Four years have passed since the events of the .hack videogames, and the MMORPG “The World” has long since become a far more stable and peaceful place- not to mention the fact that it is now more popular than ever! Among the new players are Shugo and Rena, twin brother and sister who have just won a competition to use the avatars of the legendary “dot hackers” Kite and BlackRose (the main characters from the videogames).

Overcoming his dislike of games in order to spend more time with his sister, Shugo soon discovers that he must take on the role of Kite in more than name only when he receives Kite’s bracelet and thus the ability to use the powerful “Data Drain” ability. Now, as a new evil begins creating fresh chaos in “The World”, it falls to Shugo and his new-found friends in “The World” to combat the disruptions.

If you’ve seen .hack//SIGN or played the videogames, it might be natural to expect more of the same from this sequel, but make no mistake, Legend of the Twilight presents a very different take on “The World”. In place of the suspense and drama that characterised the other entries in the .hack series, Legend of Twilight presents a tale that combines the light hearted feel of the original manga with more action based elements suited to the animated format.

Given that the series makes more than a few references to the videogames, some familiarity with them is a definitely a bonus, however it isn’t really a necessity. Shugo and Rena are themselves newcomers to “The World”, and there are more than enough explanations about the workings of the game to bring newcomers to the franchise up to speed.

Whether or not you’re a .hack veteran, however, there is a lot to like about Legend of the Twilight. The mix of comedy and action makes for entertaining viewing that’s never too hard on the brain, and it certainly complements the slower-paced .hack//SIGN perfectly. Unfortunately, the series does falter a little in places, with the closing episodes in particular feeling a bit rushed.

Aside from a couple of familiar faces from .hack’s earlier incarnations, the series boasts a whole new cast of characters, and as is often the case with shorter series, there isn’t enough time to really explore and develop them all. This is unfortunate, as aside from Rena’s irritating tendency to whine for her brother every couple of minutes, the characters are an interesting bunch, and a few more episodes dedicated to learning more about them wouldn’t have gone amiss.

When it comes to visuals, the animation quality is certainly of a high standard, but the series has been given a new and distinctive look. With its vivid colours and almost “chibi” style character designs, the series has a bright and cheerful feel that is almost reminiscent of a classic RPG. The background music only reinforces the retro gaming atmosphere with electronic style tracks that set the mood perfectly within the context of the series, even if they are eminently forgettable by the time you’ve switched off your DVD player.

In Summary

The perfect complement to the slow and suspenseful .hack//SIGN, Legend of the Twilight presents a mix of action and comedy that, despite being in need of a little development in some areas, still makes for an enjoyable (albeit lamentably short) series. Whether you’re looking for your next .hack fix, or just want some straightforward entertainment that’s easy on the eye, this series should be able to fulfil your needs.