.hack//Link -RIVES-

"'Welcome to The World, Tokio'""-Tagline".hack//RIVES is a new television anime, a new title of dothack franchise, and the first chapter of LINK story which been produced by A-1 Pictures, directed by Tomohiko Ito and written by Kazunari Ito, Tatsuya Hamazaki, and Megane Kikuya, with Hiroshi Matsuyama as the producer of the anime series, which is also working on directing the anime series.

It will be considered as the first phase to the Tokio's journey and bringing an all-new fresh start to the series which catering for new fans and also bringing more enjoyment to long-time dothack fans.

The anime series main story will be tied-up to .hack//LINK -Chrono Link- Game, while the story will take a new direction turn and bringing the evolution of the Isekai anime genre that bringing new story development to begin.

Few characters from .hack//LINK will appear in the anime series, either for their role as Cameo, or Minor Characters, but it teasing something that will come up in Chrono Link.

The game adaptation .hack//LINK -Chrono Link- Episode Zero: ReConnect will adapting the story from anime, including ever-expanding story, the brand-new story arc, and additional character comes in play, with gameplay elements based on the third episode of Chrono Link.

Editor Comment
.hack//RIVES is a brand-new story to the dothack franchise which is the first volume of Chrono Link story, which is set 2020 A.D. as it takes two years after the end of R:2 which the next version which is known as The World R:3 as the third version of the most immersive online game to all players from worldwide, including Japan, and this will be the main setting for the anime series which focus on Tokio's first adventure in the online game for the first time.

''The reason why I've didn't took R:X as the main setting may gonna be hard to explain because R:X and the original LINK was platforming for Playstation Portable, and so the P-COM was based on the PSP version which is why there's people said it will be impossible for .hack//LINK to be fully remade due to the R:X was platforming P-COM which based on the PSP so I can see why. ''

That's why I rebooted the main setting of the online game from R:X to R:3 which will be much easier to bring a new platform which matches to the latest platform in 2020 like PS5, Xbox Series, Switch, and PC, so in order to create a platform for that could base on four latest generation platform, that is how to make an idea by creating a new MMOVR known as POS5 which based one of four platforms which had a different format and use which compatibility with R:3, but I will explain it later.

The third season of .hack// might received soft reboot on how story direction progress since the creation of .hack//RIVES as the main series of the third season while considered the first volume to the LINK story, and it might gonna cause problem toward continuity, contradiction, and major story retconned, however, Chrono Link was a different title from the original LINK which has no worry about continuity problem, but I think most of the fans worry about other future series continuity, but Chrono Link will not going to far to make a bigger continuity problem, while the story had balanced and been polished in order to prevent the problem of continuity but to be honest, this is something that very hard to explain, but I'm sure that it won't cause a bigger major continuity problem to other future series, unless.

The story focus on Tokio Kuryuu and a brand-new character, Akira Yoshinori which two of them become the main protagonist to the RIVES story going for adventure to the online game The World R:3 while facing the mysterious PKer and Hackers, ENTIES which became a main antagonist to the RIVES story, and this story will be tied up to Chrono Link story.

Behind the Name of RIVES
RIVES is taken its name based on the operation R.I.V.E.S [The Road Mission Over Extermination of Apostate] which is the operation held by The conspirators of CyberConnect Corporation who orchestrated to murdering the administrator of The World, and several connection people who revealed to be collaborators with a traitor who responsible for the Fire at CC Corp and its R.A. Plan failures which resulting banishing the traitors who become oppose a threat to their reputation.

ENTIES was assigned the operation in order to wipe out all the collaborators with the one who responsible for R.A. Plan's failures and not just that because traitors also knew the true existence of their goal, and so wiping the traitors in order to keep their goals secret wipe and clean.

Setting
.hack//RIVES will set two years after the event of .hack//G.U. Vol.4 Reconnection and much importantly will set in early February 2020 which seems to be a few weeks after the release of the massive popular next upgrade of MMORPG known as The World R:3 which is the main setting to the anime series, although the real-life setting will be in the area Tokyo.

After the end of The World R:2 service, the massively popular game online company, CyberConnect Corporation has already developed the next version of the online game just right after The Third Network Crisis, within depicted through major criticism, the next version will rebooting the story which made a decision to bringing back the World R:1 concept about The Epitaph of Twilight.

The release sells of the online game The World R:3 has already reached over 900.000 sells copies in just a few weeks.

Synopsis
In the year of 2020 A.D. the most well-known popular company known as Cyber Connect Corporation (CC Corp) has released the next version of the most popular online game known as The World R:3 which considered as the successor to the second revision.

The Middle-School student, Tokio Kuryuu becomes the most undefeatable boy in arcade games never even try to Register and Log in to the World R:3, until his best friend, Akira Yoshinori inviting him to play an online game together. Log into the world and enjoying a full-experience for a greater adventure online game, or something that makes more challenging and fun.

But once it continues, they encounter against the mysterious PC with mask known as ENTIES the legendary PKK and hackers which become the main target to all guild and bringing a cause of distortion toward online game which steers their enjoyment turns into a bloody battle and killing people, resulting people's mind being broke down and died.

Tokio and Akira together enjoying their playing online games, while exploring the mystery identity of ENTIES and learn the unexpected phenomenon that happens in Online Game.

' Thus beginning of Tokio's journey!! 

Characters
Main Characters Support Characters Canard PK/Red Dead Guild Blue-Moon Raven Antagonist Other Characters
 * Tokio Kuryuu/Toki
 * Akira Yoshinori/Leon
 * X7
 * Sol
 * Nishijima81
 * Neil
 * Silabus
 * Gaspard
 * Shion
 * Juin
 * K-J
 * Fei
 * Davis
 * Fero
 * Yasha-Killer
 * Kruger
 * John77
 * The F
 * D-Grunty
 * Yun-EL
 * Hyokawa1
 * Finest22
 * Tres-77
 * Yukio
 * Sophora
 * Missy-White
 * Kyushu
 * Pi
 * The Enties
 * Geist
 * Kasumi Ito (Kite)
 * Ayaka Amagi
 * Toki-runty.
 * Genius
 * Fluegel
 * Metronom
 * Cello
 * Klarinette
 * Jyotaro Amagi
 * Ju21
 * Jikanet
 * Piros 4th

Connection between .hack//RIVES and .hack//LINK -Chrono Link-
"See Connection story elements with .hack//RIVES"

Episode
"See all episodes of .hack//RIVES " 

RIVES -1st Season-

 * .hack//RIVES Blu-ray BOX 1
 * .hack//RIVES Episode 1-2 + OVA Episode 1 -The Grunties Race-
 * Character Files + World View Setting + Depth Character Info by Designer.
 * Key Visual Art by Kikuya Megane and Team Anime Designer.
 * Special Commentaries by VAs and Director regarding ".hack//RIVES" and "Welcome to the World Arc"
 * Hidden Special Art drew by Seiichiro Hasokawa.
 * .hack//RIVES Blu-ray BOX 2
 * .hack//RIVES Episode 3-5 + OVA Episode 2 -Tokio's Bad Luck-
 * Character Files + World View Setting + Depth Character Info by Designer.
 * Key Visual Art by Kikuya Megane and Team Anime Designer.
 * Special Commentaries by VAs, President CEO, and Director regarding about "Admantinium Arc"
 * Hidden Special Art drew by Seiichiro Hasokawa.
 * .hack//RIVES Blu-ray BOX 3
 * .hack//RIVES Episode 6-8 + OVA Episode 3 -Crimson VS Card-
 * Character Files + World View Setting + Depth Character Info by Designer.
 * Key Visual Art by Kikuya Megane and Team Anime Designer.
 * Special Commentaries by VAs and Producer regarding about "Canard Arc"
 * Hidden Special Art drew by Seiichiro Hasokawa.
 * .hack//RIVES Blu-ray BOX 4 
 * .hack//RIVES Episode 9-13 + OVA Episode 4 -Kruger's Secret Hobby-
 * Character Files + World View Setting + Depth Character Info by Designer.
 * Key Visual Art by Kikuya Megane and Team Anime Designer.
 * Special Commentaries by VAs, Director and Anime Team Staff regarding about "Culture Royal War Arc"
 * Special Message for all fans, including teaser picture for the upcoming Season 2 of RIVES.
 * Hidden Special Art drew by Seiichiro Hasokawa.

RIVES -2nd Season-

 * .hack//RIVES -2nd Season- Blu-ray BOX 1
 * .hack//RIVES -2nd Season- Episode 1-3 + OVA Episode 5 -Crazy Party Dungeon-
 * Character Files + World View Setting + Depth Character Info by Designer.
 * Key Visual Art by Kikuya Megane and Team Anime Designer.
 * Special Commentaries by VAs, Director and Anime Team Staff regarding about "Grand United Festival Arc"
 * Hidden Special Art drew by Seiichiro Hasokawa.
 * .hack//RIVES -2nd Season- Blu-ray BOX 2
 * .hack//RIVES -2nd Season- Episode 4-6 + Lost Episode 1 -Davis's Investigation Plan-
 * Character Files + World View Setting + Depth Character Info by Designer.
 * Key Visual Art by Kikuya Megane and Team Anime Designer.
 * Special Commentaries by VAs, Director, and Anime Team Staff regarding "Investigation Arc"
 * Hidden Special Art drew by Seiichiro Hasokawa.
 * .hack//RIVES -2nd Season- Blu-ray BOX 3
 * .hack//RIVES -2nd Season- Episode 7-10 + Lost Episode 2 -Reaching Out to You-
 * Character Files + World View Setting + Depth Character Info by Designer.
 * Key Visual Art by Kikuya Megane and Team Anime Designer.
 * Special Commentaries by VAs, Director, and Anime Team Staff regarding "Grand Whale Exploration Arc"
 * Hidden Special Art drew by Seiichiro Hasokawa.
 * .hack//RIVES -2nd Season- Blu-ray BOX 4 
 * .hack//RIVES -2nd Season- Episode 11-12 + Lost Episode 3-5 -Training Arc-
 * Character Files + World View Setting + Depth Character Info by Designer.
 * Key Visual Art by Kikuya Megane and Team Anime Designer.
 * Special Commentaries by VAs, Director, and Anime Team Staff regarding "Mini-Episode" and "Training Arc".
 * Hidden Special Art drew by Seiichiro Hasokawa.
 * .hack//RIVES -3rd Season- Blu-ray BOX 5
 * .hack//RIVES -2nd Season- Episode 13-17 + Lost Episode 6 -The Sophora's Proposal-
 * Character Files + World View Setting + Depth Character Info by Designer.
 * Key Visual Art by Kikuya Megane and Team Anime Designer.
 * Special Commentaries by VAs, Director, and Anime Team Staff regarding "Battle of Lost Yavin Arc"
 * Hidden Special Art drew by Seiichiro Hasokawa.
 * .hack//RIVES -3rd Season- Blu-ray BOX 6
 * .hack//RIVES -2nd Season- Episode 18-21 + Lost Episode 7 -Promise-
 * Character Files + World View Setting + Depth Character Info by Designer.
 * Key Visual Art by Kikuya Megane and Team Anime Designer.
 * Special Commentaries by VAs, Director, and Anime Team Staff regarding "The Fall of the Blue Moon Arc"
 * Hidden Special Art drew by Seiichiro Hasokawa.
 * .hack//RIVES -3rd Season- Blu-ray BOX 7
 * .hack//RIVES -2nd Season- Episode 22-25 + Lost Episode 8 -The Reason-
 * Character Files + World View Setting + Depth Character Info by Designer.
 * Key Visual Art by Kikuya Megane and Team Anime Designer.
 * Special Commentaries by VAs, Director, and Anime Team Staff regarding "Tragedy of the Circus Arc"
 * Special Message for all fans, including teaser picture for the upcoming Season 3 of RIVES.
 * Hidden Special Art drew by Seiichiro Hasokawa.

RIVES -3rd Season- Part 1

 * .hack//RIVES -3rd Season- Part 1 Blu-ray BOX 1
 * .hack//RIVES -3rd Season- Episode 1-3 + OVA Episode 6 -The Day Akira Meet Him-
 * Character Files + World View Setting + Depth Character Info by Designer.
 * Key Visual Art by Kikuya Megane and Team Anime Designer.
 * Special Commentaries by VAs, Director, and Anime Team Staff regarding "Ark Tournament Arc -1st Part-"
 * Hidden Special Art drew by Seiichiro Hasokawa.
 * .hack//RIVES -3rd Season- Part 1 Blu-ray BOX 2
 * .hack//RIVES -3rd Season- Episode 4-7 + OVA Episode 7 -Sol's First Log into The World-
 * Character Files + World View Setting + Depth Character Info by Designer.
 * Key Visual Art by Kikuya Megane and Team Anime Designer.
 * Special Commentaries by VAs, Director, and Anime Team Staff regarding "Ark Tournament Arc -2nd Part-"
 * Hidden Special Art drew by Seiichiro Hasokawa.
 * .hack//RIVES -3rd Season- Part 1 Blu-ray BOX 3
 * .hack//RIVES -3rd Season- Episode 8-10
 * Character Files + World View Setting + Depth Character Info by Designer.
 * Key Visual Art by Kikuya Megane and Team Anime Designer.
 * Special Commentaries by VAs, Director, and Anime Team Staff regarding "Ark Tournament Arc -3rd Part-"
 * Hidden Special Art drew by Seiichiro Hasokawa.
 * .hack//RIVES -3rd Season- Part 1 Blu-ray BOX 4 
 * .hack//RIVES -3rd Season- Episode 11-13 + Short Episode -The Hidden Play-
 * Character Files + World View Setting + Depth Character Info by Designer.
 * Key Visual Art by Kikuya Megane and Team Anime Designer.
 * Special Commentaries by VAs, Director, and Anime Team Staff regarding "Ark Tournament Arc -Final-"
 * Special Message for all fans, including teaser picture for the upcoming Season 3 Part 2 of RIVES.
 * Hidden Special Art drew by Seiichiro Hasokawa.

RIVES -3rd Season- Part 2

 * .hack//RIVES -3rd Season- Part 2 Blu-ray BOX 1
 * .hack//RIVES -3rd Season- Episode 14-16
 * Character Files + World View Setting + Depth Character Info by Designer.
 * Key Visual Art by Kikuya Megane and Team Anime Designer.
 * Special Commentaries by VAs, Team Animator, and Anime Team Staff regarding "Summer Raid Boss Arc"
 * Hidden Special Art drew by Seiichiro Hasokawa.
 * .hack//RIVES -3rd Season- Part 2 Blu-ray BOX 2
 * .hack//RIVES -3rd Season- Episode 17-19 + Lost Episode 9 -The Assignment-
 * Character Files + World View Setting + Depth Character Info by Designer.
 * Key Visual Art by Kikuya Megane and Team Anime Designer.
 * Special Commentaries by VAs, Director, and Anime Team Staff regarding "Assassination of Red Dead Leader Arc"
 * Hidden Special Art drew by Seiichiro Hasokawa.
 * .hack//RIVES -3rd Season- Part 2 Blu-ray BOX 3
 * .hack//RIVES -3rd Season- Episode 20-22 + Lost Episode 10 -The True Plan-
 * Character Files + World View Setting + Depth Character Info by Designer.
 * Key Visual Art by Kikuya Megane and Team Anime Designer.
 * Special Commentaries by VAs, Team Animator, and Anime Team Staff regarding "Unofficial Royal Battle Arc -1st Part-"
 * Hidden Special Art drew by Seiichiro Hasokawa.
 * .hack//RIVES -3rd Season- Part 2 Blu-ray BOX 4 
 * .hack//RIVES -3rd Season- Episode 23-25 + Episode 25.5 -The End of the First Chapter-
 * Character Files + World View Setting + Depth Character Info by Designer.
 * Key Visual Art by Kikuya Megane and Team Anime Designer.
 * Special Commentaries by VAs, Director, and Anime Team Staff regarding "Unofficial Royal Battle Arc -2nd Part-"
 * Special Message for all fans and thanks message from Director, Anime staff, Animator team, and VAs Actor.
 * 3-Pages booklet Interviews about the possibility for the soft-rebooted version of .hack//LINK as the sequel to RIVES and Where the story will head next, including answering some unanswered plot in RIVES anime.
 * PV teaser for .hack//LINK -Chrono Link-.
 * Hidden Special Art drew by Seiichiro Hasokawa.

The Next Chapter...
.hack//LINK -Chrono Link- is a fully remade version and the second chapter of LINK story, also a soft rebooted version to the original LINK focus on continuing Tokio and Akira's journey with a newcomer, Saika Koshizumi once again enter to the World R:3 in the gloomy atmosphere and the harsh situation has driven a new adventure for the trio.

Embark their journey by using the mysterious tower known as Akashic Records which has the ability to travel to the past time in order to obtain the Chrono Core that contained inside the Three Powerful Heroes before the organization known as Schicksal tried to obtain it for bad things.

The Game Adaptation
.hack//LINK -Chrono Link- Episode Prologue: ReConnect is the game adaptation to the anime series RIVES which is now being fully remade as the game version with based on Chrono Link game mechanics and will adapting the story from the anime series from the first to the third season with the inclusion of the ever-expanding story elements and brand-new story arcs giving to expand a more depth to The World R:3.

Including brand new characters which didn't even appear in the anime series, including the Real World story element will also be added.

Trivia

 * It would be a second time that the prequel anime series will be starring by the same protagonist, the first time was .hack//Roots anime.
 * While the direct marketing will be different, the anime series .hack//RIVES would be first to be told before .hack//LINK -Chrono Link- comes out.
 * The World R:3 will be the main setting to the anime series RIVES as it was released in late January 2020, much different from The World R:X which presented in the original LINK as it releases possibly summer season 2020.
 * Anime story will somehow be considered Reboot to the original LINK with its setting different from the original one.
 * This might be direct-sequel to .hack//G.U. Vol 4 Reconnection.