Log Horizon Seasons 1 and 2 Review — C+

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People are trapped in a video game world. They like it better than the real world.

I have mixed feelings about Log Horizon. It can certainly be entertaining at times. Usually when they go on a journey somewhere or get into a fight. But then they’ll spend multiple episodes back in town, eating snacks or discussing economics or just sitting around a table adjusting their glasses. It underwent huge swings in its ability to keep any of my interest.

The other issue is, the scope is too big. There’s nothing wrong with having a well-thought out, enormous world with tons of characters. In fact it’s a plus. But in Log Horizon’s case, the enormous world coupled with a lack of focus becomes a problem. When you spend multiple episodes on food, multiple episodes on land management, multiple episodes on macroeconomics, and many many episodes on characters who have a small role and then barely appear again for the rest of the series, it feels like it will never end. (Actually, it probably will never end.) There were multiple lengthy arc where the main character didn’t have any role. And it feels like so much has still been left unexplored.

Also, thematically… it’s very escapist. At least it felt that way to me. For example, in the final episode, a mother talks about how she’s been separated from her three year-old girl. She doesn’t seem to be worried at all. Someone says she must want to go home. But she says no, she wants to bring her daughter to the video game world. Yeah, I don’t know. Oh, there’s also a serious love triangle with two 20 something year olds and a middle school girl.

  • Storytelling – C – Too broad, loses track.
  • Voice – C – Nothing particularly stands out…
  • Characters – B – One of the show’s stronger points. Although some are really annoying.
  • Attention Grab – D – Some arcs completely lost my interest. It varies widely.
  • Production – B – Looks good.
  • Overall – C+

Recommendations – .hack Sign, Spice and Wolf

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