For years, the Republic of San Magnolia has been at war with the Giadian Empire. They were constantly plagued by their hordes of unmanned drones until the government created an unmanned solution of their own, finally able to wage their war without casualties. However, that is not quite the truth. The “unmanned” combat weapons are actually used by those of the 86th sector of the Republic, but they are not considered even human. This is the tale of both Shin, an 86er and battle commander, and Lena, their sympathetic handler who remotely commands the detachment from inside the city.
While I’m never impressed by obviously obvious CGI mechs, I do enjoy anime that explores the expendability of soldiers in war. If you are looking for more anime recommendations like 86, then head on down below.
Anime Like 86
For Fans of Lesser-Class Humans
Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans
After the Calamity War, Earth is now ruled over by economic blocs with the military organization Gjallarhorn keeping the peace. However, Mars is heavily dependent on Earth, and often left wanting. Appalled by the conditions on Mars, young aristocrat Kudelia Aina Bernstein hires the local Chryse Guard Security to escort her to Earth in order to negotiate economic conditions. However, they soon find themselves under attack by Gjallarhorn who seek to assassinate the revolutionaries that threaten their agenda.
The label “Mobile Suit Gundam” can be a put off for some, but don’t be like that. This more modern Gundam is everything you enjoyed about 86 so long as you enjoy the story line about the short, brutal, and occasionally pointless lives lived on the battlefield.
Darling in the Franxx
In the distant future, the land is ruined and humanity now lives in the mobile city, Plantation. Inside, they are defended from massive life forms by children raised from birth to pilot robots called Franxx in boy-girl pairs. This story follows Hiro, once a prodigy, and now a failure. However, just as he was about to be cast aside, he meets a mysterious girl with horns that is a Franxx pilot dubbed The Partner Killer.
While you don’t necessarily know how old they are in 86, both series are more than willing to toss young people at an enemy in order for them to defend their betters. In 86, it is the Republic that lives in luxury. In Darling in the Franxx, it is the adults that live in their protective city.
WorldEnd: What Do You Do at the End of the World?
It has been five hundred years since humanity went extinct at the hands of the mysterious beasts that roam the land. Now the surviving races have retreated to floating islands in the sky out of reach of most of the beasts. However, there are ones nimble enough to put these people in danger. A small group of young girls, a race called the Leprechauns, are now raised as the only ones that can wield ancient weapons to fend off invasion by the beasts, but it often requires them to sacrifice themselves and they don’t often live to see adulthood. Enter Willem, the last surviving human woken from his slumber and sent to watch over these girls, still feeling the sting from the final battle where he lost everything five hundred years ago.
Both series, despite the difference in setting (sci-fi/fantasy), are about the expendable lives that a country throws at a problem. The soldiers are expected to die, and even the soldiers know their lives don’t matter. They also have a romance bloom between the one that fights and the one that leads.
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For Fans of Military Squad Escapades
Gunparade March
After the end of World War II, aliens invaded Earth and the unprecedented threat bound humanity together. The war has gone on for 50 years now and so many lives have been lost that young people form the bulk of the army. One such force is Unit 5121, made up of Atsushi Hayami and his high school class.
Both series focus on the trials and tribulations of a military unit that fights a foreign enemy. Unfortunately, Gunparade March often ends up more rom-com than mecha action series.
Schwarzesmarken
In this alternate timeline, 1980s East Germany is defended from extraterrestrial enemies by the Black Marks. This specialized unit uses unconventional tactics and highly advanced technology to defeat their foes. However, even outside of combat, this unit has its problems.
Both stories focus on a singular military unit and isn’t afraid of killing off the members you briefly love.
Valkyria Chronicles
In the neutral country of Gallia, they are known for a bountiful reserve of the versatile mineral ragnite. However, when the Empire decides to invade in order seize the resource for itself, Welkin, the son of a former war hero, and the town watch of Bruhl rise up as Gallian militia group Squad 7 to defend their country.
Both 86 and Valkryia Chronicles focus on the military exploits of one unit. You watch them live, laugh, and die. They both do a good job of keeping a good split between action, drama, and levity. However, Valkyria Chronicles is more traditional military rather than sci-fi.
For Fans of Two Sides of the Same War
Our Last Crusade or The Rise of a New World
For years, war has raged between the Empire and the realm of witches, Nebulis. On the battlefield, a talented young knight is tasked with killing the princess of Nebulis, but he is taken by her beauty and she taken by his honor.
There is the distinct sense in 86 that Lena and Shin are moving towards a relationship, but are separated. This is much the same with Our Last Crusade that tells a tale of star-crossed lovers on opposite sides of the same war.
Saikano: She, The Ultimate Weapon
Chise is a small, frail, and not particularly smart, but she is in love with her classmate Shuji. The two begin dating, and when Shuji takes a trip to another town to get a gift for his girlfriend, their hometown is attacked. Through the chaos, he sees Chise with steel wings and a massive gun in place of her arm. He discovers that she was, against her will, made into a battle weapon.
Saikano, like 86, tells a war story about the fighter and a guy who can’t do much of anything to help. It captures a lot of the same feelings that Lena has as she tries to support her unit without actually being able to fight next to them.
The Price of Smiles
This is the tale of two girls. Yuuki is a princess that is confined to a castle and surrounded by servants who pretend as if nothing is wrong. She is awash in a sea of smiles. Elsewhere, there is Stella, a young soldier who is always smiling despite the chaos that surrounds her.
Both series show you each side of war. You have a character that is safe and protected while you also have characters that are constantly surrounded by death and chaos.
Do you have more anime recommendations like 86? Let fans know in the comments section below.
