Anime Hajime Impressions: World Trigger – Episodes 17 to 24

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Episode 17 – Border Official Enlistment

Episode Synopsis

The official Border enlistment begins, and Yuma Kuga and Chika Amatori aim to become C-Rank agents. Leading the event is the Arashiyama Squad, which split the potential recruits into Attacker, Gunner, and Sniper blocks.

Chika goes off to the Sniper section while Yuma stays with the Attackers. While this enlistment training filters through who can even become a Border agent, to instantly jump to B-Rank, recruits must raise their Trion Energy score to 4000.

The first event is a virtual battle against a Neighbor, and instantly, Yuma’s power stands out.

Meanwhile, Chika and the Sniper group enter their own virtual training. And much like Yuma, Chika makes quite the impression.

Returning to the Attacker group, the Number 3 A-Rank, Soya Kazama of the Kazama Squad, decides to put Tamakoma Branch’s new members to the test. However, his target is not Yuma but rather Osamu Mikumo.

Episode Impressions

Maybe it’s been around the entire series, and then again, maybe not. Regardless, sometimes it is difficult to follow what is happening when World Trigger is in exposition mode.

There is much to keep track of, but I often get the sense this show is constantly contradicting itself. For instance, the Trion Energy score. Granted, I am only calling it that because this episode didn’t give the score a name (at least, I didn’t catch it if there was one). Whatever the case, there was how this series explained what the score was, and then, there was its actual usage.

Things didn’t line up as neatly as I would have otherwise assumed.

Episode 18 – Osamu Mikumo vs. Soya Kazama

Episode Synopsis

Osamu Mikumo faces down Soya Kazama. Knowing Soya’s strength, Osamu realizes there is no possible way for him to win this match outright. And sure enough, Osamu goes 0 for 20 without landing a single hit.

For his part, Soya is disappointed that Osamu is failing to live up to his idea of Yuuichi Jin’s subordinate. Additionally, Soya can’t understand why Yuuichi would give up his Black Trigger for these new recruits.

Having not known Yuuichi had given up his Black Trigger, Osamu refuses to end this challenge with nothing to show for it. He asks Soya for one more go.

After the previous 20 battles, Osamu has a good idea of how Soya moves, and he thinks he can get, at least, one shot in. To Soya’s surprise, Osamu successfully reads his moves. With Osamu catching him off guard, the match ends in a spectacular draw.

With that, all three of Tamakoma’s newest members have become the talk of HQ, just as Yuuichi had planned it.

Episode Impressions

I am starting to see how Osamu can add value to his team. What he lacks in strength, he makes up for with cool logic. If he were to get enough time, I doubt there is anything that can beat him.

Additionally, I hope this series doesn’t expect me to remember all the different types of combat options Border agents employ. This episode went well out of its way to remind us of the different Gunner styles. While it is neat that this show has so much detail, is any of it really that necessary?

Episode 19 – Rank War, Shun Midorikawa’s Plot in Action

Episode Synopsis

As enlistment continues, Osamu Mikumo, Yuma Kuga, and Chika Amatori’s reputations continue to rise. However, Osamu is uncomfortable with his newfound fame since he knows he hasn’t actually earned it. Nevertheless, everyone keeps referring to him as the guy who tied with Soya Kazama.

At the height of his unwanted notoriety, Osamu receives a Rank Battle challenge from one Shun Midorikawa. With no reason to refuse,  Osamu accepts and loses spectacularly.

After coming out of the match, Osamu runs into Yuma. Before the two can head off, Shun comes out and is unapologetic with his disrespect towards Osamu.

Shun’s attitude unknowingly ticks Yuma off, and the latter issues a Rank Battle challenge of his own.

 Episode Impressions

Yes, I am aware this episode introduced an upcoming Neighbor invasion. But there wasn’t much detail about it, so I am not focusing on it yet.

On the other hand, we are about to go into a fight with an upset Yuma. I cannot wait to see how this one plays out.

Episode 20 – Duel! Yuma vs. Midorikawa

Episode Synopsis

Yuma Kuga and Shun Midorikawa’s Rank Battle begins. Shun, an A-Rank Border agent, suggests a 10 round match and effortlessly wins the first two. Feeling cocky, Shun believes he has already won.

However, Yuma had deliberately lost those rounds to learn Shun’s moves. Once he knew what he was up against, Yuma sweeps the rest of the match.

Seeing Yuma easily defeat an A-Rank agent, Border’s higher-ups know they have to use Yuma’s knowledge of Neighbors to plan for the upcoming invasion.

Border’s Commander Kido summons Yuma. Once there, Yuma turns the floor over to Replica. But though Replica does have plenty of Neighbor information, he will not offer it unless Border guarantees Yuma’s safety.

Commander Kido proclaims that as long as Yuma follows Border’s regulations, he will be under the organization’s protection.

Episode Impressions

Besides the obvious non-committal agreement from Commander Kido (he will undoubtedly find a way to ensure Yuma breaks regulations), there wasn’t much else to this episode.

I mean, yeah, the fight between Yuman and Shun was satisfying enough, but it appears this show is ready to start its next chapter.

Episode 21 – The Neighbors’ World

Episode Synopsis

Yuma Kuga and Replica reveal all they know about the Neighbor’s world. Unfortunately, they do not know which Neighbor country is the one planning the invasion. Nevertheless, Border is as prepared as it can be.

For the time being, Yuma, Osamu Mikumo, and Chika Amatori get the chance to return to their everyday lives for a moment. Whatever may come, they know they will have each other’s backs.

And just like that, the alarms sound, and all Border agents scramble. The invasion has begun.

Episode Impressions

Given how exposition-heavy this episode was, you would think my summary of it would have been longer. But no, the start of the invasion was the only thing of real note.

World Trigger does this a lot. Much of the time, not much of anything actually takes place. There are only ever a few key moments. Everything else is just filler. Fortunately, up until now, the filler has been fun, so you won’t hear me complaining.

Episode 22 – The Large-Scale Invasion begins

Episode Synopsis

As the invasion begins, Border quickly moves in to stop the Neighbors from escaping the Forbidden Zone. Although things appear to be going well, a new type of Neighbor, dubbed Rabbit, emerges. This new enemy up ends the battle trajectory, and Border is at a severe disadvantage.

If things continue as they are, defeat is inevitable.

Episode Impressions

It does feel like I am taking the easy route when I can sum up an episode in only a few sentences. However, I don’t see the point in detailing every bit of action when the end result is the same – Border is, so far, losing.

Episode 23 – The Holy Land, Aftokrator

Episode Synopsis

Border is struggling with the new Rabbit Neighbor, but the organization has deduced the enemy’s plan.

During the fighting, Yuma Kuga deploys his Black Trigger to counter the Rabbits. Given the direness of the situation, Border’s leadership is willing to overlook this violation. However, for the time being, Yuma is now under Commander Kido’s direct command.

While Yuma goes off to face the Rabbits, Osamu Mikumo heads back to the Urban Zone to protect the civilians still trying to evacuate. The Urban Zone is also where Osamu told Chika Amatori to stay.

Episode Impressions

I find it annoying that we only know who is attacking Border because the episode’s title gave it away. Nowhere in the episode itself did the Aftokrator nation reveal themselves to Border.

Again, maybe I am wrong, and someone actually mentioned Aftokrator by name. But you would think a piece of information like that would stick out.

Episode 24 – Meeden’s Baby Birds

Episode Synopsis

As the battle continues, Border still cannot make sense of Aftokrator’s motives.

Osamu Mikumo and Ai Kitora head to the Urban Area to reinforce the C-Rank agents there. When they arrive, another one of the Rabbits appears out of nowhere. Although Ai manages to bring the Neighbor down, she realizes too late what Aftokrator’s goal truly is.

With the bulk of Border’s top squads fighting in the Forbidden Zone, the less protected but still Trion-rich C-Rank agents are ripe for the taking.

Episode Impressions

World Trigger is padding itself out; there is no doubt about that. It takes a long time for any real progress to happen.

The reason this has worked so far is thanks to the filler material being immensely entertaining. However, I have to say, this show’s pacing isn’t all that great.

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