A-1 Pictures truly gave it their all when it came to almost every aspect of this adaptation. In terms of staying true to the source material, they went beyond that and dedicated this entire season to just one volume. While that appears risky at first as that usually entails either poor pacing or filler, it actually ended up benefiting both the characters and the story for the better. With the addition of anime original scenes that allowed us to spend more time with certain characters and provide foreshadowing for future events, it makes the anime feel more cohesive as a whole. I mean seriously, the fact that they adapted a single paragraph into an entire episode in a way that doesn’t feel like filler deserves to be praised. This is definitely an anime that warrants a second watch as the overall viewing experience significantly improves when you notice all the foreshadowing that was left in the smallest of details. It definitely feels like they had more than enough time on their hands when animating this, which is most likely due to some superb directing and planning by the staff.
Besides being a perfect adaptation though, what does this anime actually do that is so praiseworthy? Well as you most likely can already tell, this anime primarily focuses on two characters that exist in two very different locations. It’s pretty much almost impossible to tell who the true protagonist and deuteragonist is. (Which isn’t a bad thing by the way, it actually makes this series much more enjoyable to watch). To avoid leaving either one of the two feeling left out and to also avoid pacing issues, what this anime does is essentially split every episode into two halves. With one half focusing on our protagonist, Vladilena Milizé, and the other half focusing on our other protagonist, Shinei Nouzen. Though while these two share very different circumstances and overall objectives with each other, their separate perspectives come together to add another layer to the experience. Without experiencing Lena’s side of the story, Shin’s side of the story feels incomplete and vice versa. It should honestly be the standard for how stories that deal with multiple perspectives should be moving forward.
It’s clear that they took their time with each and every scene, from the way that they are animated to even the way they are framed. I don’t think I ever noticed a dip in animation quality, and for an anime that deals with such depressing themes it certainly has some vibrant colors at times. (Which isn’t a bad thing either, as they clearly know how to handle lighting and how to set the tone right). Some scenes go from 0 to 100 real quick, but it never feels jarring as a major theme in this show is exploring the dichotomy between hope and despair in the face of an oppressive government. I know CGI has become a major talking point within anime discussions as of late, and it can very easily turn into something that is visually unappealing. (This isn’t a jab at CGI artists though, as it can be quite difficult to perfectly blend 2D and 3D). With that being said, I think 86 has the best usage of CGI that I’ve seen in a long time when it comes to anime. I think a common mistake that is made in a lot of anime is when they try to make a 3D model appear 2D in another scene. While 2D is usually more visually appealing, it always feels jarring seeing a model flip between 3D and 2D. 86 knows this and sticks to having their 3D models remain in 3D. The CGI adds a certain rhythm to the battle sequences and without the usage of it, this anime would lose some of the unique identity that it has.
Speaking of identity, this anime wouldn’t be what it is without the masterful OST being done by Hiroyuki Sawano and Kohta Yamamoto. It’s honestly right up there alongside the Attack on Titan OST, which is no surprise at all since both Sawano and Yamamoto worked together on that as well. The score just elevates every scene even further and it definitely helps deliver that thrilling excitement or emotional punch that is needed. If you aren’t interested in this anime, then at least give the OST a shot as it is just that good. From “Avid” to “Hands Up to the Sky”, to even “Voices of the Chord” from the recap episode, I don’t remember the last time I’ve seen an anime with this many ending songs within just the first cour. They could’ve just stuck with one and I would’ve been happy, but along with everything else in this show they obviously had to go the extra mile. Each one gives off a different impression and I’m really a fan of how they decide which ending song to play at the end of each episode. They could’ve just alternated between each of them, but instead they always chose the one that best fits the mood of the final scene. Another thing I want to point out is that each ending song gives a sense of finality to each episode as it timed perfectly. It never feels poorly timed and it doesn’t even give off a “to be continued” vibe. This anime isn’t episodic, but I think each episode stands strong enough on its own as they all have a different message to tell.
But perhaps my favorite aspect of this anime is the social commentary it provides, particularly on racism. I remember seeing a lot of anime viewers say that racism is an overdone topic at this point and that they are tried of it being shoved down their throats. I wholeheartedly disagree, and I think the reason many feel that way is because they are privileged themselves. I don’t think I’ve ever seen an anime, or any show in general for that matter, deal with this concept in such an engaging way. (It also reflects a lot of what happens in our society today, despite what others may think). It’s not often where you see an anime like this try to explore such complex topics, and I feel as if many of the topics it does delve into will remain prevalent in our society for as long as we exist. These topics include, but are not limited to: the ignorance of the masses, the oppression of marginalized groups, the stripping of cultural identities, racial discrimination, and how ideals such as equality may never truly be achieved. Hell, even one of the other topics they explore can be seen as a metaphor for white privilege. Though my favorite quote from this series would probably have to be this:
“No country would ever consider it an act of evil to deny a pig human rights. Therefore, if you were to define someone speaking a different tongue, someone of a different color, someone of a different heritage as a pig in human form, any oppression, persecution, or atrocity you might inflict upon them would never be regarded as cruel or inhumane.” - Vladilena Milizé
For those of you reading, I highly suggest you give this series a shot as it means a whole lot to me. As far as criticisms go? I don’t really have that many, especially since this series is only just getting started. I feel as if nitpicking the details of the plot or critiquing the character development wouldn’t really be fair as the groundwork for all that has just been laid. I also wanted to say thank you to the staff at A-1 Pictures for doing such a phenomenal job, and I can’t wait to see how the second cour goes from here.
