Episode 23

Handler One (ハンドラー・ワン,) is the twelfth episode of the second cour and the twenty-third overall episode of the 86 -Eighty Six- anime adaptation, originally broadcasted on March 19, 2022.

Synopsis
The operation to destroy the Morpho was a success, and Shin and his team fulfilled their promise to return to the Federacy alive. After enjoying a brief respite, they once again wished to serve in frontline units, but they received a certain notice from Ernst. After crossing the deadly battlefields of the Republic, they arrived at a new meeting in the Federacy. They fight, suffer, and see a ray of hope. This is a story of boys and girls who have begun to move little by little. At the end of their journey, what is reflected in their eyes?

Plot
Shin and his friends and Frederica return to Ernst's home to celebrate their second Night of the Holy Birth holiday, where they take the chance to indulge in their hobbies. Shin visits Eugene's grave and apologizes for being unable to save him, but tells him he has a newfound purpose to live and promises to return to tell him about the things he's seen. After Shin and his friends return to the military, they are assigned to the newly established Independent Mobile Force which will take on specialized missions against the Legion and be led by a foreign officer. Shin then visits the Federacy memorial to the 86s and leaves behind Shourei's tag, showing he has accepted and moved on from his death, now focused on destroying the Legion so he can make a better future for his friends. Meanwhile, in the Republic, Republic forces are able to retake District One with the Federacy's help. The 86s are given the opportunity to emigrate to the Federacy and become citizens, and Lena and Annette decide to transfer to the Federacy to continue the fight against the Legion. While many Republic citizens are still prejudiced against non-Alba, Lena is happy to see that many more Republic citizens have had a change of heart. Upon arriving in the Federacy, Lena is introduced to the members of the Independent Mobile Force she now leads, and is shocked and happy to finally learn that Shin and his friends are still alive. Now that they are reunited, Lena promises to fight the Legion side by side with Shin.