English Dub Review: Log Horizon: Destruction of the Round Table “The Round Table Fractures”

Overview(Possible Spoilers):

When Shiroe goes to see Eins to discuss the future of Akiba, he finds the head of the Saiguu Family was also waiting for him. They ask Shiroe to help them with the Akiba Government. We also learn that Rayneshia’s parents are not exactly “forcing” marriage on the reluctant princess. It takes hearing the words of Krusty spoken by his second-in-command for Rayneshia to finally consider her own future. Her fiance also is finally revealed as Utena Itsukinomiya Touri of Saiguu. At the time of this writing, I couldn’t find an official source on his VA but it sounded an awful lot like Brandon McInnis. Shiroe strongly considers Eins’s offer to join him until Rayneshia shows up.

Our Take:

This was without a doubt the best episode of the season so far. We got some plot movement and some pretty interesting character developments. Rayneshia decided to take some agency in her own life after hearing some of Krusty’s words. Not from him directly but still. I feel that romantic subplot at least HAS to go somewhere eventually. Rayneshia’s parents are also open to her breaking the engagement but only so long as it’s her choice. Nice to see the parents aren’t the stereotypical medieval kind, though her mother was not happy with the way Krusty took Rayneshia to Akiba.

This episode was almost entirely focused around Rayneshia, she really drove the plot forward. It seemed Shiroe was really considering joining Eins until she showed up. When she arrived wearing the uniform of the Round Table Alliance Shiroe knew their flame wasn’t extinguished quite yet. A war was rumored to be brewing before all of this happened so I can only imagine this will tip things further in that direction.

I feel like I mention this every week but three episodes in and still no Krusty. We are getting more mentions though so once again hopefully his return will come at the climax of the season. I was wondering what would be the catalyst for Shiroe’s next scheme, seems like it was Rayneshia. Shiroe is one of the smarter protagonists in anime and isn’t called “the villain in glasses” for nothing.

We get a glimpse into his plan, it seems an election is to be held. That seems to be how the future of Akiba will be decided. I know most people don’t like when there isn’t much action but I find that refreshing about this series. There is action but with the infrequency of it, it actually holds meaning when fights and battles do happen. There hasn’t really been any this season but Log Horizon tends to backload its action. Maybe it’s because we live in a world where Game of Thrones made politics and everything that goes on behind closed doors so interesting. All I know is that I never would have expected to have a “leap out of my seat” hype moment when Shiroe mentions an election.

I had a feeling this episode would be lighting the fuse for the plot to explode forward. Almost all of the major players have made their choices and the “battle” lines have been drawn. I know a lot of people follow the three-episode rule and in my opinion, if you’ve come this far it’s a definite do not drop show. I will see you all after episode four!