86 Episode 14 Early Access

Also. He was scooting over to stare directly at Shin...igami... (The Reaper) in the face. He stared death directly in the face right before his actual death.

Keep It Zen

I remember you having hesitations in the early episodes. Understandable, but you can likely see why this is my favorite anime in recent memory - I started reading the light novel after the show ended.

Nejy

And Eugene’s scooting over to make eye contact with Shin could be read as Eugene’s rejection of his full life, leaving his full plate to the emptiness of death. Fascinating. I’ve seen 86 a dozen time now and I am always seeing something new.

Bob Francis

It symbolizes that Eugene has a lot to live for, while Shin has nothing. His plate represents a full life almost. Of course it could be read in other ways, such as Eugene not being as used to death as Shin is, but my way of reading it is based off of Shin’s thoughts regarding Eugene’s death in the light novel

I think the saddest thing about shin not defending himself is that they probably would feel really bad if he did but he wont because to some extent he probably believes what the others say about him as well, that he is a monster. Even after all this time.

Silent Shadow

the ED somehow reminds me of the OP of Berserk more on the sad side than the angry side. Like it is a little more mellow.

Silent Shadow

what does it symbolize?

bluerum

My take on Eugene’s comment about the generals is that he’s making a joke dripping in gallows humor and the apology to Shin was the realization Shin actually lived through that experience. Also the “eyes” were quoted like that in the Crunchyroll subs. With Frederica’s powers to see people’s past and present, Shin wanted to spare her seeing Eugene in his near death state and to spare her from seeing the Reaper’s work. It was a heartbreaking moment, and Shin wanted to show the girl some kindness.

Bob Francis

Read this comment on YouTube: Shin’s plate was empty while Eugene’s was full. Lot of symbolism there.

Keep It Zen

Rarely has a show brought me to the heights of joy to drop me into the the depths of despair like this episode. I wept for Eugene and for Shin. Speaking of Eugene, the boy did walk around with a giant neon sign over his head with DEAD MAN, but the show absolutely NAILED his death with the impact of a truck with that hard cut. That cut, even expecting Eugene to die, caught me off guard and I sat absolutely stunned in my chair. The casualness of his death was great storytelling. That pan across the table means something that I'm still trying to process. Shin and Frederica ate their food, but Eugene didn't even touch his, possibly, last meal. Perhaps it was to show the comfort levels with war and battle and death between the three of them.

Bob Francis

Military types are extremely superstitious. Having mascots for good luck (whether they are people, objects, or animals) is common, and Shin's designation as an incredible fighter is great but also can be seen as an omen of misfortune, especially with all his officers dying. Nobody wants to be in a unit with an ace if it means everyone he fights with dies (even more so if he's constantly going to where the fighting is the worst), so he's immediately seen as "bad luck".

Jake Thompson