Finally finished the military mecha series "86" with its unusual Spider Tank mecha. A story of the last days of the The Republic of San Magnolia in its war with the Empire of Giad. The Republic is a racist, Apartheid state that actively oppresses the ethnic minority known as the "86", whom they do not even regard as human. They are pressed into military service to defend the Republic so the purebloods known as the Alba (albino?) don't have to dirty their hands with combat. Silver eyed, silver haired Vladilena Milizé (ヴラディレーナ・ミリーゼ, Vuradirēna Mirīze), from a high society family has earned the rank of Major at an unprecedented early age. Known simply as "Lena" by her friends, she has the audacity and moral conviction to treat the 86 as equals, as fellow human beings. This earns her the scorn and disapproval of her fellow Alban military officers but she does not care. The 86 under her command in the field don't exactly trust her but they do appreciate the support and assistance Lena gives them operationally in the field. She goes above and beyond for them time and again and has long conversations with the 86 officers and NCOs, especially the unit commander Shin Nozen. Lena is willing to sacrifice her career, indeed willing to put her very life on the line for the cause of anti-racism. She's even demoted to Captain for insubordination, defying the chain of command to authorize close air support for her unit of 86 when they're in a tight spot.
Eventually the last survivors of the unit of 86 makes it behind enemy lines only to be rescued by a benevolent democracy known as the Federacy which immediately grants them asylum, citizenship and civil rights as well as social assistance. The Federacy also allows them to join their military, which itself is fighting the Empire of Glad. They are befriended/adopted by Princess Fredericka, heir to the former Monarchy that once ruled over the lands of the Federacy, now merely a figurehead without real power. Fredericka grows emotionally attached to the 86, especially the commander, Shin. She puts her own life at risk, going on missions with them and providing support.
Meanwhile in flashback we see the Republic of San Magnolia has fallen to the Glad Empire. Captain Lena, defiant as ever, fights in defense of the capital city...she has changed her hairstyle to add a red streak of color to her long silver hair, perhaps symbolizing blood but also solidarity with the 86. It remains unclear until the final 2 episodes if Lena survived the fall of the capital of the Republic. But it seems she has, and Lena has taken to the field, assault rifle in hand, and following in the footsteps of her former unit of 86, determined to catch up with any survivors.
Having only spoken by voice communication, Lena does not know what Shin looks like. All Shin knows is that Lena is an Alba officer; but he recognizes her voice immediately and calls her by her former rank, "Major", and title "Handler One". Lena is actually a Colonel now and the Federacy has allowed her to join their Army at that rank. But when she meets the remaining 86 and Shin addresses her as "Handler One", Lena suddenly realizes who she is talking to and bursts into tears of joy. The rest of the 86 have been ribbing Shin about Lena being in love with him and are happy to see it confirmed.
The mecha battles in this show are visually interesting...the movement of the Spider Tanks remind me somewhat of the Tachikoma from Ghost in the Shell, only sleeker, with a white or chrome finish, and much faster and more agile. The enemy AI is very creepy. They're basically a kind of zombie-cyborg invading force...they rely on harvesting the brains of their fallen foes to keep going, which is why many 86 and other combatants commit suicide by pistol shot to the head rather than allowing themselves to be captured and have their brains harvested and added to a hostile AI collective. It's a very dark & grim aspect to the story.
I also appreciate the story's commitment to anti-racism through the lens of Lena. While the 86 think Lena is naive and do not trust her, she does not give up on them. They even berate her and express their revulsion towards all the Alba have done to them...which Lena accepts without protest; she just cries and expresses that she's sorry. Lena even comes out into the field, following in the footsteps of the 86 and makes it as far as some of their support units, but the advanced combat unit is always a few steps ahead....she returns to the capital and does not venture out in search of her unit of 86 again until after the capital and the Republic fall.
My only complain is that Lena should be wearing a Federacy Colonel's uniform at the end but I guess because they didn't want to overly alter her character design they allowed her to continue serving in her old Republic Colonel's uniform. Lena has finally achieved her dream of being able to fight alongside her troops, putting her life on the line as they do, no longer holed up safely behind the lines in the capital city. And she's happiest most of all to finally meet the man she fell in love with over the radio oh so many months ago.
It's a surprisingly good series and I enjoyed it very much. I'm glad it got a dub, and it was one of the last shows Billy Kametz ever worked on, RIP.
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86 EIGHTY-SIX - Crunchyroll Spring 2021 Spotlight
Based on the sci-fi light novel series written by Asato Asato and illustrated by Shirabi, 86 EIGHTY-SIX is one of the most exciting additions to the Crunchyroll Spring 2021 Lineup. For those just now jumping into the dramatic mech-piloting action, you can learn more about the series in our full spotlight below.
Official Website
Navigation
Launch Info
Official Trailers
Synopsis
Characters and Cast
Staff
Additional Info
Launch Info
Launch Time: April 10, new episodes every Saturday at 9:30am PT
Territories: North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, Oceania, the Middle East, and CIS
Show Page
Official Trailers
Synopsis
Called “Juggernaut,” these are the unmanned combat drones developed by the Republic of San Magnolia in answer to the attacks by the autonomous unmanned drones of the neighboring Empire of Giad, the “Legion”. But they’re only unmanned in name. In reality, they are piloted by the Eighty-sixers—those considered to be less than human and treated as mere tools. Determined to achieve his own mysterious ends, Shin, the captain of Spearhead Squadron, which is comprised of Eighty-sixers, continues to fight a hopeless war on a battlefield where only death awaits him.
Characters and Cast
Vladilena Mirizé
VA: Ikumi Hasegawa (Minami Nanami in Karakai Jozu no Takagi-san)
【キャラクター紹介】
4月10日(土)24時より、TVアニメ「86―エイティシックス―」放送開始!
ヴラディレーナ・ミリーゼ(CV.長谷川育美)を紹介!
▼キャラクターページhttps://t.co/KDU10m3vWi
▼第2弾PVhttps://t.co/ybkUC71sd0#エイティシックス pic.twitter.com/HtTh5s415k
— TVアニメ『86―エイティシックス―』【公式】 (@anime_eightysix) March 11, 2021
Shinei Nozen
VA: Shōya Chiba (Kotaro Azumi in Tsukigakirei)
【キャラクター紹介】
4月10日(土)24時より、TVアニメ「86―エイティシックス―」放送開始!
シンエイ・ノウゼン(CV.千葉翔也)を紹介!
スピアヘッドの隊長。パーソナルネームは"葬儀屋"を意味する「アンダーテイカー」。
▼キャラクターページhttps://t.co/KDU10m3vWi#エイティシックス pic.twitter.com/1v2Wx6cTeZ
— TVアニメ『86―エイティシックス―』【公式】 (@anime_eightysix) March 8, 2021
Raiden Shuga
VA: Seiichirō Yamashita (Kakeru Naruse in Orange)
【キャラクター紹介】
4月10日(土)24時より、TVアニメ「86―エイティシックス―」放送開始!
ライデン・シュガ(CV.山下誠一郎)を紹介!
パーソナルネームは<ヴェアヴォルフ>。
▼キャラクターページhttps://t.co/KDU10m3vWi
▼第2弾PVhttps://t.co/ybkUC71sd0#エイティシックス pic.twitter.com/HERATPmgo8
— TVアニメ『86―エイティシックス―』【公式】 (@anime_eightysix) March 11, 2021
Theoto Rikka
VA: Natsumi Fujiwara (Kabane Kusaka in Kemono Jihen)
【キャラクター紹介】
4月10日(土)24時より、TVアニメ「86―エイティシックス―」放送開始!
セオト・リッカ(CV.藤原夏海)を紹介!
パーソナルネームは<ラフィングフォックス>。
▼キャラクター紹介ページhttps://t.co/KDU10m3vWi
▼第2弾PVhttps://t.co/ybkUC71sd0#エイティシックス pic.twitter.com/ypXKS2umDq
— TVアニメ『86―エイティシックス―』【公式】 (@anime_eightysix) March 12, 2021
Anju Emma
VA: Saori Hayami (Shirayuki in Snow White with the Red Hair)
【キャラクター紹介】
4月10日(土)24時より、TVアニメ「86―エイティシックス―」放送開始!
アンジュ・エマ(CV.早見沙織)を紹介!
パーソナルネームは<スノウウィッチ>。
▼キャラクター紹介ページhttps://t.co/KDU10m3vWi
▼第2弾PVhttps://t.co/ybkUC71sd0#エイティシックス pic.twitter.com/a9UwTV35d5
— TVアニメ『86―エイティシックス―』【公式】 (@anime_eightysix) March 13, 2021
Kurena Kukumila
VA: Sayumi Suzushiro (Uruka Takemoto in We Never Learn)
【キャラクター紹介】
4月10日(土)24時より、TVアニメ「86―エイティシックス―」放送開始!
クレナ・ククミラ(CV.鈴代紗弓)を紹介!
パーソナルネームは<ガンスリンガー>。
▼キャラクター紹介ページhttps://t.co/KDU10m3vWi
▼第2弾PVhttps://t.co/ybkUC71sd0#エイティシックス pic.twitter.com/Jbd4pWMTAk
— TVアニメ『86―エイティシックス―』【公式】 (@anime_eightysix) March 13, 2021
Kaie Tanya
VA: Haruka Shiraishi (Asirpa in Golden Kamuy)
【キャラクター紹介】
4月10日(土)24時より、TVアニメ「86―エイティシックス―」放送開始!
カイエ・タニヤ(CV. 白石晴香)を紹介!
パーソナルネームは<キルシュブリューテ>。
▼キャラクター紹介ページhttps://t.co/KDU10m3vWi
▼第2弾PVhttps://t.co/ybkUC71sd0#エイティシックス pic.twitter.com/QsCCWyMs3m
— TVアニメ『86―エイティシックス―』【公式】 (@anime_eightysix) March 17, 2021
Daiya Irma
VA: Haruki Ishiya (Saneyasu Adachi in Kono Oto Tomare!: Sounds of Life)
【キャラクター紹介】
4月10日(土)24時より、TVアニメ「86―エイティシックス―」放送開始!
ダイヤ・イルマ(CV.石谷春貴)を紹介!
パーソナルネームは<ブラックドッグ>。
▼キャラクター紹介ページhttps://t.co/KDU10m3vWi
▼第2弾PVhttps://t.co/ybkUC71sd0#エイティシックス pic.twitter.com/CM4X1O5eA9
— TVアニメ『86―エイティシックス―』【公式】 (@anime_eightysix) March 17, 2021
Hart Keets
VA: Daiki Yamashita (Izuku Midoriya in My Hero Academia)
【キャラクター紹介】
4月10日(土)24時より、TVアニメ「86―エイティシックス―」放送開始!
ハルト・キーツ(CV. 山下大輝)を紹介!
パーソナルネームは<ファルケ>。
▼キャラクター紹介ページhttps://t.co/KDU10m3vWi
▼第2弾PVhttps://t.co/ybkUC71sd0#エイティシックス pic.twitter.com/bc9yvtZyPf
— TVアニメ『86―エイティシックス―』【公式】 (@anime_eightysix) March 18, 2021
Niko Kujō
VA: Taishi Murata (Eiichirō Maruo in Baby Steps)
【キャラクター紹介】
4月10日(土)24時より、TVアニメ「86―エイティシックス―」放送開始!
クジョー・ニコ(CV. 村田太志)を紹介!
パーソナルネームは<シリウス>。
▼キャラクター紹介ページhttps://t.co/KDU10m3vWi
▼第2弾PVhttps://t.co/ybkUC71sd0#エイティシックス pic.twitter.com/XnC8qzFZRI
— TVアニメ『86―エイティシックス―』【公式】 (@anime_eightysix) March 18, 2021
Louis Kino
VA: Shinei Ueki (Don in The Promised Neverland)
【キャラクター紹介】
4月10日(土)24時より、TVアニメ「86―エイティシックス―」放送開始!
ルイ・キノ(CV.植木慎英)を紹介!
パーソナルネームは<ファーヴニル>。
▼キャラクター紹介ページhttps://t.co/KDU10m3vWi
▼第2弾PVhttps://t.co/ybkUC71sd0#エイティシックス pic.twitter.com/WnzeIsBu8C
— TVアニメ『86―エイティシックス―』【公式】 (@anime_eightysix) March 19, 2021
Thoma Sauvy
VA: Katsumi Fukuhara (Shark in Noblesse)
【キャラクター紹介】
4月10日(土)24時より、TVアニメ「86―エイティシックス―」放送開始!
トーマ・ソービ(CV. 福原かつみ)を紹介!
パーソナルネームは<ヘリアントゥス>。
▼キャラクター紹介ページhttps://t.co/KDU10lLV4K
▼第2弾PVhttps://t.co/ybkUC7j3BA#エイティシックス pic.twitter.com/HfUW8KlRTA
— TVアニメ『86―エイティシックス―』【公式】 (@anime_eightysix) March 19, 2021
Chise Authen
VA: Masamu Ono (Koji Oki in World Trigger Season 2)
【キャラクター紹介】
4月10日(土)24時より、TVアニメ「86―エイティシックス―」放送開始!
チセ・オーセン(CV. 小野将夢)を紹介!
パーソナルネームは<グリフィン>。
▼キャラクター紹介ページhttps://t.co/KDU10m3vWi
▼第2弾PVhttps://t.co/ybkUC71sd0#エイティシックス pic.twitter.com/Z23DgJv8cS
— TVアニメ『86―エイティシックス―』【公式】 (@anime_eightysix) March 20, 2021
Maina Yatomika
VA: Mayuko Kazama
【キャラクター紹介】
4月10日(土)24時より、TVアニメ「86―エイティシックス―」放送開始!
マイナ・ヤトミカ(CV. 風間万裕子)を紹介!
パーソナルネームは<マーチヘア>。
▼キャラクター紹介ページhttps://t.co/KDU10m3vWi
▼第2弾PVhttps://t.co/ybkUC71sd0#エイティシックス pic.twitter.com/lqZpwM3bUK
— TVアニメ『86―エイティシックス―』【公式】 (@anime_eightysix) March 20, 2021
Mikuri Kairō
VA: Yuka Nukui
【キャラクター紹介】
4月10日(土)24時より、TVアニメ「86―エイティシックス―」放送開始!
ミクリ・カイロゥ(CV. 貫井柚佳)を紹介!
パーソナルネームは<レウコシア>。
▼キャラクター紹介ページhttps://t.co/KDU10m3vWi
▼第2弾PVhttps://t.co/ybkUC71sd0#エイティシックス pic.twitter.com/lQK6ywUbl8
— TVアニメ『86―エイティシックス―』【公式】 (@anime_eightysix) March 21, 2021
Tōzan Sasha
VA: Taito Ban (Nagahiro Sakiguchi in Pretty Boy Detective Club)
【キャラクター紹介】
4月10日(土)24時より、TVアニメ「86―エイティシックス―」放送開始!
トウザン・サシャ(CV. 坂 泰斗)を紹介!
パーソナルネームは<ガンメタルスコーム>。
▼キャラクター紹介ページhttps://t.co/KDU10m3vWi
▼第2弾PVhttps://t.co/ybkUC71sd0#エイティシックス pic.twitter.com/XV3vqzRyPl
— TVアニメ『86―エイティシックス―』【公式】 (@anime_eightysix) March 21, 2021
Rekka Rin
VA: Shizuka Ishigami (Ikumi Mito in Food Wars!)
【キャラクター紹介】
4月10日(土)24時より、TVアニメ「86―エイティシックス―」放送開始!
レッカ・リン(CV. 石上静香)を紹介!
パーソナルネームは<バーントテイル>。
▼キャラクター紹介ページhttps://t.co/KDU10m3vWi
▼第2弾PVhttps://t.co/ybkUC71sd0#エイティシックス pic.twitter.com/MgNPrIpYir
— TVアニメ『86―エイティシックス―』【公式】 (@anime_eightysix) March 22, 2021
Lev Aldrecht
VA: Taiten Kusunoki (Genichiro Sanada in Prince of Tennis)
【キャラクター紹介】
4月10日(土)24時より、TVアニメ「86―エイティシックス―」放送開始!
レフ・アルドレヒト(CV. 楠 大典)を紹介!
▼キャラクター紹介ページhttps://t.co/KDU10m3vWi
▼第2弾PVhttps://t.co/ybkUC71sd0#エイティシックス pic.twitter.com/TYfeybyb8Y
— TVアニメ『86―エイティシックス―』【公式】 (@anime_eightysix) March 22, 2021
Henrietta Penrose
VA: Riho Sugiyama (Rosalie in I've Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level)
【キャラクター紹介】
4月10日(土)24時より、TVアニメ「86―エイティシックス―」放送開始!
アンリエッタ・ペンローズ(CV. 杉山里穂)を紹介!
▼キャラクター紹介ページhttps://t.co/KDU10m3vWi
▼第2弾PVhttps://t.co/ybkUC71sd0#エイティシックス pic.twitter.com/kQ52Hs6Mmg
— TVアニメ『86―エイティシックス―』【公式】 (@anime_eightysix) March 23, 2021
Jerome Karlstahl
VA: Satoshi Mikami (Testa Lagusa in 91 Days)
【キャラクター紹介】
4月10日(土)24時より、TVアニメ「86―エイティシックス―」放送開始!
ジェローム・カールシュタール(CV. 三上 哲)を紹介!
▼キャラクター紹介ページhttps://t.co/KDU10m3vWi
▼第2弾PVhttps://t.co/ybkUC71sd0#エイティシックス pic.twitter.com/5IKOyXxiPd
— TVアニメ『86―エイティシックス―』【公式】 (@anime_eightysix) March 23, 2021
Staff
Original Creator
Asato Asato (Story)
Shirabi (Art)
Director
Toshimasa Ishii (Assistant Director for ERASED)
Series Composition
Toshiya Oono (THE PROMISED NEVERLAND, Shadows House)
Art director
Yumi Horikoshi
Masanobu Nomura (K, Kakegurui)
Mechanical design
I-IV (ALDNOAH.ZERO)
Character design
Tetsuya Kawakami (Sub-Character Design for Sword Art Online)
Color design
Nagisa Abe (Blue Exorcist - The Movie)
Music
Hiroyuki Sawano (Attack on Titan)
Kohta Yamamoto (Attack on Titan Final Season)
Sound director
Jin Aketagawa (Dr. STONE, JUJUTSU KAISEN)
Director of Photography
Masaharu Okazaki (Blue Exorcist)
Opening theme
"3-pun 29-byou" by hitorie
Ending theme
“Avid” by Hiroyuki Sawano
Animation production
A-1 Pictures
Additional Info
The TV anime 86 EIGHTY-SIX is based on the light novel series of the same name by author Asato Asato and illustrator Shirabi. In Japan, the Dengeki Bunko imprint from ASCII Media Works has already published nine volumes since 2017. Yen Press publishes the original light novels in North America.
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Joseph Luster is the Games and Web editor at Otaku USA Magazine. You can read his comics at subhumanzoids. Follow him on Twitter @Moldilox.
By: Joseph Luster
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