I haven’t watched much Anime as you can see from my list, my first true favorite Anime was Bleach, which after awhile I grew sort of frustrated and tired with and have since put watching it on hold. Since introducing my wife to it, however, we are at a point where we should be able to start watching it again soon.
Sword Art Online was my first taste of the MMORPG Anime style of show. I got so lost in Sword Art Online and its love story that I thought no show could ever top the reminiscent feelings that show brought me. I hate to say it, but Log Horizon has very much so taken the cake. And it astonishes me to think that there are hundreds of other great Anime’s out there of all different styles and stories that will amaze me.
I spent the majority of my young adult life playing MMORPG’s. I was a social outcast and had no friends, but MMO’s were a place where that didn’t matter and all that mattered was your ability to play well and interact well with others while doing so. I became one of the best tanks in my guilds and was always dependable for helping others. Some of my fondest memories are from my days playing various MMO’s. Looking back on those days, I never really appreciated the fun and joy I was having like I can now that I am able to put things into perspective. I have never truly enjoyed games since my days of MMO’s came to an end. The pure awe and experience gained through such massive community driven games has never been replicated in recent years for me.
The concept behind Log Horizon is on another level entirely. Although it’s not an original idea in that players are trapped inside a digital world that can be perceived as reality, the show takes my imagination to a place it has not been in quite some time. It would almost be a dream come true for a game like Elder Tale to exist in it’s entirety. Living in a world like that, through a sense of virtual reality but actually using your brain not just your hands and fingers, is something that I would probably never want to quit doing.
The show brings me powerful feelings of nostalgia that satiates my desire to return to MMO’s immensely. It is very difficult to shake these feelings as it is quite overwhelming. On pure levels of enjoyment, this show brings it. I really get a sense that the creators know a lot about MMO’s and what makes and drives them. The game is so relatable from the perspective of someone who has experienced it for many years.
The story of the show is incredible, without giving anything away, the story feels exactly like it would feel if any MMO were real. The things that transpire and the way the world interacts is exactly as it is with any MMO. It’s almost like a visual role-play, but if you’ve played MMO’s like I have, it feels so much more connected and real.
I don’t find there to be much in the ways of music, or sound. There are small amounts of music and sound effects really, and that’s ok. The visuals are quite stunning at times, and I find the overall animation, and creativity of the world to be quite good.
For the most part, I love all of the characters. I have found myself disliking very few characters throughout the entirety of the show.
In closing, this show is a must watch for anyone who misses the glory days of MMORPG’s. I am not sure how this show would be perceived by someone with absolutely no knowledge of what an MMORPG is like, but can say that the story should be easy enough to follow that anyone can enjoy it. This has quickly become my favorite Anime so far of all of the few I have watched. I think a large contributor to that is how much I can relate to the subject material, the quality of the story and twists, as well as the quality of the premise behind the show. It’s something that truly interests me and makes me excited to think about, which not much does anymore. I can only hope Season 2 carries on the greatness of Season 1, and if there is more to come after Season 2 it does the same.
I cannot recommend watching this show enough, I find it to truly be one of the great works to be experienced in a persons lifetime. I have had so much fun binge watching Season 1. I cannot believe I ever procrastinated finishing this. I love Log Horizon!
