English Dub Review: 86 EIGHTY-SIX: “Even So”

Overview: Shinei (Billy Kametz) and the Nordlicht squad take on legion forces in Giad while Lena (Suzie Yeung) contends with them as they approach San Magnolia as well.

Our Take: Without much of a moment’s thought, the legion attack launches their attack on all sides that consists of a human settlement, from the north, south, east and west. As Shin prepares the Nordlicht squad for the coming onslaught, it is the moments beforehand that serve to underline just what is going on in Shinei’s head. 

The clear and concise use of Nina’s letter to her late brother Eugene acts as an empowering catalyst for Shinei’s crazed display later on. But beyond him the joyous feelings of destroying legion bots also extends to the 86 that show the duality associated with the long term effects of war and how they can extend to more than just grief and sorrow that is so commonly shown. That goes doubly so for Shinei in how much he savors the carnage, completely mesmerized in it without any regard for anything else in the moment including his own life making for an incredibly haunting moment for the character. The excellent CG animation helps portray the seamless and fast paced explosive combat, playing to its strengths with Reginleif’s rigid, hardened mechanical body but without any lost vivid movement that is an effect of the animation technology. Frederica’s power of seeing the past and present is also put on terrifying display in seeing what is occurring to Shinei on the battlefield that eventually culminates in an emotionally saddening moment as she confronts him and worries how similar he is to Kiriya and how they will suffer the same fate.

Elsewhere, Lena, too, prepares for war as legion members also advance on San Magnolia. The strides that Lena has made since her time with Spearhead continues to be a fascinating aspect of her characters as she both embodies her brilliant tactical mind and expertise, along with her heart, in trying to convince her uncle to allow the 86 into the Republic’s borders to defend against the machines to not only save lives but in a way that will also benefit the 86 as well. Lena’s uncle and superior general, Jerome, has always been at odds with Lena’s positive and hopeful outlook and their electric character chemistry builds even more so. It finally comes to a head in a powerful scene in which he wishes to instill his jaded and hardened perspective on what he views to be the reality of war and the coldness of human nature, someone who has probably hoped and dreamed just as Lena has, and suffered all the more because of it. A poignant standoff that highlights their dueling viewpoints in Jerome being someone that is always at a hard impasse with Lena as she refuses to let go of her kindhearted nature and not allow her hardships to make her cruel or cynical. With that being said, it is also one that is heartfelt and cordial all the same with Jerome buying Lena some time from legion forces, wishing to save her life and merely prepare her for the future, even if it must be the hard way in showing how pointless her efforts are. In what is a gripping and complex send-off that may be the last time we see this uncle and niece together, the conclusion of the coming war will surely have a drastic effect on both of them moving forward.