The second season of Log Horizon is again at 25 episodes long. It is based upon the light novel series and follows Shiro as he carves his way in the new world that he has found himself in. During the first season, in the online MMORPG Elder Tales, thousands of players were transported to this virtual world with no way to get back. While elements of the game mechanics were retained, everything has a real explanation on why it is the way it is from resurrection when a player dies to no combat zones. The series follows Shiro, a player of the Enchanter class. He was initially reclusive but over the course of the first season, opens up and forms his own guild, Log Horizon. His aim is to find a way back home as well as to understand this new world that they now call their home. Joining him are a cast of characters, chief among them being Naotsugu, the tank, and Akatsuki, an assassin.
Most of the episodes take on a similar format with Shiro, explaining some mechanic that will be central to that episode's events. Perhaps most noticeable is the improvement of action sequences (and seemingly the animation quality). Contrary to the first season which was mostly characters walking and talking, the second season starts off with a bang with numerous fights against monsters and other players. This gives the feeling that the pacing has been upped and also demonstrates some of Shiro's infamy as strategist as he participates in a raid against bosses.
On the other hand, it covers some of the doubts other characters have. Akatsuki is concerned with her lack of usefulness in Shiro's recent schemes and this rears its ugly head soon into the season. We see how she deals with this and recognizes her own flaws, allowing her to get stronger. This character development pulls the player closer to her, allowing her to get stronger. This character development pulls the player closer to her. She was already fairly likable but after this character arc, she is more endearing. Tied into this is an intense subplot where an Adventurer is stalking Akihabara and able to murder other players without attracting the penalty of fighting in a safe zone.
The season is mainly separated into two major arcs with a few minor standalone episodes in between. The first half is great, with Shiro and Akatsuki growing as characters, and finally coming out of their isolated shells. Other side characters, who were only brushed upon in the first season, take on a much larger role. These characters are fleshed out and some are even redeemed. There is a moment when the raid parties were about to face the final raid boss, and gives a powerful and emotional speech. The bond the characters have at that point is near tangible.
The second arc is much slower paced in comparison. The direction feels a lot more unfocused as you are unsure of where the plot is currently heading towards. It takes almost to the end of the season until something noteworthy comes up and it wasn't even a direct result of what happened before it. That being said, it tries to deal with the continuing issues of people being transported into this new world and not being able to adapt to it. It's interesting because there is no easy solution.
The battle scenes give an epic feel to the story as a whole. It finally feels like what you would expect when you form a huge raid party to fight against insurmountable odds facing against huge enemies. It showcases the large amount of planning and teamwork required, as well as quick thinking in order to not lose when the tide of the battle turns and a surprise awaits you. The second season has a better handle between serious scenes and giving us laughs. The humor works a lot better here and is at the right moments. Gone are the awkward scenes where the gags are somewhat forced and against the tone of what was currently happening. Here, you're actually looking forward to what they are going to pull off next, with lighthearted breather episodes in between the heavy hitters, working wonders.
The introduction of new monsters that the characters have never seen before from when they played the game gives the atmosphere that this world is evolving and becoming the unknown. It makes it feel less like a game and that it has changed significantly, with higher stakes and antagonists that are serious. As the season heads towards what you anticipate to be an uninspired ending, it has a last hurrah in the final episode that pulls out some intriguing tidbits and a grand battle.
Overall, the second season of Log Horizon has an exciting and action packed first half where you feel like it is a game again. The pacing then slows down and the subplots start to become muddled and never feel like it found its resolution by the end. However, it still leaves you craving for more with its likable characters, humor and the direction it was heading towards.
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