Log Horizon Anime General Discussion Thread (NO SPOILERS)

[teja208]

Originally Posted by Gan_HOPE326

I'd say the problem is that many people went into SAO expecting something and got something else entirely (me included). The comparison is interesting because it seems to suggest Log Horizon could be that "something" - that is an anime about an MMORPG that actually focuses on game mechanics. What irked many people about SAO was that, besides the romance, the harem elements, and anything that happened in Alfheim, for being a "mass multiplayer" game, Kirito was way too central to the resolution of the story. One would have expected more team (well, guild) dynamics there.

This said, it's a pity that, at the very least, this seems technically inferior to SAO. Say what you want, SAO had good art and great music, which made the disappointment with its contents even more bitter.

I'm not even a SAO fan, I'm NOT saying that there shouldn't be any comparison between SAO with LH in this thread or anywhere else nor I said I disagree with the comparison and/or the content. What I'm saying is that the tone of the writing in this article is what I find unfitting for someone who wants to provide information, but more of the ones who want to bash other show.

Phrase like "SAO MC is Gray Stu" and "loads better than generic 'escape back to the real world'" are examples of these tones I'm talking about. These are way too objective and bias which may piss off SAO fans who may be interested in learning more about this new series due to sharing similar premise. Now, SAO fans will bash this show NOT because they think that LH is a copycat, NOT because the dislike the show itself, but because they don't like how LH fandom are disrespecting the show they enjoy. This is why I said it's inappropriate to be using such tone in this sort of article. It's sends false signal like, "Heh, you are buncha fool for liking SAO, because LH is much, much, MUCH better than that crap."

Lesson: Try keeping the tone more neutral when making constructive comparison. Keep in mind there are also those who are fan of both SAO and LH.

******

On the less serious subject, I’m actually grateful that Elder Tale has voice retaining mechanism to help distinguishing genders. If it isn’t for this, I might've started suspecting Marielle for being an old hag who likes young boys and Henrietta for being a dude and a lolicon. Oh thank you THANK YOU so much voice retaining mechanism ftw.

[Sheba]

Originally Posted by teja208

I'm not even a SAO fan, I'm NOT saying that there shouldn't be any comparison between SAO with LH in this thread or anywhere else nor I said I disagree with the comparison and/or the content. What I'm saying is that the tone of the writing in this article is what I find unfitting for someone who wants to provide information, but more of the ones who want to bash other show.

Phrase like "SAO MC is Gray Stu" and "loads better than generic 'escape back to the real world'" are examples of these tones I'm talking about. These are way too objective and bias which may piss off SAO fans who may be interested in learning more about this new series due to sharing similar premise. Now, SAO fans will bash this show NOT because they think that LH is a copycat, NOT because the dislike the show itself, but because they don't like how LH fandom are disrespecting the show they enjoy. This is why I said it's inappropriate to be using such tone in this sort of article. It's sends false signal like, "Heh, you are buncha fool for liking SAO, because LH is much, much, MUCH better than that crap."

Lesson: Try keeping the tone more neutral when making constructive comparison. Keep in mind there are also those who are fan of both SAO and LH.

******

I wouldn't even be surprised if the author is Anonymous talking to other Anonymii. They have a tendency to be less... diplomatic when it comes to deal with people.

[Anh_Minh]

Originally Posted by Klashikari

I wouldn't say Log Horizon pilot episode was "incredible" by any means, considering it felt rather laid back despite the plot, but I must say that I was pleasantly surprised by the details addressed quite early regarding the characters' predicament. It definitely did a better job than SAO or .//Hack regarding how people would react to this (save perhaps Akatsuki exaggerated "in character" behaviour) and the MMORPG detail.

What do you mean by that? Because personally, I thought they adapted far too fast and too well to their new circumstances. No panic, no anger, no worries about the billions of people not connected to the game... There seems to be three attitudes:
- apathetic
- constructively focused on the short term
- opportunistically taking advantage of the absence of authorities.

[tsunade666]

I just watched the first episode and I'm sold for the story. The potential is big on this one. The scale of the game is global and in japan alone is already big. I can't wait to see more with lots of character shown I hope it would be great and be explored well.

[Klashikari]

Originally Posted by Anh_Minh

What do you mean by that? Because personally, I thought they adapted far too fast and too well to their new circumstances. No panic, no anger, no worries about the billions of people not connected to the game... There seems to be three attitudes:
- apathetic
- constructively focused on the short term
- opportunistically taking advantage of the absence of authorities.

I did mention that it was too laid back, but the course of actions taken thus far was appropriate. At least, a "lot of people" aside of the main characters were in panic and all.
Also, I see no point why they should be worried about everyone else because they don't exactly know how they ended up there, and I see little point to focus on the "humanity" at hand given the circumstances.

[Anh_Minh]

Originally Posted by Klashikari

I did mention that it was too laid back, but the course of actions taken thus far was appropriate. At least, a "lot of people" aside of the main characters were in panic and all.

They looked more resigned than panicky to me. Useless, sure, but at least they're not actually obstructing anyone the way a mob would.

Also, I see no point why they should be worried about everyone else because they don't exactly know how they ended up there, and I see little point to focus on the "humanity" at hand given the circumstances.

Two possibilities:
- as in SAO, the real world's still normal, except for the millions of people worldwide stuck in the game. Shouldn't they wonder about possible rescue attempts from the outside?
- as they said, the real world itself was transformed into Elder Tale. In which case, they're missing billions of people. Shouldn't they be grieving or something?

But my point was: this is one instance where SAO did it better.

In addition, in SAO, there never really was a mystery about what actually happened. Here, there is, and it's pretty much ignored. They pretty much accept that they're stuck in Elder Tale's world, and they don't really question the how or the why.

[Xellos-_^]

Originally Posted by Anh_Minh

Two possibilities:
- as in SAO, the real world's still normal, except for the millions of people worldwide stuck in the game. Shouldn't they wonder about possible rescue attempts from the outside?
- as they said, the real world itself was transformed into Elder Tale. In which case, they're missing billions of people. Shouldn't they be grieving or something?

3rd point they were transport to a World Similar to Elder Tale. Not likely but still a slim possibility.

[Klashikari]

Originally Posted by Anh_Minh

They looked more resigned than panicky to me. Useless, sure, but at least they're not actually obstructing anyone the way a mob would.

Some of them were resigned, others were basically pulling a tantrum and so on.
No need to push it to extreme.

- as in SAO, the real world's still normal, except for the millions of people worldwide stuck in the game. Shouldn't they wonder about possible rescue attempts from the outside?
- as they said, the real world itself was transformed into Elder Tale. In which case, they're missing billions of people. Shouldn't they be grieving or something?

-Not everyone would think of their predicament as hopeless, so I don't think it is mandatory to have them to wonder about rescue from outside. It is vastly different from SAO where they were told right from the bat that if they die ingame, they will die for real.
-They don't have any information about what happened to everyone else, and to put it bluntly, what's important is their current situation. Non gamer fate is arguably not their priority and I don't expect most people to suddenly grieve/worry about the rest.

In addition, in SAO, there never really was a mystery about what actually happened. Here, there is, and it's pretty much ignored. They pretty much accept that they're stuck in Elder Tale's world, and they don't really question the how or the why.

It is just the same though: they were basically thrown in a situation that was out of their control, with just "some explanations" for a given series and not for the latter. I really don't see the need of having a huge mob crying over their situation considering the difference of setup (real game over VS completely unknown situation).
I personally prefered the course of actions taken in response to their predicament, within the game that is. I really don't care much about angst when it was already pointed out.

[VTHokiePride]

Another difference between this and SAO is that this anime doesn't have the serious overtone that SAO had as seen from their main groups visit with the other guild. They don't know if their death's in game will kill them in real life either. Currently, they're just speculating it.

[tsunade666]

Originally Posted by Estavali

Then, there's "Nishikaze no Ryodan" (ログ・ホライズン ～西風の旅団～) which features the eponymous guild led by former Tea Party member Soujirou=Seta and his harem.

Chapter one trial (in pdf format): http://www.fujimishobo.co.jp/sp/2013...izon_trial.pdf

I just read it and this guy has an actual harem guild mates but who is the one who appear in the last page?

[Quol]

What i dont understand is why everyone is comparing SAO with horizon, besides the MMO concept they are extremely different, they even focus on different MMO aspects as well as the whole mood being different.
Comparing horizon and SAO is like looking at negima and mahouka, just because both series use magic

[Anh_Minh]

I think we have completely different ideas over what would happen in such a mysterious, world changing situation.

Originally Posted by Klashikari

It is just the same though: they were basically thrown in a situation that was out of their control, with just "some explanations" for a given series and not for the latter. I really don't see the need of having a huge mob crying over their situation considering the difference of setup (real game over VS completely unknown situation).
I personally prefered the course of actions taken in response to their predicament, within the game that is. I really don't care much about angst when it was already pointed out.

It may get us to the fun parts faster, but I think it's very unnatural.

Originally Posted by Quol

What i dont understand is why everyone is comparing SAO with horizon, besides the MMO concept they are extremely different, they even focus on different MMO aspects as well as the whole mood being different.
Comparing horizon and SAO is like looking at negima and mahouka, just because both series use magic

The exact game mechanics don't really matter nearly as much as the "gamers suddenly trapped in the game world" thing.

[jeroz]

They are natural explorers, not just a bunch of hikki. Having max level also gives them enough room for error. The immediate areas is NOT a threat to them

It's time like this that the true quality of the people is shown. And then the other two will just follow Shiro around

[Quol]

Originally Posted by Anh_Minh

The exact game mechanics don't really matter nearly as much as the "gamers suddenly trapped in the game world" thing.

Generalizing is a bad thing to do. Like i said because they have a few similarities doesnt make them the same, otherwise we would see people asking what devil fruit naruto will eat to enhance his bankai.

[erneiz_hyde]

First impression: the SAO vibes is strong, but was completely blown away in the end, thanks to that obvious Mia lookalike But does that make it similar to .Hack? I dunno, so far, it seems to be neither. I don't think it's even sci-fi and more fantasy. Probably like DT only with less stupid and more serious.

By the next ep preview's words, it seems there aren't "you die here=you die for reals" plot, so naturally the focus of the story will be quite different. Uncovering the truth behind the incident would be the obvious plot, but I'm wondering about the side plots. Will it be more philosophically oriented like the .Hack animes or will it have more action like SAO? I'm intrigued.

As for the characters, nothing standing out yet. Hope things get better in this department.

[jeroz]

The scene that made the biggest impression on me in the OP is not any of the crazy action scenes, but of Naotsugu dancing around the campfire.

Ok, catman champion head butting that guy is pretty cool as well

[Xellos-_^]

Originally Posted by Anh_Minh

The exact game mechanics don't really matter nearly as much as the "gamers suddenly trapped in the game world" thing.

which makes them all ripoffs of TRON.

[tsunade666]

Originally Posted by jeroz

They are natural explorers, not just a bunch of hikki. Having max level also gives them enough room for error. The immediate areas is NOT a threat to them

Plus they are veterans of the game which was pointed out in the episode that they knew everything in the game except for the new patch up or expansion.

The game that they play in their pc and not even in virtual reality turn into their own reality. That would cause panic and confusion but they are familiar with the game like the back of their hand so they won't panic much.

I find their reaction believable because its not like they are in unfamiliar land but they are in unfamiliar situation.

Originally Posted by erneiz_hyde

but I'm wondering about the side plots. Will it be more philosophically oriented like the .Hack animes or will it have more action like SAO? I'm intrigued.

Probably philosophical. If we look at the author's past work which is maou yuusha. The maoyuu has some fighting elements but its more on the war elements with maou and yuusha finding ways to stop the war.

Which also reflects on the MC because he is a support character and not the hack and slash type.

[Tenzen12]

Not realy, world of TRON wasn't game it was computer system. I would say these animes are actualy shameless rip-offs of Neverending story!

[aohige]

finished reading the first two volumes of the novel.... wow, this is a lot more POLITICAL than it is action. Completely unlike SAO.
A heck of a lot more smarts than brawl.

I'm now even more curious how anime adaptation will be.
I can see they already changed a lot of things to tone down, but it's kinda affecting audience view.
In the novels, fights and kill literally involves blood and guts, monsters don't just turn into coins and items like they did in the anime episode... it leaves a carcass.
If you want hides, you have to skin them. That gives a totally different atmosphere on the world than what the anime went with..

Originally Posted by erneiz_hyde

By the next ep preview's words, it seems there aren't "you die here=you die for reals" plot, so naturally the focus of the story will be quite different. Uncovering the truth behind the incident would be the obvious plot, but I'm wondering about the side plots. Will it be more philosophically oriented like the .Hack animes or will it have more action like SAO? I'm intrigued.

It's not overly philosophical, a lot less pretentious than .hack, but way smarter than SAO.
Without getting into spoilers, there's a heavy focus on politics, economy, exploration of the world physics, and social rebuilding. Far less importance on combat.

The three titles are pretty clearly distinct from each other.
And to be honest, this FAR more my cup of tea.