In last week’s review, I underestimated how much content from the second novel was still left to adapt. A full episode will probably be needed to do what remains justice, but that also sets the series up perfectly for the next episode to end with the final scene of the second novel. Assuming that thisContinue reading “86 episode 15”
Tag Archives: 86
86 episode 14
Rating: 4.5 (of 5) With this episode, the interlude from the battle scenarios ends, but that shouldn’t be any surprise; even if it wasn’t written into the characters, the story was not going to stray away from one of its core elements for long. At least nothing felt forced about the return of the 86sContinue reading “86 episode 14”
86 episode 13
Rating: 5 (of 5) Last season ended with Shin’s squadron in mortal peril. Killing them all off at the point and moving forward with a new group of 86s would have been a hard-hitting and interestingly daring movie, but even a series as bold in its themes as this one was not about to wasteContinue reading “86 episode 13”
Spring 2021 Season in Review
Surprise of the Season: Higehiro Overall Rating: 3.5 This is hardly a flawless series, and better series overall definitely aired during this past season. However, no series in the Spring 2021 season – not even my beloved 86 – more firmly defied initial expectations. Based on the premise (which is fully outlined in the fullContinue reading “Spring 2021 Season in Review”
86 Special (episode 12)
Crunchyroll is listing the special episode of 86 as episode 12, but whatever you call it, the episode – titled “Coquelicots Blooming Across the Battlefield” – is just a standard recap episode. It is narrated by Lena and shown entirely from her viewpoint, with the only new shot being the one above, which is shownContinue reading “86 Special (episode 12)”
86 episode 11 (season finale)
Rating: 5 (of 5) First off, for those who have been reading each week, my apologies for this being up later than normal. Unexpected schedule changes over the weekend left me with no time to write about this episode until the following Monday evening. Whereas last episode was almost entirely anime-original, this episode was aboutContinue reading “86 episode 11 (season finale)”
86 episode 10
Rating: 4.5 (of 5) As a big fan of the novels, this episode surprised me a bit. Its title suggested that it would include a certain scene featuring Lena which forms the first epilogue of the first novel, but the “Thank You” turns out to be in reference to something else. What we get insteadContinue reading “86 episode 10”
86 episode 9
Rating: 5 (of 5) One sign of a great episode is when you can watch it twice in the same afternoon and it loses none of its impact on a second viewing. That was my reaction to episode 9, which mostly completes the adaptation of the first novel. It brings the series’ first story arcContinue reading “86 episode 9”
86 episode 7
Rating: 5 (of 5) From the beginning of the series until episode 5, one of the unspoken truths about Spearhead Squadron was Shin’s ability to hear the voices of the Legion. However, another unspoken truth has lingered just as long. At first, the 86s didn’t inform Lena because it didn’t seem important, but as theyContinue reading “86 episode 7”
86 episode 5
Rating: 4.5 (of 5) Though the franchise does not advertise it, 86 does have a mild horror element, one that has only been vaguely hinted at through the first four episodes. (Really, the only significant indicator so far was the series’ opening scene, where Spearhead Squadron’s previous Handler loses it.) This episode is the oneContinue reading “86 episode 5”
USA Anime 