Beginning as a science fiction novel written by Asato Asato and illustrated by Shirabii, “86” eventually became a manga and then an anime by A-1 pictures, airing from April 2021 to March 2022. Although in premise it is a mecha/sci-fi title, the action is not exactly on the forefront here, at least not for the majority of the 23 episodes, as the focus is actually on context.
The Republic of San Magnolia has been at war with the Empire of Giad for nine years. Though it initially suffered devastating losses to the Empire's autonomous mechanized Legions, the Republic has since developed its own autonomous units, called Juggernauts, which are directed remotely by a Handler. The Republic is stating that due to this choice, there have not been any casualties for years, but that is actually propaganda. While the silver-haired Alba of the Republic's eighty-five sectors live safely behind protective walls, those of different appearances are interned in a secret eighty-sixth faction. Known within the military as the Eighty-Six, they are forced to fight against the Empire's autonomous Legion under the command of the Republican “Handlers.” The 86 originally had equal rights, but were persecuted and scapegoated by the dominant Alba race and the Alba-supremacist Republic government, to the point where Colorata were both officially designated and popularly considered subhuman, not even permitted to have personal names.
Vladilena “Lena” Milizé is assigned to the Spearhead squadron to replace their previous Handler. Shunned by her peers for being a fellow Eighty-Six supporter, she continues to fight against their inhumane discrimination. Led by their squad leader, Shinei “The Undertaker” Nouzen, the Spearhead Squadron is infamous among military officials. Its notoriety stems from the state in which its commanding officers are left: Handlers presiding over the squad have descended into insanity and some have gone as far as committing suicide. Nouzen is also infamous for being the sole survivor of every squadron he's been in, while he insists on shouldering the names and wishes of his fallen comrades. Lena, an avowed 86 sympathizer, gets to know the Spearhead Squadron in her time as head of the contingent, connecting with them in a way that no one expected, while trying to champion their rights among her peers. Eventually, she and Shinei learn a dark secret about the actual reasons for the war, but right about that time, the group is assigned an offensive into enemy territory, a mission that is essentially a death order.
The series is split in two parts, with the aforementioned mission being the dichotomy. The first part features much action, but the focus is actually on context, with Toshimasa Ishii presenting a number of sociopolitical comments through a dialogue-heavy approach. Lena's gradual disillusionment about what is happening with the 86 is quite shattering in that regard, with the exploitation of kids that are sent in the front lines being a direct accusation on fundamentalists, to say the least. The segregation and the way they are treated and perceived as animals essentially is a comment on racism, through practices of propaganda and exploitation that are actually happening all over the world, even today.
While Lena's demeanor is sympathetic and she actually tries to fight to help them, the reaction she receives from the 86 is occasionally quite harsh, with the accusations regarding her and their own fate offering some of the most dramatic moments of the series. Even more so since a number of the people both her and the audience get to know and like, are killed during their missions. Also of note is the presence of Anju Emma, who was beaten and abused even more than most 86'ers for being a mixed-race child, in another pointed remark regarding racism.
Furthermore, the persona of the Shinigami emerges as a rather interesting one, as his will to protect all the people around them frequently clashes with his daredevil acts during their battles, which frequently have him clashing with his vice-captain, Raiden and the rest of the group members, who really care about him. The dynamics with Raiden are actually one of the most interesting aspects here, also in the way they evolve through the series, with the vice-captain essentially being the only voice that can hold back his leader, particularly on the occasions he seems to become suicidal. Of equal interest is the relation Nouzen forms with Lena, with a slight romantic aspect that does not blossom though, forming between them, to the occasional anger of the rest of the 86. That Lena changes significantly through this interaction and the rest of the members of the group is another captivating element, as much as the way they also change, in an aspect that provides the great finale of the series.
The second season finds the remainders of the group in another country, that faces same issues with The Republic, but have chosen a rather different approach towards their war, at least in terms of mentality, since their governor truly cares about his citizens, eventually including the 86, and there is no propaganda about what is actually happening. The group faces similar problems as before, but this time, fighting is actually their choice, with Ishii suggesting that freedom of choice makes all the difference in the world.
Of note here is the presence of Frederica, a young girl who is eventually revealed as the last Empress of the Giad Empire, the nation that invented the Legions before it collapsed, with the ability to see the past and present of anyone she meets. Her interactions with Nouzen and the rest of the members of the group are quite interesting, while her arc also provides the arch rival of this part, her former knight, Kiriya, who was turned into a Legion Shepherd.
This part focuses much on how the group adapts to the new, better circumstances of equality they meet in their new country, but is also much more action-oriented, including a number of battles as much as a series of extensive training sessions.
And talking about the action, the animation by A-1 Pictures is excellent in that regard, with the movement of the various types of mechas and the rapid editing resulting in a series of battles that is truly a wonder to watch. The death of many of the protagonists adds also a lot to this element, as much as the analysis of the main villains. Tetsuya Kawakami's character design is also great for the most part, although some characters tend to look a bit like each other, but considering the differences between the privileged and the 86, this does not arise as a problem in any way. The drawing in general is on a very high level, with the detail of the mecha being intense as much as of the background, while the coloring finds its apogee in the finale of the second arc, with the reds that dominate presenting a series of images that will definitely stay on mind.
Truth be told, some more deaths of protagonists would make the finale even more impactful, but Ishii decided not to let his audience down, presenting a truly happy ending, although the finale leaves much space for yet another season.
Apart from this, “86” emerges as a great anime, both contextually rich and featuring impressive action, in one of the best titles of 2022 so far.
