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Based on a series of ongoing light novels, this anime adaptation of the 86 only covers the initial story, but there's enough here to warrant some series inspection.
The premise has a future war between the Republic of San Magnolia and the Empire of Giad. On the surface, this war is being fought by autonomous machines called Juggernauts, a kind of quadrupedal tank of sorts. However, the reality is much darker and culturally provocative.
The initial and open twist is that San Magnolia has two races: Alba and Colorata. The Alba are white haired with silver eyes and make up the bulk of San Magnolia's 85 districts; however, the 86th district is where the Colorata live.
The latter have varying hair and eye colors; it's these 86-ers that are, in fact, the true pilots of the Juggernauts in the war, as they are treated as second-class citizens compared to the Alba.
We are introduced to this situation as Lena is made a Handler to a new Juggernaut unit called Spearhead Squadron on the Eastern Front of the war. Lena also knows that people pilot the Juggernauts and clearly feels deeply for them, often to the ridicule of her peers.
However, this particular squadron has a habit of driving their Handlers mad, as its leader, Shin, is known as the Undertaker.
As the series progresses, more about the war is revealed, and the reality of how it is being waged is even bleaker and more gruesome than it first appears.
In addition, the portrayal of the cultural setup between the dominant Alba and subservient Colorata is handled in a refreshingly non-preachy manner. It's very clearly an allegory for real-world racism and the dehumanizing effects that it entails, but it's dealt with in a more thoughtful and human way.
While some may argue that quadrupedal tanks aren't mecha, you should probably go and check out the Armored Core series, among many others, where this kind of thing is fairly commonplace and has been so for decades by this point. In short, catch up.
86 also borrows many solid concepts from the real robot side of the mecha aisle, with Armored Trooper VOTOMS being the most notable example.
Much in the same way that the Juggernauts are mass-produced units, with psychologically damaged pilots from years of fighting, Shin especially bears similarities in character to Chirico from VOTOMS.
While VOTOMS' big twist was very much a deus ex machina, the major reveal in 86 is more personal and really quite awful.
The first season ends on a pretty big victory, but there are a lot more novels yet to be adapted, and I hope they'll get the anime treatment at some point in the future, as the story gets a lot more involved and interesting as the scope of the war progresses.
As for this anime series, it's incredibly well done. The combat and direction, as well as the characterization, are all involved and engaging. The animation is also excellent, and uses a hybrid 2D/3D approach for the characters and mecha, respectively.
Naturally, as this is a Blu-ray release, the audio and visuals are pristine throughout. There isn't much in the way of extras, but you get the whole first season across three discs.
Overall, the 86 is a modern mecha anime classic and harks back to the likes of Armored Trooper VOTOMS, albeit with a darker and more gruesome twist. This is also a great introduction to the story from the light novels, and comes genuinely recommended for people who want their wartime anime drama to be both engaging and culturally thought-provoking.
86 The Complete First Season is available on Blu-ray via Amazon for $24.50.