The World for the first time after the events in .hack//Sign and joins several other characters from both the anime series and the .hack games in a celebration at Net Slum hosted by Helba. During the party, Tsukasa notices Sora and invites him to join. He dances with Subaru, and they greet Aura who is looking down from the sky. Due to the appearance of Sora (following him being Data Drained by Skeith in episode 26), it is questionable if this OVA is considered canon or not; however, it could be explained by the A.I. copy of Sora featured in .hack//Quarantine's post-game. This OVA is considered to be Episode 28.

References

  1. ↑ ".hack//Sign Discography". Victor Entertainment (in Japanese). Retrieved January 21, 2007.
  2. 1 2 ".hack//Sign News". Anime News Network. Retrieved January 14, 2007.
  3. ↑ Toole, Mike (October 16, 2003). ".hack//Sign Review". Anime Jump. Archived from the original on September 26, 2007. Retrieved January 20, 2007.
  4. ↑ ".hack//Sign". TV.com. Retrieved February 28, 2007.
  5. ↑ ".hack//Sign". Bandai Entertainment. Archived from the original on December 17, 2007. Retrieved January 19, 2007.
  6. ↑ ".hack//Sign — Limited Edition (Version 6.0) – Terminus". Bandai Entertainment. Archived from the original on December 24, 2007. Retrieved January 14, 2007.
  7. ↑ Ross, Carlos. ".hack//Sign Review". THEM Anime Reviews. Archived from the original on October 9, 2007. Retrieved August 14, 2007.
  8. ↑ ".hack//Sign News". Anime News Network. Retrieved January 14, 2007.
  9. ↑ ".hack//Sign — Limited Edition (Version 1.0) – Login". Bandai Entertainment. Archived from the original on November 13, 2007. Retrieved December 29, 2008.
  10. ↑ ".hack//Sign — Limited Edition (Version 2.0) – Outcast". Bandai Entertainment. Archived from the original on November 17, 2007. Retrieved December 29, 2008.
  11. ↑ ".hack//Sign — Limited Edition (Version 3.0) – Gestalt". Bandai Entertainment. Archived from the original on November 13, 2007. Retrieved December 29, 2008.
  12. ↑ ".hack//Sign — Limited Edition (Version 4.0) – Omnipotence". Bandai Entertainment. Archived from the original on November 16, 2007. Retrieved December 29, 2008.
  13. ↑ ".hack//Sign — Complete Collection". Bandai Entertainment. Archived from the original on December 24, 2007. Retrieved January 14, 2007.
  14. ↑ ".hack//Sign: Anime Legends Complete Collection". Bandai Entertainment. Archived from the original on December 24, 2007. Retrieved January 14, 2007.
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