86 part 2 episode 4 (15) Welcome Back.

Another week, another episode. I am sure the shock of last week's episode is still on your minds, so let's not mince words and get right down to business. I saw the 30-second preview, read over Chapter 4 (what this episode will cover), and got my thoughts together. If you are looking for the video, you know where to find it.

Topics!

.5 Where we would be in the Light Novel
1. Grethe presents the Reginleif
2. Shin and Bernholdt talk
3. We're going streaking!
4. Grethe, Shin, and the status of the other countries.
5. Shin and Frederica talk
6. Shin and Raiden disagree

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.5 Where we would be in the Light Novel

After the events of Episode 14 with the death of Eugene, we have now "straightened out" the timeline of Novel 2. We now go from Chapter 1 "Ride of the Valkyries" to Chapter 4 "Beneath the Two-Headed Eagle". I suspect that we may end episode 15 with a teaser of the events that begin in Chapter 5.

This should start us in a base known as "FOB 13". This is where Shin and Raiden should be talking. It is a casual conversation mostly directed at why Raiden feels they are being "treated so poorly" in terms of their living quarters... but Raiden asks Shin a very specific question...

"So according to your predictions, they should be coming soon, right?"The situation wasn't simple enough to sum up with "coming soon".
"It's more like they could attack at any moment... They've been ready for a long while now"

What does the above mean for our future? Guess you will have to consult episode 16 to find out!

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1. Grethe presents the Reginleif

You should be seeing Grethe presenting her new combat unit (the 1028th known as the Nordlicht Squadron) to the Major General (the man with the eyepatch). This will be when we get the specs on our new "Juggernauts" as Shin will call them, and we learn a few things bout Grethe's new Mechs:

1. They have the highest number of downed hostiles within the 8th army corps.
2. They also have just has high causalities. The first sortie of the 1028th resulted in half of its forces killed in action (this will be referenced later by Grethe when we see 20 Reginleifs in the hangar I suspect).
3. A comment will be made by one of the other commanders at the table saying the following to Grethe (Grethe first says "Think of it as a sort of screening process. The rate of casualties since then has been decidedly low):

"That's a shameless enough thing to say, given that you're relying on the Eighty-Six's experience... Only a rehabilitated weapons dealer like you would ever send those poor children into battle again"

4. While the comment in point 3 does cause Grethe to flinch, she does regain her bearings. She wants to use the 1028th to engage in a different fighting approach: employing groups of select elites in few-versus-many combat.

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2. Shin and Bernholdt talk

The introduction of Bernholdt happens in episode 14, with a bit of a change. When Shin gets into the transport and see Frederica, he is supposed to glare at Bernholdt, causing him to get really nervous. I really like Bernholdt's character, as he reminds me of the mechanic Lev Aldrecht from the 86 bases.

His introduction in chapter 4 is small, but we learn the following:

1. Bernholdt is roughly twice the age of Shin, so thinking somewhere in his early 30s.
2. The Squadron Shin is in charge of only has a total of 20 members now (it started with 50)They are unlikely to get new members due to the damages inflicted to the armor division (events of episode 14).

3. This was mentioned by Marcel in passing, but in the testing stages for the Reginleif, 10 people were sent to the hospital just attempting to pilot the mech. This earned it the "pilot killer" name.

4. Shin makes a comment to Bernholdt about his old battlefield: "We're used to not getting resupplied, be it equipment or man power. But it's good so long as we still get spare parts.".

To which Bernholdt says "I've told you this, but the Republic was messed up for doing that. Please don't judge us by your Eighty-Six Standards.

5. Shin became captain of the 50 troops under him after their first sortie, as their first captain wasn't very good... and paid for it with his life.

6. Bernholdt then asks Shin why he didn't stay in an armored unit, to which he responds "A normal unit's chain of command and combat regulations make it hard to move. To which Bernholdt responds with a "I can't believe I am hearing 'it's hard to move' from a damn teenager". Loved this back and forth, as it shows both individuals are comfortable with one another.

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3. We're going streaking!

We then get a comment from Bernholdt concerning Shin and company's sleep schedule. Shin is used to sleeping at night, and fighting through the night is starting to affect them...

But it is not Shin's appearance that triggers this comment, but a certain 10-year-old girl walking down the hall with her blouse falling off and dragging a bear

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It is during this moment that we get a very distinct name told to us.

"Frederica, either go back to your room and change or go back to bed".
"Uuuh. Kiri, comb my hair..."
Shin sighed once.
"Frederica".

Frederica wakes up, apologizes to Shin, and Anju and Theo deal with Frederica...

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After this point, we learn that the children are all being sent... packages.
Turns out, the citizens of the Federacy still feel excessive emotion towards the 86, and send them all sorts of letters and items. Shin finds it a bore, and of course Ernst does not disclose their personal information, but this only cemented their image as "poor children who were persecuted by the terrible Republic".

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We then get a cut to the cafeteria. Anju, Kurena, Theo, and Raiden are teasing Frederica about her "incident". I am going to cut to one particular point at the end of this scene:

Frederica had taken on the role of coordinator between the squad's captain and the research bureau.

Frederica says the following: "Everyone's been working you to the bone, and yet, you have grown so accustomed to it."

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4. Grethe, Shin, and the status of the other countries.

Grethe summons Shin and company back to base, and we get our first bit of good news about the war!

We have confirmed the survival of two countries!.
The United Kingdom of Roa Gracia and the Alliance of Wald are alive!
The status of the Republic of San Magnolia is unknown (as of this point in the anime, it is has been roughly 9 months since Shin and company left Lena behind)

It is important to note that Grethe steals a glance at the 86 members as she updates on the Republic:

Theo, who hung his head with his cheek pressed against the table.
Kurena, who lowered her gaze apathetically.

They neither worried for the Republic as their homeland nor reviled it for persecuting them. They were completely and utterly indifferent.

And that only made Grethe realize how deep the wound ran. Shin and Raiden listened carefully, but they seemed worried about something ---or perhaps someone --- else. Anju turned her gaze to them, perhaps thinking the same thing.

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We then get a dire announcement from Grethe:

The Legion are planning a large-scale invasion... but Shin is not surprised by this in the least.
To which we get an exchange between Grethe and Shin:
"I've received the report you submitted regarding this situation, Second Lieutenant Nouzen".
Raiden sneaked a glance in Shin's direction. Shin completely ignored the gaze from from his side, which was something Grethe caught on to. She didn't know what it meant, though, and decided to let it slide.

We then learn the following:

1. Grethe finds it daring that Shin predicted a large-scale offensive.
2. Shin says that he based this prediction on the battlefront he is in... and also the fact that it felt like the Legion pulled back. Like they had no choice but to pull back.
3. Shin states that the Legion may be drawing out the Federacy's battlelines to spread their forces thin.

4. Grethe then says the following: "If the Legion's aim is to draw us out so they can stage an all-out attack, your prediction assumes their numbers are simply too great. Far beyond what the integrated analysis room estimates."

It even exceeded the theoretical limit of the Weisel's presumed output. It was the kind of number that would put the western front's defenses in a state of utter inferiority, even if you added all possible reinforcements.

Of course we know why Shin has this level of foresight... but will the Federacy heed his words?

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5. Shin and Frederica talk

I am going to skip the exchange between Grethe and Shin over their impressions on the Reginleif (the "Juggernauts as Shin dubs them), and proceed to the conversation between Shin and Frederica.

The exchange goes as such:

1. There is a short talk about Eugene, having fallen comrades, and holding people in your memories vs bearing loss.

2. We then get a little history of the Nouzen Clan:
"The Nouzens were a warrior clan of Onyxes dating back to the dawn of the Empire. Their bloodline excelled at combat, and they served as guardians of the emperor for generations... Those of noble birth were born with unique powers and skills, and some descendants of these old nobles still exhibit such powers on rare occasions. It is the desire to preserve these abilities that made the nobles abhor mixing their blood with other races... That was likely why your parents left for the Republic, Shinei."

For reference, Shin is a Mixed Pyrope and Onyx, with is mother being Pyrope The Pyrope bloodline is what gives Shin his telepathic abilities, and the Onyx bloodline is his combat abilities.

3. Anytime Shin would try to think of his parents, he would be met with the image of his brother Shourei strangling him.

4. Kiri, Frederica's knight was roughly the same age as Shin when she first met him (for reference, Shin is roughly 17).

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We then start the backstory on the empire during the revolution that turned it from the Giad Empire into the Federacy

5. The revolution to overthrow the Giad Empire forced the dictator faction to retreat to their last stronghold: Rosenfort. Kiriya was Frederica's sole playmate. He would comb her hair, pick flowers for her, and follow her every whim without so much as a frown.

6. We then get a bit of Kiriya's nature: he is the polar opposite of Shin, possessing an overtly serious, unbending nature

7. We then learn a very important, albeit small detail: We learn that the Patriarch of the Nouzen Clan sent a certain picture book to the Nouzen family in the Republic when he learned of the birth of his grandchildren (this would be Shourei and Shin).

8. The Royal Guards would use the Legion at the time to fight, but there was a rule that stated never to deploy manpower alongside the Legion. This was because the Legion could not understand complicated orders, and could not distinguish between civilians and soldiers, and couldn't take prisoners. The Legion are specifically A tool of annihilation, so Royal Guard soldiers were killed anytime they were paired with the Legion.

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9. We then get the origins of what led Kiriya to become a member of the Legion:

He was often sent to fight on the battlefield, and this caused his sanity to slip.
"He'd lost his family and friends to the revolution, and the homeland he grew up in was now enemy territory. His fellow royal guards gradually fell in battle, and the sword of their offensive was being slowly chipped away. Kiriya had probably lost too much...

Defending Frederica became everything to him, and he devoted his entire being to fighting for her safety. He would often smile at Frederica, standing beside a bloodstained FelderB after snuffing the lives of Federacy soldiers. His smile was always so sunny and calm.

And that smile scared her.

10. Federica runs from the fortress, and by sheer luck is captured by Ernst. The false story is then announced "the death of the empress, hanging her red-and-black mantle as proof".

11. After learning this news, Kiriya snaps... and steps in front of a Legion Scavenger... and let's them take him. The most pristine prize of all: a fully intact human specimen.

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We then get an almost... nostalgic response from Federica. She suggests to Shin to avoid Kiri if he does come onto the battlefield, as she doesn't want to lose him.

"...It is as you said earlier. I loathe to touch on the death of others --- on the death of those I know. If you or Raiden or any of the others were to die just so I could put Kiri out of his misery, the scales would remain forever unbalanced. You all have futures ahead of you, and you must not lose them"

"You really haven't given your future much thought, have you...? I do not much appreciate the comparison, but you should take a leaf out of Eugene's book. Consider where you would like to go on your next leave, or some such fancy. Even a minor thought like that would be fine. But just... consider it".

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Have you put any thought into what you'll do once you're discharged?

For a second, he thought he could hear that silver bell of a voice again. It was shortly after Kujo died, before they knew each other's names or even felt a need to know them.

Anywhere you'd like to go? Anything you'd like to see?

At the time, he'd thought the question to be nothing more than bothersome. He'd cut the idea down, saying he'd never thought of it, and that answer remained unchanged even now. But if he'd asked her the same question, how would she have responded? What did she feel, in that Republic that forgot how to do battle? What did she think, and did she try to fight on, as a Handler...?

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6. Shin and Raiden disagree

After Federica's talk with Shin, Raiden comes to his room. He's not happy about Shin submitting a report.

1. Raiden feels that the Federacy won't listen to Shin's advice until they hear it for themselves.
2. Shin feels he needed to give the Federacy as much information as he could. It is up to them to do with it what they wish.

3. Raiden feels that the Federacy aren't as lofty as they assume to be, and at the end of the day, Shin and company are still 86. He suspects that Shin could be turned into a lab rat in the Federacy just the same as he would in the Republic.

Raiden warns him of the following: "The Legion aren't the only ones capable of picking apart people's brains. You're welcome to become their guinea pig if you want, but I ain't getting dragged into it and becoming a hostage for them to dangle over your head. Don't *uck this up"

4. Raiden then asks Shin if he's doing ok asking him "if you're thinking of something pointless". Shin then responds with "Frederica told me to consider it... Not that I ever have before. I've never needed to".

This has to do with the future. Shin assumed at this point he would have died fighting his brother, or during the Special Recon Mission... but that of course didn't happen.

Raiden then has an internal thought: "Even after he gunned down his brother's ghost, Shin was still haunted --- as if by a curse. People like him were different from Raiden. They needed something more to stay alive. Something to restrain or maybe counteract the curse.

If they were in the Republic's first ward's barracks, now would be when their last Handler would Resonate with them. What was she thinking right now? or rather...
...What was she waiting for?
"...Do you think the major's doing well?"
Sparing Raiden a fleeting look, Shin shrugged silently.
Raiden sighed heavily. Be a little honest with yourself, man....

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And that will do it! This is what I can predict what will go down in episode 15. I suspect that you may get a teaser for the start of episode 16... but as to what that is, just know as of the start of Chapter 5 titled "Cries 'Take Aim'", We have less than 40 pages left in Novel 2!!

That means we are fast approaching the start of Novel 3! And with the start of Novel 3, means another Lena Episode! I look forward to the future events!

Hope you enjoyed the events in Faraway Paladin! I was looking forward to this episode!

Here, you dropped this: 👑 lol

King of Essays, indeed. lol

Beats the original Essay-kun of his throne, ofc he left that vacant since 2017 tho.
If you're wandering whom I'm referring to is a person that went by the name "Metrospeed" back in the KA days during the first season of RE:Zero back in 2016 and did review/analyses essays on a few other anime before disappearing.

Its exactly like they show in anime. The undisputed king suddenly disappears.

the one and only, the one to rule the comments section

He also has a rival or maybe it's the sa

He's been dropping 👑 the whole season

Sorry but I don't think kings just drop their crowns. They are stuck on their thicc thicc heads used for writing essays

When i dont have much words for comment and a certain person named typecero writes a whole frikin essay on it 😑... Lol
Btw when i read ur full essay i feel like a god lmao.

You should see me when I have to double post.

Thanks for the essay as usual essay kun. But I'm starting to miss our girl Lena. When will she be shown? In this season? Will Annette be shown with her?

There is a good chance Lena will be back in episode 16 or 17. She is part of the cliffhanger for Novel 2. She’s coming back to us, one way or another.

Do they actually meet the major or meet her new unit ?

They will, yes.

Once the large-scale invasions mentioned this episode begin, the story should cut back to Lena’s perspective at one point. This arc is still focused primarily on Shin’s side, but aside from the part I just mentioned, Lena will play a role in the battle this arc culminates in, and assuming my prediction regarding where this season will end is correct, Lena and Shin will finally meet after a bit of a time skip. As for Annette, she won’t be getting much screentime this season. She has greater importance in the next arc, but we will need at least another season to cover that.

Yay! At least Annette isn't forgotten about!

This man is unstoppable

Thank you essay-kun

I think the anime should've included the part where raiden said "Be a little honest with yourself, man"

I was really hoping he would have said that. They gave him the sigh!

LENA!

oh in the slideshow it showed the stats of the mechs u talked about in the previos essay, its good to know that the show cares about the novel as much as u, even going as far as adding these tidbits

I was actually surprised that even the preview for the slide show had it all in English. that was a good touch.

I thougth it was translators who did it like ususal but it seemed way too good so i actually began to ask my self did the show do it .

Another 86 episode another essay

so, nouzens are basically the ackermans of this universe? lol

That is a legit way to look at it!

Was seaching for this comment before i made the same, scary. I agree.

No mention of the death crows?

Couldn’t mention em because they were anime-original. No metaphor like that in Novel.

I was thinking they were ravens which signifies death, a lot of death and lives lost in the battlefield within the Federacy.

I would take them on a similar level to a "Black Cat", as they could be an omen of ill tidings for this future "Mass Legion Assault".

Ravens dont exactly symbolize death in Norse culture which a lot of this is based on. They do represent that the gods are watching over you. They are messengers and often symbolize protection. So while they do seem to follow death, it's not necessarily of the person being watched.

was it just me or did they show a scene with two crows (or many crows) before the solo crow towards the end? I tried to find the multi crow scene

That's a lot

thank you as always!

The King has bestowed his essays upon us all, once again.

Well most of what you predicted did happen aside from the prelude to start of Chapter 5 and so on. BTW, when you read the LN what did you think the Major General looked like?

I got replies on your latest youtube vid. Please leave a comment on them and not just likes. I prefer starting conversations if possible. I posted in here too assuming it doesn't get removed soon so would be nice if you could read it and reply on it.

I truly had no idea what the Major General would look like. We get nothing in regards to his appearance. Hell he could have been a bear the size of Louis Armstrong from FMA and I would be like "yep, this works".

All we had was his eyepatch and I got the King Bradley appearance and I wished that was the case.

We do have a future conversation with him coming up, so he may very well get that chance to show off.

Show what off?
Also that eyepatch part was that convo with Shin and Grethe in Chapter 5 so I might have gotten a bit too ahead of myself on that. Him looking like Louis Armstrong wouldn't really work because of his demeanor and personality. The King Bradley look fits him better because he seems stern enough and I am sorry to A-1 studio who put the effort into designing the other characters but I just can't unsee the Major General looking like King Bradley because I default to that the moment I read the LN. Oh yeah I also for some reason am always picturing Kurena having a short ponytail. I form a mental anime when reading novels. Watch enough anime and cartoons you learn to do it in your head. I started doing that more when reading Dark Tower.

You’ll definitely feel a “King Bradley” vibe from him with next week.

he should point out a weakness in Shin, though he doesn’t criticize them for it.

I've read all of volume 2 already yet I can't seem to pinpoint which part of Chapter 5 you're talking about although I know it's that part of the meeting but I'm drawing a blank.

The moment happens when Shin is asked to demonstrate his powers to locate the Legion.

The Major General will compare Shin to a sharp blade.

Oh that one, a sharp blade that is soaked in blood and will break from overuse. I can't totally remember the exact quote but it's something like that. It's another way of saying Shin is overexerting himself fighting the Legion. I didn't just picture King Bradley when thinking what the Major General looked like, I even gave him Bradley's voice or at least the closest I can get to his voice.

Also I don't think we're gonna be seeing that next week because the title says "Even so". It's gonna cover the interlude of Volume 2 and Prelude of Volume 3 I think.

Oh that would be great if we did the interlude chapters!

Like I said, I've been reading and mentally animating every moment. Haven't had time to finish volume 3 yet of course only 1/3 done and sadly classes has restarted for me so I will need to scavenge for time to finish it.

i probably should have left the upvote at 86 cause this anime is call 86