86 EIGHTY-SIX (Incomplete)
[Full Review]
A-1 Pictures
Objective Score: 9.5
Personal Score: 9
Season 1 (23)
Times Watched: 1.5
Action, Drama, Sci-Fi, Supernatural, Mecha
Awards: Seal of Approval, Tearjerker
Recent Changes: n/a
86 EIGHTY-SIX displays one of the most brutal and realistic takes on warfare, and explores the toll war takes on both those on and off the battlefield. The premise of a group of drone pilots condemned to die fighting an endless battle against autonomous drones and a handler trying her best to undo the damages her corrupt nation has caused would be interesting in its own right, but mix in fun and interesting characters and light supernatural elements and you have a wholly unique recipe for one of the best anime in recent memory. The storytelling is methodical and precise; expertly crafting an insane amount of world-building and character writing into just the first eleven episodes without either being bogged down or overshadowed by the other. Speaking of characters, 86 EIGHTY-SIX starts out having to juggle a lot of characters. In just the Spearhead Squadron alone there are 24 characters we need to care about, and that doesn’t even count Lena and the other military and District One characters. However, the show makes it immediately apparent that not everyone will survive, so it does what it can to give the spotlight to those who need it before their inevitable goodbye. Each and every death, no matter how small the character, hits you hard and showcases the strengths of this type of story. Not only is the storytelling stellar, but it is gorgeous to look and listen too. The animation is incredible; utilizing beautiful 3D animation, backgrounds, and smart choreography, and the sound design is deep, rich, and often times chilling. The mechs have such unique designs and their abilities in combat make for super interesting fights. The shows bug motif with its mechs is such a unique design choice. The voice acting is also incredible, but the real show-stoppers are Lena and Shin. 86 EIGHTY-SIX does an amazing job portraying the dehumanizing elements of remote warfare, and it has a lot to say about the effects of warfare as a whole. The show’s slower moments hit even harder when contrasted against the loud and terrifying reality on the battlefield. 86 EIGHTY-SIX is nearly perfect in every aspect of storytelling, design, character work, and sound and visuals, and made all the more impressive given the struggles A-1 Pictures had to endure to put out such an incredible show. Very few anime have done what 86 EIGHTY-SIX has, and none I've seen have so perfectly juggled lighter, personal moments with the horrors of war.