Crunchyroll has seemingly removed 86: Eighty Six from its library in various regions, with Netflix following suit.
The acclaimed sci-fi military anime “86: Eighty Six” has reportedly been removed from Crunchyroll in multiple regions, while reports from fans within the community also claim that the series may soon leave Netflix in select territories.
No official statement has been released regarding the removals.
Why is “86: EIGHTY-SIX” being removed?
With 86: EIGHTY-SIX approaching its fifth anniversary, many fans speculate that the anime may have originally been licensed internationally under a roughly five-year agreement with Japanese rights holders. It is likely that the agreement has not been renewed, leading to the inevitable removal of the series in global streaming sites.
The removal has also caused the Blu-ray release of 86 to sell out in various online stores.
What does it mean for anime fans?
The situation has once again sparked frustration among anime fans regarding the instability of streaming libraries and regional licensing restrictions. Despite streaming companies frequently encouraging viewers to support anime through legal platforms, there is often no guarantee that titles will remain available long-term.
This situation once again sheds light on how difficult it is to consume anime and manga as an overseas fan, as popular, or even niche, titles can suddenly become nearly impossible to watch or read once licenses expire and are not renewed. 86 is not the only anime that has been quietly erased from streaming sites like Netflix or Crunchyroll because of licensing.
The discussion surrounding 86's removal has once again placed emphasis on why a number of anime communities opt to piracy and other illegal means of consuming media: no matter how much licensers and distributors emphasise legal media consumption, much of the content that fans are searching for are simply no longer within their reach.
What is 86: Eighty Six about?
86: EIGHTY-SIX is a Japanese sci-fi light novel series written by Asato Asato and illustrated by Shirabii.
The series began publication under ASCII Media Works’ Dengeki Bunko imprint in February 2017 and is licensed in English by Yen Press.
A manga adaptation illustrated by Motoki Yoshihara ran in Young Gangan from February 2018 to June 2021. The franchise also received several spin-off manga series, including 86: Operation High School, 86: Fragmental Neoteny, and 86: Mahō Shōjo Regina Lena – Tatakae! Ginga Kōkō Senkan San Magnolia.
Both the light novel series and manga adaptations are licensed by Yen Press for an English release. An anime adaptation produced by A-1 Pictures aired from April 2021 to March 2022.
The story is as follows:
For nine years, the Republic of San Magnolia has been at war with the Empire of Giad.
To the public, the war appears to be fought entirely by unmanned machines called Juggernauts. In reality, however, those machines are piloted by the “86”: a persecuted minority group known as the Colorata, who have been stripped of their rights and treated as less than human by the Republic.
Forced into internment camps within the so-called 86th District, the 86 are sent to fight and die in a war the Republic pretends is bloodless.
The story follows Major Vladilena “Lena” Milizé, an Alba military officer who opposes the Republic’s discrimination and propaganda. She is assigned to command the Spearhead Squadron, an elite unit made entirely of veteran 86 soldiers led by Shinei Nouzen, better known by his call sign “Undertaker.”
As Lena grows closer to the squad, both she and Shinei begin uncovering horrifying truths about the Republic, the Empire, and the true nature of the war itself.