English Dub Review: 86 EIGHTY-SIX: “The Truth Is”

Overview: Grethe prepares to pilot their ace in the hole against the legion, the Nachzehrer with Shin (Billy Kametz), Kurena (Erica Mendez), Raiden (Jonah Scott), Theoto (Casey Mongillo) and Emma (Maureen Price) aboard for their dangerous mission to destroy the Morpho. 

Our Take: The 86’s pleas to be given the freedom that has alleviated them their entire lives are beginning to be heard loud and clear. This can be seen through smart writing through Grethe’s evolved take on the Nordlicht squad in how she begins to believe in them and their choices and demonstrating that belief to her superior, Commander Altner. Beyond that, it goes just a tad deeper in fleshing out her as a character in demonstrating how she is trying to make amends for a past squad’s death by keeping Shinei and the crew alive. Even Richard Altner himself is shown to have more warmer colors beyond that of gray in how he subtly tried to separate the 86 in an attempt to dissuade the military from using them as a collective force. 

Not resting on their laurels, Giad begins moving full steam ahead in their efforts to take down the Morpho, led by the 86, with their long dormant undetectable ground plane, the Nachzehrer. A vehicle which features a very futuristic sci-fi design unique from that of other machines like Juggernauts and Reginleifs with it’s huge scale and smooth, rounded wings and body. 

With war on the horizon, so too are Frederica’s worst fears in wanting to be on the battlefield when Kiriya dies while keeping Shinei away to avoid him either dying or ending up like her late friend. It’s a powerful scene showing just how much of a bond Frederica has built with Shin. It also delves into the difficult and conflicting position Shinei finds himself in with the young princess that is akin to the one with his deceased older brother before he left to fight in a war. The struggle comes from the hypocrisy Shinei feels in not allowing Frederica to have closure that he did with his legion turned brother and the understanding of her pain as he puts the necessary precautions to make sure she stays alive above all else. It’s heartfelt irony that puts Shinei in Shourei’s shoes allowing him to better understand the latter when left to fight in Magnolia’s war. 

The Federacy has been shown to be a complex authority as Ernst struggles to keep the country’s moral integrity in regards to treatment of the 86 while also doing what is necessary to defend it. It feels refreshing to see more of Ernst and Grethe represent that kinder side of Giad, but most importantly for that realization to slowly but surely set in for Shin, Emma, Kurena, Theoto and Raiden in however imperfect of a nation they may be, they are most assuredly a more caring one compared to the Republic. With how much the Giad soldiers are seen to be relying on and trusting in the 86, not to mention risking their lives, those actions are acting as a compelling and strong motivation for Shin and the gang as they strive to live up to the expectations and commitment. This leaves Spearhead off in an uncharacteristically but well-appreciated uplifting place heading into their do or die mission.