English Dub Review: 86 EIGHTY-SIX: “Handler One”

Overview: With the death-defying battle with legion forces now at an end, Shin (Aleks Le), Raiden (Jonah Scott), Kurena (Erica Mendez), Emma (Maureen Price) and Theo (Casey Mongillo) return home to Giad for a merry celebration and enjoy a much deserved reprieve and gifts. Also, Lena (Suzie Yeung) and Annette (Morgan Lauré Garrett) come to a crucial decision regarding their role in Giad’s army. 

Our Take: It is always nice to see Shin, Raiden, Kurena, Emma and Theo enjoy everyday activities and live a simple life. There are some enjoyable moments that are so sweet like Kurena taking delight in a shopping spree or Shin attempting to cook and Frederica correcting his mistakes. When Shin and the gang get down to business and return to the military, they find out they have been assigned to a new mobile unit to be led by a foreign officer and whoever would be the perfect choice who already knows them so well, I wonder? Also, it is nice to see Ernst finally develop and realize the error of letting his own pity stand in the way of the 86’s freedom. 

Shin is still indecisive, in the grand scheme of things, about why he continues to be a soldier. However, as the last few episodes have illuminated on as well as this one, his friends along with all the comrades he has lost, make for a compelling and heartfelt reaffirmation of why he continues on as he visits Eugene’s grave. That and Lena, of course. Eugene’s friend, Marcel, surprisingly, admits and apologizes for forcing Eugene’s sister to write horrid letters to Shin out of spite for his own inability to help and wanting someone to blame. It makes for a nice reconciliation in his guilt-ridden conscience for how poorly Marcel treated Shin for his own inadequacies with Shinei forgiving him. Nina, Eugene’s little sister, also shares a brief scene showing how kindhearted she is towards him when she receives a beautiful photo of him and Shin together. 

The remaining shambles of Magnolia are saved by Giad’s military with tensions between Giad and Magnolia officers still apparent. Citizens of Magnolia still have prejudices against non-Alba and are disgustingly ungrateful. However, others are kind and thankful for their help with Lena trying to put the inevitable fate her uncle warned her off for as long as possible. This is a great example of how 86 EIGHTY-SIX has and continues to show a realistic depiction of bigotry and hatred in it not being washed away anytime soon, even with heroic intentions and/or deeds from one or both sides. With Lena being chosen to lead a unit for Giad, Annette will be transferring to Giad alongside her to give her technical expertise. This is an excellent way to build off of Annette confronting the cold truth of the atrocities she committed when she was younger. The way Henrietta has slowly but surely made amends, continuing to be inspired by Lena and run headfirst into the conflict, helping those in need and not diminishing her ability, is a wonderful and earned start to her redemption. 

To close out, Lena, at long last, meets Shin and the 86 for a shocking and teary-eyed reunion of her finally putting a face to the names she has heard and celebrating them being alive and all together, even bringing along their cat they all took care of. It is a reuniting that left me wanting more, in the best way possible, of wanting more time for them to catch up. With others taking part and delighted like Fido, Willem, Grethe, Ernst, etc. it was a warm reception all around that will melt your heart. With Lena pledging to fight by their side, she basks in finally catching up to them, as Shin’s dream comes true in meeting beyond the battlefield, for a beautiful view and finale that I won’t forget and one that, hopefully, is far from the end for the Nordlicht squad.