Log Horizon is not for everyone. When I compare it to my other favorite anime, I see that it is a lot more...simple. There really isn't a definitive conflict for the majority of the series, and the characters get a lot of time to sit back and relax. The primary focus of this anime is building the world in which the characters live in. It may not be super thrilling, but depending on your taste, it can be super engaging.
I was recommended this anime from one of my MAL friends who was well aware of my disdain for SAO. Most of them are. (And if you'd like to know more about that, read my SAO review!) The reason why the two shows are comparative is that they both feature a premise where the characters are stuck in a video game. Fortunately, the similarities stop there.
At the start of the show, three questions pop into the viewer's mind:
1. Why are these people trapped in a game?
2. How did these people get trapped in a game?
3. How do these people un-trap themselves?
Unfortunately, you'll be asking these questions for a while, and so will the characters.
Speaking of the characters, we have our main protagonist, Shiroe! Shiroe is to a small extant an antihero, although he always has the common good in mind. However, his sometimes questionable means of attaining said good has dubbed him the name of "The Villain Behind Glasses." Unlike the in-your-face, front-line-fighting main characters that are in shows like SAO and Attack on Titan, Shiroe does his job from behind the scenes. Even in the few fights he participates in, he plays the role of support. While being both smart and powerful, Shiroe is not perfect. Most of his prowess is dependent on his friends and allies.
Aside from our main man Shiroe, there are many other cast members. Despite the size of the cast, I was very impressed by the likability of the characters. Lots of people get plenty of time in the spotlight, while others get just enough. Some of the personalities may be a bit cookie cutter. We have the bubbly girl, the pervert guy, the emo, the badass, and some loveable kids, but they still are all great characters. And that's just scratching the service; there are many more faces to see.
Now, back to the story. It’s not that I liked the premise of being trapped in a video game, but rather the way it was executed. Remember, the characters have absolutely no idea what is going on except for the obvious. So what do they do? They live! That's pretty much it. They spend less time worrying about the unknown and focus on what's in front of them. They set foundations for society (government, economics), they make innovations in industry, and they establish relationships with the people of the land. And the people of the land are NPC's. Yes, what would be considered just worthless programs now suddenly become real people with real lives and real feelings. It turns out that it is not the NPC's that are strangers in this world, but rather the players.
World building in Log Horizon goes above and beyond what one might expect. Not only is the actual setting developed, but lots of time is spent to keep us in the loop about these people being in a video game. For example, in an arc where novice players train to become more experienced, the characters are tasked with coordinating with each other in battle. Roles are assigned based on their respective classes (mage, samurai, etc.), and they have to learn the mechanics of their respective skills and spells. And its not only during battles when we get this kind of depth. Sometimes it’s as simple a person having to be the one that makes dinner because he's the one with the cooking skill.
The last thing that needs going over is the anime's music and animation. As far as a soundtrack goes, there wasn't any song that I found too memorable. Still, as long as I don't find the audio to be a burden, I am very lenient. At first I thought the animation was somewhat average, but it has its moments. Sometimes enemies are animated in 3D, and the user interface the players use stands out. I never felt suspicious that the animators were cutting back or anything. And besides, no matter how good you make an anime look, it can't turn it from bad too good. (*cough* SAO *cough*)
Enjoying this anime as much as I did was kind of bitter sweet. Knowing that the story takes a turn for the worst in its second season brings me down. Still, as soon as a third season is announced, I'll watch it. And besides, Log Horizon doesn't end on a note that is unsatisfying. Sure, questions have yet to be answered, but it is still a great experience. Giving it 9/10 should be testament to my overall enjoyment. Log Horizon is not overly dramatic, nor is it edge-of-your-seat thrilling, but quality entertainment is quality entertainment.
*Edit
After re-watching Log Horizon, I think it is a lot more thrilling than I make it out to be in this review. It would probably be more appropriate to say it’s not ALWAYS thrilling. There are certainly some edge-of-your-seat moments.
Once again, Log Horizon is probably not for everyone. Anyone looking for groundbreaking effects and a super complex plot will be disappointed. Still, the antics on the screen are bound to put a smile on your face, as it did for me many times.
