86 (86: Eighty-Six) | Light Novel

Nine years ago, the Empire of Giad declared war on all neighboring countries using an army of autonomous drones known as the Legion. Threatened by the soulless killing machines, the Republic of San Magnolia, home to the silver-haired Alba race, evacuated its citizens inside 85 districts and developed supposedly unmanned drones known as Juggernauts to counter the Legion. Even after years of war, the Republic boasts that they have suffered zero casualties. However, the battlefield bathed in crimson recites a different melody...

The hand dealt to the Colorata people—a minority forced into living in the "nonexistent" 86th district—is one of utter contempt and scorn. Looked upon as human filth, they are ordered to pilot the Juggernauts as Processors under the command of Republican Handlers.

Vladilena Milizé, a republican soldier with a strong sense of justice, detests the way her countrymen treat the 86. When she is assigned to the Spearhead Squadron as their handler, she meets a group of oddballs and eventually grows attached to them—particularly their captain, Shinei Nouzen, a boy with a pure sense of purpose and resolve. However, the path they walk is one riddled with death, and growing close to an 86 may have just set Vladilena down a path of despair.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

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Background

86 won the 23rd Dengeki Novel Awards and placed second in the Kono Light Novel ga Sugoi! ranking in the best light novel category in 2018.

The series has been published in English as 86: Eighty-Six by Yen Press since March 26, 2019.

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Alternative version:	86, 86: Fragmental Neoteny, 86: Run Through the Battlefront
Spin-off:	86: Operation High School, 86: Mahou Shoujo Regina☆Lena - Tatakae! Ginga Koukou Senkan San Magnolia
Other:	Koushiki Comic Anthology: 86
Adaptation:	86, 86 Part 2
Side story:	86: Alter

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Characters

Milizé, Vladilena

Main

Nouzen, Shinei

Main

Kukumila, Kurena

Supporting

Emma, Anju

Supporting

Adel-Adler, Augusta Frederica

Supporting

Rikka, Theoto

Supporting

Shuga, Raiden

Supporting

Taniya, Kaie

Supporting

Zimmerman, Ernst

Supporting

Keats, Haruto

Supporting

Reviews

Apr 17, 2022

Chitoge-Tan

Recommended

Preliminary (9/? eps)

I think its safe to say that im not a big fun of mechas (you can watch my anime list i dont watch mechas) but when i heard this light novel gets an anime adaption and i read the synopsis i was hooked. I always wanted an anime about ww2 and yea i know its not a ww anime but the setting is resembles a WW2 world but in the future so yea i was very happy to see it. After i watched the first episode i wanted more of it and im not a big fun of reading books, i like reading manga but ...

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Mar 3, 2022

xCuteee

Recommended

Funny

Preliminary (1/? eps)

This shit is the greatest novel to exist. I did not even know books are able to bring this much emotion out of me. Go read this right now please I'm telling you you will not regret it. Legit changed my life. Big W if you do read this. This shit is the greatest novel to exist. I did not even know books are able to bring this much emotion out of me. Go read this right now please I'm telling you you will not regret it. Legit changed my life. Big W if you do read this. This shit is the greatest novel to ...

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Oct 20, 2023

Cartier117

Mixed Feelings

Preliminary (38/? eps)

I listened to the audio-book, which currently has six volumes out and is narrated by Lena's VA in addition to others. In terms of their performance, they did a great job and I would recommend it to those who like this light novel.

I definitely think that the anime medium is a far better way to tell this story, largely due to the fact that we can visualize the epic battles more clearly (and their stakes), as well as the legendary Sawano soundtrack. It also adds a little bit extra that shapes the supporting cast, which is necessary as the light novels only seem concerned with ... Lena and Shin's development (if you can even call it development :/).

In terms of the author's writing style, it's irritating because its engaging but a slog to get through. She brings up very interesting moral dilemmas (usually tied with a sci-fi theme, such as converting dead soldiers' minds into ai fighters), and typically that is the most interesting and engaging component of each volume's arc. Characters like Uncle Jerome and later Vika are especially interesting because they serve as a necessary foil to Lena's idealism and overall are very complex characters. However, at the same time the author uses the same internal-struggles and character-arcs over and over again in her volumes, giving the impression that her characters aren't actually improving (or at least changing), despite claiming otherwise.

I wanted to like Lena, but she is an example of the most annoying form of SJW you could have. She insists on embracing a savior complex and freeing the 86 from what is effectively institutional racism. She continues to do this even when the 86 ask her not to act on their behalf repeatedly, and instead perseveres anyway to solidify some sort of moral high ground that not even she understands. To add to the ridiculousness of this, she is always baffled and upset in EVERY. SINGLE. VOLUME. when the 86 don't want to talk to her or open up because of her oppressive savior complex, and despite promising to change her demeanor constantly, she never actually does. To the light novel's credit, it actually touches on this point briefly, and Lena does reflect on her hypocritical nature. However, that plot point doesn't go anywhere, and is instead replaced in later volumes with Shin's cumbersome personal journey that takes up the entire volume.

Shin isn't as much of an issue to me as Lena is. Yeah he's extremely edgy and refuses to progress as a character, but given his effed up background I'll give him a pass. Obviously, trauma isn't something that is healed over night, and given Shin's circumstances it probably never will be. I only wish that the author didn't try to remind us in every other chapter that he and the other 86 are battle-hardened combat veterans that want to stay on the field no matter what the outside world thinks of them, because this is the only life they know and that it is their purpose in existing. It's badass and cutthroat and sexy and all, but for ffs we get it already. Move on to something else!

That brings me to my final major critique, which is really a summary of everything that's already in this review. As established, the writing style of the author is very long-winded and repetitive, and what that means is she doesn't have the time or space to develop any other characters that aren't Lena or Shin. Sure, some characters like Anjou, Raiden and Frederica have their moments, but their impact is typically restricted to a chapter per volume, and that's being generous. I think that's unfortunate because 86 has very strong world-building and has the opportunity to be a profound science-fiction story. Not to mention the "mecha genre revival" that it is effectively spearheading in the 2020s (pun intended). I see the potential in this IP as not only a modern sci-fi staple but also as a comprehensive commentary on select social and psychological issues. It's just that, in my opinion, the author's writing skills are holding this story back. I hope to see more seasons to the anime and what they can accomplish with this template.

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(No spoilers please) Estimated End Date? Skoorb - Apr 19	4 replies	by Skoorb »» Apr 19, 6:37 PM
Poll: 86 Volume 12 Discussion FragmantLemon - Dec 6, 2023	2 replies	by SSRSyt »» Dec 6, 2023 10:09 PM
Eighty six vol 12 Rose_572 - Jun 4, 2023	9 replies	by BitChilly »» Nov 21, 2023 3:38 PM
Poll: 86 Chapter 25 Discussion Phaetons_Folly - Oct 8, 2023	6 replies	by SSRSyt »» Oct 9, 2023 7:13 AM
Poll: 86 Volume 4 Discussion Zaphkiel_El_Rem - Apr 9, 2020	19 replies	by Mechabandit »» Aug 5, 2023 6:26 PM

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