86: Eighty Six “Through To The End” Review
86: Eighty Six “Through To The End” is the sixth episode of the 86 anime. This is mostly flashback episode, unlike episode 5 but not in a bad way. The story weaves it’s way comfortably from the grizzly past to the even grizzlier present. And it’s pure torture.
The past and the present
Beginning the episode we see a young Shin exploring some old ruins. Eventually he comes across his brother’s Juggernaut the one with the headless skeleton on. His brother’s headless body still inside. We then skip years later to when Lena was first chosen as handler of the 86. All of the 86 are watching the Sakura blossoms and gossiping about this new handler, making it clear they think she’s just some prissy princess pig who doesn’t know a thing. With everyone having fun and Daiya making it 100% obvious he has a crush on Anju. They all have a good day, even Shin.
Eventually we skip to present day and a battle that is raging. Knowing the truth now, Lena is struggling a bit on comms but she steels herself for the sake of the team. They’re outgunned and massively outnumbered. The Legion have started to be able to predict their moves so they can’t take them by surprise anymore. Anju’s juggernaut is thrown into some water and she’s surrounded. Seeing how she’s going to be swarmed if he doesn’t do something Daiya throws himself at them and sacrifices himself for her. Her name being the last thing he ever says.
Victory but at what cost?
Eventually 86 win. But with less and less of them on the battlefield now. Shin has to shoot Daiya in the head to stop his brain being used and Lena listens. Lena has her birthday but is pretty miserable considering. She has a late night chat with them all and it’s clear she now has a small board listing all the members with little pictures she’s imagined for them. The ones who die go in a box.
After everyone signs off, Shin stays and asks if she’s OK. They chat and eventually she opens up more about Shin’s brother. How he was kind and smiled when talking about Shin. It’s then that Lena realises she’s clearly catching feelings for Shin and promptly and awkwardly signs off for the night.
Review
This was one of the best episodes yet. Heart-breaking but fun and warm at the same time. Also though provoking. Whilst talking about Lena’s new orders for the Spearhead unit Shin mentions they know it’s a trap. Her uncle made that call to send them. Is he trying to get rid of them? The more I see of him the less I trust him and I didn’t trust him to begin with.
The sense of their worlds coming together now is also there. Lena no longer feels like just a handler. She feels the pain of loss they feel, even if she’s worlds apart. That’s why she’s desperate to do something to help them. I can’t help but feel one day she’s gonna say “screw this” and go to 86 herself. But time will tell on that. Daiya’s sacrifice was brutal. I honestly didn’t see it coming, usually you can tell but I just wasn’t ready. This’ll be a turning point for them all, I can feel it.
