Howdy, everyone! Finally got around finishing this review on the second half of Log Horizon's Season 1 English Dub. Now, I will be keeping this review as short and spoiler free as possible. But, I give applause for the English Dub of this series. Not many dubs can give you a great feeling with watching it, especially since some scenes I had to pause due to giggling from the comedy improving compared to the Japanese version. That's pretty damn hard to pull off, especially with the Log Horizon's comedy moments is a common complaint among others.
Now, I will say, the English dub nailed the story and characters spot on considering what little they had to go with. Characters seem to be alive and even more fleshed out compared to the original anime version. I even noticed some changes to the episodes, or it could be simply the fix up for DVD release, but it really strengthen Log Horizon's anime. However, I will say, the issue ending many of us have before with Log Horizon's Season 1 has been fixed a little, even if it is still too slice of life away from the MMORPG world. It oddly works better in English seeing Shiroe's girl troubles. A lot of character building has been sneaked into the English dub, managing to keep Log Horizon's love of foreshadowing and hidden clues in top condition. In fact, I spotted new details I missed before. Also, we get the good action Log Horizon gives us even with the little more action than the first half. Sure, not battle every episode of action pack anime, but still pretty good action when it appears.
Animation still as some issues here and there, but I noticed some improvements compared to the online streaming version. Most voice acting lip syncs are spot on, making it almost seem Log Horizon is actually an English made anime instead of Japanese at times. I mean, seriously, the edited lip scenes for the new dialogue is pretty damn impressive. Now I see why they had no room for a lot of extras with all they put into making sure the English dub matching up with the Japanese anime in quality. I haven't watched all the English subtitled episodes, but the DVD seamlessly shifts between subtitles and dub even though it's clear you got a total of 50 episodes in both disk sets instead of just a change in voice acting. The good animation from the original is also still there with still some hiccups and such, but a lot more clean compared to before with the streaming episodes. Again, Log Horizon definitely didn't have the best animation budget, but I actually like seeing project like this come out with meager budgets and great stories than the other way around as Hollywood usually has.
Now, to the final verdict for the whole first season of Log Horizon, not just the second part of it. As a whole, I have to give Sentei Filmworks kudos. They did an awesome job with Log Horizon's English Dub. I am usually hesitant on English dubs, understanding well translations are never usually as good as the original. This is one of the few English dubs that can stand next to it's Japanese original. However, I do have to voice some negatives, especially considering I am also seeing this in Season 2, though this is still a pretty damn good series. It's relates to the common complains of too many characters and seeming to lack a focus. The problem with the anime is it is only scratches the surface of Log Horizon's world. A lot of information is left out from the light novels and not in a good way even if its different mediums.
Log Horizon is actually more than just a story. It's a breathing representation of what a MMORPG story should be and why Mamore-sensei actually supports spin-off and fanfiction. He designed the whole world to be just that, a RPG. Log Horizon itself is just one fraction of a big world and sadly the anime failed to realize this. It would have probably helped with adapting it to the anime format since it could have added these details to better foreshadow and set the focus of the story like the light novels as it makes the reader dig for the bigger, overarching storylines as the big reward. The English Dub has tried to make amends to this, but it sort of actually shows more of the original anime's issues in this regard. It actually made the English Dub more enjoyable and gave it a little more direction, but still couldn't keep the same focus you have in the light novel due to still leaving out too many details that really help drive the whole Log Horizon world. Many of them for anime could have been easy to put in as simply very good foreshadowing, almost Easter eggs, and very slight details. However, English dub did a pretty damn good job trying to sneak all they could in with what they got.
Yet, Season 2 is also sadly not keeping a better eye on the source material as even with Mamore-sensei has public a note sheet of the Log Horizon world. There are several common errors that got the more informed fans rolling their eyes, especially with the misinterpretation less experienced fans are having from the anime. It's a bit worse than the first season, but makes me kind of glad seeing Sentei Filmworks is doing Season 2. If they did the same as they did with Season 1, then they might actually give Log Horizon the better focus it needs with giving a proper translation from the light novels and clearing up issues Season 2 is dealing with as many people feel the arcs are just arcs and its really hard to tie the pieces of the larger arcs together. Ah, oops, gotten a bit ahead since I am still working on completing Season 2 for a review.
Bottom line, Log Horizon is a very good anime in both Japanese and English. The English Dub of it actually answered to the fans and actually gave a more enjoyable ride for those willing to look deeper into this anime than just an adventure story with battles and magic. Even with the issues, the English Dub actually managed to come out with a better focus than the original anime and bring the tone and feel of the light novel. If you love political and economic anime that really take the time to do a good story, I can't recommend Log Horizon. Especially considering the anime, both English and Japanese, takes the time to build a complex, but very engaging story even if the anime only gives us a sliver compared to the light novels and other parts.
Showing posts with label Auto's Anime Reviews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Auto's Anime Reviews. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
Auto's Anime Reviews: English Dubbed Log Horizon Episodes 1-13
Howdy, every! Auto here with another review, this time on the English
dubbed episodes of Log Horizon. Specifically 1-13 since the first DVD
release is just the first half of the season and the other half does not
come out till January next year. And I binged watch them online, if
that says anything. I realized I forgot to post this review on my blog after putting it on DeviantArt for the fangroup I am in who were wondering how the dub was like and posting it now. Like my small review of the first four episodes of
the English dubbed episodes on DeviantArt for same fan group, I am planning to keep this
review short and as spoiler free as possible… Okay, short maybe not, but
I will try to keep this as spoiler free as possible. Mostly because if
this studio doing the English dub gets Log Horizon on a major television
network or streaming line, well, I will not be surprised if the Log
Horizon fanbase easily goes up with just the English dubbed version.
Now, with reading what I wrote above, I will flat out say Log Horizon’s English dub is one of the best English dubs I seen in a long time. Not the best in history, but it still was a great surprise for someone who usually watches on subtitled anime like myself. However, if you a fan of the subtitle anime, this dub is not straight out translation, which is part of the reason I been seeing other people give this dub bad review without really going deeper. There’s a reason there is a 3-4 episode watch rule a lot of reviewers use before sometimes even putting a first impression on anything for a reason. For any fan of the Japanese dub Log Horizon, the English dub gives you one hell of an uncanny valley(that area where something seems similar, but is off and gives you a creepy feeling, which the horror genre uses a lot) when you watch the first episode: the tone is different, characters’ traits are different, and you can tell the pacing of the first episode(an issue many experienced anime watchers noticed)is rushing a lot more than in the subtitled version because of the changes.
Is this bad? Usually, that would be a yes. However, with Log Horizon, it’s the opposite. It’s actually because the English dub actually focuses on the source material more than the Japanese dub is the reason for the uncanny valley. It’s not a direct translation of the original anime as I mentioned, but a proper adaptation of the light novel in anime form. And the studio did this on purpose to mess with the subtitle watchers’ heads. Even dub watchers or new anime watchers will get this uncanny vibe, but it actually works to bring the tone the original Japanese dub was missing for the first few episode. That missing tone gave the Japanese version a more light hearted feel compared to the light novel. The English dub allows the watcher to jump into the first part of Log Horizon’s story that the Japanese dub failed to hit on the mark. A mistake of the Japanese dub that made it felt the first few episodes of a small adventure before we ended up getting into the meat that is Log Horizon. Though, still a slow start up, the English dub uses this to help build up the coming events compared to the original.
This first part of the Log Horizon story, which I will slightly spoil, is where everyone is trying to find what they are going to do. You see how the characters are desperately trying to find what the hell they are suppose to do any means whatsoever just to relieve the fear and stress their new found situation has put them in. Be it clinging to other people to keep your sanity, thinking their reality is still the game, or killing other players just to keep the mind numbing boredom away, we have a better building up of the morals questions various characters of the side and main cast being challenged with and forcing these characters to think hard of their situation and trying to find solutions to the ever growing problems they are facing. Even with the English dub avoiding the same questions of the old world as the Japanese dub that was in the light novel, the English dub managed to give us the unsteady feelings the characters and light novel had, hence we are actually put right in their shoes instead of watching their adventures before getting to the good stuff.
Another issue I see other reviewers are complaining about is the fact several character’s traits and personalities seemed to change in the English dub. Now, yes, this is the case, but before you simply deny these versions, you might want to see what light novel readers who watched the Japanese dub with subtitles say about the anime. The English dubbing studio listened to the light novel readers, hence characters like Naotsugu seem to changed a lot in the English dub, but in fact, he’s now closer to his light novel character traits than the Japanese version. Other characters like Nyanta and Maryelle also seem very different, but they actually still match their actual personalities set in the light novel even though the voice acting using a different route compared to the Japanese dub to get it across. In fact, Nyanta’s voice acting is quite brilliant as it still allows his “cool cat gentlemen” personality to show even though he’s not saying “nya” all the time like in the Japanese version and allows for a better connection with the American audience with this version of a gentlemen. This new voice acting is actually purposely planned for later parts Nyanta deals with to allow better connection to him with the English speaking audience. The new witty dialogue added with the story also helps bring these characters to life and give more depth to theses characters as well, giving a deeper sense of connection with the many character’s of Log Horizon. Extra bits of character development are even sneak into the English dub as well, hence adding goodies to this version of Log Horizon. The reason for all these changes to go closer to the light novel is due to the dubbed anime is coming out before the light novel in the USA and will be a driver to bring new people into the Log Horizon light novel series outside those who watch the subtitled version or read the light novels and manga online.
In fact,the characters and how they are perceived are not the only changes. The dub is more of a proper translation of the light novel compared to the Japanese anime. The Japanese anime did a lot of references to it’s spin-offs and fan related projects as parts of it is actually fan made, hence for anime only watcher, it really threw some people for a loop with areas in the anime making no sense until you read the spin-off material like Honey Moon Logs and such like I did. There is still a few shout outs in the English version, but much of these have been toned down greatly and serve more as an awesome treat for really big fans looking for said Easter eggs than hindering the story. The confusing references have also been removed and replaced with dialogue that is actually more understandable to the point I will not be surprised if the Japanese fans get the English version subtitle for hardcore light novel fans and confused fans as it basically runs the whole first 13 episodes very cleanly storytelling wise compared to the original Japanese dub and even the derp moments in animation and voice acting are very minor compared to what I was expecting, almost to the point it is just the same issues the Japanese version has due to same animation. In fact, once you past the first few episodes, there is almost no animation mistakes outside what the anime already had from the Japanese dub.
Hence where I get to the actual storytelling of the English dub. Even though both use the same animation, the English dub does a whole lot better getting the story across compared to the original Japanese anime. This is pretty damn impressive considering they managed to do this with only minor editing and good voice acting. With the tone better established in the beginning, the later parts parts of Log Horizon has more impact and even deeper meaning from the original Japanese dub. Heck, even by episode two, I was getting goosebumps with uneasy air and anxiety the characters were having and the feeling of being lost and alone like when I read the light novel. Some of the lines in the English dub almost match the online translation of Log Horizon to a T to the point it’s scary and it works a whole lot better than them just doing the translated dub of the Japanese anime. The English dub used the source material to help build a better anime that makes it actually just as good as an anime as the Japanese version. Hence making them both compliment each other instead of one being glaringly better than the other like many dubs usually do and the DVD sets coming out a worth a lot more as you get two good versions of Log Horizon. In fact, I am wanting the second half of the season to be leaked early online even though I am planning to buy the whole first season of Log Horizon on DVD(watched the English dub episodes online out of curiosity of what I was getting). They had to split the first season into two DVD collections and it is so unfair! They had to stop right on one of the good cliffhangers of Log Horizon and its driving me nuts. If an anime dub is able to get me wanting more, especially on a cliffhanger like this, then it’s really good! Especially with just introducing one of my most beloved characters of the series and his voice acting is freaking perfect. Sorry, let that nerdgasm slip.
So, my final verdict for the first half of season 1 of the English dub Log Horizon? Again, it is one of the best anime dubs I have seen in a long while, but it will also be one awesome jumping off point for dub only watchers and hardcore anime fans alike into the Log Horizon series. Light novel fans also got their original characterizations back even if more suited to the English speakers, so it’s an almost overall win for everyone with this dub. The dub is even still mostly family friendly with no fanservice and minor cussing, which makes it actually pretty enjoyable for a lot of people. Yes, there is some cussing, but it is mostly all in the beginning where it’s actually understandable compared to other dubs I watched where they swear like sailors the whole series. Even the characters who keep it up actually use it sparingly and its done at the proper times instead of them just swearing all the time. In fact, I can wholeheartedly recommend this to teenagers with no problems with watching all 13 episodes and seeing its still quite damn family friendly. Though, knowing how the USA is, they might not see it that way. However. I highly recommend buying the DVD of Log Horizon if you love the anime or you want a good anime to watch over and over again to always find something new you might of missed the first time around watching it… Though, if you are like me and like to binge watch good anime and hate being left hanging on a damn good cliffhanger, I recommend holding off on buying both DVD sets till the other half of Season 1 comes out. I have pre-ordered my DVD set and planning to pre-order the other set soon as I am not passing up having both the English dub and Japanese dub with English subtitles in my hands. Well, hope this was helpful, Auto out!
Now, with reading what I wrote above, I will flat out say Log Horizon’s English dub is one of the best English dubs I seen in a long time. Not the best in history, but it still was a great surprise for someone who usually watches on subtitled anime like myself. However, if you a fan of the subtitle anime, this dub is not straight out translation, which is part of the reason I been seeing other people give this dub bad review without really going deeper. There’s a reason there is a 3-4 episode watch rule a lot of reviewers use before sometimes even putting a first impression on anything for a reason. For any fan of the Japanese dub Log Horizon, the English dub gives you one hell of an uncanny valley(that area where something seems similar, but is off and gives you a creepy feeling, which the horror genre uses a lot) when you watch the first episode: the tone is different, characters’ traits are different, and you can tell the pacing of the first episode(an issue many experienced anime watchers noticed)is rushing a lot more than in the subtitled version because of the changes.
Is this bad? Usually, that would be a yes. However, with Log Horizon, it’s the opposite. It’s actually because the English dub actually focuses on the source material more than the Japanese dub is the reason for the uncanny valley. It’s not a direct translation of the original anime as I mentioned, but a proper adaptation of the light novel in anime form. And the studio did this on purpose to mess with the subtitle watchers’ heads. Even dub watchers or new anime watchers will get this uncanny vibe, but it actually works to bring the tone the original Japanese dub was missing for the first few episode. That missing tone gave the Japanese version a more light hearted feel compared to the light novel. The English dub allows the watcher to jump into the first part of Log Horizon’s story that the Japanese dub failed to hit on the mark. A mistake of the Japanese dub that made it felt the first few episodes of a small adventure before we ended up getting into the meat that is Log Horizon. Though, still a slow start up, the English dub uses this to help build up the coming events compared to the original.
This first part of the Log Horizon story, which I will slightly spoil, is where everyone is trying to find what they are going to do. You see how the characters are desperately trying to find what the hell they are suppose to do any means whatsoever just to relieve the fear and stress their new found situation has put them in. Be it clinging to other people to keep your sanity, thinking their reality is still the game, or killing other players just to keep the mind numbing boredom away, we have a better building up of the morals questions various characters of the side and main cast being challenged with and forcing these characters to think hard of their situation and trying to find solutions to the ever growing problems they are facing. Even with the English dub avoiding the same questions of the old world as the Japanese dub that was in the light novel, the English dub managed to give us the unsteady feelings the characters and light novel had, hence we are actually put right in their shoes instead of watching their adventures before getting to the good stuff.
Another issue I see other reviewers are complaining about is the fact several character’s traits and personalities seemed to change in the English dub. Now, yes, this is the case, but before you simply deny these versions, you might want to see what light novel readers who watched the Japanese dub with subtitles say about the anime. The English dubbing studio listened to the light novel readers, hence characters like Naotsugu seem to changed a lot in the English dub, but in fact, he’s now closer to his light novel character traits than the Japanese version. Other characters like Nyanta and Maryelle also seem very different, but they actually still match their actual personalities set in the light novel even though the voice acting using a different route compared to the Japanese dub to get it across. In fact, Nyanta’s voice acting is quite brilliant as it still allows his “cool cat gentlemen” personality to show even though he’s not saying “nya” all the time like in the Japanese version and allows for a better connection with the American audience with this version of a gentlemen. This new voice acting is actually purposely planned for later parts Nyanta deals with to allow better connection to him with the English speaking audience. The new witty dialogue added with the story also helps bring these characters to life and give more depth to theses characters as well, giving a deeper sense of connection with the many character’s of Log Horizon. Extra bits of character development are even sneak into the English dub as well, hence adding goodies to this version of Log Horizon. The reason for all these changes to go closer to the light novel is due to the dubbed anime is coming out before the light novel in the USA and will be a driver to bring new people into the Log Horizon light novel series outside those who watch the subtitled version or read the light novels and manga online.
In fact,the characters and how they are perceived are not the only changes. The dub is more of a proper translation of the light novel compared to the Japanese anime. The Japanese anime did a lot of references to it’s spin-offs and fan related projects as parts of it is actually fan made, hence for anime only watcher, it really threw some people for a loop with areas in the anime making no sense until you read the spin-off material like Honey Moon Logs and such like I did. There is still a few shout outs in the English version, but much of these have been toned down greatly and serve more as an awesome treat for really big fans looking for said Easter eggs than hindering the story. The confusing references have also been removed and replaced with dialogue that is actually more understandable to the point I will not be surprised if the Japanese fans get the English version subtitle for hardcore light novel fans and confused fans as it basically runs the whole first 13 episodes very cleanly storytelling wise compared to the original Japanese dub and even the derp moments in animation and voice acting are very minor compared to what I was expecting, almost to the point it is just the same issues the Japanese version has due to same animation. In fact, once you past the first few episodes, there is almost no animation mistakes outside what the anime already had from the Japanese dub.
Hence where I get to the actual storytelling of the English dub. Even though both use the same animation, the English dub does a whole lot better getting the story across compared to the original Japanese anime. This is pretty damn impressive considering they managed to do this with only minor editing and good voice acting. With the tone better established in the beginning, the later parts parts of Log Horizon has more impact and even deeper meaning from the original Japanese dub. Heck, even by episode two, I was getting goosebumps with uneasy air and anxiety the characters were having and the feeling of being lost and alone like when I read the light novel. Some of the lines in the English dub almost match the online translation of Log Horizon to a T to the point it’s scary and it works a whole lot better than them just doing the translated dub of the Japanese anime. The English dub used the source material to help build a better anime that makes it actually just as good as an anime as the Japanese version. Hence making them both compliment each other instead of one being glaringly better than the other like many dubs usually do and the DVD sets coming out a worth a lot more as you get two good versions of Log Horizon. In fact, I am wanting the second half of the season to be leaked early online even though I am planning to buy the whole first season of Log Horizon on DVD(watched the English dub episodes online out of curiosity of what I was getting). They had to split the first season into two DVD collections and it is so unfair! They had to stop right on one of the good cliffhangers of Log Horizon and its driving me nuts. If an anime dub is able to get me wanting more, especially on a cliffhanger like this, then it’s really good! Especially with just introducing one of my most beloved characters of the series and his voice acting is freaking perfect. Sorry, let that nerdgasm slip.
So, my final verdict for the first half of season 1 of the English dub Log Horizon? Again, it is one of the best anime dubs I have seen in a long while, but it will also be one awesome jumping off point for dub only watchers and hardcore anime fans alike into the Log Horizon series. Light novel fans also got their original characterizations back even if more suited to the English speakers, so it’s an almost overall win for everyone with this dub. The dub is even still mostly family friendly with no fanservice and minor cussing, which makes it actually pretty enjoyable for a lot of people. Yes, there is some cussing, but it is mostly all in the beginning where it’s actually understandable compared to other dubs I watched where they swear like sailors the whole series. Even the characters who keep it up actually use it sparingly and its done at the proper times instead of them just swearing all the time. In fact, I can wholeheartedly recommend this to teenagers with no problems with watching all 13 episodes and seeing its still quite damn family friendly. Though, knowing how the USA is, they might not see it that way. However. I highly recommend buying the DVD of Log Horizon if you love the anime or you want a good anime to watch over and over again to always find something new you might of missed the first time around watching it… Though, if you are like me and like to binge watch good anime and hate being left hanging on a damn good cliffhanger, I recommend holding off on buying both DVD sets till the other half of Season 1 comes out. I have pre-ordered my DVD set and planning to pre-order the other set soon as I am not passing up having both the English dub and Japanese dub with English subtitles in my hands. Well, hope this was helpful, Auto out!
Saturday, August 30, 2014
Auto's Anime Reviews: Log Horizon Season 1
Howdy, everyone! The time has come for my first review on my blog and Wattpad(found I can do reviews on Wattpad, too!) Log Horizon Season 2 is only a little over a month away now and hence is the perfect time to do a review on the first season. So, first, a quick intro on how I do reviews. These are filled with spoilers, but if you want to avoid them, just go all the way to the bottom to the "Final Verdict" where I will tell you if what I am reviewing is worth your time. Before that their is a brief summary of the review, pros, cons, and then final verdict and one other thing. Please note, this is of my own opinions, but I also really drive into looking on how stories work and will even read and watch the other variations of a series to see how they work compared to each other. Hence unlike many people, I will also be comparing stuff to source material, but it's not to compare the source material with the review material as they are two different media at most times. It will often being a critique on something that could have been used to make it better or should have not been taken from the source material as it downplayed the review material. Now, onto the review.
Anime Review
Log Horizon: Season 1
Summary
The game Elder Tales is a very popular MMORPG that has lasted twenty years and still going strong. However, on the day of it's latest expansion, Homesteading in the Novasphere, thousands of players find themselves trapped within a world just like Elder Tales, stuck within their own avatars. The gamers Shiroe, Naotsugu, and Akatsuki join up to face their new reality and the obstacles that really comes with becoming stuck within an MMORPG.
Pros
Now, to the final verdict. Log Horizon is an excellent anime for anyone wanting a good story and a breather from constant action titles. Even though a niche anime for gamers, it has a lot of things everyone can enjoy. Though, fans of pure action anime might be disappointed as there is not much action this season, though next season looks promising if you want to give Log Horizon a try. It even gives a new light on how the "trapped in a video game" story can be told and shows the deeper parts of MMORPGs that keep the players around. This anime can also always be rewatch over and over again, yet you will always find something new, especially if you read the spin-offs or light novels. It's actually fun seeing all the little Easter eggs in this series. I recommend buying this anime over streaming it. English fans won't have to wait much longer for the DVDs as they will be out roughly this Fall or Winter for the US.
Season 2 Predictions
Huh? There's more? Well, since this anime has a Season 2 on the way, announced right at the ending of Season 1's last episode, this reviews deserves a next season prediction. Now, this is my opinions, but this will be short due to I am going to avoiding as much spoilers as possible. So, here's the facts. At this moment, only Volumes 6-8 are out for Log Horizon's light novel. However, there is also confirmation from the author of the light novel we will be getting some cameos from a replay done by four authors who have played Log Horizon TRPG in Season 2. So, what are my predictions with pointing this out. Well, I am actually hoping for two ways this Season 2 plays out. The first would actually be the best to make up for some of the cons of Season 1, which is actually use the whole three volumes for the majority of the anime. The next three volumes start to dig deeper plot elements that the anime can really use one-up the light novel and make up for things they missed in Season 1 if they actually expand on those elements. However, we could also go the usual route of fillers in this season. Now, usually I am not a fan of fillers. I do like good filler, but anime have a bad rap sheet of using them in the wrong times and using the wrong subject matter. Log Horizon, however, just gave me a good expectations with hearing the cameos on the replay appearing in Season 2. If Log Horizon actually uses it's various spin-offs for filler instead of just filler made by the studio, then Log Horizon will be a very good anime and have a chance to really dive into the other characters which these spin-offs focus on. Add the fact Log Horizon has hints and cameos of these spin-offs and more, this path looks to be ripe for the picking for Season 2.
Well, I all hope you enjoyed my review. I probably won't be doing another one till next year since I need to focus on my own stories. I just wanted to get this one out due to Season 2 of Log Horizon coming out soon. Thanks for dropping by and have a good day! Auto out!
Anime Review
Log Horizon: Season 1
Summary
The game Elder Tales is a very popular MMORPG that has lasted twenty years and still going strong. However, on the day of it's latest expansion, Homesteading in the Novasphere, thousands of players find themselves trapped within a world just like Elder Tales, stuck within their own avatars. The gamers Shiroe, Naotsugu, and Akatsuki join up to face their new reality and the obstacles that really comes with becoming stuck within an MMORPG.
Pros
- Story- Log Horizon's story is what I always expected from seeing "MMORPG" based stories and then some. All parts of MMORPGs are used instead of it just being a setting like Sword Art Online. No, I am not bashing it. This is just a pet peev of mine as a gamer. I love seeing how people take a game media and try to put it in a different format to use the game elements to tell an amazing story. Log Horizon anime does what it's web novel(yes, Log Horizon is a web novel that is published into a light novel) brought to the table very well. We follow the socially awkward Shiroe as he turned the chaos being trapped in the game has caused and turns it into order and deal with the results of both said chaos and order through his own means. Now, even though there will be some spoilers, I am going to try and avoid as many as possible. So, to sum this up, Log Horizon took the cliche of "trapped in a fantasy world" and turned it on its head by focusing on how to really turn the fantasy world your stuck into a place to live in instead of just an adventure and returning home. It does this by trapping the characters in a MMORPG with already established guilds and gamer politics within said world and many of the characters know the game like the back of their hand. We see not everyone really cares about returning and instead try to figure out how to survive in this world were death is not permanent and other things that has turned this awesome chance into a living hell created by boredom and bad ideas. Once said living hell is fixed, the gamers then discover the world's back story and such still exists and now has created a deeper world than before with its own politics and such that they have to deal with as they are Adventurers, the main fighting force against monsters. Because the story gives us many POVs from different characters, it easily gives us the amazing story even with our protagonist having little screen time for a normal main character. However, it fits his roll as a strategists who uses his knowledge and skills to work in the shadows to do his objectives and gives use far more insight if we have seen it mostly from one character. Now, this story does not get a lot of action till after where this first season left off, hence I am really curious of how Season 2 will be done as the next three volumes(6-8) have much more actions than Season 1 and the first season had executed the action perfect to match the story.
- Characters-Now, this will be short, but due to their is so many characters, I would need several blog posts to cover them all. However, the anime does well like the source material to give us believable characters who work together with natural chemistry to tell the story. Even the once NPCs are now human and real characters, hence why I am keeping this Pro point short. Log Horizon really pulled off the characters damn well, though there is some minor annoyances where the light novel did better. But, they can be overlooked considering nailing such traits is hard in a moving media like animation. These characters all give us a view of a gamer community now stuck in a real version of their favorite game as well as the view of people who lived this world their whole like, a.k.a. NPCs.
- Visuals and Music- Now, Log Horizon gets some slack from critics due to the characters look "generic" instead of a unique style. However, to me, this is a very good thing. This story uses even aesthetics of MMORPGs to get us into the story and allow the character's traits and personalities be the defining factor. You actually find yourself relating to these characters more due to their simpler designs and appearance. Aesthetic does not mean amazing graphics, just like in games. In fact, just using the right style to work with your story works damn well like real video games Okami and the Tales of series even though they are not up to photo realistic quality visuals. However, Log Horizon is animated quite nicely with the backgrounds beautifully done and has the nicest 3D animation mixed in I seen in a good while. Even the little action of Season 1 feels perfect due to how they animated it and even the censors are done perfectly to fit the game feel of the world Log Horizon has built. Even the talking and exposition scenes feel important even though it might bore some people who are used to action packed anime. The music score helps bring this aesthetic to its peak, just like any well crafted game which uses mechanics, visuals, music, and such to really immerse you in this new world and that's what Log Horizon does best. The fact we are getting this from an anime is pretty damn amazing.
- First Episodes Execution- Okay, now here's where there will be some spoilers. Now, the anime did do pretty good with the beginning that saves the rest of the anime from getting dropped right off the bat by watchers who are not video game fanatics like me. However, this slow start up really hurts this anime, especially since it is a niche market type for anime. So, what could the anime done to help it? This is one of those rare times I really wished the anime stuck to the source material more closely. Now, reason for not doing this is because of the station Log Horizon aired on, NHK Educational TV. Hence Log Horizon had to be kid friendly which I give Satelight Studios kudos for the awesome way they worked around this problem. They made the censors to death and blood like game mechanics instead of annoying ones like in Tokyo Ghouls. However, due to leaving out several important details in the beginning and then bringing said detail up several episodes late, it really throws watchers for a loop if they never read the light novel. This is hence the first four to six episodes of Log Horizon look like a bait and switch instead of a proper build up for actually the Round Table Arc of the story. Here's the spoilers, but they are needed these to make it work better. The reason Crescent Moon Alliance is so worried about Serara(their guild member in Susukino) is because she barely escaped being raped by Brigandia members. Brigandia was human trafficking in Susukino which is barely mentioned in the first episodes before whammed when brought up at the Round Table Arc. Sure, this is a bad crime, but it is not worth censoring as the way Log Horizon deals with it in the light novel. In fact, if they used a similar method to the light novel, it would have work for NHK and would have been a great way in educating people how damaging even treating people like slaves can be. I mean, even Serara was scared shitless towards Brigandia for almost having their way with her. Add the fact she ticked off the leader of said guild by tricking him to escape really would have added to the tension better than the anime done. However, even though the Rescue arc was was rough, the anime left out the biggest thing that the first part of Log Horizon that made it more than just another story taking place in an alternate world. The fact the players themselves complicating what is going on and if they want to even fix it and return home like in the Light Novel. Now, I understand they edit out some things to ensure their 25 episode limit. If they had just added one episode and added the parts of the light novel where the Shiroe and others thought of the old world and explained on their own mindsets along with just Serara enslavement issues(just had left out the rape part), then the first episodes would have actually felt more of what the rest of Log Horizon was and gave a much better build up to the Round Table Arc. In fact, the first episode clearly the first three chapters of the light novel plus a different prologue and should have been spread out into two episodes instead to properly built up the characters and their situation.
- Missing Details and Character Elements- Now cameos to fanfiction, spin-offs, and other things are awesome. Log Horizon takes this to a new level as actual fanfiction characters from the author approved fanfiction D.D.D. Diaries and details relating to spin-offs already made appear in Log Horizon's anime. Now, seeing your favorite spin off joining the main storyline is great. But, not keeping up the details(again, just spreading out the one episode, one damn episode) really hurts both the anime and the shout outs. More spoilers, but this is actually from a manga spin-off called Honey Moon Logs. It shows the Crescent Moon Alliance side of the story and shows why Maryelle is so affectionate towards Naotsugu. Without reading this, some of what Maryelle in the anime says confuses people, especially after Shiroe's group brings Serara back to Akiba. Also, the anime tends to leave out small traits which would make characters more likeable. A good example is Naotsugu as his pervy, underwear showing side is shown in the anime, but they don't keep his tic of referring to various things as "festivals." In fact, due to showing his pervy side way too much in the anime has made him a somewhat flat character instead of the deeper one I seen in the light novel and manga. Other characters suffer this as well, though Naotsugu is one of the most hurt by this.
- Identity Confusion- I will be talking about two versions of this, one related to the anime story and the other through the viewers, but both hurt people looking into wanting to watch and enjoy an anime. As well as hurts how anime are made since studios are watching what people say about current anime airing and such. Since the former will have some spoilers, I will hit the first one so those who want to skip major spoilers can skip the story part.
- Now, one thing that irks me is the fact people keep comparing Log Horizon with Sword Art Online. I have no problems with Sword Art Online and I have read it a bit. In fact, my big issues with SAO is pacing and the damn "second editions curse." Gets good series of all media all the time, so it's something I am used to. My problem comes from the fact Sword Art Online and Log Horzion are two different anime types being compared for just the fact they are set trapped in a video game. This is not true, even though they follow the video game version of "trapped in a fantasy world" genre of story. The difference is Sword Art Online is a wide audience type anime that aims for a wide audience while Log Horizon is a niche type anime that aims for a narrow audience range. You might be confused by what I mean, but it's actually a common thing many people don't notice. You look at anime in genres, but there is a ton of sub-genres many people don't realize exist that create the variety within these genres. A wide audience type anime tries to hit a lot of sub-genres like Sword Art Online with wanting to hit the same success as mainstream hits like Naruto and Attack on Titan. Irony is, Naruto and Attack on Titan are actually niche anime, aimed for specific fans and it just grew due to fans spread the word and people coming to like the story while reading or watching it. Don't get me wrong, there is niche and mainstream types that have flopped as much as been hits, but it is almost always niche anime will always have an edge over wide audience types. It is really hard to pull of wide audience type stories that focus a lot on characters without a deeper defined background and world to help support it like with niche type stories. Log Horizon is a niche anime aimed at gamers, political/economic story lovers, and fantasy world lovers. However, because it's story and characters is so well defined and built, even people outside these fan fields can find themselves enjoying this anime if they give it a chance. Even Sword Art Online fans if you stop bashing it as a knock off and look at it as just another story. It really annoys gamers like myself who actually want an anime geared towards MMORPG lovers instead of just an anime using our favorite past time as a setting and plot device.
- And, now to Log Horizon's own issue of identity crisis. I will be hitting some spoilers, so if you want to just avoid this, skip down to the final verdict and season predictions section that is next. As mentioned in the first part of the cons, the first few episodes of Log Horizon gives it a feel of an adventure anime with a slow start. This due to details left out and such, but sets up the wrong expectations for those who jump into an anime expecting pure adventure and action. This is not bad, as what Log Horizon turns into is still good... Just some fans don't like the bait and switch feeling it gives. After the first episodes, Log Horizon gets it identity, but hits a bump near the end. Now, I did expect some slice of life which Log Horizon does well, but the Scale Festival arc went away from the slice of life you expect from a game fantasy world and tried a bit too much towards real life slice of life. I understand this was to give a nice little breather before the last climax, but it was a bit of a turn off seeing it was more "normal real life" instead of closer to the life these gamers had made for themselves. Geeks are geeks, though I also understand any type of slice of life is hard to do and the same part of the light novel suffers from this as well. However, thankfully, the anime shifts back to its identity with the crisis created during the Scale Festival, ending it with an awesome introduction of a major player for next season.
Now, to the final verdict. Log Horizon is an excellent anime for anyone wanting a good story and a breather from constant action titles. Even though a niche anime for gamers, it has a lot of things everyone can enjoy. Though, fans of pure action anime might be disappointed as there is not much action this season, though next season looks promising if you want to give Log Horizon a try. It even gives a new light on how the "trapped in a video game" story can be told and shows the deeper parts of MMORPGs that keep the players around. This anime can also always be rewatch over and over again, yet you will always find something new, especially if you read the spin-offs or light novels. It's actually fun seeing all the little Easter eggs in this series. I recommend buying this anime over streaming it. English fans won't have to wait much longer for the DVDs as they will be out roughly this Fall or Winter for the US.
Season 2 Predictions
Huh? There's more? Well, since this anime has a Season 2 on the way, announced right at the ending of Season 1's last episode, this reviews deserves a next season prediction. Now, this is my opinions, but this will be short due to I am going to avoiding as much spoilers as possible. So, here's the facts. At this moment, only Volumes 6-8 are out for Log Horizon's light novel. However, there is also confirmation from the author of the light novel we will be getting some cameos from a replay done by four authors who have played Log Horizon TRPG in Season 2. So, what are my predictions with pointing this out. Well, I am actually hoping for two ways this Season 2 plays out. The first would actually be the best to make up for some of the cons of Season 1, which is actually use the whole three volumes for the majority of the anime. The next three volumes start to dig deeper plot elements that the anime can really use one-up the light novel and make up for things they missed in Season 1 if they actually expand on those elements. However, we could also go the usual route of fillers in this season. Now, usually I am not a fan of fillers. I do like good filler, but anime have a bad rap sheet of using them in the wrong times and using the wrong subject matter. Log Horizon, however, just gave me a good expectations with hearing the cameos on the replay appearing in Season 2. If Log Horizon actually uses it's various spin-offs for filler instead of just filler made by the studio, then Log Horizon will be a very good anime and have a chance to really dive into the other characters which these spin-offs focus on. Add the fact Log Horizon has hints and cameos of these spin-offs and more, this path looks to be ripe for the picking for Season 2.
Well, I all hope you enjoyed my review. I probably won't be doing another one till next year since I need to focus on my own stories. I just wanted to get this one out due to Season 2 of Log Horizon coming out soon. Thanks for dropping by and have a good day! Auto out!
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