NOT Sword Art Online.
Whilst SAO had arguably superior art there is something charming about the art and character design in log horizon from Shiroe to Regan. The characters I say make a show. Here there are loads which I find great especially as they are all unique....well except that everyone has a hidden skill....PUSHING YOUR GLASSES SLIGHTLY UP!!! When this happens you know something is about to happen. Shiroe isn't called the "Villian behind Glasses" for nothing! The settings and background art are great.
This series plays on the idea that you have just got out of dreary old work and are shut in a game. But you have no idea apart there was an update. Who would want to go from fun game to school and work..*cough* SAO *cough*.
Log Horizon also understands the concept of MMOs. One of its greatest attributes is that it takes time to explain the world from politics to geography and servers to attacks. Every attack has a background and when first used Shiroe or another character explains it, its fascinating. Talking about attacks, its also fun to see the 3 main characters start at Max level 90, but the limit has just been raised to 100, its not some generic shounen where friendship, love and randomly swinging a sword around solves it all *cough* SAO *cough*.
Whilst there is lots of talking it just adds to the world it creates. On this topic whilst some may disagree and say sub is better I watched sub then dub but I found the dub better for me. Some disagree with Mike Yager as Shiroe but I love his voice as Shiroe its bland and bleak...like a strategist should be - calm not screaming like Kirito! Akatsuki and Crusty also had great dub actors.
Whilst the music can be repetitive I liked it..not sure why but I loved it and DATABASE DATABASE at the start of each episode is a guilty pleasure. The writing for the script is amazing and congrats to Mamare Touno for the great Light Novel source. He understands politics, economics, under handed tactics and of course MMOs.
Animation? Standard but endearing!
Now the story....adapting and waiting not screaming, panicking and trying to escape. This allows a world of monsters and events which seem basic to a gamer but in reality in log horizon forgetting an event can cost you dearly just wait for it! Royalty, commoners and bending the rules. Log horizons base game the one they are stuck in is called "Eldertale" and has lots of mechanisms for peace and fair play. But its great when Shiroe and other characters exploit loopholes as they are now able to do many more things than when the put commands into a computer.
By the way Season 2 is awesome!!! Especially the first half and the last few episodes.
Overall 10/10 for having a great story, great characters, great setting, great ideas, great writing, atmosphere, world building and did I mention endearing characters?!?!?!
Give it a watch. Both seasons. But on season 1 dubbed at the moment I think. By the way Satelight animate the 1st season but for reasons DEEN got the 2nd Cour! Well enjoy it and you can't hate Akatsuki! BY THE WAY IT IS NOT SWORD ART ONLINE I think it's insulting that people compare them and say Log Horizon is a rip off of SAO. SAO probably stole from .back, and if we went like this then you could say anime steals from everyone.
Well I enjoyed it and let's hope Mamare Touno gets a few more light novels out so we can have season 3!!!
For other suggestions I would point you to SAO to see the major differences for yourself but I warn you its very bad for your health! Another good anime is Maoyu maou Yuusha also by Mamare Touno. And finally not so related is Rokka no Yuusha but it also has great characters, story and setting where they are also trapped but in a much smaller area, both anime make you think.
I hope you learn something from this review and all the best to you!
P.S. This was my first review if you couldn't tell from the sloppiness :)
