86

86 (2021) 

86 gets off to a great start where we are introduced to an interesting world of social conflict. The very first episode also features a very good battle between mechanized spider tanks which might interest even someone who is not really interested in a mecha anime series, at least it did for me. However, it also raised a few questions that bothered me, like why 86 does not just pick up and bail on a fight, why Undertaker does what he does... Fortunately, we get some pretty plausible answers to these questions as this anime series progresses. After a really great opening there is a more gradual middle section that focuses on relationship development and social differences, and starts to explain the more interesting points, and relentlessly works on characters we have become invested in. The dynamic conclusion starts around episodes eight and nine, with the caveat that if it had ended there, I do not think anyone would have complained, and yes, I must also say that even I had some doubts about the importance of the last two episodes, as well as wondering what exactly they would do with a second cour, because it is now actually pretty much wrapped up. It was an interesting show, with an erratic pace which in a lot of ways, did not hold back. There were a couple of decent characters that intrigued me, however, there were not that many, and no one I liked so much I would perhaps gnaw at my fingernails suffering nervously over their destinies. 6.9/10 ---EDIT 20.3.2022 - Part 2 (episodes 12-23) - The second half of the season, although it obviously had some production problems that led to frequent postponements of the episodes, culminating in the last two episodes being released after three months, was still, in my opinion, much more coherent story-wise and had a steadier pace than the first half. On the one hand, the delays in releasing episodes are bad for the viewer and some viewers might even lose interest, especially when they have to wait this long for a new episode. On the other hand, when I saw the visual quality of the twenty-second episode, I thought that the postponement might have been the best decision and that I was actually quite happy with the result. Furthermore, the last two episodes were very moving, which also contributed to my feelings about this show. However, I am not here just to just praise. I felt that the main narrative in the second half of the season was not as powerful or deep as the first half, the social subject matter was not as strong either, and the whole thing felt much more ordinary and sometimes a bit predictable. However, I still enjoyed 86, and my rating for the first season is exactly between 8 and 6. 7/10. (2021.06.20)