Log Horizon
Review By: John Fragglepuss Evans
Be warned, Log Horizon is not Sword Art Online. If you go into this anime expecting it to be the same as SAO, you will most likely be disappointed. If you start watching Log Horizon with an open mind and an open heart, you will have a much better chance at enjoying it. Also, there is subtle humor throughout Log Horizon, which is well-placed.
You might enjoy this if: You are on the prowl for a lot of strategic, political action. Also, if you are looking for a gentleman cat-person, you found your anime!
You might not like it if: You are on the hunt for the battle-scene action.
Note to the Viewer: This is not Sword Art Online.
EXPANDED REVIEW:
Our anime group, Salt Lake City (SLC) Anime, reviewed Log Horizon this month and here is what the group thought:
There were several Pros and Cons about Log Horizon, and these all differed depending on the person. Log Horizon is not like Sword Art Online, in that there is not a lot of action. There is a lot of strategic, political planning. This is not bad at first, but carried on through the whole series. I mean, it’s an MMORPG, there should be battles at some point.
There is a lot of interaction with NPCs, or People of the Land as they are referred to. This also means that there is more of a political system in the world.
Besides the first episode, there is hardly a mention of leaving the virtual world until the last episode. It makes it seem as if nobody cares that they are stuck in a video game. It is a 25 episode season, and you never see what their life is outside the virtual world, and it hardly even gets mentioned that this is not their real life.
There are a lot of characters with a lot of stories, and many of the character’s stories get left in the dust because there is too much going in. This ties into the romantic interests of the characters. While there is not a lot of romance in the anime, what little love interest exists is inconsistent throughout the season.
Log Horizon does a great job at explaining basic MMORPG terminology and blending that into episodes. People not familiar with the MMORPG world will be able to understand the virtual world well.
It takes a while for many of the characters to grow on you. A lot of them have a stereotypical introduction, but then develop as the season progresses. Others seem to get ignored, and you only see them every couple episodes even though they were a prominent character at the beginning of the season.
Overall, SLC Anime enjoyed Log Horizon, giving it a favorable review. Just remember, once again, not to compare it to Sword Art Online.
