If you’re looking for the 86 watch order, you’ve come to the right place. This critically acclaimed mecha anime has become one of the most popular series of the 2020s, earning top ratings on MyAnimeList and sparking countless discussions about its powerful themes. Whether you’re a new viewer wondering where to start or a fan looking to continue with the light novels, this guide has everything you need.
86 Watch Order
The recommended watch order for 86 is pretty straightforward: simply follow the release order, which matches the chronological timeline:
| Order | Title | Episodes | Air Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 86 (Part 1) | Episodes 1-11 | April 11 – June 20, 2021 |
| 2 | 86 (Part 2) | Episodes 12-23 | October 3, 2021 – March 19, 2022 |
Note about recap specials: There were 4 special edition episodes released during the anime’s run. These special episodes are not essential viewing because they are recaps and cast commentaries produced to fill in time due to production delays. You can safely skip them without missing any story content.
86 Special Episodes Breakdown (Optional):
- Episode 11.5 “The Poppies Bloom Red on the Battlefield” (June 27, 2021) – Recap of Part 1
- Episode 17.5 “Visual Commentary Special Episode” (November 14, 2021) – Recap of Part 2’s first six episodes with visual commentary by voice actors Shōya Chiba (Shinei Nouzen), Seiichirō Yamashita (Raiden Shuga), and Misaki Kuno (Frederica Rosenfort), plus merchandise promotion
- Episode 18.5 “If There’s Something Worth Dying For” (November 28, 2021) – Recap of Part 2’s first seven episodes
- Episode 21.5 “At Least as a Human” (March 5, 2022) – Recap of Part 2’s episodes 7 through 10
What Did the Anime Adapt?
The first season of 86 consists of 23 episodes that aired from April 2021 to March 2022, adapting the first three volumes of Asato Asato’s light novel series:
- Episodes 1-11 (Cour 1) ≈ Volume 1 of the light novel (with some modifications/omissions)
- Episodes 12-23 (Cour 2) ≈ Volumes 2 & 3 of the light novel, covering the second arc
As of October 2025, the 86 – Eighty-Six light novel series has released 14 volumes in Japan, with Volume 14, titled “Paint It Black”, marking the start of the final arc (released in September 2025). In English, Yen Press has published up to Volume 13, with future releases expected to follow. The series is now entering its final arc, meaning there’s still significant source material remaining for future anime seasons to adapt.
Where to Continue After the Anime
Light Novel
If you want to continue the story after the anime, start reading from Volume 4: “Under Pressure”. While the anime is considered an excellent and faithful adaptation, some details were simplified or omitted for pacing. If you have time, starting from Volume 1 will give you the complete experience with additional context and character insights.
Manga
The manga adaptation by Motoki Yoshihara only covers a small portion of the story. The manga was cancelled in June 2021 due to the author’s health issues after only three volumes, so it’s not recommended as a way to continue the story. The light novel remains the best source for continuing beyond the anime.
86 Season 2 News
People have been saying that Season 2 has been in the works since Season 1 ended, but until some official site reports it, it’s, unfortunately, just a rumor.
Where to Watch 86
You can stream all 23 episodes of 86 – Eighty-Six Season 1 on Crunchyroll, which offers both subtitled and dubbed versions. The series is also available on Amazon Prime Video in select regions.
Last Updated: October 2025
