86 is a sci-fi anime that has gained popularity in little to no time due to its intriguing concept and fascinating storyline. 86 talks about the atrocities of war and discrimination among human beings, which caught the eye of many anime and non-anime enthusiasts around the world.
The anime is based on the light novel series of the same name written by Asato Asato and illustrated by Shirabii. The series adaptation was announced in a livestream commemorating the first anniversary of Kadokawa’s “Kimirano” light novel website on March 15, 2020.
The first season of 86 was divided into two parts, with each consisting of 11 episodes. The first part aired from April to June 2021, while the second part aired from October to December 2021. The second part ended with a cliffhanger that left fans eager for more.
So, will there be 86 Season 3? Here’s everything we know so far.
Note: The first season was divided into two parts, so officially, the next season will be known as Season 2, but we want to avoid confusion, so in this article, we are mentioning it as Season 3 since fans are searching for Season 3.
- 86 Eighty-Six (Aired: Apr 11, 2021)
- 86 Eighty-Six Part 2 (Aired: Oct 3, 2021)
- 86 Eighty-Six Season 2 (aka Season 3) (Aired: Upcoming)
Is the Eighty Six Canceled?
No, it’s not canceled. Motoki Yoshihara’s manga adaptation of the novel series was published in Young Gangan, a seinen manga magazine by Square Enix, from February 2018 to June 2021. The manga has three tankōbon volumes and is licensed by Yen Press for North American release. The manga was discontinued in July 2022 due to the health problems of the author.
Did the 86 Light Novel End?
The light novels are written by Asato Asato and are illustrated by Shirabii, 86 is STILL ONGOING! Volume 12 Holy Blue Bullet was on a tentative date on February 10, 2023. So there will be another season of 86 (Eighty-Six) anime. Also, there are chances of manga continuing when the manga author’s health recovers or a different manga author can pick it up and continue it though the changes of that are very low.
Which volume to read after the 86 -Eighty Six- anime?
The anime adaptation of 86 -Eighty Six- has 23 episodes in its first season, which correspond to the first three volumes of the light novel series. These volumes cover the events of The Republic of San Magnolia Arc and The Empire of Giad Arc, the first two parts of the story. To continue the story after the anime, you should start reading from volume 4, “Under Pressure”, which begins the third part of the story, the sequel of the anime series (86 Season 3, aka 86 Season 2).
Will there be 86 Season 3?
As of now, there is no official confirmation or announcement regarding 86 Season 3. However, that does not mean that the anime is over for good. There are several factors that suggest that a third season is possible and likely.
First of all, the light novel series is still ongoing, with the latest volume (volume 12) released on November 10, 2023. The anime has covered up to volume 3 so far, which means that there is enough source material for more than one season. So not just Season 3, producers can even go for 86 Season 4 later.
Secondly, the anime has been well-received by both critics and fans, earning positive reviews and high ratings on various platforms. According to MyAnimeList, the anime has an average score of 8.71 out of 10, based on over 240,000 votes, and more than 440,000 people watched it so far (Aug 2023). The anime also won several awards at the Crunchyroll Anime Awards 2021, including Best Drama and Best Director.
Thirdly, the anime has a loyal and passionate fanbase that is eager to see more of the story and the characters. The anime has generated a lot of buzz and discussion on social media, especially after the shocking finale of the second part. Many fans have expressed their hope and demand for a third season on Twitter, Reddit, and other platforms.
Based on these factors, we can assume that 86 Season 3 is not only possible but also probable. However, we will have to wait for an official announcement from the producers or the studio before we can celebrate.
86 Season 3 Release Date
Assuming that 86 Season 3 is greenlit, when can we expect it to air? Unfortunately, there is no way to predict an exact release date without an official confirmation. However, we can make an educated guess based on some factors.
One factor is the production schedule of the studio behind the anime, A-1 Pictures. The studio is known for producing many popular and high-quality anime, such as Sword Art Online, Fairy Tail, Kaguyasama: Love is War, and more.
The upcoming anime from A-1 Pictures are Solo Leveling, Mashle Season 2, Hypmic Season 2, NieR:Automata Ver1.1a Part 2, and Kaguya-sama Season 4.
However, this also means that the studio has a busy and packed schedule with many projects in the works.
Another factor is the gap between the previous seasons of 86. The first part of the first season aired from April to June 2021, while the second part aired from October to March 2022. That means that there was a gap of four months between the two parts.
Based on these factors, we can estimate that if 86 Season 3 is announced in early or mid-2024, it might air in late 2024 or early 2025 at the earliest. However, this is just a speculation and not a confirmation. We will have to wait for an official announcement to know for sure.
Here is a recent post on Eighty-Six Anime Fan Reddit Community. Speculating release date of the next season.
According to one Reddit user @RandomAsian_0, whose comment got the highest votes,
“Next year is being very optimistic. Most likely won’t get anything until 2024/25 considering A1’s very packed schedule with other projects. And the reading event is always a good thing as it shows the series is still getting attention for it to have a few of these events.”
@RandomAsian_0
The anime fans came to the same conclusion as us about the release of the next season. We will keep the article updated if any official information is released.
Where Can You Watch 86 Anime?
If you want to watch or rewatch 86 anime, you have several options to choose from. The anime is available for streaming on various platforms, depending on your region and preference.
One option is Crunchyroll, which offers both subbed and dubbed versions of the anime for its premium subscribers.
Another option is Funimation, which also offers both subbed and dubbed versions of the anime for its premium subscribers.
A third option is Hulu, which offers only the subbed version of the anime for its subscribers.
A fourth option is VRV, which offers both subbed and dubbed versions of the anime for its premium subscribers.
86 Season 3 Plot
What will happen in 86 Season 3? That is the question that many fans are asking after the shocking finale of the second part. Without spoiling too much, we can say that the finale left many loose ends and unanswered questions that need to be resolved in the next season.
The finale revealed that the war between the Republic of San Magnolia and the Empire of Giad was not as simple as it seemed. There were hidden forces and secrets behind the scenes that influenced the course of the war and the fate of the characters.
The finale also showed that the main characters, Lena and Shin, had to face new challenges and enemies in their quest for peace and freedom. Lena had to deal with the corruption and betrayal within her own country, while Shin had to confront his past and his destiny.
The next season will likely continue the story from where it left off, following Lena and Shin as they try to overcome their obstacles and reunite with each other. The next season will also likely explore more of the world and the history of 86, as well as introduce new characters and factions.
The next season will also likely adapt the remaining volumes of the light novel series, which are said to be more intense and emotional than the previous ones. The author of the light novel series, Asato Asato, has stated that he plans to end the series with volume 11, which means that the next season might be the final one.
86 Season 3 Trailer
Is there a trailer for 86 Season 3? Unfortunately, there is no trailer for 86 Season 3 yet. As we mentioned earlier, there is no official confirmation or announcement regarding 86 Season 3 yet, which means that there is no trailer either.
However, we can expect a trailer to be released once 86 Season 3 is officially announced. The trailer will likely give us a glimpse of what to expect from the next season, such as the plot, the characters, the animation, and the music.
Until then, we can watch or rewatch the trailers for the previous seasons of 86, which are available on YouTube and other platforms. The trailers will help us refresh our memory and get hyped for the next season.
86 Anime Characters, Cast & Anime Staff
I. Characters & Cast
The main characters of 86 are:
- Shin (voiced by Shouya Chiba in Japanese and Billy Kametz in English): The leader of Spearhead Squadron, a group of EightySix who pilot Juggernauts against the Legion. He is calm, stoic, and skilled in combat. He has a special ability to hear the voices of the dead, which allows him to sense the presence of the Legion.
- Lena (voiced by Ikumi Hasegawa in Japanese and Erica Mendez in English): A handler from the Republic who communicates with Shin and his squad through ParaRAID. She is kind, compassionate, and idealistic. She treats the EightySix as human beings and tries to help them as much as she can.
- Anju Emma (voiced by Haruka Shiraishi in Japanese and Kayli Mills in English): A member of Spearhead Squadron who serves as Shin’s secondincommand. She is cheerful, friendly, and optimistic. She has a crush on Shin and often teases him.
- Raiden Shuga (voiced by Seiichirou Yamashita in Japanese and Jon Allen in English): A member of Spearhead Squadron who serves as Shin’s righthand man. He is serious, loyal, and responsible. He acts as a big brother figure to his teammates.
- Kurena Kukumila (voiced by Natsumi Fujiwara in Japanese and Jeannie Tirado in English): A member of Spearhead Squadron who serves as Shin’s lefthand woman. She is quiet, reserved, and diligent. She harbors feelings for Shin and often competes with Anju for his attention.
- Theo Cornaro (voiced by Daiki Yamashita in Japanese and Zach Aguilar in English): A member of Spearhead Squadron who serves as Shin’s gunner. He is cheerful, friendly, and optimistic. He is good friends with Shin and often jokes with him.
- Kaie Taniya (voiced by Haruki Ishiya in Japanese and Laura Stahl in English): A member of Spearhead Squadron who serves as Shin’s radar operator. She is calm, gentle, and intelligent. She is close to Shin and often supports him.
- Daiya Irma (voiced by Taito Ban in Japanese and Griffin Burns in English): A member of Spearhead Squadron who serves as Shin’s driver. He is cheerful, friendly, and optimistic. He is good friends with Shin and often jokes with him.
Other characters include:
- Frederica Rosenfort (voiced by Tomori Kusunoki in Japanese and Xanthe Huynh in English): A young girl who is the princess of the fallen Kingdom of Nordlicht. She joins Shin and his squad after they rescue her from the Legion. She has a special ability to see the future, which she calls “the voice of God”.
- Ernst Zimmerman (voiced by Shunsuke Takeuchi in Japanese and Armen Taylor in English): A general of the Federacy of Giad, an ally of the Republic. He is a former friend of Lena’s father and a supporter of Lena’s ideals. He helps Lena and Shin reunite and offers them asylum in Giad.
- Vika (voiced by Saori Hayami in Japanese and Erika Harlacher in English): A handler from the Republic who communicates with Shin and his squad through ParaRAID. She is cold, arrogant, and elitist. She treats the EightySix as disposable tools and often insults them.
- Fido (voiced by Yuuki Inoue in Japanese and Ryan Bartley in English): A robotic dog that accompanies Shin and his squad. It serves as a communication device, a storage unit, and a mascot. It is loyal, friendly, and cute.
II. Anime Staff
The anime staff of 86 are:
- Director: Toshimasa Ishii
- Series Composition: Toshiya Ono
- Character Design: Tetsuya Kawakami
- Music: Hiroyuki Sawano and Kohta Yamamoto
- Animation Studio: A-1 Pictures
