86 - Volume 12 - Chapter Aft

AFTERWORD

Thank you as always for your support, everyone, and hello, this is Asato Asato.

I’m grateful for your patience! And I’m proud to deliver 86—Eighty-Six, Vol. 12: Holy Blue Bullet!

After Volume 11, my editors, Kiyose and Tsuchiya, had to resign. In the five years since 86’s first volume, they taught me a great deal. I hope I can make a truly great work, one that you’ll regret leaving behind, one you wish you could have worked on with me. Just watch me pull it off!

Thank you so much for all your help thus far.

Some commentary, as always.

• Hail Mary

It refers to an all-or-nothing long pass in American football. American football is cool; everyone should watch it.

• Return of the leviathans

I know I wrote that they wouldn’t appear again, but the leviathans found some way to sneak back into the story. Actually, when I finished Volume 8, Tsuchiya told me that I-IV read the afterword and was disappointed when you said they wouldn’t appear again. Well, here they are one more time! I added them to Volume 12’s plot with that kind of lighthearted intention (which resulted in many headaches when I actually had to write down the manuscript).

I touched more on their background this time, but I don’t think I’ll write about them again. For real, this time.

I mean, it would end up changing the story into something else entirely.

Lastly, some thanks.

To my editor, Tabata. The first draft ended up being the volume with the largest number of pages to date. The days we spent stressing and fretting over this certainly aren’t pleasant to think back on. (Sorry!) Looking at it now makes me shudder—Chapter 2 ended up being twice as many pages as originally planned…

To my new editor starting from this volume, Nishimura. I’m sorry I had to throw you right into a How many pages can we cut? contest right off the bat…but I’m sure I’ll absolutely make you scream next time.

To Shirabii. The Halloween illustration you drew of Shin, Raiden, and Theo was so lovely that I ended up including Halloween in the main story!

To I-IV. As requested, a new leviathan (this time, a three-meter-tall mermaid-style one) is served in Volume 12. I’m sure you’ll make it into fine sashimi.

To Yoshihara and Yamasaki. Thank you for the manga version. Please take care.

To Somemiya. Whenever I look at the cover of the anime extra story, Magical Girl Regina ★ Lena, it always makes me smile fondly. Especially when I think of Rei’s pearly whites and Shin’s dejected expression…!

To Shinjou. Thank you for seeing Fragmental Neoteny to its conclusion. I was happy to see Isuka’s extra chapter!

To Director Ishii. Thank you for the anime. Having you direct the anime adaptation was a truly wonderful experience. Also, I based a city on your name. Thank you for allowing me to do so, although it was a long time ago.

And as always, a huge thank-you to all the readers who have stayed with the series thus far. I’ve already decided on Volume 13’s title—and I decided on Dustin’s name for this purpose. It’s finally time for his story. So please look forward to Vol. 13: Deer Hunter!

Oh, also, I’ve said in the past that 86 will end on Volume 13, but I’m sorry! It’s not over yet! We’re gonna keep going.

In any case, I hope that for even a short moment, I could take you to a battlefield showered with autumn leaves, to a battle over the beautiful, fearsome blue.

Music playing while writing this afterword: 

“Kamigami no Uta” by Himekami