86--EIGHTY-SIX, Vol. 1 (light novel) (86--EIGHTY-SIX (light novel))

V1 has been an enjoyable read with likable characters, an interesting premise, nice illustrations.

As I’m sure many others did, I was completed to read this series after watching the anime based on it. I would suggest to you to watch the anime first as the beautiful animation art, and mind blowing soundtrack add to the already emotional scenes. I’m not one to get to into the sadder, more depressive shows or books. I’m honestly not much of a reader at all. But the show was just so amazing, now holding a place at my #1 work of fiction of all time, that I just had to explore more of the world of 86. I listened along to the audiobook as I read this, sometime reading in my own, and sometimes just listening to the audiobook. I have never been driven to cry from a book/audiobook before. But the impact the show left on me clearly worked its way into my heart and still lingers there even when reading a story that I already know very well. There are differences but the anime adaptation is very true. That being said, I really prefer to novel itself. I’m excited to continue this story and plan to see it through to the end. It will be the first time in my life I’ve ever finished a book let alone an entire series of them. That’s just how amazing this story is.

And that’s not a bad thing or at least I don’t know if it is yet. It was refreshing to read a story that felt entirely standalone. There was a beginning, middle, and end. The End is a perfect ending. If there was never another entry in the series, I’d be satisfied because that’s how good it was. Race, war, mechs, politics and v some light romance. In a medium where everything is isekai or bordering that in order to officially get translated, this was an amazing change of pace. The mech designs are fantastic too. My only complaint with the story is it really could have used a glossary. The author tosses so many races and terms and nations at you that it is difficult to keep track of. And early on, because of this terminology, I somehow missed that they’re fighting against an “Evil Empire” that is already dead and I don’t recall finding how they know that or where it was mentioned. Just suddenly I picked up on they’re fighting AI that was still following their final orders. I’ll fully admit that by the end, I still don’t get the racial politics or the Five Hued Flag or the importance of any of that. I just know that Alba have silver hair, they invited other cultures in, eventually reduced said cultures to less than people. It’s a weird disconnect the author failed to properly get across.

Life changing Such an amazing work that I stayed up all night to read loved the whole story and the tension that came. Genuinely

I was heavily invested in the story from the moment Asato mentioned real life events such as executive order 9066 (in the book it's called 6609). It was eye opening and it was a sudden jab at America. I'm American so I was intrigued to see another interpretation of Japanese internment camps. I know the author didn't have any intention on judging or hating America or any other nation and that's not what I'm getting at either. I think using history as a medium is powerful. What better event is there to base your story on than events that took place in real life? Anyway, the story takes a radical turn and the citizens of the Republic that aren't Alba (the pure race) are put into concentration camps where men, women, and children are forced into the military to die for their country. The best thing about this novel is that it doesn't glorify war. War is wicked. There isn't a single nation in our history that is pure and it's in war we see the most Atrocies acts of violence and racism. In the author's note Asato Asato makes it perfectly clear that he holds no ill will to any country and doesn't want to make it seem like he is judging a nation for their past deeds. On a side note...I think I need to look into garter belts...

The first volume of this series has an excellent action beginning, besides this novel or series should only be read by those who have graduated from High School or College, because it contains some racial slurs and discrimination.

Overall I liked this story; I got interested after watching few episodes of anime. It conveys a broad range of emotions and has an unusual twist on racism, child soldiers, and war with the machines. The setting is completely unrealistic, though many things do not make sense from the narrative internal structure. i.e., if the oppressed population has mechanized weapons and it is repeatedly stated that Albas are not good fighters, why 86 do not storm the capital by force? The novel put parallels with WWII Germany's oppression of the Jewish population, but if we would reverse the narrative of the novel to the historical events. It would be that Germany would give the Jewish population tanks and send them to conquer foreign countries while supervising these forces by the radio. I doubt that this approach would be particularly viable. Some simple plot detail on some restrains (such as Battle Royale explosive collars) that makes 86 fights would add quite a bit of realism to the situation but would not solve all the issues. The whole purpose of handlers is unclear. The concept of the legion is an interesting twist on the terminator plot but could be fleshed out much more and made much more interesting. The narrative device of resonating communication where people can experience each other sences is interesting, but not really important or required for this story simple video calls would work as well authors gives a lot of attention to resonance but it has minimal influence on the plot. Ending in the form of an epilogue is extremely rushed. I feel the author has potential but needs to learn more about science, technology, and history to produce something more compelling than teenager oriented light novel.

If you are looking with a military novela, I highly recommend this. I could not put it down.

Il primo volume di 86—EIGHTY-SIX introduce un mondo futuristico dove la guerra è combattuta da droni senza pilota, mentre i veri soldati, i "Eighty-Six", sono giovani umani emarginati e sfruttati. La storia segue Shin, un comandante di battaglione, e Lena, una giovane ufficiale che lo guida da remoto, esplorando temi di oppressione, sacrificio e identità. Il volume è stato lodato per la sua narrazione emotivamente intensa e per la critica sociale sottile ma potente. ✅ Pro Sviluppo profondo dei personaggi: La relazione tra Shin e Lena è ben sviluppata, mostrando le loro lotte interne e la crescita reciproca. Trama coinvolgente: La storia è ricca di tensione e suspense, con colpi di scena che mantengono alta l'attenzione del lettore. Tematiche rilevanti: Il libro affronta questioni di discriminazione, guerra e umanità, offrendo spunti di riflessione significativi. Stile di scrittura evocativo: L'autore utilizza una prosa ricca e descrittiva che cattura le emozioni e l'atmosfera del mondo creato. ❌ Contro Ritmo inizialmente lento: Alcuni lettori hanno trovato l'inizio del libro un po' lento, con molta esposizione e costruzione del mondo. Terminologia tecnica: L'uso di termini militari e tecnici può risultare complesso per alcuni lettori, richiedendo attenzione per una piena comprensione. Tematiche pesanti: Le questioni trattate, come la discriminazione e la guerra, possono essere emotivamente intense e difficili da affrontare per alcuni lettori. 💡 Conclusione 86—EIGHTY-SIX, Vol. 1 è un inizio potente per una serie che promette di esplorare temi complessi con profondità emotiva e critica sociale. Nonostante un ritmo inizialmente lento e l'uso di terminologia tecnica, il libro offre una narrazione coinvolgente e riflessiva che merita attenzione. Consigliato a chi cerca una storia di guerra che va oltre l'azione, esplorando le implicazioni umane e morali del conflitto.

There are some subtle oddities which I can only assume come down to the language it was written in and then translated. In terms of reading difficulty it is simple and straightforward. I am used to usually more detailed, complex storytelling and language, but this is a nonetheless a very, very, very good book with an excellent story. I simply cannot put it down, and I am racing through it at quite a pace. It is thoroughly enjoyable, exciting and can't wait to read the other books in the series. I can now see why it has so many five star reviews!

Estou lendo depois dd conhecer pelo anime e posso dizer que gostei mais da LN, embora o anime seja extremamente fiel. O final desse vol.1 ultrapassa os acontecimentos do anime (time skip) e acredito que o vol.2, que também já comprei, vá contar o que aconteceu até chegar nesse final. Recomendo muito, é bem bonito saber o que os personagens estavam pensando é mais interessante ainda. Lena foi a minha personagem preferida, muito bem escrita e mais bonita ainda nas ilustrações (feitas por Shirabii), as notas do autor são divertidas, explicando o motivo de Lena usar cinta-liga no uniforme. Enfim, 10/10, recomendo essa LN.

Truly the best work of an artist ever.

recommandé par un ami fan de la série également hypé par l'anime qui sort le 10 avril, j'ai suivi ses conseils. et maintenant je n'ai qu'une envie: lire tous les tomes. guerre, racisme, droits civiques, génocide, mensonges du gouvernement, et toutes les conséquences que cela peut avoir sur les êtres humains, tout est tellement bien décrit que l'immersion fut totale. les personnages sont également bien écrits, bien présentés, par ethnie qui plus est, ce qui nous permet de mieux comprendre leurs émotions face aux désastres de la guerre et la haine qu'ils portent à cette soi-disant république qui les as bannis et retranchés dans des camp de concentration. car oui, c'est dans cet ignoble et honteux lieu que (sur)vivent les 86 et tous les autres coloratas. le personnage de Vladilena est si touchant. elle qui est de sang pur et qui va devoir envoyer à la mort tous ces soldats, son évolution n'en est que plus bouleversante. (tous les 86 sont d'ailleurs touchants à leur manière). émotion, humour, suspens, ce premier tome est un délice, de l'or en barre. les illustrations, dont les deux en dépliants, sont absolument sublimes. des dessins techniques sont également fournis, ce qui permet de mieux se plonger dans les scènes de combat. Vladilena, encore une fois, est si magnifique et expressive dans chacune de ses illustrations. à lire, absolument