86: Eighty Six “Real Name” Review
86: Eighty Six “Real Name” is the fourth episode of the 86 anime. Following on from the emotional episode 3 we see Lena finally come to her sense a bit. And both her and Theo struggle of his rant the day before.
Review
The episode follows both Spearhead and Lena as they struggle with what Theo said. Lena’s depression over the rant is mirrored by Theo who knows his old commander would never have done something like that. Whilst Lena is agonising over it she’s warned by everyone that she needs to not bother getting more involved. Her best friend knows she won’t be able to help her if Lena loses her mind. Whilst Theo is annoyed at himself for losing his cool and sullying his old commander’s name the way he did. His old commander was named “Fox” a name he took on as “Laughing Fox.” The entire episode revolves around making amends. But more importantly accepting very hard truths. Lena knows that being friendly with 86 is going against everything. Because it will inevitably affect her. But as the episode shows us. Her father held the same ideals as she did. And apparently died for them. As he fought for 86 despite being an Alba. I’m leaning towards Lena’s father being the Alba Theo hints at. But that’s in the manga and book and I refuse to spoil myself.
All of 86 feel badly about Lena. As she is Alba and there’s no getting around that. But Lena has to accept that fact and just move on with the friends she’s determined to fight with. She hasn’t given up her ideals but she has had to accept that they’re whimsical at best.
In all the episode shows how two people who are bred to hate so viciously can eventually meet in the middle if both accept their idealised view of the world isn’t necessarily healthy. And I love that.
