86

86 (Volume 1) by Asato Asato. English translation by Roman Lempert. Originally published in the United States by Yen Press, March 2019. Approx. 256 pages.

86 is another of those titles that were on my radar for a while, based on an awesome cover and a decent blurb. What I was hoping for was an entertaining military fiction piece, enhanced by mech action. What I got was a light novel with a lofty premise, the deeper ramifications of which are never truly realized, that in the end remains an entertaining military fiction piece, with solid mech action.

First the blurb, then we dissect:

"A War Without Casualties

The Republic of San Magnolia has long been under attack from the neighboring Giadian Empire's army of unmanned drones known as the Legion. After years of painstaking research, the Republic finally developed autonomous drones of their own, turning the one-sided struggle into a war without casualties-or at least, that's what the government claims.

In truth, there is no such thing as a bloodless war. Beyond the fortified walls protecting the eighty-five Republic territories lies the "nonexistent" Eighty-Sixth Sector. The young men and women of this forsaken land are branded the Eighty-Six and, stripped of their humanity, pilot the "unmanned" weapons into battle..."

Solid premise. In fact, it barely glosses over what Asato Asato posits in the work. In a move which he admits draws from historical actions/positions in WWII, the people of the 86th Sector are interred, robbed of their agency and positions, and relegated to "less-than-human" status. These people represent the ethnic minorities of the Republic of San Magnolia.

However, why exactly this happens is not explored to a satisfactory extent. The story picks up after the invasion of the Giadian Empire, so we are observing the militarily inefficient Republic on the defensive. What we do not have any exposition into is 'why' the Empire invaded, what was their motivation, etc. This becomes problematic in that the internment of the ethnic minorities (Colorata) is predicated upon a flagrantly false accusation of sympathy to same Empire. However, it would've been nice to have a clue as to what these supposed horrid values were. 

It's fairly obvious that the digs are made at America during WWII (the author claims in the afterword that he based the Republic and the Empire on an Axis and an Ally power). The order which inters the Colorata is a none-too-subtle dig at Executive Order 9066 (which is an odious blemish on our history). This is fine and all. In my opinion, though, it does bear mentioning that a lot of the atrocities committed by the Republic are crimes perpetrated by all contributors in the War. But, let's not nit-pick. This is speculative fiction, after all. The real question is; was it entertaining? Gripping? Fun?

For the most part, yes. This is not the deepest book, by far. It doesn't need to be. It's a light novel. How do the various parts stack up?

Characters: 

This should've been a home run. Asato has created a compelling dramatis personae. It isn't too sprawling, since it primarily focuses on a singular group of 86, and their "Handler" on the San Magnolia side, Lena. (quick mention: the Handler and the soldiers share a connection via Sensory Resonance, which allows for communication, etc. However, since it links the subconscious of all participants, it also leaves the window open for some compelling emotional side effects)

We are first introduced to the cast via fold-out illustrations in the beginning of the book. They are an interesting group, beautifully realized by the fantastic illustrator Shirabii. 

Yet, in the book itself, they are terribly underutilized. A few of them get shining moments, but most are relegated to a singular mood, or viewpoint, and are, as such, consigned to it. Excellent conception, mediocre execution.

The main focus throughout remains on our core protagonists; Shin, aka Undertaker, the leader of Spearhead Squadron, and Lena, the earnest, open-minded Handler assigned to them. Lena possesses a dramatically different moral compass than most of the Alba (the pale, silver-haired "master race" of the Republic), and wants to be the best commander she can for her charges. In this position, she finds herself hopelessly sandwiched between an uncaring military and the derision of those under her.

Shin and Lena are both handled well, as is the evolution of their relationship with each other. Although Shin learns to open up a bit over the course of the narrative, he is for the most part, relegated to the role of 'taciturn survivor'. His character arc involves, but isn't really advanced by, a subplot involving his estranged brother. This whole sequence reads more as an add-on to introduce the whole "vestiges" notion (not going to spoil it here), and while it is interesting, it isn't particularly compelling.

Lena, on the other hand, is given the most fulfilling character arc and advancement, as she has to adapt, overcome, and survive, all while swimming upstream.

Worldbuilding:

Herein lies the greatest flaw of 86. I've already mentioned some of the aspects that did not make sense. Again, the hatred of the Colorata makes no sense, as we are shown nothing upon which it is predicated. At one point, everybody lived together happily, and then suddenly, all of the Alba viewed them as sub-human. There are no logical parallels. The ethnic internment in the States, as well as the slaughter of Jews in Germany, were not done arbitrarily. There were intensive propaganda campaigns to paint them as villains and cultivate the distrust, and then hatred, of them. Simply saying a mysterious Empire attacked, and then we said the Colorata was in with them, and so they gotta go, is lazy writing.

Therefore, it makes no sense to sell to your public that the drones are unmanned, even though the 86ers are piloting them. Would the average Alba really care if someone they considered less-than-human was being the bullet sponge that saved their own rear ends? Likely not.

Well, actually, what did the average Alba on the street think about the Colorata and the way they were treated? As the story progresses , we learn about some heroic Alba who tried to protect the perpetrated, but a few snapshots of what average people thought would have been a real boon. Instead of repeating, for the umpteenth millionth time, what was done to the Colorata, why not show how people really felt, and then the reader can truly gauge how messed up things are?

Action:

Action saves the day here. It isn't easy to detail mech action in a book, but Asato does it here. This aspect is boosted a great deal by the excellent contributions of mech illustrator I-IV. The Legion unmanned drones of the Empire are given 'life' via rich, organic designs; sleek and terrifying. The Republic get a cool-looking standard drone; woefully under-armored, and under-powered, yet utterly lethal in the hands of a competent pilot.

Here's what it is:

86, in the end, is very good. Not great, very good. It has compelling characters that should've been paid attention to more, great action, and some lofty aspirations for cultural commentary that fall short of hitting any discernible mark.

After chugging along for the first half or so, it really takes off, heading for a satisfying finish. The ending works perfectly to make this a self-contained story. Of course, they left the door open a bit, and so we have at least two more volumes coming in the near future.

However much it seems I was nit-picking, I still recommend this light novel. Check it out.

Get it:

Amazon

RightStuf

Cover:

As mentioned, the cover is a huge part of what sold me on pre-ordering this way back; it goes without saying that I like it. I really dig Shirabii's style. The interior illustrations are a mixed bag; the fold-out color pic in the beginning is amazing, as are I-IV's mech designs. Then, there are a few character pics by Shirabii throughout. These are nicely done, but there's something light, and, I don't know, unfinished (?) about them. Still good though.