.hack//Quantum: The Complete 3 OVA Series

This three-episode OVA from a long-established anime series is set in the year 2222, a time when people are routinely implanted with microchips that not only simplify and secure (in theory) personal data and identification, but also permit easy brain-supercomputer interfaces. Inside a vast virtual-reality medieval-fantasy simulation of the quantum mainframes, “The World” (think World of Warcraft) holds sway as a popular game. Tobias, Mary, and Sakuya are inseparable World quest-adventurers, but in real life are mere Japanese schoolgirls faced with exam drudgery and career-goal surveys. Venturing inside the World to escape, the trio encounter a cute, cat-like humanoid avatar called the Hermit, who not only has mysterious powers that enable it to control the game environment—more so than the programmers ever intended—but is also connected to a creeping malady that sends gamers into indefinite-length comas while their avatars/souls wander in the World as shadowy "lost ones." Presented on a dual-language disc, rated TV-14, extras include bonus mini-episodes. A decent diversion, this is recommended for those collecting the original series, but optional elsewhere. (C. Cassady)