When Will 86 Season 3 Come Out? Release Date, Cast, Plot & Everything We Know So Far
86 Season 3: If you are a fan of sci-fi mecha anime, you have probably heard of or watched 86, or Eighty-Six, as some would call it. The anime series, based on a series of light novels written by Asato Asato, has received critical acclaim for its emotional depth, stunning visuals, and thrilling action scenes.
The anime has aired two seasons so far, with the second season ending in December 2021. But what about the third season? Will there be one? And if so, when will it come out?
And what will it be about? In this article, we will answer all these questions and more, so keep reading to find out everything you need to know about 86 Season 3.
What is 86 about?
86 is set in a world where the Republic of San Magnolia and the Empire of Giad are at war. The Republic has developed unmanned mechs called Juggernauts to fight against the Empire’s mechanical forces. The public believes that the Juggernauts are piloted by lifeless robots, but the truth is that they are manned by human pilots known as Handlers.
The Handlers are the 86, the minority people of San Magnolia who have been stripped of their basic human rights and forced to fight in the war. The story follows Vladilena Milize, a young officer who supports the 86 and becomes the Handler for the Spearhead Squadron, a group of elite 86 fighters led by Shinra “The Undertaker” Nouzen, a 16-year-old boy who has survived countless battles.
Is 86 Season 3 confirmed?
Unfortunately, 86 Season 3 has not been officially confirmed yet. The anime’s studio, A-1 Pictures, has not announced whether it is working on a third season, so there is no official word on the production status or the release date. However, there have been some rumors and speculations that suggest that 86 Season 3 is in the works. For example, Sun Wukong on Twitter claimed that the third season of 86 is in production, although he did not provide any source or evidence to back up his claim.
Moreover, the anime is very popular and profitable, so it makes sense that the studio would want to continue the series. The anime also has enough source material to adapt, as the light novel series has 12 volumes as of January 2022, and the anime has only covered the first three volumes so far. Therefore, it is not unlikely that 86 Season 3 will happen, but we will have to wait for an official announcement to be sure.
When will 86 Season 3 come out?
Since 86 Season 3 has not been confirmed yet, there is no official release date for it. However, we can make educated guesses based on the previous seasons’ release patterns and the production schedule. The first season of 86 aired from April to June 2021, while the second season aired from October to December 2021. The anime took a three-month break between the two seasons, which is not unusual for anime series that are split into two parts.
The second season also had a new opening and ending theme, which made some fans think that it was a separate season, but it was a continuation of the first season. Therefore, we can assume that 86 Season 3 will be a new season that will adapt the next arc of the story from the light novels. If the studio follows a similar pattern, then we can expect 86 Season 3 to come out sometime in late 2023 or early 2024, depending on the production schedule and the availability of the source material. Of course, this is just speculation, and we will have to wait for an official announcement to know the exact release date.
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Story
86 Season 3 will continue the story of Shinra, Lena, and the rest of the 86 as they face new challenges and enemies in their struggle for freedom. The third season will likely adapt the fourth volume of the light novel series, titled “Under Pressure”, and possibly the fifth volume as well, titled “Run Through the Battlefront”. The events of the third season will take place about six months after the end of the second season, where Morpho, the leader of the Legion, was defeated by Shinra and his crew.
The Republic of San Magnolia has declared victory over the Empire of God, but the war is far from over. Shinra, Lena, and the other 86 are assigned a top-secret mission: to liberate Charité, one of the nation’s secondary capitals, from the Legion’s control. The mission will not be easy, as they will have to face a new enemy: the Morpho clones, the copies of the former Handler who betrayed the 86 and joined the Legion. The third season will also explore the past and the secrets of the 86, the Legion, and the war, as well as the relationships and conflicts among the characters.
Cast
| Character | Japanese Voice Actor | English Voice Actor |
|---|---|---|
| Shinei Nouzen | Chiba Shouya | Billy Kametz |
| Vladilena Milizé | Hasegawa Ikumi | Suzie Yeung |
| Raiden Shuga | Yamashita Seiichirou | Jonah Scott |
| Anju Emma | Hayami Saori | Maureen Price |
| Kurena Kukumila | Suzushiro Sayumi | Erica Mendez |
| Theoto Rikka | Fujiwara Natsumi | Casey Mongillo |
| Daiya Iruma | Ishiya Haruki | Alejandro Saab |
Reviews and Ratings
86 has received positive reviews and ratings from critics and fans alike. The anime has a score of 8.24 out of 10 on MyAnimeList, based on over 200,000 votes, and a rating of 4.8 out of 5 on Crunchyroll, based on over 10,000 reviews. The anime has been praised for its compelling story, realistic characters, emotional impact, stunning animation, and thrilling action scenes. The anime has also been commended for its portrayal of themes such as war, discrimination, oppression, trauma, and survival. Some of the reviews are as follows:
- “86 is a masterpiece of storytelling that will make you cry, laugh, and cheer for the characters. The anime does not shy away from showing the harsh realities of war and the consequences of discrimination and oppression. The characters are well-developed and relatable, and the animation is breathtaking. The action scenes are intense and exhilarating, and the soundtrack is fitting and memorable. 86 is a must-watch for any anime fan who loves sci-fi, mecha, drama, and romance.” – Crunchyroll user
- “86 is one of the best anime of 2021, and possibly of all time. The anime has a unique and captivating premise, a well-written and engaging plot, and a diverse and likable cast of characters. The anime explores the themes of war, racism, human rights, and identity realistically and maturely, without being preachy or melodramatic. The anime also has amazing animation, music, and voice acting, and delivers some of the most emotional and epic moments in anime history. 86 is a masterpiece that deserves all the praise and recognition it gets.” – MyAnimeList user
- “86 is a rare gem of an anime that combines sci-fi, mecha, and military genres brilliantly and originally. The anime has a complex and intriguing story that keeps you hooked from the first episode to the last. The anime also has a rich and diverse world-building, with different nations, cultures, and histories. The anime has a strong and charismatic main character, Shinra, who leads a group of 86 fighters who are treated as disposable by their own country. The anime shows the struggles, hardships, and hopes of the 86, as well as their bonds and friendships. The anime has stunning visuals, sound, and animation, and delivers some of the most thrilling and heart-wrenching scenes in anime. 86 is a masterpiece that will make you feel and think, and will leave a lasting impression on you.” – Anime News Network reviewer
Where can I watch 86?
86 is available for streaming on Crunchyroll, Funimation, and VRV, with English subtitles and dubbing. The anime is also licensed by Aniplex of America, which has released the Blu-ray and DVD versions of the first season. The second season is expected to be released on Blu-ray and DVD in the future as well. The anime is also available for purchase on Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, and Google Play.
86 is a sci-fi mecha anime series that has captivated and impressed millions of fans around the world. The anime has aired two seasons so far, and fans are eagerly awaiting the third season. Although the third season has not been confirmed yet, some rumors and speculations suggest that it is in the works. The third season will likely come out sometime in late 2023 or early 2024 and will continue the story of Shinra, Lena, and the other 86 as they fight for their freedom and uncover the secrets.
