Action, Drama, Mecha, Sci-FI. Welcome to the brilliant world of Eighty Six. I’d like to start off this review with an overview of what we decided to get ourselves into. If you are a fan of mechs, then you're in the right place. If you enjoy a very heavy and futuristic Sci-Fi presence, you’re in the right place. If you enjoy action heavily integrated into a complicated storyline, you’re in the right place. And finally, if you're prepared to BAWL YOUR FUCKING EYES OUT EVERY EPISODE…. I welcome you with open arms!
The story of 86 follows a varied cast of characters with the main figureheads, our two protagonists, Vladilena Milizé (better known as Major Milizé) and Shinei Nouzen (better known as Undertaker), living in an almost hunger games like district system, known as the Republic of San Magnolia, with… you guessed it, 86 districts!
#What I loved about the series
As someone who had never heard about the entity before, I was surprised to hear so much hype about it before its first episode aired. After watching the first episode on debut day, I WAS HOOKED, like a fish on a fishing line. The story does a phenomenal job capturing you and placing you into the setting. We immediately get to experience one of humanity’s greatest social struggles, the desire for equality for all. 86 dances wholeheartedly into how prejudice and one’s actions can affect the overall dogma of an entire race of people.
I tend to find passion for anime that are able to connect and relate to me in some way, shape, or form, and I feel that 86 did it tremendously well. We are sometimes numb to how others live life, as in what they go through. How certain tropes such as “white privilege” exist, and how racial profiling affects the fragile balance of an ecosystem. It's part of the reason why 86 stands above the rest of the shows this season; because of its determination to be gritty and hardcore while speaking nothing but the truth albeit in a roundabout way. The story doesn’t sugarcoat things; it instead projects and brings them toward the light in an effort to highlight them. A friend one day, suddenly turned enemy. A familial bond, instantly turned sour. Unequal representation and treatment of anyone at any given notice. 86 is all about living and experiencing 2 sides of a coin.
Isn’t that how most of us live our lives to be honest! When we walk through life, we always somehow manage to compare our situation with another’s. It’s like the saying, “the grass is always greener on the other side." Thats one of the biggest takeaways that I grabbed from this show. When things are going south for you, just remember that there is always someone who is in a more unfavorable place than you, and that it's important to remain positive in all aspects of life.
Thanks for attending my philosophical stream of thought, but let's get back to the anime itself.
The characters don’t particularly stand out, but thats what makes the show that much better. Don’t get me wrong, Shin and Melizé are very strong spearheads for the show, but the surrounding cast is well integrated to the point that there isn’t a need for an overly strong character presence. I still have criticism with this which will be discussed later however. The show focuses on the relationships of the individuals rather than the individuals themselves. It’s a unique take, that I think was done really well here. The dynamic between the cast is actually really well thought out, on all aspects of conventional psychology, and social stigma. Other characters such as Raiden, and Anju provided a stability that's needed for a show with this kind of intensity level. And I daresay that Kaie has one of the most integral roles in the shows storytelling. It’s a good cast of characters that fill their roles well, and do well to enhance the show experience as a whole!
Oh, and a heartiest of shoutouts to one of the bestest boys a guy could ask for! Our boy Fido!
Moving on to the storytelling. This is the meat and potatoes of what makes this show a complete experience! First off I will preface by saying that anyone who enjoy’s a linear storyboard, this is not for you. I’m just kidding, however the non linearity of the story is absolutely in full effect throughout, and is used to give us glimpses to what’s going on. I absolutely loved the direction they took. It was like we were constantly being teased with bits and pieces of information, until either we were able to piece it together (props if you were able to) or had the rug pulled out from underneath us with a huge reveal! The non-linearity of the show was reminiscent of the age old classic Baccano, but with it’s own modern twists and turns!
MY GOD I LOVED THE TWISTS AND TURNS!
I have to say the overall story itself is a very unique concept. The way it’s laid out and presented to us as well as the inhabitants of the world is profound. It brings me back to the 2 sides of a coin idea, and how easily visible it becomes throughout. OH and the use of imagery and alliteration was TOP TIER.
Lets talk other show logistics.
We discuss the art style and animation next. I’ll begin by saying its beautifully crafted. I loved the art style but it wasn’t anything that was particularly groundbreaking. It doesn’t try too much, but it’s enough to be impactful. However I wholeheartedly felt like this was one of the better examples of how CGI can be properly integrated into anime! The movement was fluid, fast paced, and very eye catching. The art style had great mixes of bright and bleak tones, continually helping to establish the mood and set the scenes. It was easy on the eyes and at times a jaw dropping spectacle.
I have to give props where they are due! 86 is musically, one of the most appealing shows out there! The combination of the OP/ED/OST are one of the best to be done! [Hiroyuki Sawano]() proved yet again why he is the king of the anime soundtracks. And the transitions out to the ed songs were impeccably well timed and corroborated. The OP was able to catch our attention, the OST our reactions, and the ED our heart!
The story teaches us that we take many of life’s pleasures and necessities for granted, and that it's important to try to live life to the best of our ability. And of course, that conforming to societal standards is never the appropriate route. Things in life are worth fighting for, and equality for all remains at the top of that list.
#What I would have liked to have seen
The show wasn’t perfect by any means. At times the non linear format of the story almost took measures to confuse us and divert our attention from pressing moments, however it still was done well enough to where it was able to enhance rather than impede. I also would’ve liked to have seen the story continue right away rather than having to wait for season 2, but alas this is how the industry operates at times.
MY BIGGEST GRIPE WITH THE SERIES! THE EPISODE TITLES…. I MEAN COME ON, DON’T RUIN IT FOR THOSE OF US ABLE TO PREDICT THINGS! Seriously, they should’ve never titled any of them in the first place.
I feel the show would’ve had a greater impact if we were able to get a deeper dive into more of the characters. For some, it was hard to connect with, because of how little we really got to gel with them. For our main stalwarts, we get ample amounts of time, but with more time, for example even simply, an extra 2 episodes, I think we would’ve benefited from a more complete story. There is a certain point where things just blaze forward, and the audience is left gasping for air trying to make sense of what’s going on, thus my impressions that more time would’ve been beneficial.
#Recommendations
My experience with this was the SUB and personally it felt like the correct choice. The cast was selected very accurately and really played a factor on my overall enjoyment of the show. Do yourself a favor and try to pay attention to all of the dates that are timestamped throughout. Make a mental note or write them down and look back after completing an episode. You’ll be shocked with how much more you can see and unravel! OH AND AVOID THE EPISODE TITLE NAMES.
All things considered, it was a very enjoyable experience, and really got me to think about the important aspects of life, as well as how I want to see myself progress as a person. Something like this deserves some recognition for that, and I hope this review has given it justice!
