Log Horizon, Vol. 1

Log Horizon Manga #1

by Mamare Touno, Kazuhiro Hara

The world of Elder Tales was supposed to be fun for everyone, but ever since the 12th expansion pack came out and trapped thirty thousand gamers within its fantastical confines, it's not much fun anymore! Nobody knows how to return to the real world, the food has no taste, and even death is no escape. Since the change, the world has fallen into lawlessness, and a strong guild is a player's only hope for survival. It's amid these dire circumstances that Shiroe sets off across the virtual landscape with his friends Naotsugu and Akatsuki on an adventure of discovery as they try to understand the nature of their new reality. Illustrator Kazuhiro Hara has adapted Mamare Touno's light novel series into a comic that gamers and manga fans alike won't want to miss!

Genres: Manga, Fantasy, Graphic Novels, Young Adult, Adventure, Shonen, Science Fiction

192 pages, Paperback

First published February 15, 2013

About the author

Name (in native language): 橙乃 ままれ

Mamare Touno real name is Daisuke Umezu (梅津 大輔, Umezu Daisuke).

Blog: m2lade JAM

Reviews

[Bradley · Rating 3 out of 5]

At first glance, it appears like a Sword Art Online knockoff. As a manga it is disjointed and while some of the sequences look really promising, I feel like I'm either missing a lot of necessary build-up and character-love, or I need to read a whole long series of this before I get to the actual caring stage.

That being said, I should point out that this manga was based off a Light Novel. An actual Japanese novel that probably does the whole damn thing a lot more justice than what I see here in a single volume.

I plan on reading the subsequent side-manga of Log Horizon next to see if the disjointed feel smooths out. I may have to go back and read the Light Novels, however.

[atmatos · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a bit different than the anime, it also is a bit darker. It shows more of the evil things players are doing without set rules, and no consequences to their actions. I stayed up WAY to late last night watching this anime, and it's really good. I like it better than the manga, it doesn't jump around as much. Though in reading this it shows you more of why Shiroe is so cut throat in making others his rules.
>.<

[Selena Pigoni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Log Horizon, how I love thee.



I'm a big fan of the anime, and the manga did not disappoint. There were a few things that bothered me with the translation (thus 4 stars instead of 5), but the story was excellent.

For the most part, the story's the same as the anime (and probably the light novel, but I haven't read it yet, so I can't comment). In something reminiscent of the .hack// series, everyone is trapped in the Elder Tales video game. Unlike .hack//, though, the manga shows the people disappearing in the real world, so no coma victims here! They're really inside the game. Now they have to live there and deal with the fallout of a bunch of gamers being trapped in a game.

The characters are great. You don't get too good a feel for in this manga edition, since things move much faster than they did in the anime, but trust me when I say that you will love them. Future volumes should do much more character building.

The great thing about the manga, though, is the lack of monologuing. My friends and I refer to the Log Horizon anime (especially season 2) as "Monologue Horizon" for a reason. Since in the manga they could throw all the stuff that would otherwise be a monologue onto an extra page explaining the world, we don't need that in story and so events move much more quickly than they do in the anime.

My complaints can be easily fixed.

The biggest problem I had was the black "information" pages. They're black pages with white text, but the white text is so small and thin that it gets difficult to read. I wish they would've bolded, resized, or even used a different font on these pages so I wasn't practically making myself go cross-eyed reading them.

The other complaint is just a translation choice. "Sewn-Bind Hostage." I've always seen this attack translated as "Thorn-Bind Hostage," which makes a bit more sense given the way the attack is depicted: thorny vines binding the opponent. In Japanese, it's "ソーンバイド・ホステージ" (soonbaindo hosteeji), so I can see where "Sewn" can get in there, but I'm pretty sure it's supposed to be Thorn.

Anyway, minor annoyances that I can ignore. Hoping that Yen Press fixes these problems in future books. :)

[Ahmad Hossam · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't hate it. There is just very little to love.

The traditional isekai elements are there. A group of gamers are mysteriously thrown into a game world and they have to find a way out. The story moves too fast while not moving at all; too many things happen but seemingly for no reason. By the time I was done with the 7 chapters of this volume, I cared for none of the characters.

The good idea presented is that a community like this would very quickly degenerate into a dog-eat-dog world with few safe spots. People would find safety in arbitrary identities (guilds) rather than their common humanity. I would have loved to see this theme developed more deeply.

Final rating: E

[MC · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started watching the first season of Log Horizon last year as it was simulcast on the internet. I managed to get in on the story only a few episodes in and really enjoyed the dynamic. It told a fun story that didn't exclude action in lieu of intellectual pursuits or strategy. Oh, the strategy was key, but the importance of both planning AND acting were both emphasized.

The story begins when a popular old-school MMORPG (Massive multiplayer online role-playing game) releases it's 12th "expansion pack", thus making the story bigger for experienced players to have more fun stuff to do.

To explain for anyone not knowing, the MMORPG is like the big never-ending online games like World of Warcraft, Lord of the Rings Online, so on. Expansion packs have to be constantly released to update and keep the story going. Elsewise, players will beat the current content, get bored and not play anymore. Not just for the beginning of the series, but for plots later on, these concepts are important.

Anyways, for some unknown reason, when the newest expansion pack is released in Japan (being released by time zone, thus Japan is the earliest one to get it), every single player in the entire world who was logged in online was somehow sucked into what is either the world of the game or a world based upon the game.

To say the least, there is despair and anger. There is also the refusal to recognize different realities and thus horrendous crimes and horrors are perpetrated by the "Adventurers" (the player characters), who now have super-human abilities.

In the midst of this, we have our first main characters, the trio of Shiroe, Naotsugu, and Akatsuki. Shiroe and Naotsugu are old friends in the real world too, and Akatsuki is an old acquaintance of Shiroe who needed his help with something important. Upon receiving said help, she joins them on their journey to learn about and survive this new world until the can escape.

Some old friends of Shiroe, Marielle and Henrietta need help, though, to save a girl stuck in another city who is being pursued by some nasty fellow trapped players like the ones described earlier. Shiroe, wanting to make some difference and knowing his companions stand the best chance of success, volunteers to rescue the girl.

This is one of my most anticipated series for both manga and light novel (in a few weeks on April 21) of the year, along with The Devil Is A Part-Timer. I love the dynamic that is faithfully reproduced from the cartoon, but without the minor censoring of said production.

The art wasn't terrific, except for the one area that had a similar impact of beauty. That is sad because this story could do so much better with more vivid art.

I think the characters were well-portrayed and I can't wait for the next volume of the manga and the light novels too. Highly, Highly Recommended.

[Edric Unsane · Rating 3 out of 5]

To be honest, I enjoyed the Log Horizon anime more, and I thought the manga was a bit flat. I think that I will eventually get around to reading the light novels instead.

[Ivy · Rating 2 out of 5]

The concept of this story is a lot of fun, and I really like the main character and how he uses debuffs and status effects to fight, and since most people don't account for that, that's how he usually wins. I must admit, when I play video games, it's always the debuffs that get to me, and It's really cool to see a hero who isn't a conventional fighter.

However, and this may sound petty, but I loathe the way every female character is written. It's nice that no one has stupid boob armor, but none of them have anything close to the nuance and complexity any of the male characters have. There is one character who roleplays as a boy, but once she gets trapped in the game, she no longer wishes to do so. This premise is very interesting, and I think it could have been really interesting as a trans narrative, perhaps by still presenting as a girl even in the body of a boy. However, early on, our hero is able to help her change her body back to that of a cute, short, moe-girl. What's worse, is that she swears her fealty to this guy and starts calling him her "master" and following him around like a slave. The whole thing feels just so icky and the whole point of the arc was to make her depend on him more than she would have already.

The biggest saving grace of this book was Nyanta. I love his name, I love his cat puns, I love that he seems to be the only person who is fully committed to roleplaying, and I love that everyone calls him a furry. It's great.

Anyways, I know this is the only manga book, and I've only watched 3 episodes of the anime, but I have no interest in continuing the show or reading the light novels. It's too bad too, because the premise and the action scenes are so fun. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[Philipp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Log Horizon, Vol. 1 immediately stood out to me because of how different its priorities are compared to similar series. Instead of centering purely on combat, the first volume already places a strong emphasis on cooperation, social structures, and the beginnings of democracy within the game world.

As a gamer myself, I found the experience highly relatable. The way characters analyze mechanics, exploit systems, and approach problems like players rather than fantasy heroes feels authentic and refreshing. Volume 1 does an excellent job of showing how a group of gamers would realistically react when suddenly trapped inside a game.

What really makes this volume shine is how much it feels like a love letter to MMORPGs—and even games like Diablo. Party roles, strategies, and community matter more than brute strength, and that focus gives the story depth right from the start.

Overall, Volume 1 lays a smart and engaging foundation for the series. It’s thoughtful, grounded in actual gaming culture, and far more interested in world-building and collaboration than endless fighting—which makes it a very promising beginning.

[Rolaka Pisarka · Rating 3 out of 5]

Light novelki z reguły podobają mi się. Lubię ten prosty, nieskomplikowany styl, a przy tym kolorowe ilustracje i niekonwencjonalne rozwiązania, które dostarczają mi autorzy. Log Horizon zaczęłam od novelki, jednak gdzieś w jej połowie przerzuciłam się na anime i niestety doszłam do wniosku, że novelka jest o wiele słabsza niż anime. I nie wynika to fabuły, bo przecież twórcy anime świetnie przenieśli książkę do telewizji. Jednak pozostaje problem ciężkiego stylu. Autor wiele, za wiele, stanowczo za wiele tłumaczy. Zamiast pokazywać, opisywać, stara się czytelnikowi wszystko wyjaśnić, a tym samym sprawia, że przychodzi znużenie, a potem już niechęć do sięgnięcia po więcej. Nie ważna intrygująca fabuła, arcyciekawi bohaterowie, humor i gra strategią, bo wszystko upada pod ciężarem nieznośnego stylu. A same "cysie", które pojawiły się już niemal na samym początku wystarczająco mnie zniechęciły. I chyba po raz pierwszy polecam sięgnąć po anime, nie po LN.

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm rounding up 3½ stars and that is solely because I like the world of Log Horizon not because this particular entry deserves it. It may explain why there was a volume 2 mentioned at the end of the book and it never materialized (and it came out in 2013 in Japan) so it's had PLENTY of time.

It isn't that it is bad. It just isn't great, let alone all that good. It covers the basics of what's going on in LH but feels very disjointed, lacking in a LOT of detail and character. I have not read West Wind Brigade, the 11 volume LH manga that has come here, but I have read a few volumes of the light novel and seen a score of the anime episodes and honestly you're much better off with them than this particular manga.

Verdict: If you don't know anything about Log Horizon, do not start here. Only read this if you are already a fan and can borrow it from a friend or a library. It isn't bad, but it isn't particularly good either.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

i have been wanting to read this manga for THE longest time because, since i like sao, everyone recommended me this, overlord and the rising of shield hero and oH bOy i wish i had found this manga sooner. it's got the whole "you're stuck in a game" aspect of sao but it focuses way more on the RPG style of the game which i enjoyed a lot (specially now since, coincidentally, i also started to play d&d). the art style on the pages is very well done and the covers on both in the manga and the light novel are gorgeous (and it's definitely making me, for the first time, try to read a ln). so i would definitely recommend this for anyone that has an interest in MMORPG and want a good read.

[Alinith · Rating 1 out of 5]

I just cannot get over a manga that feels the need to beat me over the head with exposition with the same exact info over and over in thr first few chapters on top of the in world vs not in world vs having a command ui like an mmo to chat with people and it was all just... done better elsewhere. would have been better as an overall isekai or commit to a fantasy world.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

An MMO manga where the main character isn't an overpowered heavy hitter!! We need more of these.

[Sani Fermana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

[ReadingFrog · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars.

[Patrícia⁷ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, it was obviously meant to be a series, so being 1 volume, it's unfinished.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great start to an interesting story. If you went into an MMPORPG, how would you react?

[Trinity Roney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book it one of my favourite books

[Ivy Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Read after watching the anime though and I enjoyed both.

[Stas · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh.
Coming from anime, this is underwhelming.
Methinks light novels are a better fare.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cool idea.

[Alexandria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Log Horizon has an interesting premise but not enough for me to really get into the storyline. Hopefully, it'll get better with future volumes. ;-)

[Eric · Rating 1 out of 5]

A very bad version of Sword Art Online.

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book as a Goodreads First Reads winner.

Log Horizon vol. 1 is the story of three people who play an MMRPG called Elder Tales and end up getting stuck in the world. They can communicate with those on their friend lists, but not with the game masters; nor can they log out or escape the game. While the initial logistics of this world are easy to understand--gamers get sucked into games and are forced to become their gamer personas, they can't die, and cooked food has no flavor--there are moments where I feel quite lost, where I didn't have enough backstory to figure out what was going on or the significance of certain moments. Characters' relationships to one another was one such area of confusion for me.

After reading a good amount of manga over the last year, though, I'm willing to overlook my confusion. I've noticed that the first book in many manga series serves as a sort of prologue. The first book introduces the major players and sort of pushes the world into motion. First volumes often lack the emotional depth, complexity, and nuance that later volumes take on. Though I was a bit confused by the logistics of the world and the characters' relationships, I can see how I might fall into the world of the story as the manga progresses. The art and the pacing are well done; with a better balance and handle on backstory, this manga might be quite successful.

A final, nitpicky comment: some panels are trying to accomplish too much; the result is that their image becomes indecipherable. Similarly, the interstitial textual moments--which do much of the work of world building--is printed in a slender white font on a black background. This text is almost impossible to read, contributing to some very frustrating reading experiences.

[Nick Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.

As is often the case with first volume in a series, there's a lot of world-building going on in this book. Probably even more than average, given that it takes place in a video game world with a lot of rules, player classes, peculiar monsters, and other things that require extensive explanation. As such, characters are introduced, but little is learned about their personalities due to the heavy focus on the world's mechanics. The story of the first book is set up essentially to bring in members of what I presume will eventually be the central cast, with the overarching plot of the characters trying to discover how they ended up in a video game world only being touched on. Still, that central mystery is an interesting one, with the main protagonist not having his mind downloaded onto the internet as in most similar stories, but bodily vanishing from the real world and popping into the world of the game. There's also an intriguing sociological element to people being stuck in a previously-fun game world falling into despair, forming criminal gangs, and preying upon weaker players and NPCs (whose status as sentient beings is unclear), contrasted with others who try to hold onto their values and band together for protection.

As far as trapped-in-the-game tales go, this one is off to a good start and shows potential in regard to introducing more complex ideas than similar series. I'm definitely engaged enough to pick up the second volume when it comes out, and hopefully with the introductions out of the way the characters and overarching plot will start to get some more thorough development.

[Jake · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really adore Log Horizon. I think it's one of my favourtie animes I've watched. And I did enjoy the manga, especially since when I first started watching Log Horizon I hoped they'd doa manga release for it. And they did! Look at it!
It follows the same plot but things play in a slightly different order. The art was fun I really loved that one scene near the start where we get a whole lot of background with the forest and Shiroe meeting up with Naotsugu!
I did feel a smidge let down because some of the playful banter wasn't in it an we had less time to discuss things about the world but on the whole I'm happy to have it. And of course I shall be ordering the light novel since it's the original begninning of the series and therefore it has everything as written by the author... well, losing some in translation of course but this is inevitable since the English language is ridiculous and is overly basic in its expressions.

Point being: Good manga, going to get light novel and the anime is fun.

Summary: It's awesome. I make no sense so don't let me review deter you. Read the light novel or manga or watch the anime... English sub is better if you're okay with reading while watching =)

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the 12th expansion pack is released for the game Elder Tales, thirty thousand players find themselves trapped inside. No one knows how to return to the real world. If you die, you simply respawn, the food tastes like nothing, and those trapped are descending into lawlessness. Shiroe and his friends venture to rescue a fellow gamer trapped in a separate town from the rest of her clan. But the town is overrun by Briganteers--a guild know for looting and player killing.

I've never seen the anime so I wasn't sure what I was getting myself into. I've been in a "READ ALL THE MANGA!" mood recently. I'm definitely glad I grabbed this. I was hooked instantly. Most gamers probably would be. I think my favorite part is that this isn't just about the action, but also about the strategy and the game play. There's also some great dynamics between the characters. My only complaint is the black summary pages. I ended up skipping over them all because the font is so tiny that it's nearly impossible to read. Making the white font thicker would have helped this a lot, but thankfully you can pick up everything for the panels themselves. Very much looking forward to volume 2!

[The Book Dragon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Classic 'getting sucked into a game' story, it's different than Sword Art Online. I will say that I watched the anime first and it was amazing! I wish there were more seasons. However, after watching the anime then reading the manga, the manga seemed awkward and out of order. The manga utilizes the action to create an extra fast paced story but fills in background information with flashbacks that could've been better explained in chronological order like the anime.

In short: it's a great series; the anime is awesome; this manga doesn't exactly do it justice; you can also see the light novel series (Log Horizon) and the spinoff series (Log Horizon: The West Wind Brigade).

This series was cancelled at 1 volume.

[Heather Bridson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This being the first manga I've read since high school, it took me a little bit to get it reading fluidly. I love the concept of this story, I've played quite a few MMORPG games, and sometimes it would see fantastic to be able to leave this world and live in the game worlds. Anyway, I really enjoyed the story, and the artwork was of course excellent. I will be seeking out the next in the series.
I am intrigued by the food not tasting good, except the fruits. I am looking forward to see what happens from this point as they have just escaped the city. Love the team play as well. Just a good and fun read!
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. I was not paid for my review in any way, and all opinions are my own.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

While both stories are good starts to world building of the series, this comic version feels quite a bit rushed in comparison to the original light novel. Also, while interesting, the opening scene possibly seems be a bit spoiler-ish, considering the corresponding first volume of the light novel didn't provide any explanation of what happened in the real world after the catastrophe. One annoyance with this addition of the print book that I figured should be mentioned is that the white-on-black text on the information pages is difficult to read as many of the thinner lines of white font are obscured from the ink bleeding from the adjacent background, though this ay be an issue that could be corrected in later printings.