.hack

.hack//* has been an entertaining multiple-media experiment, crossing over storylines in games, TV anime, OVA, manga, and novels. After completing the 4th game, .hack//Quarantine last night, I have now finished all parts of the main story, excepting the novels. Each piece exists nicely on its own (with the possible exception of the OVA, which really supplements the games and shows what is going on in the real world at the same time as the games), but they also tie together to give a broader story. Familiarity with one aspect of the story adds to the enjoyment of the others; besides a better understanding of the root story, there are numerous references, cross-overs, and inside jokes you will get. For instance, the game features cameos from the TV anime characters and items, while the TV anime and manga reference areas and events in the games.

Nowhere is this crossover more entertaining than in .hack//GIFT (pictured above), a bonus pardoy episode on the last OVA disc. It has characters from both the games and the TV anime, and is full of self-referrential humor and inside jokes. The basic plot has Orca killing Bear (who both look similar) and pretending to be him, since Orca was knocked out in the beginning of the games and never got to do anything. Meanwhile, the other characters try to find the killer / find a hot spring ... with BlackRose and Mimiru (who look similar) constantly fighting, as well as Tsubasa constantly bludgeoning/abusing the Silver Night. Very odd and very amusing if you are familiar with both the games and the TV anime.

Overall, the .hack franchise has been a fun ride. I plan on getting the novel, .hack//AI Buster eventually. There are other novels slated for release in the US, as well as another game, .hack//G.U. coming out down the road. If you are an anime/RPG, I certainly recommend giving at least the TV anime a look.