86: Eighty Six “Let’s Go” Review
86: Eighty Six “Let’s Go” is the eighth episode of the Eighty Six anime. Following on from the revelation in episode 7 Spearhead squadron are sent on a mission that is meant to kill them all. Lena loses everything in her fight for them as they go on the mission that will wipe them all out.
The Final Fight
Beginning the episode we see Shin talking with Raiden. He explains that the attack that almost wiped them all out was just a test and the real thing will likely kill them all soon. But suddenly he hears his brother’s voice. Meaning he’s not far away. It’s time.
Lena on her side receives official orders to send Spearhead on a last ditch fight to the death fight in the deepest part of Legion held territory. None of 86 are meant to come back alive. She goes to see Annette who she explains the truth to. Annette loses it. She then explains to Lena how her next door neighbours who she used to be best friends with were 86. But after the war started it all changed. She was bullied heavily for being friends with a “coloured” and she turned her back on him just before he and his brother were sent off to the camps. She hated herself for not encouraging her father to take them in and hated herself even more for allowing the bullying to get to her.
Becoming disillusioned
Annette shows Lena the early versions of the Para-Raid that Lena uses to communicate with everyone. Apparently the 86 family her father was friends with had a special power: they could communicate without words. Testing on children was done to perfect it but eventually Annette’s father created the Para-Raid able to replicate those people’s powers. Lena is speechless but as she’s tries to make sense of it all Annette loses all composure tells her she hates her and screams at her to get out. Lena leaves dejected.
She goes to Commodore Karlstahl who just waves her off. He knew all along as most people would’ve guessed but he makes excuses for the treatment of 86. Claiming it’s best they all die as if they were to survive people would likely learn what the Republic had done. She can’t get through to him and he simply dismisses her.
Going to talk to Shin like she does every night. He’s shockingly cold. He openly tells her that they know it’s their last fight and they’ll die. So don’t contact them tonight and allow them that at least, seeing as she’s desperate to do something. Shin has openly said there’s nothing to be done. Everyone she cared for is abandoning her and she’s alone.
The final parts of the episode show what’s left of Spearhead enjoying their last day alive. Though Theo does comment that it’s strange Lena didn’t talk to them that night, obviously Shin didn’t tell them he told her to stay away. Probably to protect them.
The final scene shows Shin’s full accident with his brother strangling him. His brother taking all his pain and anger out on little Shin who is begging him to explain where his parents are and why he can’t hear them anymore.
Review
Just when I thought this show couldn’t rip my heart out even more. This happened. I mean, I get the feeling something will happen that will change their fates but it’s still sad to see them happy at the prospect of death because their life is so miserable. The scene with Shin and his brother pretty much confirm that he has the same ability as the neighbours Annette was talking about. He knew something had happened as he couldn’t hear his mother anymore.
The whole episode was expertly directed. As 86 go off to their deaths their lives are busy, happy and bustling. Just as Lena’s everyday life used to be in the Republic. Lena’s life, though, has become barren and lifeless with no friends or family to rely on. They’ve done a 180 at the end and it’s genius.
The hopelessness Lena feels as it finally starts to sink in that she really can’t do anything. The acceptance and embrace of death as a strange sort of freedom the 86 never had. It’s soul destroying. And I loved every second of it!
