.hack novels (AI Buster, Another Birth)

[Blu_Moon]

Here's a place for fans of the .hack novels to chat.

I just finished a copy edit for Another Birth (volume 1) and boy! This is a mythopoetic series with lots of great symbolism and endless possibilities! It's like The Matrix, but for young adults.

Feel free to talk in here about your favorite characters, what you liked about the books (and of course, what needs improvement--we are taking extra care, checking facts with fans of the anime and games in order to get every little thing right from here on out), and what similar titles you'd like to see in print.

Welcome everyone!

[Adrian_Alexander]

Kara Stambach = LUCKIEST PERSON IN THE WORLD!

Your job sounds like so much fun! You get to read great stories and then add in your own little spices to make it better.

I loved Ai buster volume one but I am having trouble finding volume two...

(Will Tokyopop be publishing the GU manga series?)

[Alphonse Elric]

i've only read the first one cuz i can't find the second one anywhere...
but there really good!

[PinkKirby]

I want to read it beacause i read the twillight one!

[Blu_Moon]

i've only read the first one cuz i can't find the second one anywhere...
but there really good!


It came out in February, but it might be selling so fast that shelves can't stay stocked. If you have the means, you can always buy it online here:

http://www.tokyopop.com/dbpage.php?page=product&productid=3769

[Adrian_Alexander]

Ack. I can't buy it online... I need to read the second one sooooo bad!

[ZJCitrusGraffiti]

I just LOVE all of your .hack properties!! So much that I was actually debating on whether or not to get TP's .hack//Legend of the Twilight manga box set and .hack//AI Buster 2 because of some things i saw.

.hack//AI Buster 2: I'm sure you've heard about the small typos, so I won't go there. But I love anything .hack so much that something even mildly not up to par will seriously be considered about before I'd buy it. I eventually bought one considering how rare TP re-publishes their titles.

[sorry if this is off-topic]
On the flip-side, .hack//Legend of the Twilight was re-printed soo many times, it was making my head spin. Here's a table of all prints I've encountered:

Color Pgs? TP Logo? Spine Shading? Cover Finish?
1st print:
v1: Yes ; Small ; Light Green ; Matte
v2: Yes ; Small ; Light Green ; Matte
v3: Yes ; Large ; Light Green ; Glossy
2nd print:
v1: No ; Large ; Light Green ; Glossy
v2: No ; Large ; Light Green ; Glossy
v3: No ; Large ; Dark Green ; Glossy
3rd print Box Set:
v1-3: ??? ; Large ; Dark Green ; ????

I'd have been MUCH happier if TP had kept it the way .hack started: 1)with the color pages, 2)with the SMALL TP logo, 3)with light green spine shading, and 4)with a matte finish on the covers. (unfortunately, all other covers have been glossy since)

[back onto the novels topic]
Now TP is printing Another Birth... What I noticed among the novels(AI Buster and Another Birth) from the TP official website is that these three confirmed volumes' (two from AI Buster and one from Another Birth) spines look like they are the begining of a rainbow(Purple, Magenta, Red-ish) If that's the direction TP is heading, I suggest that TP license and print all .hack//ZERO(all how-ever-many-volumes it is) BEFORE .hack//Another Birth sees the light of print. Or, if Another Birth v1 is set and ready for shipping(or dang close to it), then choose how-ever-many-colors-as-much-as-there-are-ZERO-volumes that would fit nicely in between the AI Buster and Another Birth spines. I suggest a Dark Red spine and similar colors for the 1-3(?) volume-long novel series.... And that was my main/original reason for this entire post: Would it be possible for TP to license .hack//ZERO?? (as far as I think I know, it's 2 or 3 volumes long)

[Adrian_Alexander]

There are many rumors floating around about .hack//ZERO. Like a few people say that it is seventeen volumes long while others say it is just one. It really confuses me...

[stickdeathgod]

I havent bought vol.2 yet but I bought Vol.1 and it was great I cant wait to get the second one

[ZJCitrusGraffiti]

But at least the fact that it exists in the first place ISN'T a rumor... I just want TokyoPop to release them all. (however many it is). My guess as to why the .hack// novels sell so well in the first place is that they're important to the overall story... They're not fan-made or re-tellings from the SAME Point Of View...(like some)

[Blu_Moon]

Wow, you have really thought a lot about the details of this, and that is awesome. Fans like you are a compliment to the fandom.

Just FYI--matte and gloss are about the same cost, but gloss is a little more. (And spot-gloss a lot more.) So when the .hack properties started making big sales, I think the decision to spend a little more on gloss was made. If lots of fans write in and say they hate it, I'll bring that up the next time we talk to Cover Design about it.

Would it be possible for TP to license .hack//ZERO?? (as far as I think I know, it's 2 or 3 volumes long)

In answer to your question, I think that if the .hack properties continue to resonate with fans and sell well, of course we'll try to license more. However, I just put some of the finishing touches on Another Birth today, so, I know that that will come out before anything else we might do. I hope that release order of things doesn't detract from enjoyment.

Yours, Kara

[miyu_chan454]

:D .hack is so cool!!!!!!!!!! I love it and it so interesting but book 2 was a little bit odd, was it just saying different parts of other characters to lead to the next.
but that was interesting to see how some characters met each other

[ZJCitrusGraffiti]

Matte vs. Gloss: I guess I'm picky. :o (i joke that i'm a perfectionist trapped in a slob's body) One of the criteria I have for anything I buy(if I remember) is how(mis-)handled is the product before I even buy it. On gloss, it's much easier to see fingerprints and such. Thus, I prefer matte.

Inside Covers: quick example because I know this is not the forum for it: I know the Japanese Love Hina manga had one panel 'comics' with words. Would have been nice if they were replicated onto the American graphic novels' inner covers. I think Fruits Basket has something like this already. (I wouldn't know. I don't buy Furuba)

Color Pages: the first copies of the .hack//Legend of the Twilight I bought already had the initial color pages in black and white(B&W) and I didn't have a problem back then because I thought TP would always do that and keep it that way. (I'll admit I was miffed at them being B&W at all [I could tell they were meant to be in color], but as long as .hack wasn't the ONLY title to "suffer" from it, I was ok.) Then I saw Chobits or something like that and it DID have color pages! Then I was ticked/peeved. *sigh* I've been looking for and successfully found the first two Twilight graphic novels with color pages...although one is matte and one is glossy. *dang* Please, could you tell me if the box set has those color pages? I'm afraid that if I open on in a book store *coughandgetcaughtcough* I may have to buy it.

Another Birth: I'm pretty sure that these 4 volumes have color pages. Will they stay in color when translated? I also don't know if there's any art on the inside covers, but if there is, would TP print them like I mentioned earlier?

AI Buster: I used to(and at times still do) "blame" the translator for any and all errors/mis-understanding I experienced in past graphic novels, but after reading one of the stories from the second volume(where Hokuto is the narrator), I empathize with the feelings/situations of those who work hard in bringing a foreign property and having to translate it in english. (did I phrase/say that sentence correctly, btw?) Oddly enough, I 'learned' that lesson in a .hack volume that had more typos than the .hack//Twilight volume with the Tanabata Festival arc.

[edit]
Fave Characters: This is one of those rare series/titles that I don't have a favorite...unless they all are! I usually stay away from main/centeral characters, but I love Tsukasa from the anime! (o_O! that's rare!) There are no pointless characters. Even the seeming pointless characters are crucial to the story at one point or another.

[Blu_Moon]

The thing about color pages--it's a different world for manga. Comics sell way more than novels--and with a higher print run, you can have a higher print cost. At this point, novels simply can't do color art and expect much of a profit. But we're always looking for cheaper ways to do color and hopefully novels will take off in the future, with large print runs that will allow color interior art. The editors are fans too, and more often than not, we're on your side--meaning, of course we'd love to keep in awesome color art and stickers and fun stuff like that. It all comes down to what are our perimeters. Luckily, those can often change for the better! ^_^

[Sukeny]

I've read the first AI Buster, the beginning was rather slow. But after that I got drawn into it so much.

[Klawzie]

Deffinately looking forward to picking these up. I have some .Hack manga, and I think I might enjoy the series better from the prose standpoint - gaining more insight into the 'universe' before I pick up more of the manga. ;)

[MikeyS]

Um... I have the first novel. I got it for my birthday a while back and as soon as I started reading it I couldn't stop! I mean I had a bunch of other manga and stuff I really wanted to read! (Like Saiyuki 4,5,6) But I couldn't put the thing down! It drew me in deeper into the world of .hack than I already was! I loved it! Lycoris was so cool with all her mysteriousness. And the first person perspective from Albierio was just wonderful! I can't wait to buy and read the next one!

[Shuu-chan]

I liked them both so much! Albireo was really cool and it was kind of too bad what happened. AI Buster volume 2 really gave some more insight. Especially about Hokuto.

[Shinigamiyoko]

Yup, they both were really good. We learned a whole bunch about Rena, Hotaru, Hokuto, Kamui, etc...^_^
The set I got of .hack//Twilight ended up being Glossy, Matte, and Glossy for the set repectively.


.hack//AI Buster made .hack//Legend of the Twilight make more sense, and it makes more sense if you watch .hack//SIGN and then it all should make more sense if you're going to watch .hack//Roots' anime...
It's amazing how the whole .hack// Universe connects. It's quite complex...

[Alphonse Elric]

BEST BOOKS EVER!!

[Academy185]

They are great books, but I don't like the translation errors on the second book.

[koda]

From the Gundam SEED Thread:

.hack//AI Buster
1. Saying that the One Sin attacks with the same element used against it (instead of the One Sin attacking with the opposite element used against it).
2. Albireo says Fire can beat Wood when in actuality, it justs does normal damage.
3. The "boy" that talks to Watarai aka "Albireo" is actually Saki Shibayama aka "Kamui", and it's a girl, not a guy. Another damn gender confusion. This IS story important because it makes it seem like Saki/Kamui isn't the new intern working with Albireo. Their relationship grows over time. Furthermore, in AI Buster 2, Albireo constantly refers to Saki/Kamui, and it makes it confusing to people who don't know any better because it is like "where did she come from?" It also helps show Saki/Kamui's developement from a total non-chalant n00b in the business to caring a great deal by the 4th story in AI Buster 2, as well as UdeDen.

.hack//AI Buster 2
1. Izumi Rei's name was spelled "Rei Idumi" on the cover. That is just plain impolite.
2. Albireo was called a Pole Arm instead of a LongArm on page 112. Interferes with canon knowledge of .hack.
3. In page 104, there's a picture of an AI named Rin. It's labelled Rin on this picture, but is called "Lin" throughout the book...
4. Refers to Ouka as "Orca" on page 150-152. You have no idea how confusing that is, because Ouka and Orca are totally different people. Ouka is a female werewolf with huge boobs, and Orca is a male Blade User from the .hack PS2 games. Mixing them is absolutely unacceptable because it intereferes with canon.
5. Saying that Mireille "...resembled a buff female knight wearing plate armor, with long, gray hair reaching down to her ankles, and an imprint of the fire Wave on her body." on page 151, when it is really describing Rena's character, Brigit. This, also, interferes with canon.
6. On page 90, the 4 LongArms that Tsukasa kills in SIGN are reffered to as Heavy Axeman. Also interferes with canon.
7. Called scanlation "scanaltion" on page 38.
8. Refers to Hidden Forbidden Holy Ground as "Hidden Forbidden Sacred" throughout the book. Also interferes with canon.
9. Called W. B. Yeats "W. B. Yates" on page 59 - the name seems to change in every Tokyo Pop .hack release. Also interferes with canon.
10. Called Morganna "Morgana" throughout the book. Also interferes with canon.
11. Switching between Emma Weilant and Emma Wielant throughout the book. Also interferes with canon.
12. Calling the TwinBl ades "Twin Users". Also interferes with canon.
13. It's BlackRose not Black Rose wtih a space. This has since been corrected on TokyoPop's webpage.

And here are some .hack//UdeDen errors as well:
1. In Volume 1 of Udeden at the character introduction page, it lists Ouka as Orca. AGAIN they are two entirely different characters.
2. Spear of Wotan was translated as the Spear of Voltan.
3. Shugo is called "Shuga" in the Prologue.
4. In volume 1 on page 42, Shugo is refered to as Kite.

[MikeyS]

The last two UdeDen errors are mistakes on your part bub.

3 = Rena using a little affection in Shugo's name

4 = Refers to the character model Kite which is "OH GOSH" the character model that Shugo uses.

[koda]

I posted a reply to you: A "scanaltion" could disprove your disproving.

[Blu_Moon]

From the Gundam SEED Thread:

.hack//AI Buster
1. Saying that the One Sin attacks etc.etc.

Koda. Thank you. I've printed this list out and will tape it up on my desk so that I will have it as reference for future books, and to remember to be very careful with all the details, not just for .hack.

Now, please, please stop fighting, you and MikeyS and everyone. It's Saturday. We've gathered together under one banner here--the love of manga, novels, and anime. No need to be unpleasant. TP made this place so that we could get to know what the fans are thinking and feeling, so that they could hold a mirror up to our faces. You don't have to be shout to be heard--you have my attention, I promise. I will do my best with whatever lands on my desk.

Yours, Kara

[Alexis]

.hack//AI Buster 2
1. Izumi Rei's name was spelled "Rei Idumi" on the cover. That is just plain impolite.

This was requested by the artist herself.

[tsukasa]

WOW, how did i miss this??????

[Ginkan]

Thanks much for posting about the Ouka/Orca thing ^_^ That confused me so much when I read it in Legend of the Twilight x__x

[Academy185]

This was requested by the artist herself.

Isn't the Idumi and Izumi translated the same? I've heard something about it.

Thanks much for posting about the Ouka/Orca thing ^_^ That confused me so much when I read it in Legend of the Twilight x__x

They changed the error in later prints of .hack//LOTB.

[kyothekitty]

come on give me ure answers:D

[ZukoJin]

I LOVE the .Hack novels!!!:D

[Blu_Moon]

There is already a .hack thread. This will probably either be moved or deleted when the mod gets around to it. Please check the novels category for the .hack thread. Thanks!

[Alexis]

Two .Hack threads are better than one...

[Kaede]

They're alright. Nothing great, but a little more insight into the .hack world is always good. I wish pain (nothing much, of course, just a stubbed toe or a papercut) upon whoever let AI Buster 2 be released without having someone well-versed in .hack knowledge go over it.

Hokutu? Muzuhara? Describing the wrong character? I expected better quality.

[xdeathberry]

I think the manga is better. lol
Although, the novels do 'try' to create imagery, but once you know how something looks like, fancy efforts look a bit too much.
But in all, they are very good ideas though. I actually do like them.
I believe they're trying to get us to actually read. lol

[Academy185]

They're alright. Nothing great, but a little more insight into the .hack world is always good. I wish pain (nothing much, of course, just a stubbed toe or a papercut) upon whoever let AI Buster 2 be released without having someone well-versed in .hack knowledge go over it.

Hokutu? Muzuhara? Describing the wrong character? I expected better quality.

It's not always the best option to be so thorough, but it can't always be perfect.

[Ritsuka]

i think the .Hack novels are really good my favourite had to be the 1st chapter in the 2nd book. i liked the manga on some things but not all of it.

[Kenji08]

They're awsome. I had all 3 then suddenly a gaping hole in one of em. Where did it come from???

[kyothekitty]

well u know there are many people that do not go jump around into every title in every section thats y this one is here and well there is no problem whit 2 of them any way:p

[PeterAhlstrom]

I hope you are happier with book 1 of Another Birth when it comes out. I went over it with a fine-toothed comb and...combed out all the errors I could find.

[Kaede]

I hope you are happier with book 1 of Another Birth when it comes out. I went over it with a fine-toothed comb and...combed out all the errors I could find.
I look forward to it! :3

[kyothekitty]

like who would not it's beautiful but there are some things they should not have put in there:D

[Kaede]

like who would not it's beautiful but there are some things they should not have put in there:D
What do you mean?

[kyothekitty]

What do you mean?
well in the first novel the chick could have at least worn more clothing if u have seen the art it's all good but yeah that's a little short of naked

[Alphonse Elric]

the manga was better... but the novel's are really good

[kyothekitty]

the manga was better... but the novel's are really good
well of course i do like the manga more than the novel but it is kinda fun with no pictures once in while u know

[ZJCitrusGraffiti]

This was requested by the artist herself.
Really? Where did you read that? I find it really likely that it was a typo(not to be mean to TP). I'm not the only one who thinks so either.

By the way, FYI, the order goes like this:
(for those of you that don't know)

Not Cannonical

----- Novel/Book -----
.hack//AI BUSTER (2 volumes total?; finished?)
----- Anime -----
.hack//SIGN (tv anime: epi 1-26/27?)
----- Novel/Book -----
.hack//ZERO (not yet released in english; 1-3 volumes?)
----- PlayStation 2 Games (+ w/anime) -----
.hack//INFECTION(v1) + LIMINALITY v1
.hack//MUTATION(v2) + LIMINALITY v2
.hack//OUTBREAK(v3) + LIMINALITY v3
.hack//QUARANTINE(v4) + LIMINALITY v4
----- Novel/Book -----
.hack//Another Birth (re-telling of PS2 games from BlackRose's P.O.V.)
----- Anime -----
.hack//SIGN (epi 27(Intermezzo), 28(Unison), 29(GIFT) )
----- Manga -----
.hack//DUSK (Legend of the Twilight Bracelet; 3 vol)
----- Anime -----
.hack//DUSK (Legend of the Twilight Bracelet; epi 1-12)
.hack//ROOTS (~26 episodes: prequel to PS2 G.U. games)
----- PlayStation 2 Games (+ w/anime) -----
.hack//FRAGMENT (Japan only)
.hack//G.U.: Ressurection[Rebirth](v1) + Online Jack v1
.hack//G.U.: [A Voice that Reminds Me of You](v2) + Online Jack v2
.hack//G.U.: [At Walking Speed](v3) + Online Jack v3
----- Manga -----
I read that there will be a .hack//G.U. manga, but I've forgotten the sub-name at the moment. Is it .hack//CELL?

I made that list myself after reading/watching .hack and reading other peoples' posts on other forums. Also, I did not put the time duration nor the time in between installments.

[Blu_Moon]

Really? Where did you read that? I find it really likely that it was a typo(not to be mean to TP). I'm not the only one who thinks so either.

Alexis is an editor. As am I. We saw the request from the licensor with our own eyes. They would not approve the cover until we changed the name. It is not a typo but the author's preference.

[dannylammy]

Aaah. Cool.

[Academy185]

Well, another birth is just about the .hack games themselves...so it's not really new. It goes in depth about Blackrose mostly.

[Blu_Moon]

I wouldn't cast off Another Birth just because it's based on game canon and BlackRose. There's a great deal of interesting subplots going on as her adventure unfolds--including highly symbolic stuff with Skeith, Innus, Magus, and Lios and Helba, and even some awesome interactions / actions scenes with Balmung, Mistral, and Kite.

[PeterAhlstrom]

And don't forget the awesome high school girls' tennis action.

[Blu_Moon]

And don't forget the awesome high school girls' tennis action.


How could I? High school girls! In short tennis skirts! Hitting balls with rackets! That's worth $7.99 right there, folks! ~_^

[Kaede]

I wouldn't cast off Another Birth just because it's based on game canon and BlackRose. There's a great deal of interesting subplots going on as her adventure unfolds--including highly symbolic stuff with Skeith, Innus, Magus, and Lios and Helba, and even some awesome interactions / actions scenes with Balmung, Mistral, and Kite.
My .hack sense is tingling! And... you're teasing it! D: *mumbles to self* Another Birth will come out soon, Another Birth will come out soon...

Oh, one question. Another Birth is four novels, one for each game. Why only three on the Tokyopop site?

[Blu_Moon]

Oh, one question. Another Birth is four novels, one for each game. Why only three on the Tokyopop site?

It's not my book, I just copy edit it as a favor to my boss. What that means is that anything that has to do with release schedules, licenses, etc etc (i.e. not about the story line) isn't always told to me, so it's all a guess from here on out. I believe it's b/c licenses work in a set of 3 (like we get 3, 6, 9 volumes at a time) and the database just lists things like that. I'm sure we'll license however many there are, b/c .hack sells well, but as Another Birth isn't even out yet, I'm guessing the database isn't 100% up to date, yet. I'll check first thing Monday morning and see if that can get resolved soon.

[Kaede]

Sounds logical, I'll take your word for it. :3 Thanks.

[PeterAhlstrom]

All 4 are licensed, but at the time they were put into the database, book 4 hadn't come out yet in Japan. Updating the website involves some annoying manual processes; our website people were replaced a few months ago, and the old people didn't leave much documentation for the new people to follow, so they're still catching up in various areas. I believe the entire website will be overhauled even further to a new system in the future, but these things take time.

[kaite360]

there are great I have all of them I think. I have the 4 games, the 3 manga "the legend of twilight", and the 2 novels of ".hack AI buster." so far I love all of them but to bad I can't find the first ones I meand the movies. and now I just waiting for the other one ".hack another birth" to come out.:)

PS: I am not good at spelling right I am so sorry

[kaite360]

PS: I am new In this place I meand the message board and I can't find or who to make a new theart can eny one help me plaease........

[kaite360]

I have read and play the games of .hack and I say there are more then great the story and trama are great. I have the .hack//AI buster 1,2 and the 3 of the the legend of twilight, and the 4 games. in my opinion it will be so happy if the novel of .hack// another birht will be as thick as the .hack 3 of the legen of twilight because it covers more of the story and give you more info of what are goin into the world.

some times I think I am kite in the game or even shugo in the manga I like to be in other world reader then in my own. you now what I am saying....

[Academy185]

How could I? High school girls! In short tennis skirts! Hitting balls with rackets! That's worth $7.99 right there, folks! ~_^

sounds more like a mix of .hack and Prince of Tennis.

[kyothekitty]

How could I? High school girls! In short tennis skirts! Hitting balls with rackets! That's worth $7.99 right there, folks! ~_^
yeah it's worth it i loved it

[Flowaen]

I just recently bought .Hack//AI Buster 1 and 2 and just finished number one. It was a very good read and cleared up a bunch of things about the .Hack// history... I recommend them if you are into .Hack// series.

[kyothekitty]

I just recently bought .Hack//AI Buster 1 and 2 and just finished number one. It was a very good read and cleared up a bunch of things about the .Hack// history... I recommend them if you are into .Hack// series.
yeah any .hach lover will like them

[stickdeathgod]

I loved the first one, but i havent bought the second one yet

[kyothekitty]

i have bad spelling sorry bout that

[kakashi]

I have both. I am an avid .Hack fan! My favorite character is Balmung.

[kyothekitty]

I have both. I am an avid .Hack fan! My favorite character is Balmung.
what no way what is your fave thing bout that character

[Academy185]

what no way what is your fave thing bout that character

Well, I could say one thing about Balmung that makes him so cool. He is kinda like Helba when it comes to name and identity.

[kyothekitty]

Well, I could say one thing about Balmung that makes him so cool. He is kinda like Helba when it comes to name and identity.
yeaH that is so kool

[Kaede]

I've seen the novels in stores but debated whether or not to buy them. Where do they fit in the .Hack storyline and are they a better read than the standard mangas?
AI Buster 1 is before Sign. AI Buster 2 is at least partially during Sign. I think all of it is, but I'm not sure. Another Birth is a retelling of the games from BlackRose's perspective, so the first novel is during Infection, second during Mutation, etc.

As for whether or not they're better than the manga, you'll have to decide for yourself, but I think so.

[kakashi]

He reminds me of someone I know...plus he's hot.

[kyothekitty]

He reminds me of someone I know...plus he's hot.
hell yeah i hafta agree*growl*

[Academy185]

I don't know what his face looks like....

[kyothekitty]

I don't know what his face looks like....
what wow i thought this thread was dead anyway u should look for it i would show u but i hafta go in a few tho

[Lenny]

I've only read the first AI Buster, but I'll try and get the rest when I can. They're not as good as the manga or the anime, but it gives some of the backstory, so it's worth the money.

[kyothekitty]

I've only read the first AI Buster, but I'll try and get the rest when I can. They're not as good as the manga or the anime, but it gives some of the backstory, so it's worth the money.
yeah they are worth ure money at least thats what i think*shrug*oh! yeah and i love the manga more

[ZJCitrusGraffiti]

I have a few questions about the (sorry to mention it again, Blu_Moon) typos from both .hack//AI Buster volumes...

Clarification of Classes/Professions:
Long Arm = long poles with either a knife or axe on (both?) ends
Twin Blade = two small daggers/knives on each hand
Heavy Axe(man) = carries an axe(duh)
Heavy Blade = huge two-handed sword
Blademaster = one-handed sword
Wavemaster = staff-wielding magic user; both OFFENSIVE and DEFENSIVE vers. exist
- Male and Female versions of each profession exist.

Q.1) Is it agreed that "Pole Arm" and "Twin User" are incorrect terms?
Q.2) Are "Blademaster" and "Wavemaster" one word or two?
Q.3) Should the professions be capitalized?

Morganna has two "N's", right?

v1p70) "You're [at an] insanely high-level, aren't you?"; Words in brackets make the sentence more coherent

v1p53/81) the idea that you CAN'T enter someone's hideout/house without FIRST exchanging member addresses. But if that's the case, then how did Orca and Balmung get into Albireo's home if they DIDN'T exchange member addresses. Unless, Al temporarily gave them his mem.add. just for the discussion they had and then once done, all three agreed to delete each others info(mem.add.) afterwards. Because really, this exchanging of mem.add. and joining parties is a two-step process:
1- exchange mem.add.
2- ask to join parties
...but Albireo specifically said that he didn't want to do step one!!! Please can someone explain.

Although AI Buster comes first in the .hack timeline, .hack//SIGN came out first commercially and so, I guess, we'd all become used to calling it [Delta] Hidden, Forbidden, HOLY GROUND(not "Sacred"); But don't they basically mean the same thing? Nevertheless, I prefer Holy Ground. (FYI: keep it in mind if and when .hack//ZERO comes out, 'kay?)

"W.B. Yeats" is the name of real-life poet whereas "W.B. Yates" COULD BE an intentional misspelling of the name. Hokuto knew better, but she probably misspelled it to better maintain her "n00bie" personality in "The World"... Correct me if I'm wrong.

it's "Emma Wielant", not "Emma Weilant"

v2p90) they were 4 Long Arms, not 4 Heavy Axe(wo)men

v2p38) "scan(s)lation"; depending on preference, w/or w/o middle "S"

v2 story3) So which is it: Rin or Lin?

v2p163) is Sanjuro a Heavy Blade? just asking.

v2p151) I've never heard of a "Knight" class. Could the "Mireille"(actually "Rena"/"Bridgit") be a Blademaster instead?

v2 story5) We know that "hotaru" means "firefly" in Japanese, but since Hotaru kept her name in both the manga and the anime, couldn't "Hotaru" be kept as the name in this case? Also, the "???" after Hotaru's name in the character introduction weren't necessary.

v2 character introductions) could the "likes/dislikes" section of each character be a little more coloquial rather than a literal translation? They sound rigid. As if a little kid was telling you what s/he likes OR as if "like" was used as the slang way of saying "as if to say"......like, yeah.


I wonder if both AI Buster volumes will be re-printed with all typos fixed; but if it were to be re-printed, I don't think I'd buy them again. But then again, I'm just a volume-3 book away from having the Legend of the Twilight manga series TWICE!! (.hack makes me do strange things...) So maybe I will get both AI Buster books again.

Thanks for reading through my rants/nitpicking. Sorry if it makes anyone feel bad from pointing out the faults.

[Blu_Moon]

It doesn't make me feel bad--the faults are the truth and we need to be aware of them. You stated everything respectfully, this is exactly how it should be. Unfortunately, I'm out sick today and I just copyedit .hack AI Buster, these books aren't my titles. So I'm not familiar with the nitty-gritty, really. I hope someone else familiar with the canon at work can answer your questions, I'm just replying now so you don't think I'm ignoring you. The simple answer is, off the top of my head, I don't know. When I'm well and have caught up and am back in the office, I'll look up all that stuff for you, so give me a few days if no one else answers you?

[kokorochan]

I finishing the first novel and love it, Albireo is my favorite character and when he meet Hokuto made me remember Raito and Misamisa (XD), as this narrated to me is original, storie is entertained i think is a good combination of science fiction, fantasia and comedy, the end went something to Clamp´s style, I am very happy about .hack//Ai buster vol 1 and i will like now to buy vol 2 and follow next Albireo-sama´s adventures ^-^

[Academy185]

I've seen the novels in stores but debated whether or not to buy them. Where do they fit in the .Hack storyline and are they a better read than the standard mangas?

.hack//AI Buster 1: Before sign
.hack//AI Buster 2: A compillation of stories from .hack//sign and .hack//LOTB, as well as a .hack//AI Buster story about Hokuto.

.hack//Another Birth: Blackrose's point of view in the games.

You can't get the full story without reading the novels, since they are part of the storyline.

[air raid]

Topic should say Another Birth. No idea what I was thinking.

I read the first couple of pages of .hack//Another Birth this evening, and that is all I needed to see to know that whoever edits for TokyoPop is... an overeditor. What is the purpose of translating these things and bringing them to the united states, if you're going to leave out a large amount of detail and interpretation? That wasn't a translation, that wasn't even an edit, it's a butchering and a complete rewrite.

This is the original Japanese:
驚きのあまり,言葉にならなかった.だって...彼女は,私にそっくりだったから. 彼女は,私から顔をそむけると...何も見えない真っ暗な空を...その空に浮かぶ満月を見上げた.そして ー彼女の目からは,血のような赤い涙が一筋,頬を伝って流れ落ちた.

This is a rough translation of the above:
I am [shocked/surprised/taken back], but I have [nothing to say/no words]. Because... she looks just like me. She turns from me and looks up at the pitch black sky where nothing can be seen, and at the full moon. Then out of her eye, flows a single blood colored tear down her cheek.

This is your butchered re-write:
I tried to speak, to scream, but no sound escaped my throat as I found myself staring at my own frightening mirror image.

I think the idea is understood. -_-

[Klawzie]

Wow. Is English your first language? Because your wording here is very accusitory and harsh - which is rude. :3

Perhaps you should try rephrasing some things more politely? That would be nice. :)

[air raid]

I think my question is very clear: What did you DO to the novel? Or rather, where did the novel go? And from that comparison, it's no wonder why I am so accusitory and harsh: A good chunk of the novel has been... lost in editing, and it's hard to accuse someone of something when it's so easy to tell what I saying is truth just by looking at one small portion.

There was the following removed:
- The aspect of BlackRose talking outloud expressed by her 「ここは・・・」
- Multiple, multiple, ENDLESS amounts of details and imagery... I can't even begin to list them -_-
- The second instance about the blood imagery; the first use was kept, the second was not
- Removed part about the moon being awkward
- The entire portion where BlackRose describes "herself", with details about as "she looks my age" and her doubt about if the shadow was solitary or not, also omitted
- Where did the "beautiful" part come from...

I can't even begin to try to comphrehend why any of these things were removed to begin with...

[crispy]

Because a literal translation like you just offered sounds as though it was written by a fifth grader when compared to the novels that are out there for young adults. TP is likely trying to capture the literary tone of the work, rather than just giving a straight up translation. That, and, honestly, a lot of the Japanese text in that novel is super corny.

[air raid]

Obviously my translation isn't meant to be used as actual work but a demonstration of what is missing--hence the wording "rough translation". Editors edit; they do not completely rewrite and omit 500 details!

And tone of the work? Please explain how TokyoPop's... thing... expresses the horrific psychdelic trip that BlackRose is going through... because it really doesn't.

Not to mention that the switching of BlackRose and Kite's dialogue and scene inside the church (which was the same as it was in the game btw)... that was a complete change of the story. =/ BlackRose does not kill the Goblin, Kite kills the Goblin, etc etc. TokyoPop has mixed up their roles in those scenes. Feel free to argue with me that it was BlackRose skewing it because it's from her PoV, but the Japanese text begs to differ.

[stickmanbob0]

are they worth buying?

[Lantis]

I must agree with the original poster (except it's Another Birth, not AI Buster :) ). The first scene did have a lot taken out of it and there were some mistranslations in the book.

The first scene, containing Japanese, my first draft translation and the Tokyopop English:
http://tinyurl.com/p56dt

And, since the Goblin scene has come into question, I've done the same for that scene:
http://tinyurl.com/rlfa5

(The Japanese encoding is Shift-JIS for both files.)

As you can see there are details left out, changes made and an entire scene is changed around.

I'm not trying to attack anyone for this, but I honestly think that at least the game should be used as a reference. Or someone who knows the .hack universe should be there to consult on what's right and what isn't.

[Klawzie]

The Editors seem to be very accepting of any concerns or questions one has about the choices made during the editing process. When pointed out in a polite manner, they pleasantly respond. Since this is the weekend, you may not hear from the Editors until Monday - and if they're busy (which they usually are), it might be slightly longer.

Just thought I'd drop that into this thread so the OP and anyone else would realize it. :3

[air raid]

Haha, yeah, I realized I put AI Buster like two minutes after I posted it. ><

[WavemasterElk]

I would have to agree with the topic creator. The job of an editor/translator is to translate the book and to somewhat adapt it to whatever language readers will be reading it. However, their job IS NOT to cut it so it "sounds more mature". The overall flavor of the writing should be preserved as best as possible.

Also, reading through it. I'm not quite done with it just yet, but there's two qualms I have with it. =P

First off, it's already been mentioned: the whole Kite/BlackRose thing. I've played and beaten the four American games thus far, and reading Kite yelling at BlackRose in Mac*Anu really confused me. I was like, "Waaaaaaait a sec!! BlackRose yelled at Kite, not vise-versa!! Even if it IS her point of view, I think she'd remember that!!"
And, seeing as the Japanese text is supposed to be BR yelling at Kite... I would love to see this corrected. =P Also, in Hidden Forbidden Holy Ground, that scene was switched around too.

Secondly, one of the pages spells Fumikazu's name with an S instead of a Z... let me check....
It's page 59, at the very bottom. The text is as following:
I shivered. Fumikasu's room was cold.

Other than that, I've not seen any really big typos. I really enjoyed reading Piros calling her "BlackRoast"! XD

[WavemasterElk]

I love the .hack novels! Though, for some reason, AI buster number 2 confused me at first; prolly 'cause I read it in like 10 minutes the first time around. XD

I've played all four of the games, read the manga series, seen both anime, and read AI buster 1 and 2, and I'm in the middle of number one of Another Birth.

I noticed that the first editions of them all were full of typos. =P For instance, AI buster 2 had something about Mireille's avatar being described, but it was really Bridgit's. O_o
But, they're really good, I enjoy them!! I can't wait for Another Birth 2! ^_^

.... my first .hack game got stolen two years ago; I lent it to my friend and his house got broken into!! And then, the same year, my .hack manga number 1 got stolen too!!!! T.T

[Blu_Moon]

I think what I'm hearing most from the .hack fans is that, more than a well rounded, fast-paced, "literary" or YA feel, they'd really appreciate an extremely literal and accurate book. And I can certainly appreciate their point. The fanbase for .hack, I've come to realize, are mostly otaku who have played the games, seen all the anime--are really into the details--and are looking to the novels to learn even more details about their fandom's world. The details seem to matter more than the style or execution.

Knowing that, if I'm in any way assigned for further volumes of Another Birth, I can keep that in mind while editing. While I'm afraid I cannot apologize for my rewriting style or tastes (I've stated over and over, we don't do transliteration; we license a property and the English version we put out tries to compete with the mass market native-speaker English YA books) I will say this--for this property in particular, it mainly appeals to true fans who want all the details left in and accurate. It's only fair that TOKYOPOP recognize that and act accordingly. So if I do have influence over the following volumes, I will remember--perhaps consult with fans (in the office or out) about the details to make sure they are accurate, and don't edit out quite so much description (even if it is a little clunky or awkward.)

Hopefully I've addressed your concerns. I'm afraid that during the work week I've got 3 very long books due in 2 weeks, and 5 books after that, so I simply don't have time to check the boards as often as I'd like. I hope you don't feel like I was ducking your questions, I simply haven't had time to respond.

Yours,
Kara

[WavemasterElk]

Thanks, Kara-san!

I personally think... there SHOULD be SOME adaptation, so of course some little things would be left out, but not to the point where it goes from "I stared at the awkward moon. Blood ran down her legs from the rose thorns", yadda yadda yadda to "I stared at the beautifully frightening girl".

So, yeah, to me the details ARE important, but also, so IS the writing. So, there NEEDS to be some edits here and there, but those are fine as long as the overall feel of the novel and games are kept. So, like you said, fans want the details, but you guys want to make it appeal to everyone; I personally believe that's fine. Because, with translations, if something is translated wrong, it would cause confusion (such as Mistral in the games calling her baby a he, instead of a she like it should be).
In other words, there should be a happy medium. =P

Also, do you know if the BlackRose/Kite thing will be switched around in another edition of INFECTION, or will it be kept?

Anyway, thanks again!

EDIT: By the way, I saw something that you may want corrected. =P Toward the end of INFECTION, Helba says something about Fragment, but they refer to it as "The Fragment". There shouldn't be any "the". =P

[PeterAhlstrom]

Translation and adaptation for an audience that speaks a different language is an inexact process, and there is no single right way. If you read the different versions carefully, paying attention to the meaning and not just the exact words (e.g. if it says the only light is from the moon, that means there are no stars), you will see that almost all the details are still there. Perhaps you do not see your favorite translated words, but perhaps your translation is incorrect in the first place (please explain how it is at all possible for a moon to be "awkward"—there is no possible way for a moon to be awkward in any English language I know).

Japanese novels are written differently from English novels, and we are releasing English novels, so some things are just not going to carry over. For example, it is not proper English to have lines of dialogue solely consisting of "!?" or "........." and it is also not proper English to have hearts ♡ or stars ☆ in the dialogue. Also, the Japanese text hardly ever indicates which people the dialogue belongs to, and you have to guess from context. But in English novels, almost all dialogue must be tagged with who it belongs to—if these tags were left off, it would not read like an English book and people would be confused. Heck, Lantis' initial translation above is still confusing as to which person the dialogue belongs to—it seems to me like it is extremely easy to interpret it as belonging to exactly who we said in our translation it belonged to. Maybe you can say it belonged to someone else in the game, but there is no reason to believe that everything has to be done exactly as it was done in some other form of media—remember, the .hack//Legend of the Twilight anime was very different from the manga, and even the English version of the game has some details different from the Japanese version of the game. Maybe we misinterpreted the context in a few places, but as long as what is there on the page makes sense, that is what matters most.

I personally worked my tail off to whip this book into shape and try to make sure that it was not affected by many of the errors of the type that showed up in the AI buster books. We did our darnedest to make this into a good book for both people who played the games and those who didn't, so that's really all I have to say about it.

[Lantis]

I did say it was a draft. I meant it to be literal, so that the people who were talking about details being left out could see what details there were in the first place. I don't want to read an exact literal translation any more than you do.
I know things need to be changed because they don't scan well in English, I'm fine with that. I know mine's blocky and isn't transparent enough to be read freely in English.

My main beef is when it actually goes so far as to change things.
As Kara said above in her post, the fandom you're mainly catering to with the .hack novels is one that knows its stuff, and will notice when character roles are switched, or someone acts out of character.

I'm not trying to be overly objective, because the books really do read excellently and there's a huge amount of parts I read and think "I wish I could have written something like that" or "Wow, I'd never even consider that wording" or somesuch thought. I appreciate everything you do.
I just think that "as long as it makes sense" doesn't completely cut it when you're releasing something that's a retelling of something that's already widely available to the public. That's my opinion.


Also...

Heck, Lantis' initial translation above is still confusing as to which person the dialogue belongs to—it seems to me like it is extremely easy to interpret it as belonging to exactly who we said in our translation it belonged to.

Sorry, that was my fault, I should have clarified that. In the original Japanese, the personal pronoun used there is "atashi", which is exclusively female and how BlackRose refers to herself when she talks in The World. There is absolutely no way that the speaker could be misinterpreted there.
My only guess is that it was in the proofing/editing process. And, as you said, the translation is fairly vague on who's speaking. So I can see how something like that would arise.

One thing though, were you talking about me when you said that the moon was described as "awkward" in a translation? Because I didn't have that. Just wondering, I don't want to appear hostile.

[PeterAhlstrom]

Wavemaster Elk, to whom I was directly responding, and air raid both used "awkward"; I believe yours used "eerie," but the tinyurl link no longer works, so I can't check it.

You're right that "atashi" is an unambiguous clue, but that's not something easily expressed in English. We start off with a literal translation similar to yours, and the rewriter does not read Japanese so has to write based on his understanding of the raw translation. Kara and I do read a small amount of Japanese so if we came across something which did not seem to make much sense or seemed in conflict with the translation, we sometimes referred to the Japanese, but this was not possible in every instance. In this case the way it reads makes internal sense, so we did not do an exhaustive check on who spoke that line.

I do believe that it is extremely important to be true to the original; however, a practical balance must always be struck, and not everyone will be pleased all the time.

(As for using the game as a reference, I searched far and wide for a game script (like I use with Kingdom Hearts) but could not find one anywhere; I did make extensive use of several very good walkthroughs, but these are not a substitute for an exhaustive script.)

[WavemasterElk]

I was going with what I'd read here, sorry. XD

Oh! You said something about "It wouldn't be proper English to have lines with hearts and stars and '......' and '?!'" Well, it IS an online game, isn't it? I'm just sayin', if it were in the parts where she was BlackRose and not Akira, perhaps those should be kept?

Anyway, I said it before, I'm really impressed with the translation of Another Birth, it was VERY good compared to the first editions of the manga and AI buster. I'm not pretending to know Japanese; all I'm saying is with continuity errors and such.

Anyway, Peter-san, I'm a bit confused. You were talking about how you tried to tag who said what... I understand that part. I'm just confused on, was it a mistake (looking back now) that the novel says Kite yelled at BlackRose, done because of the Japanese-not-saying-who-said-what thing, or was it written like that? :confused:

Anyway. Again, I'm really impressed, that's pretty much the only thing I found wrong with it, aside from the two misspellings.

[PeterAhlstrom]

That is what I would guess happened in the yelling part. I would have to check the script to know for sure, but I don't have it with me.

[WavemasterElk]

Alright, okay. Thanks, I was really really confused, reading it. I was like "WAAAAAAAAIT a sec!"

XD Thanks again!

[CRtwenty]

Well there be a reprint with these things fixed? I've already got my copy of ANOTHER BIRTH preordered. But if a new copy was released I'd buy that, just like I did with the fixed version of Legend of the Twilight.

[WavemasterElk]

I'd prolly do what CR-san did, too: buy the reprint even though I own the original...

[PeterAhlstrom]

Any reprint changes would be up to the senior novels editor, Nicole. We can't state at this time whether or not there will be any.

[Blu_Moon]

At this point, considering all the concerns that the .hack series has had, I've asked for permission to bring on a Fan Consultant for the rest of the Another Birth series.

Fan Consultants are just that—people that get an Advanced Reader Copy and consult with us about anything that might be jarring to canon, upsetting to fans, not quite right. Fan Consultants are not paid. They are thanked in the credits page by the name of their choosing and given a free copy of the books on which they worked.

Fan Consultants need to understand some hard line, non-negotiable things:

1. All of your *suggestions* might not be taken. Generally, we want to please the fans, but the final call for everything is up to the Editor. We have other responsibilities that include being true to our style guide and our guidelines for format, etc.

2. You'd need to sign a confidentiality agreement. You cannot ever discuss the project with others--not verbally, not on the net, nothing. Your involvement would be completely confidential, for legal reasons. If you post any of the script, any of the details of your contract, what it's like to work with Editors, etc., we'd cheerfully sue you until you beg the penguins for a swift and merciful death. If you speak about it, you could damage sales and let our competitors know about insider info, and nobody wants that, right?

That being said, how awesome is this opportunity? How many other companies interact with fans this closely and poll their opinions and ask for their direct involvement with canon to produce the best project ever? Plus, if you’re thinking of going into the industry, this looks great on a resume.

If you are a .hack fan (preferably over 18, but if not, exceptions can be made with parental agreement forms) and I mean a BIG .hack fan (you run an official website, you've seen all the anime, have all the manga, live, eat, sleep, and breathe .hack, go to conventions, cosplay, .hack is your bible and way of life) and you'd be interested in being a Fan Consultant, PM me. List (succinctly) the reasons why you would be a good choice. Someone who can read the original in Japanese will be given priority.

Basically, after you signed your contract, we'd give you a copy of the novel before it went to print, and you'd send it back with any of your corrections / suggestions in red. This way, omissions in details or out-and-out mistakes can be reduced.

Let me know with a PM if anyone is interested. Please only throw your name into the ring if you are serious, qualified, and can be professional about this.

[WavemasterElk]

That's so cool! T.T But I'm under 18, and I don't know Japanese.... oh well. I could always wait a few years...

[Blu_Moon]

Thank you! I now have all the Fan Consultants I need. I appreciate everyone who replied! Take good care!

Kara

[Blau]

Dang. I finished writing the application to this and then I read the last message and I cry. *goes into a corner*

Since I skipped two pages in this thread, did anyone else get bothered by how //ANOTHER BIRTH made it seem like it was KITE who was accusing BlackRose of being a newbie (when they first meet), or was that just me?

[Academy185]

Maybe that's how it was translated to you? I haven't actually read it yet.

[crh1985]

i think it is just you but i did find that when they enters the charch in the book blackrose kill a dwarf but in the game kite killed a goblin :confused:

[Shell]

Dang. I finished writing the application to this and then I read the last message and I cry. *goes into a corner*

Since I skipped two pages in this thread, did anyone else get bothered by how //ANOTHER BIRTH made it seem like it was KITE who was accusing BlackRose of being a newbie (when they first meet), or was that just me?
Uh... that was one of the key issues as to why they brought in fan advisors; role switching. I don't have the original Japanese novels myself, but people were confirming it a few pages back. /shrug In anycase, the scene you see in the translated novel is different than the game. You can see a clip of the original scene here (http://www.cyberconnect2.jp/hack/sound/G4CM03.wmv). But also, there was a lot of detail and imagery edited out.

[Dragon Slave]

I have a question...
I'm about to finish book six of Slayers, which means i'll be looking for a new series to start reading. One of the series' im considering is .Hack
Now, the only thing I know about .hack, other than the description on the book, is that it has an anime. If I decide to start reading this series, what should I start with?

[PeterAhlstrom]

.hack//AI Buster book 1 is the beginning of the series. .hack//AI Buster book 2 has stories that happen at different times, some after the .hack//Another Birth novels. The .hack//SIGN anime comes after ./hack//AI Buster book 1, and the anime is followed by the four games (starting with Infection) or their retellings in the .hack//Another Birth novels.

[Mew Sumomo]

I have all 3 novels so far. They are easy to read! I finished one in 2 days!! I never played the games or saw the entire anime series of Legend or SIGN, but the series sounds like one huge mystery. I'm hooked on the books so far. I can't wait to see more!

[eternal_midget]

I have a question...
I'm about to finish book six of Slayers, which means i'll be looking for a new series to start reading. One of the series' im considering is .Hack
Now, the only thing I know about .hack, other than the description on the book, is that it has an anime. If I decide to start reading this series, what should I start with?

I would actually, STRONGLY, recommend watching/reading the .hack// experience in the order that the media was released, as much as possible.
You'd start with .hack//SIGN 1-26, then the two extra episodes 27-28, then the four PS2 games Infection/Mutation/Outbreak/Quarantine, or the Another Birth novels, which tell the story of the games from BlackRose's pov rather than Kite's. If you can play the games, you should watch one episode of the Liminality OVA after finishing each game. Then read the .hack//LotTB manga, watch .hack//Legend of the Twilight anime, then read .hack//A.I. Buster 1 and 2. Also, if you can play the games, I'd recommend reading the .hack//Another Birth novels here in the list after everything else so far.

The reason I say this is because I feel that watching/reading the media in this order, the approximate order it was released, actually is more helpful to understanding it all. If you read it in order of the timeline, you are introduced to the everyday lives of characters you know nothing about, whereas following the order of release, you learn about different characters, and then the novels will serve as the backstory they were meant to be. The novels are there to help us better understand 'The WORLD', and as such, I think should be read after you've been introduced to other aspects of .hack// first.

On top of all this, you've got the new .hack//ROOTS anime series currently running in Japan, which I might add is awesome, the new 3-part .hack//G.U. (Grow Up) games for PS2, and as mentioned earlier, the possible .hack//G.U. manga, as well as .hack//ZERO, which apparently is currently shrouded in mystery.
But if you must start with reading something rather than watching either of the available in the US anime series, I'd suggest reading Twilight Bracelet first then the novels in the order TP released them.
Be sure to take all this with a grain of salt. I'm just a dude with too much time on his hands, and nothing better to do but watch anime, read manga, and play RPG's when I'm not working. Oh yeah, and cruise TP's awesome forums, heh.

[Dragon Slave]

I would actually, STRONGLY, recommend watching/reading the .hack// experience in the order that the media was released, as much as possible.
You'd start with .hack//SIGN 1-26, then the two extra episodes 27-28, then the four PS2 games Infection/Mutation/Outbreak/Quarantine, or the Another Birth novels, which tell the story of the games from BlackRose's pov rather than Kite's. If you can play the games, you should watch one episode of the Liminality OVA after finishing each game. Then read the .hack//LotTB manga, watch .hack//Legend of the Twilight anime, then read .hack//A.I. Buster 1 and 2. Also, if you can play the games, I'd recommend reading the .hack//Another Birth novels here in the list after everything else so far.

The reason I say this is because I feel that watching/reading the media in this order, the approximate order it was released, actually is more helpful to understanding it all. If you read it in order of the timeline, you are introduced to the everyday lives of characters you know nothing about, whereas following the order of release, you learn about different characters, and then the novels will serve as the backstory they were meant to be. The novels are there to help us better understand 'The WORLD', and as such, I think should be read after you've been introduced to other aspects of .hack// first.

On top of all this, you've got the new .hack//ROOTS anime series currently running in Japan, which I might add is awesome, the new 3-part .hack//G.U. (Grow Up) games for PS2, and as mentioned earlier, the possible .hack//G.U. manga, as well as .hack//ZERO, which apparently is currently shrouded in mystery.
But if you must start with reading something rather than watching either of the available in the US anime series, I'd suggest reading Twilight Bracelet first then the novels in the order TP released them.
Be sure to take all this with a grain of salt. I'm just a dude with too much time on his hands, and nothing better to do but watch anime, read manga, and play RPG's when I'm not working. Oh yeah, and cruise TP's awesome forums, heh.

Wow, i'm going to have to think it over. I figured the games and anime were just adaptations of the story, but I didn't think they were seperate parts of a full story.
Anyway, I might check out the anime first, being I know somene who has it. If it's good, i'll move onto the novels, and I can probably rent the games.. It's not like I have anything else to do.:cool:

Thanks for the help.

[PeterAhlstrom]

.hack is an experience unlike most other properties in Japan--they planned from the start to make you have to watch anime, play games, and read manga and novels in order to get the whole story. Later some sections were adapted into other media to give more exposure and make more money--the Twilight manga later became an anime, and the first four games later became the Another Birth novels. There are still differences though--like anything that happens to BlackRose/Akira in the real world outside the games in the Another Birth novels does not appear in the games, so even if you play the games, you miss those parts from the novels.

[Dragon Slave]

.hack is an experience unlike most other properties in Japan--they planned from the start to make you have to watch anime, play games, and read manga and novels in order to get the whole story. Later some sections were adapted into other media to give more exposure and make more money--the Twilight manga later became an anime, and the first four games later became the Another Birth novels. There are still differences though--like anything that happens to BlackRose/Akira in the real world outside the games in the Another Birth novels does not appear in the games, so even if you play the games, you miss those parts from the novels.

I guess that's why the series is as big as it is. It sounds more interesting than just checking out the book, or the anime, and then going on to the next thing. It enhances the experience too. I know that sometimes when I read a book, after seeing it's tv series, movie, or video game counterpart, im a lot more interested in it because I know the characters, and I have a good idea of who/what it is that im reading about.

[eternal_midget]

Yup, yup.... .hack is an amazing concept, and I wish you luck on your journey. Enjoy!

[WavemasterElk]

Let's see... in order...

.hack//AI buster volume one
.hack//SIGN
.hack//ZERO
.hack//games and Another Birth
.hack//SIGN episode 28: Unison
.hack//LEGEND OF THE TWILIGHT
.hack//ROOTS
.hack//G.U.

I did that from memory, but IIRC, that's the correct order. AI buster volume two jumps around...

[eternal_midget]

sorry, I can't figure it out.... IIRC???

[PeterAhlstrom]

Please see this thread (http://messageboard.tokyopop.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2718) if you have any questions about acronyms like "IIRC." :)

[Academy185]

Let's see... in order...

.hack//AI buster volume one
.hack//SIGN
.hack//ZERO
.hack//games and Another Birth
.hack//SIGN episode 28: Unison
.hack//LEGEND OF THE TWILIGHT
.hack//ROOTS
.hack//G.U.

I did that from memory, but IIRC, that's the correct order. AI buster volume two jumps around...

AI Buster 2 is supposed to be a collection of background stories, it had no planned storyline order.

[tri-edge]

I have a question...
I'm about to finish book six of Slayers, which means i'll be looking for a new series to start reading. One of the series' im considering is .Hack
Now, the only thing I know about .hack, other than the description on the book, is that it has an anime. If I decide to start reading this series, what should I start with?
actually, i sugges visiting the old .hack official website(it can be accessed from the current one) and reading the timeline on the game site

[tri-edge]

btw, does anyone have any idea what .hack//XXXX is?:confused:
if you visit the japanese website and go under the second link, you'll see a series of dot hack titles listed by both their place in the storyline and where they take place, and one of the listings is ".hack//XXXX"

[Dragon Slave]

actually, i sugges visiting the old .hack official website(it can be accessed from the current one) and reading the timeline on the game site

Right, ill check it out.

[tri-edge]

it has details of everything leading up to the beginning of the whole storyline, starting at about 2000, i think about 8 yrs. before even A.I. Buster 1

[Shinsou Wotan]

btw, does anyone have any idea what .hack//XXXX is?:confused:
if you visit the japanese website and go under the second link, you'll see a series of dot hack titles listed by both their place in the storyline and where they take place, and one of the listings is ".hack//XXXX"
It's a manga that tells a somewhat different version of the games. It matches the games fairly well up until the defeat of Skeith (which happens in the first chapter), but then it diverges rather dramatically (for instance, it isn't Kite who defeats Innis). Only a few chapters have been released so far.

[tri-edge]

is there a scheduled release for the us?

[blackeclips]

I read .hack//Another Birth and LOVED it!! I thought it was a good.. no wait, AWSOME book

[eternal_midget]

I have it, but sadly, not time to read it... I've got over 50 unread mangas, and Another Birth is one of four unread novels... and manga are faster reads, so I'm tryin' to get through the majority of those first...

[blackeclips]

I have never read .hack//AI Buster, but hvae read .hack//Another Birth. I am despritly looking for AI Buster in stores but it is always out!!

[eternal_midget]

just special order it... most bookstores will let you.

[Academy185]

btw, does anyone have any idea what .hack//XXXX is?:confused:
if you visit the japanese website and go under the second link, you'll see a series of dot hack titles listed by both their place in the storyline and where they take place, and one of the listings is ".hack//XXXX"

I've seen this mentioned on another board, and they theorized it's proabably hentai.

[Solis]

Meh. I just tried to make a post, but then lost it since my login timed out... :mad:

I mainly wanted to say that I've purchased all the manga and novels for .hack released by Tokyopop and had some questions...

Has Tokyopop released any fixes besides the "Orca -> Ouka" thing in LotT #1?
If not, have they planned to release any fixed versions of AI Buster (1 and 2)?
Also, any news on .hack//Zero? Is Tokyopop planning to license it?
And since I've learned that many details were removed from Another Birth, I'd love to know if they're going to re-release it (hopefully fixing the switching of Kite and BlackRose during their initial conversation, which slightly bugged me.)

I'd gladly re-purchase the fixed novels (and any of the manga, if there were any problems with it besides the Ouka thing since I apparently purchased the fixed version originally.) It appears that others who have posted in this topic would do the same.

[Kyattsuai]

AI BUSTER was good, but I liked the second volume better than the first, it gave more insight and there were all sorts of other cool stories added in. <3 I found it at Yorkdale mall sometime after it was released(I got in on my birthday <3). The good thing about living in Canada is that there aren't as many fans to steal your precious copies, of, say...Tsubasa before you can get it. I want to read Another Birth, but i haven't had the chance yet...T-T I'd like to read ZERO though.

[PeterAhlstrom]

Has Tokyopop released any fixes besides the "Orca -> Ouka" thing in LotT #1?
We finally fixed the "Zawan Shin" thing in LotT #3 a few months ago...

[Kaede]

We finally fixed the "Zawan Shin" thing in LotT #3 a few months ago...
I always thought that was amusing... glad to see corrections, though. =p

ZAWAN SHIIIN! :D

[Mitsuki]

I just loved AI buster! Both of them were really good^^ I like the second one a lil more cause I got to read different stories but still got to see what happened to the two^^ They were great books

[Academy185]

Meh. I just tried to make a post, but then lost it since my login timed out... :mad:

I mainly wanted to say that I've purchased all the manga and novels for .hack released by Tokyopop and had some questions...

Has Tokyopop released any fixes besides the "Orca -> Ouka" thing in LotT #1?
If not, have they planned to release any fixed versions of AI Buster (1 and 2)?
Also, any news on .hack//Zero? Is Tokyopop planning to license it?
And since I've learned that many details were removed from Another Birth, I'd love to know if they're going to re-release it (hopefully fixing the switching of Kite and BlackRose during their initial conversation, which slightly bugged me.)

I'd gladly re-purchase the fixed novels (and any of the manga, if there were any problems with it besides the Ouka thing since I apparently purchased the fixed version originally.) It appears that others who have posted in this topic would do the same.

In AI Buster 2, they pull that same translation error. I don't know that they have fixed it or not.

I have heard that .hack//Zero hasn't been finished in Japan, so I'm guessing it'll still be awhile.

[CRtwenty]

.hack//ZERO has apparently been put on hold. It was supposed to be 2-3 books long but only the first book has been released in Japan, and it came out several years ago iirc. A special Zero themed song (Phantom Pain ~Curl's Theme~) was released on a recent GU OST, so it hasn't been forgotten. But not much info is around. Which sucks, because the connection between Skeith and Sora in ZERO is a major thing, especially in the GU series.

XXXX, like people have mentioned is a manga retelling of the game storyline. It follows a completely different storyline from the games. (For instance Cubia has a PC avatar, and Balmung actually fights against Kite at one point).

Personally I'd really like to see a translation of .hack//CELL. That thing just looks wicked.

[tri-edge]

i saw on another site that an admin there read (i assume)something called "analysis". has anyone here heard of it?

btw, did everyone hear about .hack//fragment not being released in the US? That REALLY pissed me off!!!!! Im thinking about getting a mod chip for my ps2 so i can still play it.

also, in XXXX, it's tri-edge, i believe, because i went to wikipedia and saw something about orca and balmung being data drained by tri-edge. more evidence pointing to this is in .hack//legend of the twilight, where, in the bonus section, balmung(who is fighting "kite" at the time), says, "...i was beaten by that azure flame". in the japanese trailer, tri-edge is described as being a "PK wrapped in azure flame"

[CRtwenty]

Tri-Edge isn't in XXXX. His first appearance (timeline wise) is in .hack//Roots.
As for that fight between Balmung and "Kite" at the end of Legend of the Twilight. We're not sure that that is, or even if it's canon. Most people think it was a teaser for .hack//GU.

Anyway, Analysis is one of the .hack infobooks. It contains a whole bunch of stuff about the setting and characters that was never revealed in the actual series. It'd be great to see a translated version but... that'll never happen. :(

And fragment sucked, you didn't miss out on anything.

[tri-edge]

oh. they were having this huge debate about the symbolism of .hack at dothackers.net and it involved a bunch of stuff someone had read out of analysis and i was getting really confused.

at least they wont cancel G.U., because if they do, im killing them for making me waste 10 dollars on reserving it.

anyway, one of the things they were arguing about was who in the storyline was the equivalent of Fili the White from the Epitaph and who was the Twilight Dragon. do you think that maybe morganna is the Twilight Dragon because of how she communicates to Tsukasa through Macha without words? on the fourth DVD, it said the Twilight Dragon communicated through feelings instead of speech. just wondering out loud...

[CRtwenty]

No, Morganna was represented in the Epitaph as the "Cursed Wave". The Twilight Dragon is usually considered to be Kite, or Kite's bracelet.

Regarding Fili the White, I personally believe that he is represented by Balmung, but that's just my opinion.

[tri-edge]

thats what most people said, but i really dont have any idea

[BlackClover]

I really like AI Buster. My favorite characters is Albireo and Lycorsis. I'm working on finishing up the 2nd novel. I also really can't wait for .hack//GU to be come out. I have yet to reserve it though. T.T

[Shell]

I have to ask... is there any word on if there is going to be a reprint? I mean, there were fan consultants brought in, but was anything actually done? I was very upset when I heard about how much had been cut out of the novel (mostly detail and role-switching that wasn't in the original was what made me NOT buy the book, after I had been waiting for a LONG time, hoping to see a translation someday.) Even if nothing is certain, is anything productive happening at all?

[Blu_Moon]

I have to ask... is there any word on if there is going to be a reprint? I mean, there were fan consultants brought in, but was anything actually done? I was very upset when I heard about how much had been cut out of the novel (mostly detail and role-switching that wasn't in the original was what made me NOT buy the book, after I had been waiting for a LONG time, hoping to see a translation someday.) Even if nothing is certain, is anything productive happening at all?

Well, I've made note of all out-and-out errors that fans were kind enough to point out to me for the earlier books, in case there is a reprint. Fan Consultants were hired to work on Another Birth books before print, but not on Ai Buster's published books.

We need to sell X number of books--almost until they are all gone--do spend $ doing a reprint. If/when those numbers are met, I'll put in the changes. But that's a ways away, so stay tuned. Thanks for your interest!

[Solis]

Well, I've made note of all out-and-out errors that fans were kind enough to point out to me for the earlier books, in case there is a reprint. Fan Consultants were hired to work on Another Birth books before print, but not on Ai Buster's published books.

We need to sell X number of books--almost until they are all gone--do spend $ doing a reprint. If/when those numbers are met, I'll put in the changes. But that's a ways away, so stay tuned. Thanks for your interest!

Thanks for making notes of all the errors! I do hope the reprint happens for AI Buster novels as well as Another Birth vol. 1. The minor flaws in vol. 1 were kind of annoying since I was like "I know that wasn't how this happened." In any case, you're doing a fantastic job and I do hope that you continue to translate more of .hack.

A great place to start after Another Birth novels would be .hack//Zero vol. 1 -- there was only one volume, but the content in it is kind of important for knowledge in G.U. I've heard. Also, "The World G.U." magazine has been releasing many various manga related to G.U. (and also XXXX as a manga based on the original games) as well as .hack//CELL which is another novel series.

I've purchased all the .hack//novels so far, but I'd very much like to purchase a reprint with the errors fixed. In fact, I'll go out and buy the reprint as soon as I hear about it.

[Blu_Moon]

Thanks, that's really kind!

[Hale_Cross]

It was a good book. A lot of comedy sometime but really liked the heated discussion. Can't wait for the second volume to come out.

[Solis]

Hmm... I just read on the GameFAQs forums that "Morganna Mode Gone" is actually a mistaken translation. Apparently in the Japanese game, they really say "Morganna Maud Gonne" or something similar. "Maud Gonne" is reported on Wikipedia to have (get this) inspired many poems by W.B. Yeats... Sound familiar? W.B. Yeats being Hokuto's pseudonym for her poetry.

People on GameFAQs also mention that Lycrois calls Harald "Morganna Mode Gone" in AI Buster. (I can't exactly remember where that happened...) So if "Morganna Mode Gone" is in AI Buster, then possibly it's an error? "Maud Gonne" makes a _LOT_ more sense than the seemingly random "Mode Gone." In the games, there's even a pause between when characters say Morganna and "Mode Gone" in English. Which does make it seem even more likely that it should have been "Maud Gonne." So Bandai has two MAJOR errors (which is sort of sad, seeing as how they should have just communicated with Bandai in Japan to get everything straight) in the games' translation. This and referring to Mistral's child as a boy. Oh well, I'm waiting for G.U. now... Hopefully they'll do better this time. In any case, at least Tokyopop isn't the only one with translation errors. ;)

I just wanted to let Blu_Moon know, in case there is reprint for AI Buster.

I'm still hoping that a reprint of the novels eventually happens!
-Chris

[Shell]

Well, I've made note of all out-and-out errors that fans were kind enough to point out to me for the earlier books, in case there is a reprint. Fan Consultants were hired to work on Another Birth books before print, but not on Ai Buster's published books.

We need to sell X number of books--almost until they are all gone--do spend $ doing a reprint. If/when those numbers are met, I'll put in the changes. But that's a ways away, so stay tuned. Thanks for your interest!
Thank goodness! I sure hope that the re-print will happen... I read a translated excerpt from the dream sequence in the book a year before it was probably even liscensed, and I was pretty shocked to hear about the changes... I'll be waiting and hoping. :'D

[WavemasterElk]

Hmm... I just read on the GameFAQs forums that "Morganna Mode Gone" is actually a mistaken translation. Apparently in the Japanese game, they really say "Morganna Maud Gonne" or something similar. "Maud Gonne" is reported on Wikipedia to have (get this) inspired many poems by W.B. Yeats... Sound familiar? W.B. Yeats being Hokuto's pseudonym for her poetry.

People on GameFAQs also mention that Lycrois calls Harald "Morganna Mode Gone" in AI Buster. (I can't exactly remember where that happened...) So if "Morganna Mode Gone" is in AI Buster, then possibly it's an error? "Maud Gonne" makes a _LOT_ more sense than the seemingly random "Mode Gone." In the games, there's even a pause between when characters say Morganna and "Mode Gone" in English. Which does make it seem even more likely that it should have been "Maud Gonne." So Bandai has two MAJOR errors (which is sort of sad, seeing as how they should have just communicated with Bandai in Japan to get everything straight) in the games' translation. This and referring to Mistral's child as a boy. Oh well, I'm waiting for G.U. now... Hopefully they'll do better this time. In any case, at least Tokyopop isn't the only one with translation errors. ;)

I just wanted to let Blu_Moon know, in case there is reprint for AI Buster.

I'm still hoping that a reprint of the novels eventually happens!
-Chris

Well, keep in mind that Wikipedia IS user-edited; someone can put some complete crap that sounds official and it will stay. I don't hang out on the .hack GameFAQs boards that often anymore (I'm EmiHinata there), but I'd not heard of that. Does the Wikipedia article happen to site any sort of source, whether it be interview or ANYTHING?

[Solis]

The Wikipedia article (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maud_Gonne) (linked to Maud Gonne) doesn't say anything about "Morganna Mode Gone." It's all about Maud Gonne, and even though it doesn't have citation on her page... It seems very factual and her relationship with a W.B. Yeats is even mentioned on his page (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Butler_Yeats) (linked) which does have some citation.

Apparently the official Japanese (in the games at least) IS how you would phonetically write "Maud Gonne" in Japanese. I'm sure Tokyopop would be able to confirm or deny this statement (from the mention of it in AI Buster) if they had the time.

[PeterAhlstrom]

Maud Gonne and Mode Gone would be written exactly the same way in katakana (with a non-American pronunciation of Maud).

[Solis]

Ah. So I suppose it could go either way, which is why Bandai translated it the way that they did. Thanks for the clarification, Peter!

I do like the idea that it is "Maud Gonne" since it is kind of like an extended name for her, to make her seem more human. Also, it relates to W.B. Yeats. So it's sort of interesting. Hokuto wrote poetry about "The World", Morganna is/was "The World." (she even said so in .hack//SIGN if I'm not mistaken) I still think "Mode Gone" seems silly.

-Chris

[Academy185]

well, you can't always count on translators to do everything right, and people pretty much got the message a lot.

[eternal_midget]

and I wouldn't be surprised if TP translated it that way for continuity between the games and the novels... rather than have one translated one way, and one the other...

[Solis]

True. It might seem weird for the novels to have the correct translation for once. ;) Everyone might just think it's another mistake.

[Solis]

Hmm... So was Rumor really supposed to talk in the third person in .hack//AI Buster 2? Saying stuff like "Rumor has it" and "Rumor says"?

And... Will "Nova" (as his name is written in Another Birth vol. 1) be written as NOVA in future volumes since that is how it is in the games?

[PeterAhlstrom]

I hope not. Using all caps for a name works fine in Japanese (because names in roman letters often use all caps in Japanese), but these books are in English now.

[Solis]

Well, the English translation of the games used NOVA as his name. I didn't know that names in Roman letters were in all caps in Japanese. I thought it was something unique to that character.

[PeterAhlstrom]

HOTARU is also in all caps.

[AshenPhoenix]

Here's a place for fans of the .hack novels to chat.

I just finished a copy edit for Another Birth (volume 1) and boy! This is a mythopoetic series with lots of great symbolism and endless possibilities! It's like The Matrix, but for young adults.

Feel free to talk in here about your favorite characters, what you liked about the books (and of course, what needs improvement--we are taking extra care, checking facts with fans of the anime and games in order to get every little thing right from here on out), and what similar titles you'd like to see in print.

Welcome everyone!

Well, I was very pleased with the storytelling and overall beauty of the simplistic, yet, well-described writing. Of course I would've liked to see more illustrations, but then again, there never seems to be enough for me in that respect. (laughs) :D

Anyway, I've been diving into the net more and more to see when vol. 2 is coming out, along with lots of others from Tokyopop (i.e.: Fruits Basket, D.N.Angel, Loveless, etc.), so all I can say is I really loved it. I finished it awhile ago, but I can't recall any particular issues I had with it as a whole.

[Shinsou Wotan]

Hmm... So was Rumor really supposed to talk in the third person in .hack//AI Buster 2? Saying stuff like "Rumor has it" and "Rumor says"?

I don't know what they did in the translation (I pretty much gave up on the English version of AI Buster 2 after seeing what they'd done to my all-time favorite .hack character in Second Character), but in the original, Rumor did indeed speak like that when he was busy spreading rumors. When speaking about himself, he used first person like anyone else would.

[chibi-lover]

they're alright but i dunno but i do know something they are definetly worth your money

[kokorochan]

i only read Ai buster, and really love it, my fav character is Albireo, the bad news (for me) is he only app in the AI buster novels ;___;

[evesaakela]

I had to hunt this thread down! I think that this thread is fit for my first post, (Not including my "New members thread" post) due to the fact that Another Birth brought me into the Manga way of life if I may say so.

Back to the subject, the first Vol. of Another Birth (Infection) is such, and I can not say that enough, such a good book. I am almost more than half way through it on my second day of owning it. It keeps me hanging on because it is so good. I bought the first three, out of four. (There are four right?) I like BlackRose's stand point in the book, because she is such an interesting character.

There is only one thing I have wrong with the book, but it is minor. Whenever she is playing the game, before she goes any where she get nervous to go anywhere, and for a video game that seems a little... odd due to the fact you could just re-spon. But I can understand her not wanting to go into a coma.

But other than that fact, this is a great example of a great graphic Novel. This (These) book(s) get a tip of my hat. :D

[kite.]

To be frank, I prefer the three volumed manga series more, but there is the fact that the manga ended, and the novels haven't >_<
I have the manga and both AI Buster's and the first two Another Birth's and they're all great. .hack// is one of the first anime's I really got into when I started watching anime a lot a few years ago.

[HikariII]

Man... everyone seem to love Ai Buster. Am I the only one who found it full of plot-holes? I've only read the first book, but let me tell you my thoughts about it:

For one: the author must not have played any MMORPG at the time he wrote it. In this novel, there's a magical well that lets you upgrade your equipment free of charge. If such well existed in any real MMO, it would be widely abused by the players. Everyone would have the highest equipment available.

Second: The plot has so many holes in it, it's almost transparent. Was Alberio supposed to be that debugger from the beginning? Yet when he meet Lycoris in a dungeon, he makes no sign whatsoever that he was trying to debug her the chapter before. Also, it is mentioned that you can't jump of ascend without the help of stairs and the likes. But in the .hack//SIGN anime, Sora jumped around as freely as ever. Had the jumping patch not been released yet in Alberio's time? That sounds rather unlikely, seeing how the game is designed in the anime.

But the biggest plot-hole of all was the controller-explanations. It says you have to type your commands in order to make your characters do them: like /clap, /lie, /smile and so on. The only problem is, they're wearing an FMD! They shouldn't even be able to see the keyboard in front of them. It's not like everyone can type without looking at the keyboard (I sure can't ><). What's more, their hands are occupied with a controller!

Another thing I didn't like about it was the character Hokuto. She is one of the most annoying characters I have yet to encounter. Ok, so she's not quite what she seems, but that doesn't stop her from being annoying.

Sorry about the rant, but this is something I've kept inside me for a long time. Had to let it out, y'know.


About the .hack//Another Birth-novels; they're nowhere near as bad. They're actually very good. Although I can't help but notice some rather odd lines: "I hovered my cruiser above the character to learn its name"? The World is not controlled with a mouse, but with a hand contoller. Is this merely a miss-translation, or did the author not do his/her research properly?

[lilkimi810]

balmung is my most fav character out of all the .hack novels. i guess i like guy that are mysterious and have a attridue. lol bad a spelling =]

[Shinsou Wotan]

Man... everyone seem to love Ai Buster. Am I the only one who found it full of plot-holes? I've only read the first book, but let me tell you my thoughts about it:

For one: the author must not have played any MMORPG at the time he wrote it. In this novel, there's a magical well that lets you upgrade your equipment free of charge. If such well existed in any real MMO, it would be widely abused by the players. Everyone would have the highest equipment available.
The book contained only a simplified explanation of the well. As implemented in the .hack//games, it's not so broken. Depending on various conditions (such as time and weather), it may either upgrade or downgrade equipment, and there is a cap on how high it can go.

Second: The plot has so many holes in it, it's almost transparent. Was Alberio supposed to be that debugger from the beginning? Yet when he meet Lycoris in a dungeon, he makes no sign whatsoever that he was trying to debug her the chapter before.
That one was a plot point, not a plot hole. He was posing as an ordinary player while he figured out how she had escaped, not revealing himself until he believed he was ready and able to delete her successfully.

Also, it is mentioned that you can't jump of ascend without the help of stairs and the likes. But in the .hack//SIGN anime, Sora jumped around as freely as ever. Had the jumping patch not been released yet in Alberio's time? That sounds rather unlikely, seeing how the game is designed in the anime.
It is, however, an accurate description of how things work in the PS2 games. There are several points such as this where the games and anime differ.

But the biggest plot-hole of all was the controller-explanations. It says you have to type your commands in order to make your characters do them: like /clap, /lie, /smile and so on. The only problem is, they're wearing an FMD! They shouldn't even be able to see the keyboard in front of them. It's not like everyone can type without looking at the keyboard (I sure can't ><). What's more, their hands are occupied with a controller!
You've got a point here. I suspect it's possible to set up controller macros for the commands you use most often, but in general, you're right.

[HikariII]

The book contained only a simplified explanation of the well. As implemented in the .hack//games, it's not so broken. Depending on various conditions (such as time and weather), it may either upgrade or downgrade equipment, and there is a cap on how high it can go.
But they never mentioned a word about that, and thus made it less believable.

It is, however, an accurate description of how things work in the PS2 games. There are several points such as this where the games and anime differ.
That's precisely why I didn't like the games. I get the feeling that they're only trying to provide the story, and doesn't seem to care about the gameplay. The .hack//SIGN anime was, in my opinion, perfect in every way. The games pretty much ruined that with its restrictions and poor gameplay.

And yes, I know that the games were released first, but still...

That one was a plot point, not a plot hole. He was posing as an ordinary player while he figured out how she had escaped, not revealing himself until he believed he was ready and able to delete her successfully.
That would've worked better if it wasn't in first person perspective. You're supposed to be following his thought proccess, yet he was acting as though he'd never met the girl. Was he trying to fool himself? It didn't make sense to me.

[Solis]

But they never mentioned a word about that, and thus made it less believable.

Why did they need to? I mean, they told essentially how it works. You throw something in, you get something better out of it. Sure, weather effects whether it upgrades weapons and downgrades armor or vice-versa but any player would know whether they should throw in a weapon or a piece of armor. The rules aren't very complicated. It should be OBVIOUS that they wouldn't give out RARE items from such a thing. But, I think it'd be great to have a MMORPG with such devices to upgrade weapons/armor. You wouldn't get the best or "highest" equipment, as you'd need rare items for such things. Also, as was mentioned... there's a cap based on the area's level so you've got to go to higher levels. Anyway, in the .hack games, items were fairly common... so it's not like they're ruining the game by doing such things.

They explained it better than the anime did. Heck, all they did in the anime was try to attack the thing (which you can't even do in the games.) And you later say that you thought the anime was "perfect in every way."


That's precisely why I didn't like the games. I get the feeling that they're only trying to provide the story, and doesn't seem to care about the gameplay. The .hack//SIGN anime was, in my opinion, perfect in every way. The games pretty much ruined that with its restrictions and poor gameplay.

And yes, I know that the games were released first, but still...

And that's exactly the reason why many people LOVED the games. The story. I thought gameplay was great, honestly. Well, maybe that's just because I loved the story so much. Sure, it seems like you're just repeatedly pushing the attack-button but there are some places where it's advantageous to use items/skills in battle. They've greatly improved upon gameplay in the newer games.

Also, there's NO need for jumping in .hack. I don't really see why people care about jumping in MMORPGs anyway. I gladly play Guild Wars and there's no jumping there. The levels in the games (.hack and Guild Wars both) aren't designed to require jumping, so the ability to jump would be useless. The novels pretty much followed the games, the anime took some artistic license and made its own rules. They wanted to make it look more interesting. Heck, a lot of the things in the anime you couldn't do in the games.

That would've worked better if it wasn't in first person perspective. You're supposed to be following his thought proccess, yet he was acting as though he'd never met the girl. Was he trying to fool himself? It didn't make sense to me.

One thing you must keep in mind (and this may also apply to the first thing you said -- about the Spring of Myst) is that this was rewritten in English, not a direct translation. Even if it was a direct translation, this could still be attributed to translation error... I'm not sure if this was how it was in the Japanese novel. I can't read Japanese, myself, so I'd have to check with someone to be sure. But keeping in mind that it was REWRITTEN in English for young adults... (TokyoPop mentioned that they did this for .hack//Another Birth when people started pointing out errors and stuff that was left out, I'd imagine the same happened here.) it might be easy to see how some things might have been lost along the way, even minor details/sentences could have affected this.

Perhaps they left out detailed explanations about the Spring of Myst because the translator didn't find it very interesting/important. Maybe they weren't in the Japanese to begin with.

Perhaps Alberio had mentioned something about trying to trick Lycoris. Or maybe his thoughts in the Japanese indicated this through very subtle wording that was lost in translation.

I didn't really care much for the translation of .hack//AI Buster, mainly due to all the glaring errors (that are very noticeable to .hack fans), none of which have anything to do with what you've said.

I had hoped that by TokyoPop's third .hack novel, they'd learn a thing or two... but they still made many annoying errors in .hack//Another Birth vol. 1. Namely attributing actions/words to the wrong characters (getting characters confused).

[HikariII]

Why did they need to? I mean, they told essentially how it works. You throw something in, you get something better out of it. Sure, weather effects whether it upgrades weapons and downgrades armor or vice-versa but any player would know whether they should throw in a weapon or a piece of armor. The rules aren't very complicated. It should be OBVIOUS that they wouldn't give out RARE items from such a thing. But, I think it'd be great to have a MMORPG with such devices to upgrade weapons/armor. You wouldn't get the best or "highest" equipment, as you'd need rare items for such things. Also, as was mentioned... there's a cap based on the area's level so you've got to go to higher levels. Anyway, in the .hack games, items were fairly common... so it's not like they're ruining the game by doing such things.
Poor explanations makes a poor novel, that's