Log Horizon | Anime Review | Pinnedupink.com

Log Horizon

Isekai anime set in Game worlds started appearing a lot after the success of Sword Art Online. While some came off as blatant ripoffs and others as heavily inspired by it, no small number of them were set in their own fantasy worlds. Action and Adventure were staple components in all of them, and there’s no doubt that there were some incredible series in the mix if just given a chance. So among the many, which were the real hidden gems?

Log Horizon is a 25 episode TV anime series that aired from the 5th of October 2013 until the 22nd of March 2014, as a Fall 2013 title. It was produced by NHK, licensed by Sentai Filmworks, and brought to life by Studio Satelight.

The primary staff involved with its creation are Ishihira Shinji as Director, Hata Shouji as Sound Director, Shirahata Nobuo as Episode Director, and Andou Takashi as Episode Director. It features the genres of Action, Adventure, and Fantasy, with the central theme of Games. It received a rating of PG-13 for teenagers 13 years or older.

Log Horizon is based on the Light Novel of the same title. It is still under publication, starting from the 13th of April 2010 by Author Touno Mamare and Artist Hara Kazuhiro. It was published in English by Yen Press under the Yen On imprint since the 21st of April 2015, in French by Ofelbe since the 26th of November 2015, in Polish by Studio JG since April 2016, and in Brazilian Portuguese by NewPOP.

The anime series adapts the first five volumes of this series. A summary was released in a single Special episode titled “Imanara Maniau! Log Horizon” (Log Horizon Recap, Log Horizon Episode 6.5, Log Horizon Special), which recaps the first six episodes of the anime in November 2013. Log Horizon Season 2 was also released as a 25 episode TV series in Fall 2014 by Studio Deen, which adapts Volumes 6 to 9 from the Light Novels. Finally, Season 3 was recently released in Winter 2021 by Studio Deen, titled “Log Horizon: Entaku Houkai” (Log Horizon: Destruction of the Round Table), which spanned 12 episodes.

In the world of Log Horizon, the MMORPG titled Elder Tale is ever popular. But in the blink of an eye, around thirty thousand of its Japanese players are whisked away from their everyday lives right into the middle of their favorite Gameworld. This unprecedented phenomenon occurred following the game's latest update, leaving the gamers bewildered and unable to log out.

Among the many lost and confused players is the series protagonist, the socially awkward but brilliant college student Shiroe. What sets him apart from the rest? His confusion and shock from the sudden displacement last only mere moments. As a seasoned veteran of the game, he manages to calm down. He logically assesses the situation momentarily and immediately sets off to explore the unknown limits of his new yet familiar reality.

Shiroe, along with many others, is left with no choice but to learn about and adapt to their new world. Many factors must be considered, resources managed, and compromises made if they ever wish to bring stability to the virtual city of Akihabara, where they now find themselves.

They are faced with the challenges of living there, leading the other gamers, and negotiating with the NPC (Non-Player Characters) "natives" of the game. Shiroe is a pioneer in the struggle, and he makes sure he knows what he’s doing. He is not alone either; joining him are Naotsugu, who had unfortunately logged in the game for the first time in years only to find himself trapped within it, and Akatsuki, who is a petite but fierce and capable assassin that sees Shiroe as her only master.

Their tale is one of fantasy, adventure, mind games, and politics, as Shiroe traverses the vast new world and explores its many gaming elements, as viewed through the eyes of a master strategist and “evil genius” who aims to make the best of a puzzling and troublesome situation.

The Story of Log Horizon is probably its greatest strength. It is unique and built differently from that of a typical Shounen series. It heavily relies on political and economic themes that fit nicely into its core aspects: settling into and building a new world. To this end, there are a few episodes with heavy and intense dialogue; battles fought with intellect and words rather than weapons and magic.

These moments are highly entertaining and serve to keep the story consistently engaging. The execution, pacing, and structuring of the arcs are well implemented and a pleasure to watch. Almost everything the characters do hold meaning and lead to greater ends.

Despite starting as a typical Game Isekai, focusing on some combat and gameplay mechanics, this only lays the foundation for the bigger story. While action and combat are crucial to the story, they are built around logical tactics and strategy. Shiroe is not an OP protagonist who pummels through all opponents and challenges; he is a team player and Support who relies heavily on his intellect and teammates to reach their goals collectively.

The Characters of Log Horizon are not spectacular but are significant nonetheless. They all do their parts and complement each other well. They all react to their predicaments in their own way and do so in a realistic manner. Each character holds promise for the future of the show, and all of them get decent development. Despite the Politics and Economics, the characters do not fail to show their own brand of humor and wholesome moments, making for a fun and relatable cast.

The Art and Animation of Log Horizon are decent. Rest assured, it is in no way terrible and is actually pretty good and consistent. This aspect doesn’t really scream GAME either, and this is good because it is not known for sure if they are in the game. The Character designs are generic but also nice and fitting. Shiroe’s design, in particular, is unique and suitable.

The Sounds and Music of Log Horizon are decent too. The Opening theme is "database feat. TAKUMA (10 Feet)" by MAN WITH A MISSION, and the Ending theme is "Your song*" by Yun*chi, both of which are great after a bit of getting used to. The OSTs are not as great or memorable though, they are simply there and fulfill their purpose. While they aren’t necessarily bad, viewers would seldom even notice their presence or absence.

Overall, Log Horizon will definitely not be the kind of series you expected when you first got into it. It has a lot of realism, economics, and politics within a fantasy world, making for a fascinating series. The spontaneous nature of their new world, the diverse and vibrant characters, coping mechanisms, compromises, and adaptability make this anime worth the watch.

Granted, it has a few flaws and plot holes, but these are barely noticeable when you’re busy trying to comprehend the scale of Shiroe’s plans and schemes. The selling points are the well-executed story, the pure entertainment factor, and the unique vibe. Highly recommended, even if the featured genres and themes aren't your cup of tea; this is simply a delightful watch.