I’ve finally had the time to finish 86 Season 2 and I must say, it’s been awhile since I’ve encountered a masterpiece.
Anime these days have been clouding us with Isekai, Overpowered MCs and long titles like “I Want You To Make a Disgusted Face and Show Me Your Panties”.
Once in awhile, you stumble upon an anime like 86 where it’s not entirely underrated because a number of people still talk about it, yet not everyone knows it exists unlike mainstream titles like Demon Slayer or Jujutsu Kaisen.
86 sets it’s time in the future, where humanity was once again warring and a certain empire unleashed an army of autonomous attack drones known as the Legion. The Legion went rogue and consumed the empire that created them while expanding outward to other nations and empires slowly consuming each one.
The story revolves around humanity’s last stand, as we dive in from the perspective of a group of children forced to fight in the frontlines, the 86.
While Season 1 focused on world-building and the silver haired dicks known as the Alba it set itself in an age of propaganda where the Republic of San Magnolia has led its people to believe in Alba Supremacy, and the people of “colour” are fodder for war. Talk about USA in the 1800s…
Season 2 on the other hand focuses more on story development as well as Shinei and his team, the 86 we’ve come to know and love.
It also introduces a few new characters that play a fundamental role in the progression of the war and also the character development of our beloved 86.
Season 2 was packed with heaps of emotions it literally takes you on a rollercoaster ride of tears and smiles while also keeping you at the edge of your seat. There really isn’t many anime these days that can touch your emotions as strong as this. The compelling narrative and well-written storyline takes you on a heartfelt journey as you grow attached to each and every one of the characters.
Lena had developed a lot in season one and this season, we see her grow even more as a warrior without ever faltering in her ideals.
This season, however, focused more on Shinei, as we better understand him and the reason why he shoulders the burden of being the Reaper. We also get some intimate slice of life with our beloved characters watching them enjoy a normal life having fun together with a loving household which brings me to the other 2 major characters introduced.
Frederica and Ernst may just as well be two of my most favourite characters this season apart from the 86.
Frederica gets introduced as somewhat of a cute annoying brat but slowly you realise her importance and how powerful her position as a character is for Shinei. Her words are the only one able to penetrate his cold heart and give motivation to everyone.
Ernst on the other hand seemed like just another person seeking to take advantage of the 86. But soon we realise he’s an idealist that sticks to his ideals and truly cares for his adopted children. He’s an impactful character that commands a ton of respect not only in the anime but with me as the audience, despite his minimal screen time, Ernst still carved his place as one of the best characters in the series. Much like Erwin Smith from Attack on Titan.
A perfect ending is something that I feel is very difficult for most anime, when you’ve done such a fine job developing a fantastical world it’s hard to properly end the story without there being potential inconclusiveness or plot holes or misplaced emotions. 86 however ended perfectly. It ended with a conclusion to the goal set in season one and also left room for development be it imaginative or in a potential new season but the main messages have been sent and have finally reached us, the audience. Our characters have gotten what they themselves and us, the audience wanted.
“From now on… I’ll fight with you.”
Storyline and Character Development play a delicate role in anime, they’re tough to perfect and easy to break but it isn’t the only thing that makes or breaks an anime. Arguably, animation and sound design play an equally as important or to some, an even more important role in anime.
A-1 Pictures has once again done a splendid job animating season two, living up to expectations set in season one. The character design is cute and pretty, yet when the atmosphere changes the expression of the characters is able to still impact the viewer.
The fight scenes were well choreographed and despite the action not being on a scale like something from your typical Isekai, it brings a touch of realism as expected of a military show.
The sound direction in this anime is absolutely top tier. The sound effects of the fights may not be the eargasmic epic bass drops you hear in Fire Force or Tensura but it does it’s job. What impresses me the most was the timely musical scores playing that suited the emotion of each scene so perfectly.
Voice acting was also done very well, they fit the character trope and never once sounded out of place.
It would be sinful to give this anime anything less than a 10.
P.S.
As someone who loves the concept of last minute reinforcement where despair becomes hope in an instant, the conclusion of this anime really was icing on the cake.
Also, best girl?
Y’all might say Anju, Kurena, Lena, Raiden or even Frederica if you want to go to jail
But we all know the real best girl is Ernst
“Come back alive, no matter what. Or else, I will destroy this world.”
Fucking goosebumps everytime
