hylton2009

   *Limited Spoilers*

This is my first review, so please be patient with me.

   I watched this anime after having already been exposed (gladly, I might add) to Sword Art Online (SAO).  It has been my observation that many people compare this anime to SAO, so I will focus there.

   It is true that the premise in Log Horizon (LogH) is very similar to that of SAO; real world people trapped in their favorite pastime of a video game.  Therefore, it may seem natural to compare the two.  I think that that's slightly unfair.

   SAO and LogH have similar premises, but different executions, or rather different feels.  In comparison to SAO, which has many dark, drama-type elements due in part to the risk of death in the real world, LogH is much lighter-hearted in comparison.  This DOES NOT dim the anime in my opinion.  The fact is that this anime has the perfect feel to it for the situation, and an air of mystery resides over it throughout the series (How did they end up there?  What or who brought them there?  Why does this work this way and not that way?  Questions like these that are not answered but still add to that air of mystery).  Not only that, but with a few minor (and barely noticeable) exceptions, this world they are in really feels like an MMO, while at the same time the overall show holds onto a nearly fantasy-style atmosphere.  It is warmhearted, funny, and quite loveable, and I think appropriate for younger audiences as well as older.  The fact that Atkatsuki is always round-house kicking Noatsugo, while repetative, is not so that it is annoying (I still get a laugh out of it). 

   (Characters) My only real issues with this anime are the characters themselves.  Many of them are quite stereotypical, though not enough to distract from the story itself.  There are also a lot of characters introduced very early on; as a result, while there is decent character development, there is not as much as I would like.  My only serious complaint comes from the recent English Dub; Marielle's english actor is someone I cannot get used to, though that is my own interesting opinion.

   (Sound) The music is good, especially the ending credits. I suppose it could be better, but it never distracts from the story or plot, so I have no real complaints there.

   (Story) The story to me is where this show happens.  Over the course of several episodes, I would find myself getting chills as I would realize what Shiro was really doing.  Very few animes have done that for me, which is the main reason I enjoyed this anime so much.  I only took away 0.3 of a star because near the end series, the pacing speeds up a little to the point where it feels uncomfortable (I am watching the second season though, and that doesn't carry over.  So no worries there).

   (Animation) Most people that I've seen have commented that the animation is not very good.  However, (especially after watching the second season) I feel that this is slightly intentional.  There seems to be a noticeable difference in the quality of animation whenever the show shows us a brief clip of the "real world".  The animation for the real world is generally better, sharper, yet duller, as if in reflection of the difference between reality and fantasy.  This becomes even more apparent in Season 2, so I am not as concerned about the animation as a result.  (It should be noted that in moments like fight scenes, the animation is decently applied, and rarely "skimps out")

   (Overall) If you are looking for a nice, clean anime, with an awesome storyline, lots of action, devious plotting, and great character development, then you will love Log Horizon.