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86—EIGHTY-SIX Light Novel #4
86—EIGHTY-SIX, Vol. 4: Under Pressure
Old Friends, New Enemies
Against all odds, Shin and the Eighty-Six have emerged victorious from their battle with the Morpho, liberating scores of surviving Republic promise and finally caught up to the Spearhead squadron. And while her citizens from the Legion’s dark agenda. Lena, in turn, has fulfilled her presence has brought out a softer side in Shin, it seems to have roused to an end when the Eighty-Sixth Strike Package, with Lena at the helm, the competitive spirits within Kurena and Frederica. But the fun comes in the Republic’s northern secondary capital, Charité. Deep underground, receives its first mission. Their destination: an abandoned subway tunnel the gaping maw of a subterranean Legion base awaits them...
Against all odds, Shin and the Eighty-Six have emerged victorious from their battle with the Morpho, liberating scores of surviving Republic promise and finally caught up to the Spearhead squadron. And while her citizens from the Legion’s dark agenda. Lena, in turn, has fulfilled her presence has brought out a softer side in Shin, it seems to have roused to an end when the Eighty-Sixth Strike Package, with Lena at the helm, the competitive spirits within Kurena and Frederica. But the fun comes in the Republic’s northern secondary capital, Charité. Deep underground, receives its first mission. Their destination: an abandoned subway tunnel the gaping maw of a subterranean Legion base awaits them...
237 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 18, 2018
About the author
Asato Asato
51 books246 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 - 30 of 149 reviews
March 30, 2020
The vibe is closer to the 1st book, and I really liked it. New enemies, new challenges, new allies...
September 4, 2024
4 STARS. That’s what I’m talking about! This volume was amaaaazzing. It started off light—which I felt was really needed. Lots of joking and camaraderie. (Plus more LenaxShin moments *heart eyes* There were several parts I laughed out loud at (or would have if I didn’t want to look crazy to my family playing a game across the room—and yes I totally chose to read this book over playing a game with my family at Thanksgiving.)
Later on, the book started to kick it up a notch. I super liked the themes in this books. It was just so good. Gaaaahhh. It has to do with artificial intelligence and the kinds of Legion that mimic human thought processes and brains. Just basic humanity stuff.
It also talks about human nature, and an example is how the Federacy is now treating the 86 like victims and painting the Republic as pure evil for doing what they did. (Not saying they’re wrong, but I’m not talking about that) It’s kind of just how the Federacy people want to feel good and superior by being “better” and more moral humans than the Republic. Like they wouldn’t have done the same thing had they been part of the Republic, because fundamentally, humans are all capable of the same atrocities, even if they don’t admit it.
Also, now that there are a few other 86s around, it’s interesting to see their colors show too. There’s one who hates the Republic, and when she sees dying and dead Alba from there, she doesn’t feel an ounce of pity. You get it because of how she was treated, but still, it’s easy to see how quickly someone can turn into what they hate.
I think it’s all just interesting to think about it. No matter what, it’s not actually one person or group who is discriminated against. It’s people combined with situations.
There was one line that I felt summed it up:
“Humans are all the same, no matter where you go. That’s all there is to it.”
-Shin
CONTENT NOTE: This had several uses of strong language.
Also, I just want to mention that while I enjoy all the theme aspects of this series it is in no way preachy. That’s all :)
Later on, the book started to kick it up a notch. I super liked the themes in this books. It was just so good. Gaaaahhh. It has to do with artificial intelligence and the kinds of Legion that mimic human thought processes and brains. Just basic humanity stuff.
It also talks about human nature, and an example is how the Federacy is now treating the 86 like victims and painting the Republic as pure evil for doing what they did. (Not saying they’re wrong, but I’m not talking about that) It’s kind of just how the Federacy people want to feel good and superior by being “better” and more moral humans than the Republic. Like they wouldn’t have done the same thing had they been part of the Republic, because fundamentally, humans are all capable of the same atrocities, even if they don’t admit it.
Also, now that there are a few other 86s around, it’s interesting to see their colors show too. There’s one who hates the Republic, and when she sees dying and dead Alba from there, she doesn’t feel an ounce of pity. You get it because of how she was treated, but still, it’s easy to see how quickly someone can turn into what they hate.
I think it’s all just interesting to think about it. No matter what, it’s not actually one person or group who is discriminated against. It’s people combined with situations.
There was one line that I felt summed it up:
“Humans are all the same, no matter where you go. That’s all there is to it.”
-Shin
CONTENT NOTE: This had several uses of strong language.
Also, I just want to mention that while I enjoy all the theme aspects of this series it is in no way preachy. That’s all :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 22, 2021
Awesome volume! The first is superb, the second and third suffered a bit from spreading the story across two books but I really liked how it explored Shin's state of mind, and this one is full of tactics, action and dark new twists but also begins with a lighter section that finally have Lena and Shin meeting face to face, so it has everything. I was just flying through the last hundred or so pages, I couldn't put the book down!
In this volume a new unit is formed, with the 86 (not just Shin and his friends but other people who aren't bound by Republic anymore too) as their core, Lena as their tactical commander. They are tasked with infiltrating an underground facility and eliminate Legion within. But of course they discover a lot more than their anticipated. Before that, they have a little time to get acquainted with each other and it was nice to read their relationship slowly developing. And to throw a little more ingredients to the pot, Annette is also transferring to the same base.
Lena is now more hardened commander but also outside the battles she's sometimes thrown off by Shin who she hasn't been in the same room with before. I liked seeing more of both sides of her. But oh, now I really wanna read about her side of that two year gap between volumes one and four!
Shin looks like he has got over the emptiness that he was left with after dealing with his brother but there's still a lot of unpack there within him, not for that specific issue anymore but other things. I really liked how the volume ended even though it was sad.....
About other characters: I mostly liked how Annette's thing played out. I don't have patience for Frederica when she's acting jealous but when she's helping with the missions, I don't mind her. I liked how Theo got to take a bit of leading position in the middle of battle. I wish we had got a little more stuff about him, Raiden, Anju and Kurena but what crumbs we did, I ate gladly. Shiden was okay, I'm not usually a fan of that type of character but I don't dislike her either.
Asato geeks out over the mech and gun stuff so hard and I love it! And her afterwords are fun reads. Finally, this volume has the most beautiful cover of them all.
In this volume a new unit is formed, with the 86 (not just Shin and his friends but other people who aren't bound by Republic anymore too) as their core, Lena as their tactical commander. They are tasked with infiltrating an underground facility and eliminate Legion within. But of course they discover a lot more than their anticipated. Before that, they have a little time to get acquainted with each other and it was nice to read their relationship slowly developing. And to throw a little more ingredients to the pot, Annette is also transferring to the same base.
Lena is now more hardened commander but also outside the battles she's sometimes thrown off by Shin who she hasn't been in the same room with before. I liked seeing more of both sides of her. But oh, now I really wanna read about her side of that two year gap between volumes one and four!
Shin looks like he has got over the emptiness that he was left with after dealing with his brother but there's still a lot of unpack there within him, not for that specific issue anymore but other things. I really liked how the volume ended even though it was sad.....
About other characters: I mostly liked how Annette's thing played out. I don't have patience for Frederica when she's acting jealous but when she's helping with the missions, I don't mind her. I liked how Theo got to take a bit of leading position in the middle of battle. I wish we had got a little more stuff about him, Raiden, Anju and Kurena but what crumbs we did, I ate gladly. Shiden was okay, I'm not usually a fan of that type of character but I don't dislike her either.
Asato geeks out over the mech and gun stuff so hard and I love it! And her afterwords are fun reads. Finally, this volume has the most beautiful cover of them all.
April 7, 2023
chad book
March 23, 2022
I start this volume right after the S1 anime adaptation ends.
I love how basically it blends the right amount of slight romance and heavy action. The Legion are getting more vicious, the Republic despite their fall are still a bunch of racist imperialist, and the squad are just children thrown into war. I love how Asato-sensei manage to weave all of that in such an amazing story, but still manage to keep the fluff and little romance. Can't wait to see more on how this story unravels.
Off to vol. 5 now.
I love how basically it blends the right amount of slight romance and heavy action. The Legion are getting more vicious, the Republic despite their fall are still a bunch of racist imperialist, and the squad are just children thrown into war. I love how Asato-sensei manage to weave all of that in such an amazing story, but still manage to keep the fluff and little romance. Can't wait to see more on how this story unravels.
Off to vol. 5 now.
April 29, 2024
every time shin smiles because of something lena does a fairy is born
Read
July 19, 2022算是過度篇，另外展開世界觀的一集，從這裡開始我就失去了道標（誤）
是說每次的對手都太強了吧，感覺好像把強度調到太高的電動，看辛拼死拼活我都累了啊
是說每次的對手都太強了吧，感覺好像把強度調到太高的電動，看辛拼死拼活我都累了啊
June 16, 2022
«— Shin... ¿crees que este mundo es hermoso?»
Lo fui diciendo a medida que lo leía, y aquí lo reitero, el Vol. 4 de Eighty-six es la mejor novela de esta saga (de lo que llevo obviamente).
Los últimos dos volumenes sentí que estaban alargando una trama que pudo haber concluido tranquilamente en el volumen 2, y el creador de estas novelas fue conciente de eso, y aquí te presentan un nuevo arco que deseo que lo adapten en el anime, porque me parece increíble.
No sé que más decir, como no sé si en el quinto volumen arruinen todo, decidí dejar esto en un 4.5.
Pero es mejor que el primer volumen, sin duda.
Necesito ver esas últimas páginas adaptadas en el anime, tiene mucho potencial cinematográfico y no podía dejar de llorar, Lena y Shin tienen mi corazón.
Y bueno, ya quejándome un poco siento que dejaron muy de lado a Kurena y a Anju en este volumen, entiendo que por la trama no hacía falta su participación, pero después de dos volumenes dónde ellas tenían participación constante pues si me chocó un poco.
Y pos ya nada, a seguir con esta saga porque no pienso esperar a la adaptación, necesito saber como sigue.
Lo fui diciendo a medida que lo leía, y aquí lo reitero, el Vol. 4 de Eighty-six es la mejor novela de esta saga (de lo que llevo obviamente).
Los últimos dos volumenes sentí que estaban alargando una trama que pudo haber concluido tranquilamente en el volumen 2, y el creador de estas novelas fue conciente de eso, y aquí te presentan un nuevo arco que deseo que lo adapten en el anime, porque me parece increíble.
No sé que más decir, como no sé si en el quinto volumen arruinen todo, decidí dejar esto en un 4.5.
Pero es mejor que el primer volumen, sin duda.
Necesito ver esas últimas páginas adaptadas en el anime, tiene mucho potencial cinematográfico y no podía dejar de llorar, Lena y Shin tienen mi corazón.
Y bueno, ya quejándome un poco siento que dejaron muy de lado a Kurena y a Anju en este volumen, entiendo que por la trama no hacía falta su participación, pero después de dos volumenes dónde ellas tenían participación constante pues si me chocó un poco.
Y pos ya nada, a seguir con esta saga porque no pienso esperar a la adaptación, necesito saber como sigue.
July 2, 2025
ngl reading 80% of this at an ungodly hour gave me shivers. BUT shinlena came and delivered crumbs
December 4, 2024
Now past the what the anime covers and it’s like bro, keep adapting it. The series still stays pretty strong narratively and I like that this book introduced I suppose a bit more horror elements regarding the Legion.
My only issue is how the author has to keep reiterating how oppressed the 86 are. I know prejudice is a core theme of the book series and it’s a very important subject to cover in a book, but after being four books in it just becomes very redundant with how often I find it has to be emphasized.
My only issue is how the author has to keep reiterating how oppressed the 86 are. I know prejudice is a core theme of the book series and it’s a very important subject to cover in a book, but after being four books in it just becomes very redundant with how often I find it has to be emphasized.
September 14, 2025
Absolutely phenomenal volume, it starts off light with some AMAZING ShinLena content that had me giggling, and now finally everyone can interact and there's more characters! Yay!!
The battlefield this time was so interesting and I was genuinely tense throughout several scenes, picture the it's so over-we're so back graph, that was how I felt for the entirety of the operation
I love how this series fundamentally explores human nature and the multifaceted reactions to war :')
Special mention to the designs of those Legions because they look cool as fuck
The battlefield this time was so interesting and I was genuinely tense throughout several scenes, picture the it's so over-we're so back graph, that was how I felt for the entirety of the operation
I love how this series fundamentally explores human nature and the multifaceted reactions to war :')
Special mention to the designs of those Legions because they look cool as fuck
August 11, 2025
3.75, gracias al anime pude imaginarme todo esto porque de otra forma mi cerebro no daría para tanto la vrdd🙂↕️
pero ay ya quiero que veamos más mucha más interacción entre Shin y Lena (que ya sean novios porfas) jiji
y lo último que dijeron sobre la creadora de las máquinas diomio
pero ay ya quiero que veamos más mucha más interacción entre Shin y Lena (que ya sean novios porfas) jiji
y lo último que dijeron sobre la creadora de las máquinas diomio
May 20, 2026
3.5’ ⭐️ Shin and Lena are the cutest idiots ever! I’m glad it started off lighter after the hellhole that was volume 3.
The deep dive into the 86’s mindset was incredible, and as Lena said, it truly is.. sad.
The deep dive into the 86’s mindset was incredible, and as Lena said, it truly is.. sad.
July 7, 2026
It was a struggle to get through this. I loved the beginning but from the 30% mark onwards it just could not keep my attention. A pity because I’d stumbled onto something i thought might give me a lot of reading material.
May 1, 2021
在地鐵軌道、地下街戰鬥，似乎很多人不喜歡這集，但個人覺得這集其實還OK。光學迷彩、機體鍊成（誤）工廠、敵軍指揮官「來找我吧」等等橋段，有認真在鋪伏筆。
September 19, 2025
Nice read sadly these books are soooo short, asato asato could do 100+ pages more and go in more details and it would improve the novels even more
May 21, 2022
Sốc đường với OTP💔💔💔
/insert sound Trời ơi cứu tui cứu tui chết tui trời ơi trên Tiktok/
/insert sound Trời ơi cứu tui cứu tui chết tui trời ơi trên Tiktok/
November 18, 2023
ไม่ว่าเราจะช่วยไปเท่าไหร่ คนที่มีอคติคิดลบก็ยังไม่เปลี่ยนไป
January 1, 2024
Después de los 3 volúmenes anteriores estas interacciones son justo lo que estaba esperando.
El volumen comienza siendo bastante "cotidiano" por así decirlo porque ya están todos los personajes reunidos y la situación ha cambiado mucho. La República fue prácticamente exterminada, pero gracias a Lena pudieron ponerse en contacto con la Federación y ambas tienen que empezar a cooperar. Aunque en los dos gobiernos sigue habiendo grandes diferencias entre sus ideologías (concretamente con la absurda superioridad de Primevére que es la que parece ser el alto cargo de la República, para pesar de Lena) y los 86 siguen sin pertenecer a ninguno de los dos.
Me hace mucha gracia cómo desde el primer momento se llevan de mal Shin y Shiden (Cyclops), sobre todo la escena de la pelea nada más conocerse. Es lo típico que parece que puede ir en broma, pero realmente cada uno va en serio (ejem para nada se nota que se tienen envidia el uno del otro por la relación de cada uno con Lena).
Puede parecer que hay algo de calma, pero esto es la guerra así que no hay pausa. En este caso se centran en la destrucción de Almirante, una unidad de control de producción de energía que, evidentemente, está bastante protegida y donde durante la operación se producen numerosas bajas.
No lo he mencionado hasta ahora, pero la habilidad de Shin me parece increíble. Es tanto algo muy ventajoso como un tormento para él y me gusta mucho cómo el para-RAID permite que los que están en contacto con él perciban las mismas voces (llantos, gritos y gemidos de angustia de las almas de los muertos en las máquinas de la Legión) porque eso hace que puedan sentir y escuchar lo mismo y puedan comprender tanto la situación como a lo que él está expuesto constantemente.
En este volumen se puede ver cómo, a pesar de adquirir esta habilidad cuando era bastante pequeño, aún le puede afectar hasta el punto de perder el conocimiento en el momento que se incrementa la intensidad de las voces (debido al aumento de pastores en la zona) y lo peligroso que puede llegar a ser.
¿Qué son los Pastores? A diferencia de las ovejas negras, los pastores tienen la estructura cerebral de los muertos bastante intacta por lo que son mucho más inteligentes y son capaces de liderar como un humano vivo.
Que bueno, a partir de aquí se descubre que los están produciendo en masa así que se les llama Perros pastores.
Y ya para terminar.
Me encanta ver cómo evoluciona la relación entre Shin y Lena, cómo actúan y se comportan el uno con el otro sin ni siquiera darse cuenta ninguno de ellos, pero el resto observándoles lo ven todo tan evidente.
Que, relacionando esto con lo anterior, es destacable el momento en torno a las últimas 60 páginas aprox mientras Shin combate con la unidad desconocida "invisible" totalmente evadido, cómo las palabras de Lena esta vez sí que consiguen que vuelva en sí.
Aissss sí es que me encantan estos dos.
Aunque no todo es bonito, justo en el epílogo parece que empieza a surgir la diferencia de opiniones entre ellos y sus diferentes formas de ver el mundo.
"— Shin... ¿crees que este mundo es hermoso?"
***********************
Relectura 2023:
Sigue siendo un auténtico 5/5, adoro esta historia y nunca me cansaré de volver a estas páginas.
El volumen comienza siendo bastante "cotidiano" por así decirlo porque ya están todos los personajes reunidos y la situación ha cambiado mucho. La República fue prácticamente exterminada, pero gracias a Lena pudieron ponerse en contacto con la Federación y ambas tienen que empezar a cooperar. Aunque en los dos gobiernos sigue habiendo grandes diferencias entre sus ideologías (concretamente con la absurda superioridad de Primevére que es la que parece ser el alto cargo de la República, para pesar de Lena) y los 86 siguen sin pertenecer a ninguno de los dos.
Me hace mucha gracia cómo desde el primer momento se llevan de mal Shin y Shiden (Cyclops), sobre todo la escena de la pelea nada más conocerse. Es lo típico que parece que puede ir en broma, pero realmente cada uno va en serio (ejem para nada se nota que se tienen envidia el uno del otro por la relación de cada uno con Lena).
Puede parecer que hay algo de calma, pero esto es la guerra así que no hay pausa. En este caso se centran en la destrucción de Almirante, una unidad de control de producción de energía que, evidentemente, está bastante protegida y donde durante la operación se producen numerosas bajas.
No lo he mencionado hasta ahora, pero la habilidad de Shin me parece increíble. Es tanto algo muy ventajoso como un tormento para él y me gusta mucho cómo el para-RAID permite que los que están en contacto con él perciban las mismas voces (llantos, gritos y gemidos de angustia de las almas de los muertos en las máquinas de la Legión) porque eso hace que puedan sentir y escuchar lo mismo y puedan comprender tanto la situación como a lo que él está expuesto constantemente.
En este volumen se puede ver cómo, a pesar de adquirir esta habilidad cuando era bastante pequeño, aún le puede afectar hasta el punto de perder el conocimiento en el momento que se incrementa la intensidad de las voces (debido al aumento de pastores en la zona) y lo peligroso que puede llegar a ser.
¿Qué son los Pastores? A diferencia de las ovejas negras, los pastores tienen la estructura cerebral de los muertos bastante intacta por lo que son mucho más inteligentes y son capaces de liderar como un humano vivo.
Que bueno, a partir de aquí se descubre que los están produciendo en masa así que se les llama Perros pastores.
Y ya para terminar.
Me encanta ver cómo evoluciona la relación entre Shin y Lena, cómo actúan y se comportan el uno con el otro sin ni siquiera darse cuenta ninguno de ellos, pero el resto observándoles lo ven todo tan evidente.
Que, relacionando esto con lo anterior, es destacable el momento en torno a las últimas 60 páginas aprox mientras Shin combate con la unidad desconocida "invisible" totalmente evadido, cómo las palabras de Lena esta vez sí que consiguen que vuelva en sí.
Aissss sí es que me encantan estos dos.
Aunque no todo es bonito, justo en el epílogo parece que empieza a surgir la diferencia de opiniones entre ellos y sus diferentes formas de ver el mundo.
"— Shin... ¿crees que este mundo es hermoso?"
***********************
Relectura 2023:
Sigue siendo un auténtico 5/5, adoro esta historia y nunca me cansaré de volver a estas páginas.
May 4, 2022
more like a 3.5, definitely liked it better than the last 2 volumes (less Frederica 😌)
August 11, 2026
a small portion of slice-of-life, a healthy dash of death, an egregious amount of grotesque warcrimes. the perfect recipe. \^w^/
okay, review time. oh gosh, where to start. i have so many thoughts about this volume that i just want to gush about it endlessly. i also have yet another bombardment of quotes… i just love the writing in 86 too much. i love 86 too much, period.
- author’s note
asato asato is known for writing more like a traditional novelist than a typical light novel author, but i’d take it a step further. the world-building, depth, themes, character development, character relationships… the way all of the aforementioned elements influence each other… 86 stands head and shoulders above a good chunk of traditionally published fantasy novels i’ve read. (also helps that apocalyptic / survival-of-humanity stories, romance subplots, and psychological themes happen to align almost perfectly with my tastes. ^^)
my favorite part about this volume was seeing how lena and shin’s psychological scars evolve alongside their relationship. they bring light to each other's wounds then inspire each other to face those wounds, just by the nature of their compassion… bc they care about each other so much urghurghurgh T^T
whether in combat, out of combat, or in a cutesy romcom scene, shinlena reigns supreme. can’t stop won’t stop thinking about them :’D
now for the actual plot. the duality of this book is insane, had me smiling nonstop one second then thinking i was reading a grimdark novel the next. the operation felt like a thriller movie. the last battle had me on the edge of my seat (best written battle sequence so far!). and all the legion developments… spine-chilling. this arc is epic.
if i had to pick a con, it’d be that the same themes are reiterated multiple times, so you really can’t miss the point. but i’d rather this somewhat forceful delivery than an overly ambiguous, vague approach that leaves you unsatiated.
and who cares, really, when each delivery is worded so beautifully:
okay, review time. oh gosh, where to start. i have so many thoughts about this volume that i just want to gush about it endlessly. i also have yet another bombardment of quotes… i just love the writing in 86 too much. i love 86 too much, period.
In fairy tales, the evil witch is always defeated, the princess gets saved, and everyone gets their happily ever after. But do people always necessarily achieve peace and joy after evil is vanquished, the tragedy ends, and everyone is saved from adversity? Even with the wounds they’ve been inflicted with left as they are?
This story of these boys and girls who know only the battlefield, 86—Eighty-Six, is about what lies beyond the happily ever after.
- author’s note
asato asato is known for writing more like a traditional novelist than a typical light novel author, but i’d take it a step further. the world-building, depth, themes, character development, character relationships… the way all of the aforementioned elements influence each other… 86 stands head and shoulders above a good chunk of traditionally published fantasy novels i’ve read. (also helps that apocalyptic / survival-of-humanity stories, romance subplots, and psychological themes happen to align almost perfectly with my tastes. ^^)
my favorite part about this volume was seeing how lena and shin’s psychological scars evolve alongside their relationship. they bring light to each other's wounds then inspire each other to face those wounds, just by the nature of their compassion… bc they care about each other so much urghurghurgh T^T
“…I’m not making a tragic face.”
For some reason, her voice came out awkwardly, as if her nose was stuffy… As if she was on the verge of tears.
“Yes, you are. To be honest…it’s kind of been irritating me for a while now.”
Even as he called her face irritating, his tone and gaze were filled with concern.
“When I said I wanted you to remember us, it wasn’t so you would remember our deaths. I didn’t tell you to live on just so you could spend every day trying to atone for your sins… I didn’t leave you with those words as a punishment, so that you would wear such a tortured expression…”
As if to say he wasn’t accusing her of anything…
“…So stop wearing that macabre uniform. It doesn’t suit you… And neither does this hair.”
After a moment of hesitation, he gently scooped up a strand of Lena’s long, silken hair. The lone streak was dyed red, meant to represent the blood of the Eighty-Six.
“You don’t have to do this anymore. You have no sins to atone for. No one’s condemning you, so please stop—stop trying to bear a cross that doesn’t exist.”
“You’re thinking about how you can’t let us Eighty-Six die for Republic citizens, aren’t you?”
As he pointed out Lena’s concerns accurately, his quiet voice was racked with concern.
“I don’t understand why you can’t separate yourself from the Republic, Colonel, but I do understand that regardless of the reason, you simply can’t. You think these sins are your own because you’re a citizen of that country. But that doesn’t mean you have to pretend you’re as coldhearted as the Republic, Colonel.”
You don’t have to act the part of the Bloodstained Queen who fights with no one by her side.
“So don’t force yourself to do things you shouldn’t have to… I’ll say it again. It doesn’t suit you, Colonel.”
And that was why Shin and the rest of the Eighty-Six were the same as they’d been when they were trapped in the Eighty-Sixth Sector. Clinging to their last remaining vestiges of pride and never looking back on what they’d had to cut away to preserve it. Just as they’d been when they ran through that battlefield of certain death, sealed by human malice—the Eighty-Sixth Sector, where the whole world was their enemy. Without the happiness of the past to look back on, they couldn’t imagine knowing happiness in the future.
They’d survived and gained freedom. But they had to cast away the strength to imagine the happiness ahead, and even the strength to wish for it.
She thought she stood on the same battlefield as them. That she had finally caught up to them and would fight by their side from now on. But that wasn’t the case. They might stand on the same battlefield and throw themselves into the same battles… But she saw the world in a way that was too radically different from their own perception.
I am a Republic citizen. The side that stole from them and chipped away at them. So saying this is probably terrible hubris. But even knowing this…
“That makes me…so sad.”
A single tear rolled down her soft white cheek.
whether in combat, out of combat, or in a cutesy romcom scene, shinlena reigns supreme. can’t stop won’t stop thinking about them :’D
This was a skill Lena had gained precisely because she’d spent so long commanding from a distant control room, where she’d had to rely on fragmentary information from the battlefield covered by the Eintagsfliege’s jamming. It made Shin wonder what kind of fighting Lena had seen in the Republic ever since the Special Reconnaissance mission two years ago. Suddenly, he realized he had absolutely no idea.
And that was because he’d never asked. No one, himself included, had ever thought to ask Lena about that. Lena, on the other hand, seemed to want to ask all sorts of questions. She must have had…a lot on her mind.
now for the actual plot. the duality of this book is insane, had me smiling nonstop one second then thinking i was reading a grimdark novel the next. the operation felt like a thriller movie. the last battle had me on the edge of my seat (best written battle sequence so far!). and all the legion developments… spine-chilling. this arc is epic.
The concept humankind couldn’t achieve despite pursuing it for thousands of years—equality—had been achieved by the mindless killing machines known as the Legion…in a manner that was all too ironic for humanity.
if i had to pick a con, it’d be that the same themes are reiterated multiple times, so you really can’t miss the point. but i’d rather this somewhat forceful delivery than an overly ambiguous, vague approach that leaves you unsatiated.
and who cares, really, when each delivery is worded so beautifully:
The world wasn’t beautiful to them. No, maybe it was, but it certainly wasn’t kind. And people weren’t kind, nor were they good. They certainly weren’t beautiful. And that wasn’t limited to the Republic. It was just as true for the Federacy… For all people. The Eighty-Six had all but given up on the human world, deeming it cruel and wretched…and hopeless above all.
February 9, 2022
*Spoilers*
The author in the vol. 3 afterword said that finally this would be a lighter novel. I would say that relatively speaking it was. There was still fighting and suspense, but overall it was light.
The main focus of this volume was the growth of Shin and Lena’s relationship. This was a nice change of pace in my opinion, and let the readers see the two protagonists I redact face to face with each other. I am a sucker for action romance, especially Romeo and Juliet type plot lines, so this slow development is top tier for me.
The non-combatant theme paired with a focus around Shin and Lena meant we saw a lot of individual growth from them as well. I enjoy seeing a conversation take place the. Getting the internal dialogue from both sides. I think due to Shin having more time in the series pushed me to enjoy his development more. Watching him go from neutral, to a wild beast, to a visibly caring person has been fantastic. I do get the feeling that his attachment at some point is going to hinder his fighting ability and maybe get him killed.
Though I enjoyed all these points I ended up giving this volume 4 stars. Throughout it I did not find myself motivated to read as I was normally, as well as my mind wandering. I do not know why this was. It may have been fatigue from the series or due to the story being so different from the previous 3 volumes. This forced me to drop a star off.
I also fear and feel like we are overdue for a core character death.
The author in the vol. 3 afterword said that finally this would be a lighter novel. I would say that relatively speaking it was. There was still fighting and suspense, but overall it was light.
The main focus of this volume was the growth of Shin and Lena’s relationship. This was a nice change of pace in my opinion, and let the readers see the two protagonists I redact face to face with each other. I am a sucker for action romance, especially Romeo and Juliet type plot lines, so this slow development is top tier for me.
The non-combatant theme paired with a focus around Shin and Lena meant we saw a lot of individual growth from them as well. I enjoy seeing a conversation take place the. Getting the internal dialogue from both sides. I think due to Shin having more time in the series pushed me to enjoy his development more. Watching him go from neutral, to a wild beast, to a visibly caring person has been fantastic. I do get the feeling that his attachment at some point is going to hinder his fighting ability and maybe get him killed.
Though I enjoyed all these points I ended up giving this volume 4 stars. Throughout it I did not find myself motivated to read as I was normally, as well as my mind wandering. I do not know why this was. It may have been fatigue from the series or due to the story being so different from the previous 3 volumes. This forced me to drop a star off.
I also fear and feel like we are overdue for a core character death.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 9, 2024
This volume was more in the vein of the first one, balanced by a healthy dose of sweetness and maybe a little bit more of bitterness than I would have liked. Alongside exploring Shin's character as usual, this volume also delves deep into the psyche of kids who are forced into battle since a very young age. We see it mostly from Lena's perspective, who, like the reader is unable to understand completely what makes the 86 tick.
It's a very poignant and terrible situation that the author presents here but as disturbing a number of the moments were, this was also an amazing read through and through. With a complex set of characters and engagingly rendered bits of prosaic action, this volume carries all the greatness of the first volume to the next level.
My only complaint is a few inappropriate passages and sentences that seem to be solely included for male fanservice. But I'll forgive them mostly because the story is still as amazing as always and though kinda fanservice-y, these scenes weren't really all that terrible (compared to what you could find in other Japanese light novels/mangas) but yeah, it still bothered me a little.
Other than that small problem, the series remains as enjoyable as ever! Can't wait to read volume 5...soon...I hope...
It's a very poignant and terrible situation that the author presents here but as disturbing a number of the moments were, this was also an amazing read through and through. With a complex set of characters and engagingly rendered bits of prosaic action, this volume carries all the greatness of the first volume to the next level.
My only complaint is a few inappropriate passages and sentences that seem to be solely included for male fanservice. But I'll forgive them mostly because the story is still as amazing as always and though kinda fanservice-y, these scenes weren't really all that terrible (compared to what you could find in other Japanese light novels/mangas) but yeah, it still bothered me a little.
Other than that small problem, the series remains as enjoyable as ever! Can't wait to read volume 5...soon...I hope...
May 5, 2021
Finally, a new arc ! Setelah 3 volume menceritakan arc yang sama, akhirnya kita menuju ke arc yang baru.
Arc baru ini tidak kalah menarik dari arc sebelumnya. Meneruskan cerita dari volume sebelumnya, saat ini Federation sedang berusaha merebut kembali Republic of San Magnolia dari tangan Legion.
Dari sisi cerita, alur nya secara general menarik dan seru. Namun, rasanya ada beberapa scene yang terlalu bergantung pada kebetulan. Berbeda dengan volume - volume sebelumnya yang lebih masuk akal(?) dan character driven.
Ada beberapa karakter baru yang berhasil bertahan hidup sampai akhir di volume ini. Kuharap, author tidak cepat - cepat "membunuh" mereka di volume berikutnya..
Ada 1 hal yang baru kusadari di volume 4 ini yaitu, Spearhead Squadron selalu digambarkan lagi-dan-lagi sebagai child soldier. Namun, ilustrasi yang dibuat rasanya sangat jauh dari gambar anak - anak (looking at you, Raiden).
Arc baru ini tidak kalah menarik dari arc sebelumnya. Meneruskan cerita dari volume sebelumnya, saat ini Federation sedang berusaha merebut kembali Republic of San Magnolia dari tangan Legion.
Dari sisi cerita, alur nya secara general menarik dan seru. Namun, rasanya ada beberapa scene yang terlalu bergantung pada kebetulan. Berbeda dengan volume - volume sebelumnya yang lebih masuk akal(?) dan character driven.
Ada beberapa karakter baru yang berhasil bertahan hidup sampai akhir di volume ini. Kuharap, author tidak cepat - cepat "membunuh" mereka di volume berikutnya..
Ada 1 hal yang baru kusadari di volume 4 ini yaitu, Spearhead Squadron selalu digambarkan lagi-dan-lagi sebagai child soldier. Namun, ilustrasi yang dibuat rasanya sangat jauh dari gambar anak - anak (looking at you, Raiden).
December 15, 2021
ในที่สุดที่เลน่าและชินก็ได้มาเจอกันจริงๆสักที ครึ่งแรกของเล่มคือการฟินเลย ผู้เขียนทำการปูคู่นี้มาให้เราเชียร์ตอนทั้งเล่มเลย บทสนาของทั้งคู่เนี้ยมองจากดาวอังคารยังดูออกเลยว่าไมใช่แค่ผู้บังคับบัญชากับผู้ใต้บังคับบัญชา 55555555 แต่เหมือนทั้งคู่จะยังไม่รู้ตัว? แต่คนทั้งหน่วยคงจะรู้กันหมดแล้วล่ะมั้ง55555
นอกจากบทกุ๊กกิ๊กๆแล้ว บทบู๊ก็จัดเต็มไม่แพ้กัน พร้อมดราม่าเรื่องสาธารณรัฐของนางเอกที่ไม่รู้ว่าจะคลี่คลายยังไง เพราะเลน่าก็ยึดติดกับเรื่องนี้เกิ๊นนนน โทษตัวเองตลอดตั้งแต่เล่มแรก จุดอาจเป็นดราม่าของคู่นี้ได้อ่ะป่าว?
อยากอ่านแล่มต่อไปแล้วววววววว สนพ.ช่วยออกมาอีกไวๆนะะะ แพงเท่าไรก็ซื้ออออ
นอกจากบทกุ๊กกิ๊กๆแล้ว บทบู๊ก็จัดเต็มไม่แพ้กัน พร้อมดราม่าเรื่องสาธารณรัฐของนางเอกที่ไม่รู้ว่าจะคลี่คลายยังไง เพราะเลน่าก็ยึดติดกับเรื่องนี้เกิ๊นนนน โทษตัวเองตลอดตั้งแต่เล่มแรก จุดอาจเป็นดราม่าของคู่นี้ได้อ่ะป่าว?
อยากอ่านแล่มต่อไปแล้วววววววว สนพ.ช่วยออกมาอีกไวๆนะะะ แพงเท่าไรก็ซื้ออออ
March 28, 2021
Bem interessante o caminho que essa história está prosseguindo e se a ideia dos traumas e sacrifícios para se sobreviver forem explorados mais afundo, vai ser um ótimo arco de desenvolvimento dos personagens.
September 9, 2023
This book has several new evolutions of the enemy that all have somewhat horrifying implications. It's a good continuation of the story, but it also has a bit of a slow start.
August 27, 2022
¡Me encantó este tomo!
Por fin pude retomarlo luego de mucho rato y fue muy disfrutable. Tuve que llevarlo despacio debido a que no estaba acostumbrada a ciertas descripciones técnicas o a las escenas en batalla, pero una vez que agarre el hilo fue muy atrapante.
Me gustó como empezó con un ambiente más tranquilo, enfocándose en como Shin y Lena se iban conociendo más (y obviamente con coqueteo de por medio) sin mencionar como todo el compendio los shippea. Me da tanta gracia y pena como ese momento hermoso del primer encuentro entre Shin y Lena se hizo de conocimiento público en el ejército, nadie ahí le da un respiro al pobre Shin con ello xD
También está el hecho de la falta de recuerdos de Shin y su pasado con Annette. Cómo ella debía soltar la imagen del pasado, al lado de su culpa y como Shin debe dejar de huir del mismo. Y eso de huir no es solo cosa de Shin, sino de todos los 86; es una asunto comprensible, pues es algo que ocupaban hacer para sobrevivir, lo cual es triste, pero como Lena pensó, eso solo los hará volverse máquinas que viven para la guerra, justo como la Legión.
Esto se vuelve en el primer conflicto real entre ambos - lo que entienden por identidad, pues no pueden entenderse debido a los diferentes orígenes de los que provienen. Fue bueno poder ver ese choque cultural tan natural entre ambos y aunque al final llegan a cierto nivel de entendimiento, no dudo que aún haya camino por recorrer en ese tema. Igual con lo de Annette, al final dejó ir en cierta forma ese apego por Shin, aunque él comenzó a recordar más cosas sobre ella, entendió que todo ha cambiado y no hay manera de recuperar el lazo que tenían de niños. Además que obvio se dio cuenta del crush de su bestie con él... Esperaba un poco más de drama respecto a esto pero supongo que está bien, solo espero que Shin y Annette puedan ser amigos de nuevo.
Respecto a la guerra, como dije, a veces me costó seguirla pero fue por mi parte. Creo que estuvo bien detallada y bastante cruda, un par de escenas me hicieron revolver el estómago de solo imaginarlas. Una vez agarre la idea de cómo era el complejo, fue divertido imaginar las peleas. La pobre Annette ya casi no la cuenta y Shin igual (pero con él no es novedad, siempre se anda petateando en todas las peleas xD), debió ser muy duro para Lena estar consciente que tal vez tendría que dejarlo solo o cuando por fin dio señales de vida, casi se pierde así mismo again, lo que me lleva a ¡Que estrés con ese nuevo aparato! Nada más no se moría con nada, y al final hasta se podía transformar en otras cosas con ese líquido vital para la Legión...
Además de todo ese asunto de los cerebros que encontraron, los refugiados que dejaron a su suerte porque ya estaban demasiado rotos como para poder volver a la superficie (o es lo que Cyclops se dijo para justificarse), el paradero de quien creo a la Legión ya que dudo que esté muerta, la Legión y sus diferentes aparatos cada vez se vuelve más fuerte y el panorama se vuelve más desesperanzado... ¡Y es el volumen 4! Me da miedo pensar lo que puede pasar en todos los que me faltan, pero me quedé super enganchada, me va a costar contenerme para seguir sin descuidar mis pendientes... Pero habrá que esperar
PD: espero con ansias esas vacaciones. Los comentarios del autor fueron muy graciosos! El mismo shippea a ShinLena and it shows
Por fin pude retomarlo luego de mucho rato y fue muy disfrutable. Tuve que llevarlo despacio debido a que no estaba acostumbrada a ciertas descripciones técnicas o a las escenas en batalla, pero una vez que agarre el hilo fue muy atrapante.
Me gustó como empezó con un ambiente más tranquilo, enfocándose en como Shin y Lena se iban conociendo más (y obviamente con coqueteo de por medio) sin mencionar como todo el compendio los shippea. Me da tanta gracia y pena como ese momento hermoso del primer encuentro entre Shin y Lena se hizo de conocimiento público en el ejército, nadie ahí le da un respiro al pobre Shin con ello xD
También está el hecho de la falta de recuerdos de Shin y su pasado con Annette. Cómo ella debía soltar la imagen del pasado, al lado de su culpa y como Shin debe dejar de huir del mismo. Y eso de huir no es solo cosa de Shin, sino de todos los 86; es una asunto comprensible, pues es algo que ocupaban hacer para sobrevivir, lo cual es triste, pero como Lena pensó, eso solo los hará volverse máquinas que viven para la guerra, justo como la Legión.
Esto se vuelve en el primer conflicto real entre ambos - lo que entienden por identidad, pues no pueden entenderse debido a los diferentes orígenes de los que provienen. Fue bueno poder ver ese choque cultural tan natural entre ambos y aunque al final llegan a cierto nivel de entendimiento, no dudo que aún haya camino por recorrer en ese tema. Igual con lo de Annette, al final dejó ir en cierta forma ese apego por Shin, aunque él comenzó a recordar más cosas sobre ella, entendió que todo ha cambiado y no hay manera de recuperar el lazo que tenían de niños. Además que obvio se dio cuenta del crush de su bestie con él... Esperaba un poco más de drama respecto a esto pero supongo que está bien, solo espero que Shin y Annette puedan ser amigos de nuevo.
Respecto a la guerra, como dije, a veces me costó seguirla pero fue por mi parte. Creo que estuvo bien detallada y bastante cruda, un par de escenas me hicieron revolver el estómago de solo imaginarlas. Una vez agarre la idea de cómo era el complejo, fue divertido imaginar las peleas. La pobre Annette ya casi no la cuenta y Shin igual (pero con él no es novedad, siempre se anda petateando en todas las peleas xD), debió ser muy duro para Lena estar consciente que tal vez tendría que dejarlo solo o cuando por fin dio señales de vida, casi se pierde así mismo again, lo que me lleva a ¡Que estrés con ese nuevo aparato! Nada más no se moría con nada, y al final hasta se podía transformar en otras cosas con ese líquido vital para la Legión...
Además de todo ese asunto de los cerebros que encontraron, los refugiados que dejaron a su suerte porque ya estaban demasiado rotos como para poder volver a la superficie (o es lo que Cyclops se dijo para justificarse), el paradero de quien creo a la Legión ya que dudo que esté muerta, la Legión y sus diferentes aparatos cada vez se vuelve más fuerte y el panorama se vuelve más desesperanzado... ¡Y es el volumen 4! Me da miedo pensar lo que puede pasar en todos los que me faltan, pero me quedé super enganchada, me va a costar contenerme para seguir sin descuidar mis pendientes... Pero habrá que esperar
PD: espero con ansias esas vacaciones. Los comentarios del autor fueron muy graciosos! El mismo shippea a ShinLena and it shows
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 31, 2026
Maybe it's because the shine has worn off, but I found this volume much worse than the previous three. Asato has an obvious enthusiasm for military strategy and a mind for interesting battles, but I think their writing skill - particularly when it comes to characters and interpersonal relationships - really needs some work. There's more time devoted to the downtime before battle, so it's much easier to notice Asato's poor characterisation and weak writing.
The same world-building from the first volume is repeated over and over again, without any further development or nuance. I never fully bought a nation founded on being a republic being able to flip into virulent, cartoonishly evil racism without any warning signs whatsoever, but I certainly don't understand it now, when almost their entire nation has been destroyed and only survives due to that same persecuted minority. The Eighty-Six are always described in the same boring manner - they're fighters, they can never leave the battlefield, they're so used to racism it just rolls right off of them, they can't even an imagine their futures, etc. There's an uninspired reliance on using the same metaphors to describe things as well: Lena's 'silver-bell-like voice'; the Reginliff's 'skeleton looking for their missing head'; the Republic's 'white pigs'. Most of them don't make sense or are uninteresting in the first iteration, and they never get any better with repeated use. With a stronger Lena presence in this volume, there's also more use of silent dialogue to convey surprise or confusion, which I personally hate and think is wholly unnecessary.
All of the female characters are sexualised and/or defined by their relation to Shin (except for Anju, who is barely in this one). The relationship between Shin and Lena is extremely awkward and really not befitting a seasoned fighter who survived a genocide and a commander who basically performed a military coup d'etat and commanded an entire nation's military forces for two years. Annette is super boring. Francesca continues to be the worst.
This is meant to be a 'lighter' entry before returning to the series' usual dark tone, so hopefully this is an outlier and not a sign of things to come.
The same world-building from the first volume is repeated over and over again, without any further development or nuance. I never fully bought a nation founded on being a republic being able to flip into virulent, cartoonishly evil racism without any warning signs whatsoever, but I certainly don't understand it now, when almost their entire nation has been destroyed and only survives due to that same persecuted minority. The Eighty-Six are always described in the same boring manner - they're fighters, they can never leave the battlefield, they're so used to racism it just rolls right off of them, they can't even an imagine their futures, etc. There's an uninspired reliance on using the same metaphors to describe things as well: Lena's 'silver-bell-like voice'; the Reginliff's 'skeleton looking for their missing head'; the Republic's 'white pigs'. Most of them don't make sense or are uninteresting in the first iteration, and they never get any better with repeated use. With a stronger Lena presence in this volume, there's also more use of silent dialogue to convey surprise or confusion, which I personally hate and think is wholly unnecessary.
All of the female characters are sexualised and/or defined by their relation to Shin (except for Anju, who is barely in this one). The relationship between Shin and Lena is extremely awkward and really not befitting a seasoned fighter who survived a genocide and a commander who basically performed a military coup d'etat and commanded an entire nation's military forces for two years. Annette is super boring. Francesca continues to be the worst.
This is meant to be a 'lighter' entry before returning to the series' usual dark tone, so hopefully this is an outlier and not a sign of things to come.
September 2, 2021
Volume 4 brought me back after Volumes 2 and 3 felt like a small step back from Volume 1.
Considering this is now post Volume 1 epilogue, everything from this point on is new. It starts off pretty light with the introduction of Lena to her new unit (the Eighty Six Strike Package) as their tactical commander. We get to see Lena and Shin meeting face to face and working through that initial (and still ongoing?) awkward phase. We start seeing their relationship and trust in each other grow through small conversations alone.
The main conflict of this volume is to infiltrate an underground facility in the fallen Republic battlefield and destroy all the Legion housed there. The story honestly felt a bit rushed through the battle, but that might have been because there were so many new characters that made it hard to follow at times.
In terms of character development:
- I like seeing Lena after being a more "seasoned" commander between Volumes 1-4.
- Shin's struggle with caring to think back to his past + having no real future goals is really interesting. His friendship(?) with Lena is much more meaningful to him than he realizes.
- Annette's side story of trying to apologize to Shin had a much smoother conclusion than I was expecting. I could have seen that as a very cheap distraction to the main storyline.
- Theo is a bro. I'm going to be so sad if he dies. Shin giving Theo the reigns for a bit was pretty neat.
- Frederica was pulled back from being a main side character like in Volumes 2-3, which was a good move. Most of her interactions in Volume 4 just gave "jealous little sister" vibes that I didn't care for.
- The rest of the OG Eighty-Six crew were close to non-existent, pushed back for Shiden. I would have preferred more of the OG crew but Shiden was semi-integral for the story. Hopefully Raiden/Anju/Kurena have more of a spotlight in the next volume.
Considering this is now post Volume 1 epilogue, everything from this point on is new. It starts off pretty light with the introduction of Lena to her new unit (the Eighty Six Strike Package) as their tactical commander. We get to see Lena and Shin meeting face to face and working through that initial (and still ongoing?) awkward phase. We start seeing their relationship and trust in each other grow through small conversations alone.
The main conflict of this volume is to infiltrate an underground facility in the fallen Republic battlefield and destroy all the Legion housed there. The story honestly felt a bit rushed through the battle, but that might have been because there were so many new characters that made it hard to follow at times.
In terms of character development:
- I like seeing Lena after being a more "seasoned" commander between Volumes 1-4.
- Shin's struggle with caring to think back to his past + having no real future goals is really interesting. His friendship(?) with Lena is much more meaningful to him than he realizes.
- Annette's side story of trying to apologize to Shin had a much smoother conclusion than I was expecting. I could have seen that as a very cheap distraction to the main storyline.
- Theo is a bro. I'm going to be so sad if he dies. Shin giving Theo the reigns for a bit was pretty neat.
- Frederica was pulled back from being a main side character like in Volumes 2-3, which was a good move. Most of her interactions in Volume 4 just gave "jealous little sister" vibes that I didn't care for.
- The rest of the OG Eighty-Six crew were close to non-existent, pushed back for Shiden. I would have preferred more of the OG crew but Shiden was semi-integral for the story. Hopefully Raiden/Anju/Kurena have more of a spotlight in the next volume.
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