86 - Eighty-Six
So many Light Novels got Anime adaptations over the past few years, the most prominent being Isekais. But Light Novels can offer so much more than just Isekai; Action, Drama, and Sci-Fi elements are so vividly brought to eager fans worldwide. There are anime-themed titles based on every fantasy, so now and then, fans ought to consider some severe real-world themes like war, racism, and oppression on their plates.
Eighty-Six is just an excellent anime for the job. Despite portraying a wide range of genres like Action, Drama, Mecha, Military, and Sci-Fi, this anime speaks of very real problems we see in the world today. In this regard, 86 can even be called a masterpiece, and the ratings prove this. It is a very defining work in the careers of all involved in its production, as one of the best stories in the modern history of the medium. It addresses the brutality of the nature of war, racism, and oppression with such good execution and presentation.
This TV series spans 11 episodes and ran from the 11th of April until the 20th of June as a Spring 2021 series. It was produced by Aniplex, Kadokawa, and Bandai Spirits and brought to life by Studio A-1 Pictures. The main staff behind the series are Nakayama Nobuhiro as Producer, Ishii Toshimasa as Director, Aketagawa Jin as Sound Director, and Sawano Hiroyuki on Theme Song Composition and Music. It received a Rating of R - 17+ for its violence & profanity is best suited for mature audiences.
As stated before, 86 is based on the Light Novel of the same title, also known as “86—Eighty-Six”. It began publication on the 10th of February, 2017, and is still publishing to this day. Featuring the same genres, it is the work of Author Asato Asato and Artist Shirabi. The series won the 23rd Dengeki Novel Awards and placed second in the “Kono Light Novel ga Sugoi!” ranking in the Best Light Novel category of 2018. Yen Press has done the English publication since the 26th of March, 2019. The anime series is receiving a sequel in the form of “86 2nd Season” in Fall 2021.
This TV series will start airing in October 2021 by the same studio and has a rating similar to its prequel. A Summary for the first season was also released under the title “86 Special Edition: Senya ni Akaku Hinageshi no Saku” (86-Eighty Six- Special Edition - Coquelicots Blooming Across the Battlefield) in the form of a single Special episode. This recap aired on the 27th of June, 2021, produced solely by Aniplex.
For an overview, the Republic of San Magnolia claims that their ongoing war against the Giadian Empire has zero casualties. This is but a pretty lie in the name of mere propaganda hiding a bitter truth. In fact, the silver-haired Alba of the Republic's eighty-five sectors lives safe and comfortable lives behind protective walls.
At the same time, those who have different appearances are interned in a highly secretive eighty-sixth faction. They are known as the Eighty-Six within the military. They are forced to fight against the Empire's autonomous Legion, all under the command of certain Republican officers known as "Handlers."
Protagonist Vladilena Milizé is assigned to the “Handler” of the Spearhead squadron of Eighty-Six to replace their previous Handler. Her peers constantly shun her for simply being a fellow Eighty-Six supporter and is unwavering in her struggle as she continues to fight against the inhumane discrimination they face. Co-protagonist Shinei Nouzen is the captain of the Spearhead squadron and is infamous for his survivability. He had managed to be the sole survivor of every squadron he's ever been in and adamantly insists on bearing the names and hopes of his fallen comrades on his shoulders.
These two very different people hailing from two completely different worlds weave together the engaging story of 86. When the fates of these young soldiers collide, it will either ignite the embers that will light the path to all of their salvation or will burn them in the hellish flames of despair…. Unlike most Light Novel anime adaptations that omit the original story’s critical parts, 86 remains faithful to the source material throughout, even enhancing it at times. Thus, in terms of Story, 86 is close to perfection.
This segment is highly detailed but is well worth it. 86 is highly character-driven; thus, the series takes a slow pace at first just to emphasize the world-building and characters. The characters feel very human, and the show builds up a connection between them and the viewer. Even if it feels relatively slow at times, it is soon made up for as viewers realize every single moment thus far in their world amidst these characters is essential.
The cruelty of war, child soldiers, unforgiving death, and racism is portrayed exceptionally well. Viewers will also realize just how easily people fall into the endless cycle of hatred. While the Alba lives prosperous lives within their cities, the 86 are forced into a war they didn’t start and then left to die. The psychological trauma kids undergo, and the stress of commanding officers is conveyed well, ultimately showing how things wear down humans.
The Art and Animation of 85 are also well handled. They eloquently employ split perspectives to convey the story, and it serves to flesh out the world and the characters. The camera angles, character expressions, and movements are superb. The animation fully captures each moment and drives its significance into viewers’ minds. The pacing is well handled for an intense series, adapting only the first volume for this season. The art is fantastic, too, with good character designs, sharp colors, and some of the best CGI in modern anime.
The Music and Sounds of 86 compliment its other aspects as well. The OSTs are superb, particularly the ones by Sawano Hiroyuki and Yamamoto Kohta. The Opening theme is "3-pun 29-byou" by hitorie, and the Ending themes are "Avid" by SawanoHiroyuki[nZk]:mizuki and "Hands Up to the Sky" by SawanoHiroyuki[nZk]: Laco. All of these are amazing, as well as the insert songs like “The Answer.”
86 was brought to life by a truly talented and experienced team of experts, who took their time and gave us a great anime this season. Even if you're not much of a Mech or Sci-Fi fan, 86 is well worth the watch as it masterfully handles real-life themes. Overall, this anime is highly recommended for all types of anime fans.
Please Like, Comment, Share or click one of the links below to read another post.
https://pinnedupink.com/blogs/random-thoughts-because-mondays-suck
https://pinnedupink.com/blogs/on-screen
https://pinnedupink.com/blogs/flashbacks
86 Eighty-Six Official Trailer
