86 -Eighty-Six- is a captivating anime series blending mecha, military science fiction, and romantic elements. Adapted from Asato Asato’s critically acclaimed light novel of the same name, the anime debuted in 2021 and quickly gained a devoted fanbase. Directed by Toshimasa Ishii and brought to life by A-1 Pictures—the studio behind hits like Black Butler and Kaguya-sama: Love is War—the series explores the tense conflict between the Republic of San Magnolia and the Giadian Empire in a futuristic setting. Initially aired on Japanese networks like Tokyo MX, BS11, GYT, GTV, ytv, and CTV from April 11, 2021, to June 20, 2021, the anime concluded its first season with a special episode on June 27, 2021. Licensed by Crunchyroll, 86 -Eighty-Six- has reached audiences worldwide. As of now, fans still continue to eagerly anticipate news of a second season drawn by its engaging storytelling and complex characters. Let’s delve into what we know so far about a new season in this article.
What is the plotline of the anime?
After years of dominance on the battlefield by the autonomous drones of the Giadian Empire, the Republic of San Magnolia finally develops its own unmanned combat units through extensive research. The republican government proudly proclaims that the war has become a bloodless struggle between advanced technologies—machines fighting machines.
However, this declaration masks a grim reality. The government’s propaganda conceals the truth about the autonomous units. Behind the façade of technological prowess, the Republic of San Magnolia subjects the persecuted Colorata minority, referred to as the “86,” to pilot these drones in a brutal and inhumane war. These marginalized individuals are forced into battle while the Republic denies their existence, perpetuating the illusion of a casualty-free conflict.
The story follows Major Vladilena “Lena” Mirizé, a compassionate Alban officer assigned to lead an elite unit of 86 veterans. Through her role, Lena uncovers the oppressive truths behind the war and develops a deep empathy for the 86. As she defies years of indoctrination and propaganda, Lena’s perspective on the Republic changes irrevocably.
Lena’s journey is fraught with challenges, as her Alban heritage makes it difficult to gain the trust of the oppressed 86. Despite her resolve, she faces an uphill battle to dismantle the entrenched racism and corruption within the Republic. The question remains: can Lena inspire change and end the cycle of persecution before it’s too late?
Will there be a second season of 86 (Eighty-Six)?
The first season of 86 (Eighty-Six) was aired in two parts, totaling 23 episodes. The first part, consisting of 11 episodes, was broadcast between April 11, 2021, and June 20, 2021. The second part followed later, airing from October 3, 2021, to March 19, 2022. Although some sources labeled the second part as a new season, it was originally planned as part of the same production order. As such, fans didn’t have to wait long for the continuation of the story.
Unfortunately, the wait for a real second season might be longer. As of December 26, 2024, at the time of writing, there has been no official announcement of a renewal for a second season. Studio A-1 Pictures, light novel publisher ASCII Media Works, or any other affiliated source has yet to confirm the continuation of the series. The official anime website is still silent on the matter.
Despite the lack of an official renewal, several factors can help us speculate about a second season. The availability of source material (light novel), the anime’s popularity, reviews, and financial performance—including Blu-ray disc sales and exclusive distribution deals—play crucial roles in determining whether 86 (Eighty-Six) will return. Let’s explore the key parameters that could influence the decision.
86: Light Novel
86–Eighty-Six is a Japanese science-fiction light novel series written by Asato Asato and illustrated by Shirabii. Serialized under ASCII Media Works’ Dengeki Bunko imprint since February 10, 2017, the series has gained significant acclaim for its compelling narrative and intricate world-building. As of December 2024, the series comprises 13 volumes, with the latest installment, titled “Dear Hunter,” released on December 10, 2024 for English readers. The story is ongoing but Volume 14 will be the final arc of the series.
86 anime series is very loyal to the light novel series in terms of plotline. The first part of the anime season only covers the first volume of the light novel series and the second part covers the second and third volume of the light novel series. Therefore, there is plenty of story material that can be used as a new season. This abundance of unadapted material provides a solid foundation for the potential continuation of the anime series, much to the anticipation of its fanbase.
The Popularity of 86 -Eighty-Six Anime
Popularity plays a crucial role in determining the success of an anime. As of December 2024, the official 86 -Eighty-Six anime account on X boasts an impressive 165k followers. This number indicates strong fan engagement and interest. For anime, How Not to Summon a Demon Lord has 45k followers, and it got a new season’s approval. In MyAnimeList’s popularity rankings, 86 -Eighty-Six holds the 228th position, quite above-average.
In terms of sales, both parts of the first season (season 1 and part 2) performed reasonably well, although the disc sales figures indicate a slight decline in physical media sales overall. Here’s a breakdown of the sales per volume:
| 86: Eighty-Six Vol. 1 | 1,754 |
| 86: Eighty-Six Vol. 2 | 1,820 |
| 86: Eighty-Six Vol. 3 | 1,849 |
| 86: Eighty-Six Vol. 4 | 2,186 |
| 86: Eighty-Six Part 2 Vol. 1 | 1,968 |
| 86: Eighty-Six Part 2 Vol. 2 | 1,906 |
| 86: Eighty-Six Part 2 Vol. 3 | 1,929 |
| 86: Eighty-Six Part 2 Vol. 4 | 3,312 |
While the average sales per volume—around 2,091 units—is acceptable given the general decline in disc sales across the anime industry, it’s worth noting that these figures are still considered slightly below average for anime with similar fanbases. Currently, 86 -Eighty-Six is available through major streaming services.
86: Potential Second Season Release Date
As of December 2024, the second season of the anime has not yet been officially confirmed. However, based on the analysis and speculation provided earlier, we remain optimistic about the possibility of a new season. The ongoing 86 -Eighty-Six light novel series has sufficient source material available for adaptation, and the anime enjoys a solid fanbase. Taking into account the renewal and production timelines, it’s possible that the second season could air somewhere around 2026. However, as of now, this remains speculative. Be sure to stay tuned for official updates regarding the future of 86 -Eighty-Six. If you are curious about the story, we recommend you to read the light novel series starting from Volume 4.