Watch Log Horizon

Log Horizon is a 2013 anime television series that is based on the light novel series of the same name. It was produced by Studio Deen and directed by Shinji Ishihira. The show is set in a fictional MMORPG called Elder Tale, where gamers find themselves suddenly transported into the game world after a new update. The show primarily focuses on the journey of a high-level player named Shiroe, who along with his friends navigate this new game world while trying to find a way back to reality.

The premier episode starts with the release of the new 12th expansion pack of the game Elder Tale. After years of playing the game, the players know all the tricks and strategies to level up and dominate the game. However, after the installation of the new update, all 30,000 players of the game are abruptly transported to the world of Elder Tale, without any explanation. The players soon realize that they are now physically living in the game, and all the rules have now become real.

Log Horizon is different from other anime series about people being stuck in virtual reality games because it focuses on the question of what it takes to survive in a foreign world. The series is less focused on the concept of leveling up and accomplishing goals but more on the community and how the players survived in the new MMORPG world.

Shiroe, one of the main characters in Log Horizon, is known as a "villain in glasses" in the game because of his analytical mind and strategic thinking ability. Soon after being transported to the game world, Shiroe realizes that the situation is far from being only a game. He discovers that players cannot die in the game but instead respawn after a period. Additionally, the players' sense of taste and smell has become dull, and they can no longer feel physical pleasures. Shiroe proceeds to team up with other players, including his old friends from his guild, to unravel the mystery behind their predicament and attempt to find a way back to reality.

The show has a large cast of characters, and each character has unique abilities and personalities. Naotsugu, for example, is a muscular guy who plays as the game's tank, and his main ability is to draw the attention of enemies away from other players. Akatsuki, a beautiful female character played by a male player, has stealthy abilities that allow her to gather information and complete quests. Other players in the group have a diverse range of abilities, including offensive ones like magic spells and healing ones like bard music. The dynamic and complementarity of the group’s skills form an essential part of the show's storylines.

The plot of Log Horizon is filled with political intrigue and complex social dynamics. The players quickly form varying levels of alliances and factions, each with their own motivations and end goals. There are guilds, aristocrats, warriors, adventurers, and many more groups that clash and cooperate with each other. The players' new world still operates on a capitalist system, with goods and services priced in gold coins. However, in a world where death has become reversible, the consequences of actions and decisions take on a much more profound meaning.

Log Horizon is a well-structured and well-paced anime series. The show balances the action and adventure elements of a fantasy genre, with moments of humor and contemplation. The animation style used in the show is a mix of 2D and 3D animation, and it enhances the action sequences. The pacing of the action scenes provides the audience with the ability to enjoy the innovative and strategic combat techniques used by the players without being overwhelmed.

The music used in the show, composed by Yasuharu Takanashi, is intense and dramatic. It complements the action and adds depth to the show's social commentary. The opening and closing themes, "Database" and "Your Song," respectively, are high energy and match the show's spirit of adventure.

In conclusion, Log Horizon is an engaging and thought-provoking anime series that appeals to fans of MMORPGs, fantasy, and adventure genres. While the show is filled with references to gaming culture, its narrative is more of a observation of the significance of survival, community, and politics. The well-crafted storyline and diverse cast of characters keep the audience engaged and the show constantly sees new, creative and exiting developments.

Log Horizon is a series that is currently running and has 3 seasons (67 episodes). The series first aired on November 5, 2013.