AoD Advance Review: .hack//Legend of the Twilight Vol. #1

[Chris Beveridge]

Review (http://www.animeondvd.com/reviews2/disc_reviews/2949.php)

[Fencedude]

I don't like this series much.

In fact, I never watched the final episode. But I do understand why people like it.

[Rogueman_8]

[ QUOTE ]
Fencedude said:
I don't like this series much.

In fact, I never watched the final episode. But I do understand why people like it.

[/ QUOTE ]

because of more action /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif?

[untoldsorrow]

Chris, that promo pack is awesome...I wish we get that instead of just the soundtrack...that t-shirt is uber sweet. Hope it comes out fpr sale b/c I would pick it up. That promo pack and the review are starting to tempt me into getting the series since it does have action, from what i heard.

[neaux]

This is on my must buy list! It should come out the tuesday before Animazement, so I'll pick it up at the convention.

[AbeChinchilla]

I've seen the series, and I don't it's all that great (much prefer the original manga). But I will pick it up the series because it's ".hack" and because the show's just so cute and adorable!

[pianocello]

[ QUOTE ]
Rogueman_8 said:
[ QUOTE ]
Fencedude said:
I don't like this series much.

In fact, I never watched the final episode. But I do understand why people like it.

[/ QUOTE ]

because of more action /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif?

[/ QUOTE ]


More like .hack//incest

[bakafoo]

[ QUOTE ]
Rogueman_8 said:
[ QUOTE ]
Fencedude said:
I don't like this series much.

In fact, I never watched the final episode. But I do understand why people like it.

[/ QUOTE ]

because of more action /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif?

[/ QUOTE ]

No..<span style='color:#dddddd;background:#dddddd'> Because nothing gets resolved really in the end. </span>

[bakafoo]

[ QUOTE ]
untoldsorrow said:
Chris, that promo pack is awesome...I wish we get that instead of just the soundtrack...that t-shirt is uber sweet. Hope it comes out fpr sale b/c I would pick it up. That promo pack and the review are starting to tempt me into getting the series since it does have action, from what i heard.

[/ QUOTE ]

Agreed. IMO, they should have just packed in the shirt along instead of the card game.

[maehara]

I voted neutral, although I'm buying it anyway. There are times when it's just too cute...

[The_Mahou]

I liked the manga, so of course I'm going to pick this up!

[DeadlyMessiah]

Question, is Cubia in this series? I mean seeing as how Cubia and the bracelet are suppose to be connected with each other, I think it is only right that he appears in this series at least once.

[Fencedude]

[ QUOTE ]
DeadlyMessiah said:
Question, is Cubia in this series? I mean seeing as how Cubia and the bracelet are suppose to be connected with each other, I think it is only right that he appears in this series at least once.

[/ QUOTE ]

Unless he suddenly showed up in episode 12, no.

[DeadlyMessiah]

[ QUOTE ]
Fencedude said:
[ QUOTE ]
DeadlyMessiah said:
Question, is Cubia in this series? I mean seeing as how Cubia and the bracelet are suppose to be connected with each other, I think it is only right that he appears in this series at least once.

[/ QUOTE ]

Unless he suddenly showed up in episode 12, no.

[/ QUOTE ]

Damn that sucks.

As for the series itself, I have only read the first volume to the manga. I am not sure what I think of it, it was funny, but not as dark as SIGN or the games. I can't wait to hear the soundtrack, as they should help make it more interesting.

[AbeChinchilla]

[ QUOTE ]
DeadlyMessiah said:
As for the series itself, I have only read the first volume to the manga. I am not sure what I think of it, it was funny, but not as dark as SIGN or the games. I can't wait to hear the soundtrack, as they should help make it more interesting.

[/ QUOTE ]

The manga is pretty much supposed to be comedic and more childish (to an extent). The anime does a really good job of straying away from the manga though.

If you're expecting Yuki Kajiura music... it's not here.
The soundtrack is a mixed bag. I really don't like it. It matches the new envioroment and art style, but that's it.

As for Cubia, she doesn't appear from what I recall.

[HawkEyeTS]

[ QUOTE ]
DeadlyMessiah said:
Question, is Cubia in this series? I mean seeing as how Cubia and the bracelet are suppose to be connected with each other, I think it is only right that he appears in this series at least once.

[/ QUOTE ]

Spoiler for Game 4 About Cubia (And Why It Probably Wouldn't Appear in .hack//Chibi)
<span style='color:#dddddd;background:#dddddd'>Cubia is actually a system protection program built into Fragment (and them imported into The World when the game design was carried over) to insure the safety of major system components from hacking. The reason it appeared around Kite was because it deemed Aura as an necessary piece for The World to function, and when Kite came into contact with her while in posession of the bracelet the program was activated. It then copies Kite's user data and wrote that level of strength to itself (what it deemd was necessary to erase the illegal item) and attacked. That's why Cubia gains in size and strength as Kite levels up throughout the games.

Now, you could argue that by this logic, Cubia should have appeared if Shugo came into contact with Aura again. The only thing I could come up with is either Aura found and erased the Cubia program after the events in the games settled down, or Shugo didn't use the bracelet often enough to have the system mark him as a threat. Afterall, Kite used the bracelet's power consistantly, including using it to defeat the Phases of the wave (which consequently unleashed massive data infection waves the first couple times). This probably marked him as a much higher class threat to the system than someone modding a monster or two occasionally and causing no overall damage from it.</span>

Yes, I realize I'm longwinded about anything .hack /images/graemlins/wink.gif

[Jigen_Daisuke]

[ QUOTE ]
DeadlyMessiah said:
[ QUOTE ]
Fencedude said:
[ QUOTE ]
DeadlyMessiah said:
Question, is Cubia in this series? I mean seeing as how Cubia and the bracelet are suppose to be connected with each other, I think it is only right that he appears in this series at least once.

[/ QUOTE ]

Unless he suddenly showed up in episode 12, no.

[/ QUOTE ]

Damn that sucks.

As for the series itself, I have only read the first volume to the manga. I am not sure what I think of it, it was funny, but not as dark as SIGN or the games. I can't wait to hear the soundtrack, as they should help make it more interesting.

[/ QUOTE ]

Apart from the non-Kajiura Yuki soundtrack in general, there are several songs, including the opening theme, "NEW WORLD," performed by ROUND TABLE featuring Nino*; the ending theme, "Emerald Green," performed by See-Saw; the insert song, "Beautiful" (episode 4), performed by ROUND TABLE featuring Nino; and the insert song, "Dawn" (episode 10), performed by Takahashi Mai.

Off the top of my head, these are the songs heard on the .hack//Legend of the Twilight anime.

*ROUND TABLE featuring Nino perform the opening theme for Chobits, "Let Me Be With You."

[Jigen_Daisuke]

It's a cute series.

[Stoneious]

<span style='color:#dddddd;background:#dddddd'>Cubia didn't show up until Kite actually killed Skeith, a part of Morganna who is a major part of the true reason why the world existed. Since he never really attacked any major part of the system with it in this show I'd say that is why cubia doesn't show up. At least that'd be my guess.</span>

[DeadlyMessiah]

[ QUOTE ]
Stoneious said:
<span style='color:#dddddd;background:#dddddd'>Cubia didn't show up until Kite actually killed Skeith, a part of Morganna who is a major part of the true reason why the world existed. Since he never really attacked any major part of the system with it in this show I'd say that is why cubia doesn't show up. At least that'd be my guess.</span>

[/ QUOTE ]

What's with all the spoiler tags? Everyone that was going to play the game has probably done so by now. Besides, this series takes place after the games, so there would obviously be spoilers in this post.

[Chris Beveridge]

[ QUOTE ]
DeadlyMessiah said:
[ QUOTE ]
Stoneious said:
<span style='color:#dddddd;background:#dddddd'>Cubia didn't show up until Kite actually killed Skeith, a part of Morganna who is a major part of the true reason why the world existed. Since he never really attacked any major part of the system with it in this show I'd say that is why cubia doesn't show up. At least that'd be my guess.</span>

[/ QUOTE ]

What's with all the spoiler tags? Everyone that was going to play the game has probably done so by now. Besides, this series takes place after the games, so there would obviously be spoilers in this post.

[/ QUOTE ]

It's a common courtesy and greatly appreciated. It takes little effort and DOES save those who are still playing the games from any spoilers. While the die-hards may have slammed through each game as they came out, there are plenty of casual gamers who are still working their way through them and deserve a bit of courtesy.

[Stoneious]

I prefer to be careful and not get yelled at by the few people who would get angry.

Oh and bandai, I'm still pissed at you for the advertisements for volume 4 of the game and the couple of major spoilers that were in it. Even after finishing the game.

[Sapphire]

[ QUOTE ]
DeadlyMessiah said:
What's with all the spoiler tags? Everyone that was going to play the game has probably done so by now. Besides, this series takes place after the games, so there would obviously be spoilers in this post.

[/ QUOTE ]

I haven't played the 4th game - I'm waiting for a price drop.

Also, this series aired before all the games were out. In Japan. So talking about it does not automatically imply spoilers for the final game.

Mariela

[GetBackersFreak]

Considering this .hack series, even though it isn't actual .hack canon is like ten times as entertaining as //SIGN, of COURSE it's a positive release in my book!
Chibi Hack rox.

[AbeChinchilla]

[ QUOTE ]
Stoneious said:
I prefer to be careful and not get yelled at by the few people who would get angry.

Oh and bandai, I'm still pissed at you for the advertisements for volume 4 of the game and the couple of major spoilers that were in it. Even after finishing the game.

[/ QUOTE ]

They used the part 4 trailer? Ugh. Bad choice. /images/graemlins/depresse.gif
That trailer really does spoil a hell lot. Especially in the beginning... /images/graemlins/cry00000.gif (My friend got really irritated when he downloaded it off the website, since he's still playing part 1)
Should of sticked with the "compilation" trailer they have up on the .hack website instead.

[DeadlyMessiah]

[ QUOTE ]
GBF said:
Considering this .hack series, even though it isn't actual .hack canon is like ten times as entertaining as //SIGN, of COURSE it's a positive release in my book!
Chibi Hack rox.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hmm, looks pretty canon to me. It does take place 4 yrs later.

[Zorak]

[ QUOTE ]
DeadlyMessiah said:
What's with all the spoiler tags? Everyone that was going to play the game has probably done so by now.

[/ QUOTE ]

I still haven't played the 4th game, so the spoiler tags are greatly appreciated.

[Stoneious]

The trailer didn't really bother me. It was the ads in newtype and such.

[GetBackersFreak]

[ QUOTE ]
DeadlyMessiah said:
[ QUOTE ]
GBF said:
Considering this .hack series, even though it isn't actual .hack canon is like ten times as entertaining as //SIGN, of COURSE it's a positive release in my book!
Chibi Hack rox.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hmm, looks pretty canon to me. It does take place 4 yrs later.

[/ QUOTE ]

The manga is canon, but the anime is not. The anime was just a sidestory made by BeeTrain. It was not canon to the actual .hack series.

[AbeChinchilla]

[ QUOTE ]
GBF said:
The manga is canon, but the anime is not. The anime was just a sidestory made by BeeTrain. It was not canon to the actual .hack series.

[/ QUOTE ]

I wouldn't really accept the anime //LOT to be "canon" anyways.
The ending doesn't solve anything.

I hope the ending of the manga is much more better.

[GetBackersFreak]

[ QUOTE ]
AbeChinchilla said:
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GBF said:
The manga is canon, but the anime is not. The anime was just a sidestory made by BeeTrain. It was not canon to the actual .hack series.

[/ QUOTE ]

I wouldn't really accept the anime //LOT to be "canon" anyways.
The ending doesn't solve anything.

I hope the ending of the manga is much more better.

[/ QUOTE ]


Supposedly, it is.

[HawkEyeTS]

[ QUOTE ]
Stoneious said:
The trailer didn't really bother me. It was the ads in newtype and such.

[/ QUOTE ]

<span style='color:#dddddd;background:#dddddd'>That one with the shattered bracelet?</span> That one really threw me for a loop trying to figure out why they'd advertise such a big part of the last game...

[Hayate Kurogane]

Time to revive this thread! /images/graemlins/happy.gif

Voted neutral already, having not even watched the disc yet. We've got another potential problem with disc playability (http://forums.animeondvd.com/showthreaded.php?Cat=&amp;Number=492406&amp;page=0&amp;view=co llapsed&amp;sb=5&amp;o=&amp;fpart=1). It'll be interesting to hear if this thing works for people with the Pioneer players that wouldn't play s-CRY-ed volume 4 properly. C'mon, Bandai! I miss the days when wholesale prices were higher, but all the discs would work. Thus, a preemptive strike against the disc for me. I've contacted Bandai and asked for a replacement. We'll see.

Another negative: the OST. Now, I'm not talking about content (which was fun, although I do miss Yuki Kajiura's music) or packaging (although I find it odd that the cover reads only ".hack//", as if someone wasn't paying attention at all and "Legend of the Twilight" wasn't properly placed into the final design before printing) or anything of that sort. I'm talking about how it was included in the box. And how was that, you ask? Placed loosely inside the cardboard insert in the box, allowing it to flop wildly around, chipping the outside of the jewel case and breaking off most of the hub pieces, allowing the disc to flop around inside the jewel case and get scratched up by said hub pieces. Argh! Was no one at Bandai thinking about this?! Mine plays fine, luckily, but I hope that they're ready to offer replacements to people whose copies are scratched to all hell and aren't as lucky as me, "lucky" being relative.

Well, with those two very big negatives out of the way, let's hit some positives.

The box is pretty. One side features Shugo, Rena, and Aura. The other side features Balmung, some character I don't know, and Rena again. The spine features a big, gaudy series logo, continuing Bandai's unfortunate box spine trend, with a little Grunty at the top. The top features another image of Shugo and Rena. The bottom features Ouka in wolf form, plus all the usual text. The series logo appears on all sides. I'm very sad that Mireille and Ouka in sexy human form get no box love. /images/graemlins/cry00000.gif The box is sized to fit the three discs the series will span. The box is Geneon-sturdy. (Wow, a sturdy 3-disc box! Who'd've guessed? /images/graemlins/wink.gif /images/graemlins/tongue.gif)

We've all seen the cover for volume 1 by now. The insert reproduces that image, and unfolds to feature a rather unimpressive mini-poster of Shugo and Rena and the series logo. The back lists the credits info. I'm not sure if we knew this or not, but the dub is another PCB dub with a variety of familiar voices.

The whole thing also comes with a card from the .hack//ENEMY CCG that I guess is supposed to be exclusive to this box set. Kind of neat, and partially shiny, but I've never played the game so it doesn't count as much of an extra for me.

Now to dig out the standalone player so I can actually watch this thing...

[AbeChinchilla]

oooo! Could you post the English dub cast list? In the English forum??

I want to know! /images/graemlins/happy.gif

(Sad to hear about the CD being loose though)

[EmperorBrandon]

[ QUOTE ]
AbeChinchilla said:
oooo! Could you post the English dub cast list? In the English forum??

I want to know! /images/graemlins/happy.gif



[/ QUOTE ]

BigPants posted a cast list of several of the main characters on the Dub Review forums (http://www.dubreview.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=703):

Shugo - Bryce Papenbrook
Rena - Allison Keith
Mireille - Sandy Fox
Ohka - Paula Tiso
Hotaru - Carrie Gordon
Sanjuro - Steve Blum
Balmung - Crispin Freeman
Reki - Liam Christopher O'Brien
Aura - Lia Sargent
Komiyan the Third - Brian Silva

[AbeChinchilla]

[ QUOTE ]
EmperorBrandon said:
BigPants posted a cast list of several of the main characters on the Dub Review forums (http://www.dubreview.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=703)

[/ QUOTE ]

Hey, thanks Brandon! (and thanks to BigPants too!)

[ QUOTE ]
EmperorBrandon said:
Mireille - Sandy Fox
Ohka - Paula Tiso
Sanjuro - Steve Blum
Balmung - Crispin Freeman

[/ QUOTE ]

WHOA!!! Paula Tiso as Ouka!!! I gotta hear this dub!!

[bakafoo]

[ QUOTE ]
EmperorBrandon said:
Rena - Allison Keith

[/ QUOTE ]

Allison Keith?! What's she doing there? Did she move?

[bakafoo]

Hmm.. judging by all of that, it's off to get just the STD version then. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

[AbeChinchilla]

[ QUOTE ]
bakaBANG-BANG said:
Allison Keith?! What's she doing there? Did she move?

[/ QUOTE ]

I think she already lived there (recently), and that she flew down to Houston for any recent IS&amp;M dub work...

[Jigen_Daisuke]

Well, more discouraging news about the playability of certain Bandai DVDs. Thanks for letting us know.

[martod]

[ QUOTE ]
EmperorBrandon said:

Shugo - Bryce Papenbrook
Rena - Allison Keith


[/ QUOTE ]

Hmm. I thought Shugo and Rena would be played by the dub voices of Kite and Blackrose from the games since they use the same character models.

[Fencedude]

[ QUOTE ]
marko said:
[ QUOTE ]
EmperorBrandon said:

Shugo - Bryce Papenbrook
Rena - Allison Keith


[/ QUOTE ]

Hmm. I thought Shugo and Rena would be played by the dub voices of Kite and Blackrose from the games since they use the same character models.

[/ QUOTE ]

But they aren't Kite and Blackrose, so that would be odd.

[BigPants]

[ QUOTE ]
Hey, thanks Brandon! (and thanks to BigPants too!)

[/ QUOTE ]

No problem. /images/graemlins/happy.gif The dub is very nice too, I think. Bryce Papenbrook really surprised me in his role as Shugo, as I've never heard of him before, but he did excellent.

[EmperorBrandon]

[ QUOTE ]
Fencedude said:
[ QUOTE ]
marko said:

Hmm. I thought Shugo and Rena would be played by the dub voices of Kite and Blackrose from the games since they use the same character models.

[/ QUOTE ]

But they aren't Kite and Blackrose, so that would be odd.

[/ QUOTE ]

Not to mention that their Japanese voices are different as well.

[Shiroi Hane]

I'm sure her name was written onscreen at one point as Ouka, so using Ohka would be a bit unfortunate?

[AbeChinchilla]

[ QUOTE ]
Shiroi Hane said:
I'm sure her name was written onscreen at one point as Ouka, so using Ohka would be a bit unfortunate?

[/ QUOTE ]

Darn.

"Orca" in the first print of manga vol. 1, corrected as "Ouka" later on, and now the DVD release from Bandai uses "Ohka"? /images/graemlins/stunned0.gif

[EmperorBrandon]

[ QUOTE ]
Shiroi Hane said:
I'm sure her name was written onscreen at one point as Ouka, so using Ohka would be a bit unfortunate?

[/ QUOTE ]

There's not much difference anyway. It's the same as arguing whether Michiru's (in Sailor Moon) last name is "Kaiou" or "Kaioh". The "u" and the "h" after the "o" both carry the same meaning (making the "o" sound longer).

I wouldn't trust what's written onscreen entirely, either. For instance, in Hand Maid May, Cyberdoll Sara's name was written as "Sala" several times onscreen, but that doesn't make "Sala" correct. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

Conditional positive. Why? It was fun, it was cute... but it just feels... different. I like different and there's definitely nothin' wrong with that. So make no mistake, I enjoyed it.

However... Shugo and Rena just have creepy moments between the two of 'em. Not totally creepy, but... somewhat creepy enough. Balmung is hilarious, and just... freaky. Ohka is a wolf-girl and I like animal girls. Feline or not, she's a fun character.

Great animation, the opening rocks (and I like the acoustic version on the CD), and it was just a fun little romp. Rock on.

I will be getting the rest, as I left feeling entertained. It's something I'll watch again, but probably not super-mega much. I dig it, and the package was nice.

[MalrocK]

It was sooooo cute that I wanted to scream!!!! /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif. But that's a big positive for me, I love cute things /images/graemlins/catgirl0.gif. I almost feel out of my chair when Shugo was attacking the air way in the back when everyone was fighting monsters /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif. I actually like this series more than I liked the original .hack which I really enjoyed. It's a shame that this is going to be such a short series, I would really love to watch 26 episodes of this. Great stuff!

[AbeChinchilla]

[ QUOTE ]
Malrock said:
It was sooooo cute that I wanted to scream!!!! /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif. But that's a big positive for me, I love cute things /images/graemlins/catgirl0.gif. I almost feel out of my chair when Shugo was attacking the air way in the back when everyone was fighting monsters /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif. I actually like this series more than I liked the original .hack which I really enjoyed. It's a shame that this is going to be such a short series, I would really love to watch 26 episodes of this. Great stuff!

[/ QUOTE ]

There's the original manga too you know... much more funnier. /images/graemlins/happy.gif

I really liked Shugo's "leveling up" too. /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

EDIT: Ack, this is the first time I called Shugo "Kite"...

[chrono1975]

I thought this was better than .Hack
because I did not have to deal with
tsukasa's whining and the characters
are just adorable!

Ai to yuuki no rare hunter!!!

[Grimmjow Jeagerjaques]

I LOVE this frickin' series!! It's everything .Hack//SIGN should have been. No more watching the other characters wait for Tsukasa to get his head out of his ass. No more obliviousness to the MMORPG world. No more watching characters with potential be boring because they're busy waiting for Tsukasa to get his head out of his ass. It's just a great show /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif. The manga's better than the anime huh? I know what manga series I'm collecting next. Yu-Gi-Oh's going on hiatus for awhile. Plus the ending theme is one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard. There's so much to like about this show. I wish it was more than three volumes /images/graemlins/depresse.gif. Did I mention I LOVE this frickin' series!! /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif.

[Fieri]

[ QUOTE ]
bakaBANG-BANG said:
[ QUOTE ]
untoldsorrow said:
Chris, that promo pack is awesome...I wish we get that instead of just the soundtrack...that t-shirt is uber sweet. Hope it comes out fpr sale b/c I would pick it up. That promo pack and the review are starting to tempt me into getting the series since it does have action, from what i heard.

[/ QUOTE ]

Agreed. IMO, they should have just packed in the shirt along instead of the card game.

[/ QUOTE ]

This shirt? (http://home.san.rr.com/fieri/shirt.jpg) /images/graemlins/wink.gif
I managed to pick it up during PMX from the Bandai booth /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

[HawkEyeTS]

[ QUOTE ]
Fieri said:
This shirt? (http://home.san.rr.com/fieri/shirt.jpg) /images/graemlins/wink.gif
I managed to pick it up during PMX from the Bandai booth /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Bring some along to Otakon guys. /images/graemlins/wink.gif Your t-shirts make up about 90% of my casual wear, so some new stuff would be great.

[Jigen_Daisuke]

I think I'll pick this up, even with player compatibility problems concerning the DVD. I know the content already, so that's not an issue.

[UsadaHikaru]

*super glomps Mireille &amp; chibi Aura* /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

This is my Tuesdays show so I watched ep1 today. Fun stuff but more serious then people were making it out to be. Works fine on my PC but on my PS2 it makes me enter the cursed parental control code when I hit the title button or when I wanna enter an episode. Annoying but I can deal. Any way blah! Data Drain looked weak. Curse you Bandai! I wanna see it animated properly! /images/graemlins/depresse.gif Now to go find and cut down the person who got me to believe Shugo and Rena were yuri sisters~~~

[AbeChinchilla]

[ QUOTE ]
Rabi~en~Rose said:
Data Drain looked weak. Curse you Bandai! I wanna see it animated properly! /images/graemlins/depresse.gif Now to go find and cut down the person who got me to believe Shugo and Rena were yuri sisters~~~

[/ QUOTE ]

I think they animated Data Drain best in .hack//UNISON. /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

[Freddo]

[ QUOTE ]
Fieri said:
This shirt? (http://home.san.rr.com/fieri/shirt.jpg) /images/graemlins/wink.gif
I managed to pick it up during PMX from the Bandai booth /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

I need to stab you now.

/images/graemlins/tongue.gif