Best anime of spring 2021 that Ive seen. 300https://media.tenor.com/images/5c00625c6730cdb4dd6b4e1f144db9c4/tenor.gif STORY 9/10 The story is definitely interesting. Two nations at war one nation that has separated its citizens into two categories Alba and EightySix. Alba all have the same colored hair and are considered to be human while EightySix have different colors of hair than the Alba and are no longer considered human. Therefore whenever EightySix die on the battlefield they are not counted as casualties so each day on the news in The Republic where the Alba live they say there are zero casualties when in reality there are plenty. This anime takes a deep look into racism and war and oppression. The Republic is sitting back drinking relaxing stuffing their faces assuming theyll win the war in two years instead of getting off their asses and doing something about it while the EightySix are out here dying for no good reason and being treated like shit by the Alba. And this anime certainly doesnt sugarcoat its portrayal of racism it does a very good job of showing us how oppression affects people and how no matter what certain types of people will always be considered lesser than other due to factors beyond their control. It really makes you take a look at examples of oppression that people still face here in 2021 and it sheds light on how no matter how hard you may try to understand people who are oppressed until you yourself get oppressed youll never understand. The main character Major Lena is one of the very few people who care about the EightySix and actually consider them to be human. This is very interesting to see the way she acts compassionately when it comes to the EightySix. She is constantly requesting backup to be sent to them and always checks in with them. She is a true diamond in the rough. A pure person surrounded by all the impure bloated bastards of the country she lives in. 300https://media.tenor.com/images/a1de9ad1fbbc0b08bb652d43f55d6668/tenor.gif ANIMATION 10/10 The animation is beautiful. It depicts the beauty and the madness of war perfectly. The colors used the background/environment the movements of the characters and the machines they pilot into war are very smooth and the character design is impeccable and incomparable to anything else. 300https://media.tenor.com/images/053cc7024e6d2bbddc2bcdc99804eb9c/tenor.gif CHARACTERS 9/10 The characters are all unique and interesting albeit most of them end up dead. My favorites are: Lena Her personality is very amazing and unique and I find it very commendable that shes able to stand up for the EightySix even lecturing an entire classroom on how EightySix are actually humans. Shin Shin is a very interesting character. He hears the voices of many of his dead comrades who have been turned into members of the Legion army. Hes suffered through so much loss including that of his own brother and still manages to be an effective leader and keep his team in high spirits throughout all their hardships. Lenas Friend I dont remember her name but the girls whos dad created the ParaRAID is an interesting character. I was shocked to know that the boy she knew in the past and had been friends with turned out to be Shin. Its also interesting how all of her marriage candidates are out of her age range likely because of her traumatizing encounter with Shin when she was younger where she referred to him using a term that was used to insult and oppress people who werent Alba. Lenas Uncle I dont remember his name either but he had some interesting moments despite the fact that he was always trying to stop Lena from siding with the EightySix Of course there are more interesting characters but those are my personal favorites. 300https://media.tenor.com/images/67bb82d104ee252d4b037c90d2525975/tenor.gif OPENINGS AND MUSIC 8.5/10 The opening and outro music and the OST that plays throughout the show at various different sad or happy moments always manages to perfectly compliment the events going on in the anime at that moment. It adds emotion to the already emotional scenes that occur throughout this anime. ENDING 9.5/10 The ending of this cour was perfect and amazing. Lena goes to visit the camp that Spearhead squadron was staying at. She find their cat she finds Shins room and she finds notes that they left her. Knowing they were going on that mission to die they left a final goodbye on the drawing they had used to mock/make fun of her when they first spoke to her. It made my heart ache a little bit if Im being honest. OVERALL 9.1/10 This show is amazingly animated with an interesting story uniquely designed and animated characters and so many amazing scenes and moments that keep you on the edge of your chair FUCKIN GLORY TO THE SPEARHEAD SQUADRON 300https://media.tenor.com/images/83186d7396f45879350e65fcdc48424f/tenor.gif