'Log Horizon' Is the Premier MMORPG Isekai

Perhaps no other genre dominated anime in the past couple of years more than isekai.  For those who are uninitiated, isekai literally translates to English as “another world” or “different world,” and as its current incarnation goes, it involves a story where the main character – typically the otaku shut in-type – is transported to another world – typically an MMORPG-style fantasy realm.  Because of the massive popularity it has gained, a flood of new isekai series continuously debut every year, eventually saturating the market.  And as an effect, there may be an occasional gem now and then, but a majority of these series turn out being lazy, trope-heavy, and derivative (a hilarious detail about these isekai shows is how the cities their respective protagonists are based in look the same).  Yet, strangely, there’s still no widespread isekai fatigue.  It’s still as popular as ever – still growing strong.  Isekai shows constantly rank among the most-watched in every new season of anime.  Seriously, its charm is unparalleled.

I myself have grown to love isekai.  And like many anime fans, I’m somehow still not tired of watching most, if not all, of the new isekai that debut every season.  Heck, I even find fun with some of the mediocre and clichéd ones.  Not only that, but in my fondness for this genre, I’ve even started seeking out and watching years-old isekai series that I haven’t seen yet.

Log Horizon was one of these old, unwatched titles that were often mentioned in conversations and articles I encountered regarding “the best isekai series.”  Its first two (and, so far, only) seasons ran from 2014-2015 – during the early days of the isekai craze – and it became widely considered as one of the shows that defined and made the best use of the genre.  With such reputation, it was begging to be watched by an isekai fan like me.

I actually started a while back, but I only caught up with it recently.  Now, my slow pace was not due to it being bad – it’s pretty good! – but because there had been a lot of things to watch recently (as of writing, I’m actually way behind with a ton of TV series and films I’ve been meaning to watch), and that forced my watching to be sporadic as I went through its 50 available episodes.

Log Horizon concerns with an MMORPG called Elder Tale, in which a mysterious event called “The Apocalypse” magically transports the 30,000 Japanese players logged on it at that time into a real version of the game’s world, where they now have the appearances and abilities of their respective in-game avatars.  They also discover that whatever functions their characters had in the game work for them here as well.  This includes levelling up, and getting revived at a “respawn point” – usually, a cathedral – whenever they die, essentially making them immortals.  Stuck in this new world, these “Adventurers” – as they have come to be known – must adapt and adjust into the new lives they are forced into.  In addition, they now also must learn to coexist and deal with the “People of the Land” – the NPCs of Elder Tale when it was still a game, but who are now real, living people, post-Apocalypse, and have personalities, thoughts, free will, emotions, memories, and histories of their own.

At the center of the story is Shiroe, a level 90 (later 93) Half-Alv Enchanter-Scribe.  Prior to the Apocalypse, he somewhat gained the reputation of a legend in Elder Tale.  He was a member of the Debauchery Tea Party – an elite non-guild band of remarkable players renowned for doing audacious, pioneering raids.  And much of their success can be attributed to Shiroe.

As an Enchanter, his thing is casting buffs and supporting spells on his allies.  But what he really brings to the table is his brilliant mind.  He has an encylopediac knowledge and understanding of the mechanics of Elder Tale, which he applies in utilizing his and his allies’ abilities at their most efficient in whatever circumstance.  He’s a master problem-solver – quick in reading and analyzing the situation down to the tiniest detail, familiarizing himself with the hand dealt to him, recognizing the best course of action upon evaluation, and formulating the necessary tactics to bring the preferred outcome about.  In addition, not only can he architect a flawless plan, he can also take command of its execution with uncanny precision even if he has to pay attention to multiple pieces all at once.  These qualities him make him an outstanding strategist – a role he impeccably played during his stint in the Debauchery Tea Party.

After the Apocalypse, Shiroe eventually finds himself applying his cunning and intelligence into politics most of the time.  He still gets to be a strategist in combat now and then, but his focus has become mainly set on this task.  Desiring to improve the state of affairs of the gamers trapped in this new world – specifically, the Adventurers based in Akihabara – he orchestrates the creation of the Round Table Alliance, a coalition of 11 guilds that serves as the governing body of Akihabara.  Under Shiroe’s leadership, the Round Table Alliance becomes the catalyst of instilling a renewed sense of meaning, fun, and community into the Adventurers.  They also handle diplomacy with the surrounding nations of the People of the Land.  Over time, as Akihabara continues to grow and prosper, the challenges they have to face become more and more complicated as well.

Shiroe has also decided to finally establish his own guild, which he names Log Horizon (hence, the title).  When he was playing Elder Tale, he had an aversion with the thought of joining a guild.  That was why he gravitated toward the Debauchery Tea Party in the first place, as most of its members were also uninterested of being in a guild at that time.  Even after the Apocalypse, Shiroe still doesn’t want to be in a guild at first.  But when he realizes that he can help others – especially his friends – better in this new world if he has a guild, he creates Log Horizon, whose members range from former Debauchery Tea Party teammates to young rookies.  As of the end of season two, Log Horizon is composed of Shiroe (Enchanter), Naotsugo (Guardian), Akatsuki (Assassin), Nyanta (Swashbuckler), Minori (Kannagi), Tohya (Samurai), Rundhelhouse “Rudy” Code (Sorcerer), Isuzu (Bard), and Tetora (Cleric).

I’m a sucker for genius strategists, and thus, what I enjoyed most about Log Horizon was how Shiroe would tackle the problems and adversities put before him and overcome them with his wits.  I never had this much fun watching an anime tactical genius work since Code Geass’ Lelouch Lamperouge.  Shiroe is basically a more benevolent version of Lelouch.  And considering that Lelouch is my most favorite fictional strategist ever, you can tell how highly I think of Shiroe as a character.

Also, the story doesn’t exclusively center on Shiroe.  The other characters have their own separate subplots, where they can have their own character development and where the overall story can be seen through their perspectives.  Every character can be interesting in his or her own right.

As a storytelling standpoint, it may not necessarily be telling the best story among isekai shows, but as far as the idea of an isekai narrative that’s straightup founded on an MMORPG premise, I believe Log Horizon is the best to do it.  Moreover, not only are MMORPG tropes and themes relevant to its story, but concepts of MMORPG gameplay, dynamics, and lore are also cleverly integrated into its action, power systems, and worldbuilding.

Another thing that makes its story so compelling is the mystery factor.  It’s loaded with exciting unknowns that the narrative often brings up, builds up, and uncovers in measured amounts.  This is usually observed from Shiroe and co. constantly realizing, as the series progresses, that there are things that may be true in this new world that weren’t true before when it was still a game, and vice versa.  In addition, the mysterious circumstance behind the Apocalypse is also a huge source of intrigue all throughout, whose layers are only really started to be peeled at the tail end of season 2.  But answers usually yield to more questions being raised – which is great.  With every new detail revealed, the world seems to get awfully bigger and grander, and the plot gets more complex and thrilling.

However, Log Horizon may disappoint those who expect it to be action-packed.  It has some action, yeah, but it’s not really its focus.  There are no spectacular shonen-style battles here, although seeing a multitude of characters conducting a raid – especially when they’re led by Shiroe – can be as absorbing as one.  It stimulates by being cerebral rather than action-oriented, through offering all the fascinating merits found in the fictional depiction of nation-building – including its political, social, and economic aspects – as well as the wondrous showcasing of tactical principles unique to MMORPG.

Lastly, its opening theme song, “Database”, also deserves a shout out.  It’s quite epic, and I appreciate that the show recognizes this as well, opting to keep it as the OP all throughout seasons 1 and 2.  Hopefully, it remains so with season 3 as well.

In summary, Log Horizon is one of the best that the isekai genre has to offer.  Its characters, worldbuilding, and plot are notably splendid.  It has some clichéd parts, for sure, but it effectively uses them to legitimately build a highly imaginative whole.