Log Horizon: Entaku Houkai – 06

「桃源郷の仙君」 (Tougenkyou no Sen-kun)
“Immortal in Ethereal Utopia”

Although Log Horizon cannot stay in the realm of politics forever, I still have to admit I’m a sad panda to watch it leave it behind. Mostly. Watching Krusty and Kanami do Adventurer things might be less entertaining than Shiroe do strategist things, but having it presented in the form of a puppet play? Oh now that’s different. Hilariously different. Yes Akatsuki, your feminine efforts are always appreciated.

One of the main complaints from Log Horizon’s second season was the focus on less appealing aspects like the kids growing into themselves and Kanami’s (at the start) listless and unrelated side trek. It simply felt out of place compared to everything which came before, and while the same could be said for this scenery switcheroo, there’s something to be said for both presentation and material this time around. Krusty for example is now finally back in the spotlight, with his whereabouts and present situation made clear – along with his experience of having to deal with more than one curse. Yes, that incessant desire to tease girls without a suitable outlet counts as a pretty hefty curse in Krusty’s case, even if one little pipsqueak helps lessen the impact. The memory issue in particular will certainly factor into things later – note that Krusty can now seemingly utilize his own memories for a serious powerup – though I honestly wouldn’t expect the guy to forget about Rayneshia and Misa in the end. When half the reason for one princess becoming a major Akihabara powerhouse is secretly desiring getting her monster in glasses back, best be sure he won’t disappoint.

As for other aspects at play, that’s where matters grow increasingly interesting. The alien Geniuses previously introduced are back again in the spotlight for one, and while Youren may not be a Genius (potentially, that’s still debatable), the enchantress clearly has designs on Kanami’s ancient friend (heh) Elias who just so happens to be cursed to leaving all foes at quarter HP. At least for the moment. This whole situation is obviously going to end with Krusty joining up with Kanami’s posse and Elias being brought back to his senses (remember that radio chatter at the end of the last season?), but the manner of it is up for debate.

Will Krusty get the fight he’s looking for? Will Kanami restore balance through fists to the face? Will Akatsuki’s feminine charm finally work its magic on one blind Shiroe? Stay tuned to find out.

Preview