The Apocalypse (Episode)

The Apocalypse (大災害) is the first episode of Log Horizon anime series. It first aired on October 5, 2013.

Synopsis
The series begin with Shiroe along with Naotsugu and Akatsuki fighting with Brier Weasels at midnight. While fighting, Naotsugu tried to use the command system to perform the Shield Smash skill but the command system seems to malfunction. Akatsuki also seem to be unable to use her skills and could only hold the  Brier Weasels at bay. Due to this, Shiroe commanded them to fall back and tried to use the Nighmare Sphere skill but was grabbed ahold of by a Triffid.



Shiroe opened his eyes and found himself surrounded with aged buildings that were overtaken by plant life. As he walked toward the Silver-leaf Tree within Akiba, he took a glance around the market and saw a player at an NPC stall; demanding to talk to a GM. Out of the blue, he accidentally fell and his status screen pops up. While checking his items at the status screen he noticed that he is unable to log out. After that, he checked his friend list and start a voice chat with Naotsugu.

Then, he met Naotsugu at the Silver-leaf Tree. Naotsugu seems to be wearing body armor. Then it is revealed that they are in Elder Tale and a new expansion, Novasphere Pioneers, was released that day. After having a conversation, they decided to gather information about the expansion. Shiroe seems to be shorter in real life as he tends to falll due to the unfamiliar height he is at now. While they were walking, it seems like someone was spying on them. The person then threw rocks at them ranging from pebbles to a small boulder. Then, it is revealed that the person was Akatsuki, one of Shiore's former party member. When Akatsuki started to talked, they realized she was a girl.

Akatsuki asked Shiroe for an appearance changing potion as she remember that Shiroe own one. While she is using the potion, Naotsugu tried to take a peek at Akatsuki. After she drank the potions, Akatsuki turned to a beautiful lady of a younger age and shorter height from the painful transformation. Then, Shiroe assumed that Akatsuki changed her appearance closer to her real size which was later proven true. Naotsugu make an unsuitable joke about her size and got kneed by Akatsuki. Akatsuki then ask Shiroe how much she owed him. Naotsugu told Akatsuki can pay with a lewd suggestion but was interrupted before he could finished by her kneeing him the face. Then, Shiroe invited her to join his group which she agreed and began to address Shiroe as Lord.



Next day, they walked around the NPC market before realizing that they were hungry. However, the food tasted bland. While eating, someone called Shiroe. The caller was Maryelle, leader of Crescent Moon Alliance who wanted to ask him something. After that, they headed to the Guild Building. As they walked in the building, Naotsugu commented about the numerous doors in the building. Shiroe replied that each guild had it's own hall which contained its own zone. Then, they entered Maryelle room before being astonished at how cute the the guild master room was. Out of the blue, Maryelle greet Shiroe with a flying hug. Akatsuki seems to be jealous at that. However, Maryelle quickly hugs Akatsuki too, thinking that Akatsuki was Shiroe's girlfriend. Naotsugu also attracted Maryelle's attention. Then, Maryelle asked about Naotsugu and received a hug from Maryelle as well. Naotsugu felt a little annoyed about Maryelle's behavior. Suddenly, a girl named Henrietta appeared and hoping that she can exchange information with Shiroe. While talking she noticed Akatsuki and was immediately enraptured by how cute Akatsuki was. They didn't realize that the other guild members were watching them by the door.



Maryelle stated that there are 19 members of Crescent Moon Alliance online and 18 of them is in Akiba. Shiore was informed beside Akiba, Shibuya, Minami, Susukino, and Nakasu are in same shape. Also, they can't transport due to inter-city transport being offline. Maryelle told them that other players are also meeting with their guild; some of them also looking to recruit. Naotsugu think that it will be easy playing this game because they were familiar with this but Shiroe said that new expansion may add some new monsters, quests and items. Maryelle  then invited Shiroe to join her guild but he declined. Then, Maryelle could only watch Shiroe move away from the guild building with Akatsuki and Naotsugu. Maryelle told Henrietta that Tea Party was not a guild but only small party. Henrietta was then informed that Shiroe was their strategist.

Shiroe and his friend were discussing about their fate if they died in game; whether they can escape or also die in real life. After that, Shiroe decided to try the combat system. At night, they headed towards The Archive Tower Forests. Normally, low-level monster would ignore them due to being Level 90. However at The Archive Tower Forests, the monster will aggro on sight. Naotsugu also realizes that they can't use their mini-map in the outside zone.

Suddenly, level 28 Brier Weasels appeared. Naotsugu think it was hardly going to be any trouble but then soon realizes the difficulty of using the combat system while in combat. They began fighting in position fell back when Shiore commanded them to, Shiroe was then attacked by a Triffid before he could use Nightmare Sphere. Suddenly, Akatsuki use a skill accidently to attack and slay the triffid. Shiroe immediately came to a conclusion and ordered Naotsugu to use his body to feel the motion of the attack. Naotsugu used his body's motion and managed to use the Shield Smash skill. Then, they were victorious after using their skills. The episode ended with Serara at Susukino asking Maryelle for help because she was being chased by some people. Hidden in the shadows, a player with the features of a cat was watching her and the people chasing her.

Adapted From

 * The Apocalypse (Chapter)
 * The Small Assassin (Chapter)

Trivia

 * It is still a mystery how every Elder Tale player was transported into the game's world.
 * The title of the episode comes from the post-apocolyptic setting of Elder Tale.
 * Players who chose characters that didn't fit their actual physical attributes have trouble moving and getting used to their new bodies.
 * The werecat is Nyanta, an old comrade of Shiroe's from Debauchery Tea Party.