Active Raid

In a near-future Tokyo sliding toward disorder, Unit 8 of the 5th Special Public Security Section's 3rd Mobile Assault Division, nicknamed The Eighth, uses powered exoskeletons called Willware to try to keep the peace. Asami Kazari arrives assigned to assess the unit and send reports up the chain, but she also wants to clean up their sloppy habits and sloppy sense of justice. The series follows her efforts as she deals with stubborn colleagues, street-level threats, bureaucratic politics, and the technical limits of the Willware suits, balancing action scenes with workplace friction and some lighter, character-driven moments.

Aired in 2016 as an animated TV release, Active Raid features voice talents like Takahiro Sakurai, Nobunaga Shimazaki, Ari Ozawa, Shizuka Ishigami, and Ai Kakuma. The show blends police procedural elements with mecha action, and its production emphasizes practical fight choreography and suit designs rather than being based on preexisting manga or novels.

The series did not pick up major awards or high-profile industry honors after its run, and there are no widely reported Emmy or equivalent nominations tied to it. Its recognition has mostly come from niche anime fan communities rather than mainstream prize circuits.

Among viewers who stuck with it, Active Raid became known for its Willware exoskeleton concept and the odd-couple dynamics inside The Eighth. The specific mix of bureaucratic oversight, street-level crime, and suit-based tactics led to fan discussion about how technology and law enforcement interact, and model and figure collectors showed interest in the armor designs. It didn't produce household catchphrases, but certain action sequences and character interactions showed up in online clips and fan art.

Critical response was mixed, reflected in a modest 6.1/10 user score from a small sample of voters. Reviewers tended to praise the animation of set-piece battles and the ensemble cast, while calling out uneven pacing and variable character development. Main themes include the tension between idealized law enforcement and messy reality, teamwork under imperfect leadership, and ethical questions about weaponized technology in civilian settings.