86: EIGHTY-SIX is a series produced by Aniplex and production led by A-1 Pictures, a and synonymously known as simply 86, is an anime adaptation of Asato Asato's sci-fi light novel series published by ASCII Media Works. Major Vladilena "Lena" Milizé as she is assigned as a Handler for the Spearhead Squadron an elite unit composed entirely of Eighty-Sixer veterans led by their squad leader, Shinei "Undertaker" Nouzen.
Together under the Republic they fight against the Empire’s autonomous mechanical Legion. Along the way Lena and Shinei learns the darker truth about the Republic, the Empire and the Legion. For this review minor spoiler flag is up so be warned.
Take the plot of Terminator then add in elements of a sci fi horror film, then throw in some philosophical issues of racism, equality, war, slavery and you pretty much get what the series is about. On one hand you get this issue about human slaves treated as animals and used as pawns in a war with no end then on the other you get some robotic entity that is hell bent in wiping out humanity.
Despite its sci fi nature the series doesn’t shy away from showing the darker aspects of slave driven army and issues of equality. And its never darker when the series introduced the concept of the Legion Shepherd which is pretty much any sane individuals nightmare fuel specially when you’re a soldier in a battlefield. I wont get into spoilers but it is definitely not for the squeamish or the faint of heart.
One of the great things about Eighty Six is its character driven narrative. They spend time developing each character. For example, Lena developing from an optimistic yet naïve Handler distrusted by most of the Spearhead Squadron at the beginning of the show into a capable individual as the story progresses. And this type of character development is seen throughout the other members of Eighty Six. If you like story driven character drama then you will find plenty on this show. It is both joyful and heartbreaking at the same time.
The CGI action sequences of Eighty Six is surprisingly decent and fits well as it switches between 3d fights and the 2d render that is the rest of the series. Design wise however it is hard not to looks at the shows Juggernaut and not compare it to the Tachikoma of Ghost in the Shell. Also the dialogue heavy show might turn off some people who expected more action not to mention the Legion Shepherd is a bit too creepy for some people and the young.
Eighty Six is surprisingly
good anime that keeps giving the more you invest in it. Sure the lack of action
and the heavy dialogue may not be for everyone but the plot and the character
development more than makes up for its minor flaws. If you want a mature sci fi
with a little bit of horror than this show is probably the one you are looking
for. Although the horror element is certainly not for everyone specially for
the little kids.
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