86: Eighty Six “Welcome” Review
86: Eighty Six “Welcome” is the twelfth episode of the 86 anime. Following on years from the tragedy that happened in episode 11, we’re finally reintroduced to Lena and Shin. And all the other characters we’ve missed for so long. Some questions are answered but generally more questions are revealed than anything. However new characters are also introduced in the form of Ernst Zimmerman, Teresa and Frederica.
Review
It’s finally back! And I am so confused but also excited. The episode shows just how Lena has been dealing with the supposed deaths of the Spearhead squadron both through imagery and behaviour. She has a red strand in her hair, is the only handler to wear a black uniform rather than navy blue and is known for being stern and never changing expression. She is 100% under the impression they’re all dead and is clearly in mourning. Though she continues her handler responsibilities to perfection. Becoming the handler all others go to for help. She even shows a cruel, more ruthless side to her personality when she tells Karlstahl to his face that he can’t do anything to her because that would reflect poorly on him as her superior.
Meanwhile. Shin wakes up in the Giadian Empire. An area that is independent from San Magnolia. But still sided with them against the Legion so is fighting them on it’s own terms. There’s no “pure race” mentality in Giad so people come and go as they please. But with Ernst being the fist person to talk to Shin and be the person to take them all in his motives are unclear. It seems like he’s doing it because he genuinely believes it’s right but Frederica does comment that “people try to bury the past in whatever way they can.” Towards Ernst when he asks Teresa if what he’s doing is “a stupid way to compensate for things.” This guy clearly has skeletons. Let’s hope Spearhead haven’t been freed from one prison into another.
Overall this is a brilliant episode! Just enough of the past “86” feel to bring us back into that world and just enough of the new to let us know this is gonna be a bumpy ride.
