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86—EIGHTY-SIX Light Novel #12
86—EIGHTY-SIX, Vol. 12: Holy Blue Bullet
THE PRICE OF PEACEThe Republic’s evacuation resulted in massive casualties on both sides, and the fallout takes a toll on all survivors. As Shin ruminates on what it means to be a leader, Lena thinks of the homeland now lost to her forever. Frederica, too, is dismayed by her own powerlessness as the ill-fated final Empress of Giad. If her future is to change, she’ll have to change first. Meanwhile, unrest is brewing within the Federacy, and a few disaffected squadrons, desperate to turn the tide of the war, reach for a dangerous miracle…
250 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 10, 2023
45 people are currently reading
403 people want to read
About the author
Asato Asato
39 books230 followers安里アサト, Asato Asato, born 1985) is a female Japanese novelist. The pen name Asato Asato is a combination of her real name (Toru Asakura) and eighty-eight.
Asato started writing novels just before she entered junior high school.
She initially submitted her work to the Kadokawa Beans Bunko Rookie Award, but when in 2014 her manuscript made it to the third round of the 2014 21st Dengeki Novel Prize, Asato started thinking about writing a novel that was "Dengeki Novel-esque." This novel would become the start of the 86 -Eighty Six- series.
In 2016, 86 -Eighty Six- won the 23rd Dengeki Novel Prize.
Asato started writing novels just before she entered junior high school.
She initially submitted her work to the Kadokawa Beans Bunko Rookie Award, but when in 2014 her manuscript made it to the third round of the 2014 21st Dengeki Novel Prize, Asato started thinking about writing a novel that was "Dengeki Novel-esque." This novel would become the start of the 86 -Eighty Six- series.
In 2016, 86 -Eighty Six- won the 23rd Dengeki Novel Prize.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
November 29, 2023
After volume 11, this is a disappointment. Lena is on recovery leave, and we get a weird filler episode about illiterate peasants deciding to build nuclear weapons. This subplot presents a bizarre message that apparently some groups of people shouldn’t be allowed freedom for their own safety (I don’t know but it was dumb). Also, we learn that in a world where both nuclear energy and movies were created, the majority have no idea about the dangers of radiation. The army didn’t think CBRNE training was necessary, I suppose. This volume was mostly a waste of my time.
December 17, 2023
The most difficult book to get through so far. The series has darkened considerably and this installment generated so many chills down my spine. The cruelty of the Republic and the cruelty in the commentary on fate, education and the responsibilities of the nobles had me shivering. At times, I had to put the book down to recover.
In all I felt that this installment was a filler - I didn't see how the plot was advanced towards the conclusion of the war that I am eagerly awaiting (12 books is quite enough of build up. it's time to start ending the war already!).
The absence of Lena through this entire novel, did not shine a light on the other characters. Shin's growth was not advanced - no one's growth was advanced. Unlike in earlier volumes where Shin, Theo and Kurena had significant content dedicated to their growth, Shin's self determination to take on part of Lena's role in assuring soldiers with strength of demeanor was.. a couple of pages. Max. There was so much that could have been deepened but were skipped because we had to chase idiots with spent nuclear fuel. The entire series could have done without this commentary on "it is cruel to force freedom onto sheep". If the author really wanted to do a commentary on that, a side story to 86 to expound on this would have been much better. Instead we get 3 pages to introduce these useless hens that died within the same book after running around literally like headless chickens. The lesson that Shin was meant to learn about not being able to save everyone was so poorly executed it was utterly pointless.
My frustration is probably a mirror to the high expectations I had for this book after waiting ages for it. And now that the series has been lengthened, I am not excited at all to suffer through even more waiting time.
In all I felt that this installment was a filler - I didn't see how the plot was advanced towards the conclusion of the war that I am eagerly awaiting (12 books is quite enough of build up. it's time to start ending the war already!).
The absence of Lena through this entire novel, did not shine a light on the other characters. Shin's growth was not advanced - no one's growth was advanced. Unlike in earlier volumes where Shin, Theo and Kurena had significant content dedicated to their growth, Shin's self determination to take on part of Lena's role in assuring soldiers with strength of demeanor was.. a couple of pages. Max. There was so much that could have been deepened but were skipped because we had to chase idiots with spent nuclear fuel. The entire series could have done without this commentary on "it is cruel to force freedom onto sheep". If the author really wanted to do a commentary on that, a side story to 86 to expound on this would have been much better. Instead we get 3 pages to introduce these useless hens that died within the same book after running around literally like headless chickens. The lesson that Shin was meant to learn about not being able to save everyone was so poorly executed it was utterly pointless.
My frustration is probably a mirror to the high expectations I had for this book after waiting ages for it. And now that the series has been lengthened, I am not excited at all to suffer through even more waiting time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 16, 2025
This book in the series is like a side story. Fills in the political background of the Federacy, former Giadian Empire. The issue of education was not discussed overmuch in previous novels as the setting was in other countries. In the first three novels, the main characters did not know that much about politics, only survival and personal conflicts. This novel rotates the perspective to the political climate of the Federacy, where the average citizen's education is probably within American elementary to middle school, at best. Remember, the Giadian Empire was changed to a democratic republic government only ten years prior to this novel. That's an insanely short amount of time to give anywhere near 90% of a population a college level education when they might have elementary or middle school. Especially when a government prioritizes war over making sure public schools exist through high school, available to all.
I liked the perspective change in that it challenges responsibilities shared among a leader and their people, and questions the existing education barriers between former common and noble status. If the leader merely thinks themselves as a leader because their followers call them such without understanding what it takes to be a leader in the first place, the foundation is an illusion. This leadership is contrasted against the Strike Package's leadership. In both cases, they began with little education. Ten years later, one group's leader (noble) and her followers messes around with radioactive material knowing only what a nuclear bomb should look like when the Strike Package wants to learn more about it and why it's dangerous. So, how does an educator or leader go about educating a group of people who do not want education at all?
I liked the perspective change in that it challenges responsibilities shared among a leader and their people, and questions the existing education barriers between former common and noble status. If the leader merely thinks themselves as a leader because their followers call them such without understanding what it takes to be a leader in the first place, the foundation is an illusion. This leadership is contrasted against the Strike Package's leadership. In both cases, they began with little education. Ten years later, one group's leader (noble) and her followers messes around with radioactive material knowing only what a nuclear bomb should look like when the Strike Package wants to learn more about it and why it's dangerous. So, how does an educator or leader go about educating a group of people who do not want education at all?
December 17, 2024
3.9 STARS?? Y’all. You have NO IDEA HOW HYPED I am for volume 13!!!
This volume was really good—although I do admit that I’m a little sad Lena was gone for almost the whole thing. They were like oh, Lena has trauma from watching her whole home country get destroyed.
AS SHE SHOULD.
Then at the end after basically not seeing her at all they’re like, she’s recovered and all better after fresh air and time in the countryside. Sorry nope. I wanted to SEE IT.
But I’m so happy there are so many characters in this one!!!
The morals of this volume were FASCINATING. First we have the chips in the children who were adopted and from when they were in the internment camps. It just added a whole other level to the depravity of that situation.
Another thing was the whole Hail Mary Squad. Also interesting. I actually ended up really liking it—though I didn’t care as much at first. It was just so interesting to see how the Federacy affected them and how different people respond to freedom and responsibility differently. It’s a really deep topic and I feel like it was handled really well.
It was a bit more of a meandering volume compared to the last one though so maybe my expectations were too high?
Also, the ongoing beef Shin and Vika have over the cicada uniforms from Volume 8 CRACKS ME UP. It’s still so stinking funny.
(BRO I’M SO EXCITED TO LEARN ABOUT DUSTIN. Love that boy.)
I read this on my birthday and I can’t think of a better way to spend it :)
CONTENT NOTE: Some uses of languages and several instances of characters referring to the favor of God for their cause, and violence.
This volume was really good—although I do admit that I’m a little sad Lena was gone for almost the whole thing. They were like oh, Lena has trauma from watching her whole home country get destroyed.
AS SHE SHOULD.
Then at the end after basically not seeing her at all they’re like, she’s recovered and all better after fresh air and time in the countryside. Sorry nope. I wanted to SEE IT.
But I’m so happy there are so many characters in this one!!!
The morals of this volume were FASCINATING. First we have the chips in the children who were adopted and from when they were in the internment camps. It just added a whole other level to the depravity of that situation.
Another thing was the whole Hail Mary Squad. Also interesting. I actually ended up really liking it—though I didn’t care as much at first. It was just so interesting to see how the Federacy affected them and how different people respond to freedom and responsibility differently. It’s a really deep topic and I feel like it was handled really well.
It was a bit more of a meandering volume compared to the last one though so maybe my expectations were too high?
Also, the ongoing beef Shin and Vika have over the cicada uniforms from Volume 8 CRACKS ME UP. It’s still so stinking funny.
(BRO I’M SO EXCITED TO LEARN ABOUT DUSTIN. Love that boy.)
I read this on my birthday and I can’t think of a better way to spend it :)
CONTENT NOTE: Some uses of languages and several instances of characters referring to the favor of God for their cause, and violence.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 19, 2023
ออกทะเล (นิดนึง เพราะอยากให้จารย์เล่าพลอตหลักมากกว่า) แต่ก็สนุก! สนุกตะโกน สนุกเหี้ยๆ! อ้ะเล่า เรื่องนี้ปิดพลอตโฮลเรื่องอาวุธนิวเคลียร์ อจ.ใส่นิวเคลียร์แบบฉ่ำๆ เมื่อมีกองหนึ่งเกิดไอเดียขึ้นมาว่า ทำไมเราไม่นุคมันไปทีเดียวจบล่ะ มันไม่ด๊ายยยยยย ในเล่มอธิบายเหตุผลด้วย แล้วกองก็หาทำขโมยเชื้อเพลิงไปจะทำระเบิดนิวเคลียร์โฮมเมด ทั้งที่กลุ่มไม่มีความรู้เรื่องนี้ ภารกิจเล่มนี้คือไปตามเอาคืนก่อนเราจะชิ้บหายกันหมด ลีเจี้ยนเห็นว่าหน่วย 86 ออกหน้า ก็มาเสนอตัว นุงนังดึงแข้งถ่วงขากันดี
- โนเอล เมอเร เป็นโศกนาฎกรรม เป็นภาพสะท้อนชินเลน่าที่ถ้าไม่ลดอัตตา ไม่ลดอีโก้
- อยากเห็นอิลลัสโนเอลมาก ส่วนตัวชอบนะ ถ้าเธอได้อยู่ในโลกที่ไม่มีสงครามก็คงจะดี
- พี่ยาไตร…. ทำไมพี่เป็นคนแบบนี้!
- มีหนอนบ่อนไส้
- ยูโตะ พอดีมือ ฮอตมาก ฮอตกว่าชินอีก แต่เขาแปลก 😂
- ชินเลน่า ขนาดไม่อยู่ด้วยกันนี่หว๊านนนน อ่านเล่ม 1 นะ แล้วมาอ่านเล่ม 12 จะออหอออออ อ่อ จ้าาาาาาาา ชินเอ โนวเซ็น 🌝 น่ารัก
- แปลดี แปลสนุกลื่นปรื๊ดๆ แต่ก็มีคำผิดอีกแล้ว แง
- กระสุนสีน้ำเงิน หมานถึง อาวุธนิวเคลียร์
- โนเอล เมอเร เป็นโศกนาฎกรรม เป็นภาพสะท้อนชินเลน่าที่ถ้าไม่ลดอัตตา ไม่ลดอีโก้
- อยากเห็นอิลลัสโนเอลมาก ส่วนตัวชอบนะ ถ้าเธอได้อยู่ในโลกที่ไม่มีสงครามก็คงจะดี
- พี่ยาไตร…. ทำไมพี่เป็นคนแบบนี้!
- มีหนอนบ่อนไส้
- ยูโตะ พอดีมือ ฮอตมาก ฮอตกว่าชินอีก แต่เขาแปลก 😂
- ชินเลน่า ขนาดไม่อยู่ด้วยกันนี่หว๊านนนน อ่านเล่ม 1 นะ แล้วมาอ่านเล่ม 12 จะออหอออออ อ่อ จ้าาาาาาาา ชินเอ โนวเซ็น 🌝 น่ารัก
- แปลดี แปลสนุกลื่นปรื๊ดๆ แต่ก็มีคำผิดอีกแล้ว แง
- กระสุนสีน้ำเงิน หมานถึง อาวุธนิวเคลียร์
September 21, 2024
4,5. Per sort hem millorat bastant respecte l'anterior, és com que les aigües han tornat al seu cabdal. M'ha agradat molt tot el lio nuclear i de radiació, ha estat xulo i divertit de llegir. Com sempre, l'autora aconsegueix colar-te dil·lemes o qüestions morals interessantíssimes i que també com sempre, estan molt ben realitzades. Certament impactant veure el poder d'uns imbècils armats, i com acaben. I ara procediré a matar-me perquè aquest és l'últim volum traduït i he estat posposant acabar-lo perquè ara no puc continuar la història... Terrible. Ah, i estic bastant decebuda amb que en aquest llibre introdueixen (un cop més xd) un Legion nou però en canvi no hi ha dibuix!!! Volia veure un dibuix!! Que són xulíssims!! Espero que l'artista no hagi deixat la sèrie o algo...
December 20, 2023
It’s a joy coming back to this world, and I didn’t realize how much I missed it until I was thrown right back into the thick of these tragic character’s lives from the first sentence. While this volume had its moments of heavy-handedness that held it back, I do love the way the author explores the complexities of war and conflict, and how non-concrete terms like individuality and democracy may affect people in such contrasting ways based on a myriad of factors. Plus, the Lena-Shin interactions in this were top notch adorable, I really like how their relationship has progressed and transformed.
August 2, 2024
for what it was, I enjoyed it. I was sort of disappointed that the main plot was pretty much filler with no real impact to the overarching story, and even though I never actually felt worried over anyone’s fates this time around, I still enjoyed it. I’m glad Asato Asato brought back the leviathans, they were an interesting little addition. and it was nice to directly address nuclear power’s place in the war. the small parts that ACTUALLY will be moving us forward were super interesting. YUUTO!!! what are you doing!!! very excited for the next volume because I’m hopeful it’ll pick up well.
December 19, 2023
This volume is kinda frustrating to read thanks to certain group that some people may called it a filler, I get it but for me it make sense, you can't expect people to always fall in line with the government there's always group of people who have different opinion then act on it whether it's wise or not, whether they truly understand what they believe in or not and you can't underestimated them especially if they're pretty big in number, they'll make ripple effect. So yeah it make sense for me, ideally you want everyone to fall in line and put their trust in them to handle this matter so there's less conflict or problem arise but.. this 86 universe is far from ideal. Also when we thought we know all Republic crime unfortunately there's more to uncover.
Lena is absent from this volume as she was ordered to take some time to recover from the mental toll of the previous book, so it kinda reminds me of the way they used to communicate back when this series started, them in different location communicate via para-raid. One big difference is Shin feels more comfortable to show his vulnerable side with the fellow Spearhead members and Lena, they also help push Shin to lean on Lena more lol I always love seeing their growth and interaction with each other.
The ending left me with many more question that makes me both curious and wary of vol. 13.
Lena is absent from this volume as she was ordered to take some time to recover from the mental toll of the previous book, so it kinda reminds me of the way they used to communicate back when this series started, them in different location communicate via para-raid. One big difference is Shin feels more comfortable to show his vulnerable side with the fellow Spearhead members and Lena, they also help push Shin to lean on Lena more lol I always love seeing their growth and interaction with each other.
The ending left me with many more question that makes me both curious and wary of vol. 13.
July 27, 2025
Es una buena lectura y si me enganchó la historia porque me la terminé en unos días; no obstante, los personajes principales (Lena, Shin y compañía) salen muy poco, lo que me llevó a ponerle solo 3 estrellitas.
Hay dos o tres escenas que me gustaron mucho, sin embargo, la mayor parte se concentra en un grupo de desertores del ejército de la Federación y en unos leviatanes extraviados. Hay otros sucesos algo misteriosos que al parecer cobrarán importancia en el siguiente volumen.
Hay dos o tres escenas que me gustaron mucho, sin embargo, la mayor parte se concentra en un grupo de desertores del ejército de la Federación y en unos leviatanes extraviados. Hay otros sucesos algo misteriosos que al parecer cobrarán importancia en el siguiente volumen.
December 7, 2025
This volume contains a lot of grit and heaviness in the political and philosophical aspect of war (relating to its plot) The author layouts everything to the reader amidst the chaos of its narrative which given beautifully and only a serious reader can understand and enjoy. One that I'm eager what will happen to the Hail Mary Regiment, didn't expect they do that, but it's war, consequences are given if you don't follow especially if your enemy is not a human.
December 3, 2023
This felt like a filler volume. The last volume ended on a cliffhanger and I was hoping to get more information on it - but not much happened in this.
A few good moments in the volume, but I felt like this was the weakest one.
A few good moments in the volume, but I felt like this was the weakest one.
February 2, 2024
Ngl this was such an unfocused side story volume and was expecting way more considering how 11 ended. Looks like 13 is gonna be another detour before the final arc but sorta continuing some of the plot elements left behind from this vol. Overall a bit messy and probably my least favorite so far.
Want to read
April 1, 2024not me spending almost $200 on all of the books and having them delivered to me.... also back in my hyperfixation of this stellar anime and story. so if you have not heard of this before 1) that's a crime 2) read it, I beg of you
November 30, 2023
This Volume did feel pretty slow compared to the other volumes but I still enjoyed it nonetheless. Especially chapter 5!
January 26, 2024
living for all the little moments between the eighty-six and lena man 😩🫶🏻
February 3, 2024
i missed lena in this book
May 1, 2024
olalala ce tome était d’un ennui, ca se voit que c’était du filler. vivement que lena revienne
October 18, 2024
The cliffhanger at the end was painful but everything before that was amazingly fun (and quite tragic sometimes). I honestly can't believe I have to wait till next year for volume 13 🫠
September 17, 2025
[2.5] little oppenheimers kinda unnecessarily lengthened the story and it, in fact, could’ve been much shorter considering how easily it is to forget who’s who due to how many povs there is
March 28, 2024
This one was rough. Really would have benefited from illustrations of maps.
January 21, 2024
Where tf is Lena?! I like the fight scenes but I live for the chemistry between Lena and Shin. There were maybe three lines this whole book that talked about the two of them, so I wish there were more.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews