THE DRONE WAR

The Animated Series 86

Religion, literature, philosophy, and the arts have all explored the horrors and complexities of war, and animation is no exception to this discourse. In this respect, a prime example is the anime series 86. It has garnered interest even in an unexpected audience; for instance, one can see a tweet from Edward Snowden on February 2, 2022, in which he stated, “Even anime is contemplating how we shift the burdens of war,” and included a visual reference to this series.

Streaming on Crunchyroll, the series 86 features twenty-three episodes: eleven from its first part and twelve from the second. It offers a faithful adaptation of the light novel by Asato Asato, illustrated by Shirabii. A-1 Pictures managed the project, marking Toshimasa Ishii’s directorial debut; he previously worked on notable series like Uchuu Kyoudai and assisted Mamoru Hosoda in making the feature film Mirai. Also noteworthy is the significant contribution of composer Hiroyuki Sawano, famous for his soundtracks in popular anime, especially Attack on Titan. The title 86 originates from North American slang, indicating someone unwelcome and highlighting a profound degree of marginalization toward that individual.

The core themes of this anime series center on war. The Eighty-Six is a group of young boys and girls coerced into military service in the Eighty-Sixth District of the Republic of San Magnolia. They face persecution as a “colored” minority, viewed as non-people by the Republic’s silver-haired citizens. Officially, District 86 is labeled a ghost district. Yet, it plays a crucial role in the Republic’s “supremacist” agenda amidst its prolonged defense against the former Giad Empire and its mechanized militia, the Legion. This force operates on a unique artificial intelligence system, integrating physical and neural traits from their victims as CPUs. Ex-human brains command it in tandem with specialized units. To challenge this, the Republic has created Juggernauts, assault vehicles that they claim are operated remotely by supervisors. This narrative suggests a machine-led war with no casualties for San Magnolia. However, what remains largely hidden from the public is that the Republic’s autonomous units are actually operated by the Eighty-Six, who are deemed expendable and forced to sacrifice themselves for their oppressors.

The series begins with Major Vladilena “Lena” Milizé assuming the position of supervisor for the Eastern Front Spearhead Squadron, located in the Eighty-Sixth District. As a noble citizen of the Republic, an army officer, and a youthful romantic, Lena is keenly aware of the challenges that the Eighty-Sixth faces. Like all supervisors, she communicates with her team from a distance, primarily using a neural network device known as Para-RAID. This technology initiates her interaction with the squadron’s leader, Shinei Nouzen, also known as “The Undertaker,” and the rest of the Spearhead Squadron members. Nouzen is an esper who perceives the voices of individuals absorbed by the Legion units even before they appear, enabling him to guide and anticipate movements on the battlefield. Significant traumatic incidents will be pivotal in developing mutual trust. Eventually, Milizé experiences a brief separation from the team, indicating changes in scenarios and characters while unveiling a new aspect of the conflict—how the Legion threatens other territories.

When examining the season overall, several familiar elements are evident, both in the plot—where the light novel author has made her references clear—and in character development. In terms of characters, this series navigates the mecha genre and war themes, a blend present in many other stories. Nonetheless, notable distinctions set 86 apart from the norm. Two significant differences are particularly worth mentioning.

The narrative centers on warfare, intertwining individual battles between the Juggernauts and the Legion. The war influences every conversation, both overtly and subtly. For instance, the season’s initial part presents political discussions on defending the Republic, showcasing differing views from bureaucrats and Lena regarding their conflict with the Legion, as well as the Eighty-Six’s perspective on it. The latter part expands this theme by introducing new fronts, hinting at the enemy’s unending presence and the ubiquity of conflict. It also delves into military routine as a fundamental aspect of daily life in a democracy, highlighting its intricate complexities. Ultimately, the series serves as a socio-narrative examination of key warfare-related themes—a welcome rarity in contemporary animation—adding substantial depth without relying heavily on overt rhetorical dialogue.

A second aspect to consider is the emergence of conflicts, primarily arising from drone usage. In this context, 86 excels in the realm of modern animation. The depiction of drone warfare is presented as systematic, irreversible, and pervasive, with drones acting as the primary units of the Legion. The relationship between remote control and drones reflects that of Milizé and the Spearhead Squadron, albeit with minor differences. However, Nouzen and his team manage to maintain their autonomy, which is emphasized by the importance of sound. In combat, visual cues diminish in effectiveness, making auditory perception essential. The case of Nouzen shows that this emphasis on sound can push one toward madness. Yet, it can also serve as a lifeline, especially when tuned to a human voice on the line—such as the Major’s—which acts as a guide, igniting the Eight-Six’s spirits and emboldening their resolve on the battlefield.

This article was originally written in Italian and can be found here.