I Was a Mecha Hater... Until 86

Added: 2026-05-09

[00:00:00]Every now and then, a story comes around that transcends the very medium it takes place within. For me personally, I've had this experience more than once with anime. A genre that I've struggled time and time again to get into is I isekai.

[00:00:15]At times it feels watered down with lots of stories that are repetitive or even worse at times being outright boring, which I always found strange given that isekai has perhaps the most storytelling potential of any genre. Especially given that it's designed to explore new worlds outside our own. But the show that managed to win back favor with me was ReZero. It felt like a powerful example of the potential within the genre finally being put on display. The world felt fantastical yet believably lived in. The premise was interesting and provided for a complex but enjoyable narrative. And the characters offered the perfect vessels to explore the world and sell the immersion. Rezero helped to not only restore my interest in isekai, but also to be more willing to explore shows in genres I might have not otherwise given a try. Another type I didn't have much of a connection to was the superhero genre. And to the rescue came My Hero Academia, with My Hero going on to be the show that would most consistently get an emotional response from me. I also didn't particularly care for romance or romcom shows. Then came Todora. Subsequently, the romcom genre has now become one of my favorites with a new installment coming almost every season. But the most recent barrier to fall was that of the Mecca. Tucked away amongst the titans of anime that would duke it out in 2021 was perhaps the show that would enthral me the most. 86.

[00:01:47]I'll avoid heavy plot spoilers, but I'll briefly set up the world so we can discuss my favorite elements therein. 86 is set in a futuristic world scarred by endless conflict. It frames its story around a war fought with quote unquote unmanned machines and a society that refuses to look any deeper or perhaps doesn't even care to. On the surface, it's a military drama about mechanized combat and strategic resource management. But at its heart, the series toes the line and asks who is counted as human and who is written off as expendable. The Republic, who controls the worldly affairs from afar, tout a seemingly pristine narrative, but in reality, it's a monstrously detached one. They live in comfort inside their squeaky clean walls with no worries about the outside world. All their would-be problems will simply take care of themselves. This ideology then immediately collides with the brutal reality experienced by the titular 86, a marginalized cohort forced to pilot the very machines the Republic claims to be automated. The members of the 86 are not seen as human by the Republic. A convenient way to continue the narrative of these machines being called unmanned.

[00:03:08]The tension between propaganda and lived experience gives the plot a steady and urgent momentum without ever losing sight of the people caught in the crossfire. The show centers on two complimentary perspectives. The first of which is Vladilena Malise or Lena, a military officer who believes in the 86 and sees them as human beings and the 86 themselves who bear the scars of frontline survival. Their perspective is told collectively but with a particular focus on their leader Shen Nosen or Shin. Lena's viewpoint examines the moral and bureaucratic dilemmas of leadership. While Shinn and the other members of the 86 trace the bonds and heroism of those sent to die. Rather than relying on archetypes, the cast is written with nuance. Each member carries a private history where each one has their own personal coping mechanisms.

[00:04:01]Through their interactions, the series explores many complex topics. An 86 stands out immediately in how it handles its writing. Scenes often tend to breathe with small gestures and silences that are given more weight because of how they're presented. Exposition is woven into character moments instead of dumped as background. Dialogue feels alive and the narrative resists melodrama by letting consequences linger. Other shows might use a traumatic moment to springboard into another topic, but 86 makes you come to grips with the harshness of the world alongside the characters. We see the steps in between points A and B instead of a more traditional A becomes B instantly approach. Characters like Shin are forced to carry these burdens throughout the show. But when the perspective shifts, it also reveals different moral angles without preaching. It doesn't patronize the viewer. This careful pacing and attention to emotions means the series can tackle these heavy themes. The burden of grief and when to move on, the intricacy of being complicit in actions you don't agree with but doing them out of necessity. And the torturous survival of the fittest world where you can't afford to grow attached to others but do so anyway. 86 does all of this while still delivering a coherent and propulsive plot that keeps you invested in both the immediate stakes and the larger ethical questions. Visually, 86 favors a grounded aesthetic, muted color palettes that match the tone of the world, weathered machinery to show a believably livedin world, and character designs that emphasize wear and exhaustion over glamour. Though Lena is quite fabulous in her own right, the mechs are functional and rooted in closer proximity to reality rather than flashy and over-the-top, which helps keep the focus on the human element.

[00:05:56]Facial animation and subtle expression work do a lot of the emotional lifting, taking what would be normal expressions and showing the pain and even at times the joy behind the looks. Backgrounds and set dressing are detailed enough to suggest an evolving world, and color choices help to signal mood without being heavy-handed. The art direction supports the story seriousness without becoming dull. Genuinely, I had this shot of some train tracks from the show as my phone background for the better part of four years. Cinematography in ' 86 often elevates scenes with smart framing and dynamic composition.

[00:06:33]Strategic camera angles showing symbolism, well-timed cuts showing how two characters might compare or contrast in a given situation, and thoughtful use of negative space that helps create tension and intimacy where raw animation might otherwise fall short. Long takes and closeups are used to emphasize emotional beats, while wider kinetic shots sell the chaos of combat. With the mechanized battles often being frenetic, 86 does an excellent job of creating a feeling of heaviness even in the fast moments, making Shin and the other 86 members expert navigation of the mechs feel even more impressive. While the lighting and environmental effects play across the battlefield, making every corner feel like its essential viewing material. This visual choreography elevates the narrative. When the emotionally heavy dialogue gives way to fast-paced combat, 86 doesn't miss a step, making each scene feel deliberate and cinematic, even when the resources may be more modest compared to a typical blockbuster anime. But where the eyes are drawn, the ears are following along as well. And sound in 86 functions as its connection between image and emotion. Leaning into that same transitional force I mentioned for the visuals going between calm and chaotic is also present in the sound direction.

[00:07:53]Calm and at times even peaceful sounds melt away in favor of the sounds of war.

[00:07:59]Explosions both near and far. The screeching of metal on metal as the 86 scrapes to survive each engagement all the way down to the sounds of their earpieces clicking to life. Each sound plays a part in bringing together the eyes and ears. Voice performances highlight vulnerability in quiet moments, like Lena's conversations with Shin as both characters evolve through the season, and like the witty and confident banter the members of the 86 deliver to one another, whether inside or outside of combat. And to top it all off, the musical score is nothing short of a masterclass. If you haven't heard any of Hiroyuki Sawano's or Cotto Yamamoto's work before, then you'll be in for one heck of a first experience.

[00:08:44]I'm the type of person that draws inspiration from seeing an artist passion in their craft, and the music in 86 is a shining example of that for me.

[00:08:55]Without spoiling anything, the swell in the final episode is something I don't think I will ever forget as long as I live. Sound design may be my favorite part of 86, but it's just one part of a much greater hole that truly allows it to stand apart. If you've only sample familiar genres, you'll miss the ways different forms can surprise and reshape your expectations. Shows like 86 demonstrate that regardless of what a show is labeled as, it can be so much more. Many shows seem to focus more on the genre they exist in rather than the story itself. Yeah, the Mecca aspect is undoubtedly a huge component of 86, but the story being told is what sells it to the viewer. Shin can do all the cool aerial moves he wants like he's a pro Rocket League player, but if the plot isn't there, nobody is going to be left to watch. Approaching anime with curiosity rather than a strict genre loyalty opens the door to unexpected storytelling techniques. It shows us fresh emotional registers and it lets us discover things we didn't even know we were looking for. So, if you take one thing away from this video besides the fact that you should watch 86, it's that you should challenge your biases. Watch that show you've been putting off and you might just discover a whole new world. Thank you all for watching. Leave a like if you liked it. Comment what show or shows broke through the genre ball for you. And with that said, I look forward to seeing you there, fellow anime lovers. Bye-bye for now.