Log Horizon
Log Horizon was first developed by Studio Satelight for its First season in October of 2013, later for Seasons Two and Three Studio Deen took over its production until March of 2021. It is an adaptation of a Light Novel series of the same name created by Mamare Touno. Log Horizon follows the story of Shiroe after 30,000 players of the video game Elder Tale suddenly get trapped within the game, they spent years playing. Realizing they have the same abilities as the characters they made they seek to understand how they have become trapped while setting up new lives for themselves in the process unraveling secrets and mysteries along the way.
When I recommend Isekai to someone it can often be a slippery slope. What is currently good, what has the least amount of fan service possible, what has an interesting premise that isn’t hard to follow, and what keeps its charm past the first three episodes? All of these factors come into play when recommending a good anime for someone. Isekai especially. A couple of really good shows oversaturate the genre, but they bog themselves down by relying on fan service to stay relevant. (Cough, Eminence In Shadow, cough) But Log Horizon breaks the mold.
I haven’t heard many people talk about this Isekai and for good reason. While it’s not relevant to real-world topics they do often touch on political and economic matters within the world of Elder Tale. And immediately I can sense people have clicked off. But don’t let that fool you, some insane details within these otherwise boring conversations create implications later down the line. Unlike in the real world which takes months to see the effects of a policy change, Log Horizon often shows the impact within the same episode. We actually witness an economy grow and politics take its roots to create a world that not only feels lived in. But feels real.
Anime, in my opinion, is at its best when the viewer can relate. Sure, big fight scene is great, but when I hear a character bear their heart out to someone because they feel they can never be loved or love someone like their crush, it’s gut-retching. Because I’ve been there. Log Horizon draws me in because I too am living in an unfavourable world trying to do my best. And much like how the players treat NPCs I have often looked at people who aren’t important to me with arrogance and ignorance that they too are people.
I won’t spoil the show for you; its writing is honestly gorgeous. But I implore you. Listen to their words. Watch how they react, and you’ll realize they’re just as human in this animated form as we are in the real world. That is what makes Log Horizon so beautiful in my eyes.