English Dub Review: 86 EIGHTY-SIX: “Let’s Go”

Overview: Lena (Suzie Yeung) begins discovering just how alone she is in her ideology as her close friend, Henrietta (Morgan Lauré), becomes hateful towards her while her uncle, division commander Jérôme Karlstahl, leaves her with no hope for the future of the 86. Also, Shin (Billy Kametz), Theo (Casey Mangillo), Raiden (Jonah Scott), Anju (Maureen Price) and Kurena (Erica Mendez) embark on what could be their last mission to take down the legion robot army, that is led by Rei’s (Robbie Daymond) Sheppard. 

Our Take: This episode is a cold, darkly terrifying reminder for Vladilena of just how alienated she is as a result of her caring about Spearhead and the 86 in trying to stop it. “Let’s Go” is unrelenting in how it packs one emotional punch after the other to Lena, never seeming to let up. 

After being revealed the harsh truth of the 86’s fate, Lena seeks counseling from Henrietta. Henrietta was always colder in regards to the 86. Her revealed past finally shines a light on why that is. One of EIGHTY-SIX’s strongest aspects in regards to its plethora of characters is the deep complexity it is able to inject into them and thankfully Henrietta is no exception. Her childhood trauma in which she betrayed her friend, who was an 86, due to her naive nature is utterly heartbreaking, lending itself as to just how guilt ridden she has been her entire life. With that being said, although sympathetic, it still goes to show just how unjustifiably indecent her thinking is in that it is better to be complacent in crimes against human nature rather than to stand against them and that there is no hope whatsoever. It also convincingly shows why she detests Lena’s stance with her hating how she represents the idealistic person she wishes she was and more while serving as a constant reminder of what she did and who she is not anymore. It also expands the cruel lore of San Mongolia as a whole. It raises the curtain on even more atrocities, painting an even more grim picture, that serve to show their horrid unwavering military might, despite the unspeakable tragedies that got them there.

Things don’t go over any smoother for Lena with good ol’ Uncle Jerome either. He offers a different kind of evil, the political perspective. This is highlighted in how it is in the best interest of the nation in regards to security, social standing, etc. that their tyrannical ways in which they handled the 86 not be revealed to the public, not to mention the dogged nature of the corrupt that are in power. Karlstahl goes a step further in his wicked other side demonstrating his acceptance of darker ways that are necessary. Both of these important figures in Lena’s life serve to show the tattered cloth that the powers that be have sown, while also showing new twisted sides to them both. 

Lastly, Spearhead goes for a do-or-die mission as they seek to destroy the legion robot army that Rei is shepherding. Beforehand what unfolds is one of the series’ few joyous and peaceful moments as the remaining members of the 86 leave their base for good, saying goodbye to the few they leave behind as well as the memories of their loved ones. They are brief but meaningful scenes with them also serving as a good indication of how the group has grown attached to Lena as well. 

Of course, good times never seem to last too long with the entry being bookended with the long awaited traumatic moment that has been teased between Shin and Rei for quite some time. It is every bit as disturbing as it seemed with the detrimental effects of the war having taken their toll on Rei causing him to inadvertently violently lash at Shinei. Couple that with how much the legion’s technology has warped the remnants of his brain and the series has set up an intensely dark stand off between Shin and what remains of Rei. 

86 begins laying the groundwork for it’s final three episodes with dark, complex character backstories and haunting world building.