I have seen thousands of people who compare Log Horizon with Sword Art:Online and how much it is better from SAO and most of them people are from here only. Don't get me wrong as a gamer person myself, I like both series. My review covers up 2 anime of same genre!
Story- Overall, the Plot is totally messed up all the 5 arcs (SAO,ELF,GGO,Excalibur,Mother's Rosario), even though the very first SAO arc of the first season is still slightly better than the rest.To sum up this is the order SAO>Mother's Rosario>GGO>Excalibur>>>ELF. But, I don't see how Log Horizon is any better?
-The story development is just too slow to the point I find myself sleeping. At least SAO series have pump up action/fighting scenes and romance which is a + point for me. Yes, I agree Log Horizon has romance too, but it is still one sided. The main drawback of both these series is actually the story's atmosphere. In SAO first arc people can die, but players still carry out their daily events like rape, killing, fun, sleeping with no care,sex, marriage. On the other hand In Log horizon if players actually die, they can still respawn at the respawn point. But, Still way too serious on focusing Politics, Govt, rules and regulations 85% of the anime revolves around this. These kind of genres was needed in SAO and SAO in Log Horizon.
Characters- Here I can agree with Log Horizon's fans. SAO has poor characters and character development. The whole show revolves around our female attracter kirito as an OP MC even if new characters are introduced like Sinon in GGO. Kirito is still the main attraction (Yes, clearly the main attraction specially in GGO* )
-Where as in Log Horizon has better and lovable characters and personalities but, then again I think it just has way too many characters. Just see the opening of the Log Horizon how many characters it has. I had a hard time ing all of them. Every episode at least introduce 2 new characters though not all are given enough development, and some are soon forgotten but, at least this series has 3 main characters that is Shiroe, Akatsuki, Naotsugu unlike SAO where every season old characters are treated like background wallpapers except kirito. I am gonna give a brief review on both the MCs of these shows.
Kirito- Yes he is OP to the point he can overwrite codes of the games, just with willpower, female attracter ( Agree with this because for real if you save a female twice, she will have some sort of feels for you), but all they back off when they realize kirito is in relationship with asuna. So, NO ITS NOT HAREM! You will also see huge improvement from Season 1 to Season 2. Kirito's OP moments are toned down a lot, he defeated death gun with the help of sinon and Kirito is not even the main character in the mother's rosario arc. Asuna gets major development and it was really emotional . You gotta give credit, where you see improvement!
Shiroe- He is OP too but not as OVER OP as kirito. When it comes to flawless strategies shiroe beats kirito, but if it comes to power and skills kirito> Shiroe. Shiroe is a mage class unlike Kirito's melee class, But you will hardly see Shiroe in a battle. Most of the time, It will be side characters who fights in the battle. All Shiroe does in the battle is act as a narrator give battle's explanation, even in those battles where shiroe's contribution is null to the battle plan. As for female attractor Shiroe is quite a charm himself. Akatuski likes him and there's one more girl who likes him. So, Currently there is a love triangle going-on and one more girl who wants Shiroe on her side.
Art- SAO beats Log horizon here, because of beautiful colors used in animation and actually you can see improvements of the animation from season 1- season 2, where as Log Horizon remains the same. You will see no improvement!
Sound- Again SAO takes the thrown why? Log horizon opening song is sure is damn good, but from episode 1-25 it uses same opening song, and just to make the listeners get fed up of the song even more. Creators uses same opening song for the season 2 ANOTHER 25 EPISODES SAME OPENING AGAIN where as SAO Opening songs changes every arc. Now, if we compare the ending songs SAO takes the cake easily. ED2 of SAO II is so far the best ending song in the whole SAO series.
Enjoyment- SAO has a replay value for some, where as Log Horizon none because there's hardly any impressive fight scenes all there is politics, how to make govt. etc. The season 2 of Log horizon is really disappointing compare to S1. Here, I guess fans can agree at least SAOII>Log Horizon II
P.S- I know my review might make many s flipping middle finger to the monitor and be like (F*** this guy). But, hey this is just what I feel and it is my personal opinion!
