Original Run: January 10, 2021 - April 4, 2021 Number of Episodes: 12 Genre: Action, Science Fiction, Supernatural Based on the Series Created By: Daisuke Ashihara
***Warning, the following may contain spoilers for World Trigger 2nd Season. Reader discretion is advised.***
Series Synopsis
Border, the elite defense organization that guards against Neighbor incursions, continues its highly anticipated B-Rank Wars. For the Mikumo Squad, winning this tournament is crucial. By doing so, they increase their chances of joining the all-important Expedition Force into Neighbor territory.
For Osamu Mikumo, Yuma Kuga, and Chika Amatori (voiced respectively by Yuuki Kaji, Tomo Muranaka, and Nao Tamura) they must give it their all.
But little do they or most of Border’s agents know, another Neighbor attack is imminent. The stakes are high, and no one can afford to lose.
Series Positives
My situation going into World Trigger 2nd Season was a unique one. Before watching this show, I had completed the entire 73-episode season one run not two weeks prior. Therefore, I did not need to experience the long five-year gap between the installments. Similarly, I need only wait until January 2022 before covering World Trigger 3rd Season here on Anime Hajime (assuming there won’t be any complications between then and this review going live).
Regardless, the point I’m getting at is, it was hard not to see World Trigger 2nd as anything other than a simple continuation. And for the most part, to this series’s benefit, this was a continuation of many of the elements that allowed season one to be as enjoyable as it was. However, this installment had multiple qualities which suggested that this series would address many of its impossible-not-to-notice faults.
As a superficial example, this season got a massive upgrade in visuals. With World Trigger 1st Season airing back in 2014 (and ending in 2016), should you watch it anytime after reading this review, its age shows.
Fortunately for World Trigger 1st Season, its wow factor didn’t rest with its animation. Fights were inherently fascinating because the combatants were interesting, the battle strategies were well-developed, and there were some real stakes on the line on a few occasions. World Trigger 2nd Season had all that to spare, but it had the added benefit of looking as cool as it felt.
But to be fair, ask me about this season’s visuals when it too is seven years old.
As for something a little more concrete, World Trigger 2nd Season knew full well it was coming off both a lengthy hiatus and seventy-plus episodes worth of world-building. This installment didn’t waste a second and jumped straight back into the action.
The first few episodes of World Trigger 2nd Season had some of the most exciting, edge-of-your-seat fights of the entire franchise (thus far). Unlike the large-scale invasion conducted by Aftokrator, where Border employed its entire force, this new batch of invaders consisted of only an elite unit.
And when I say “elite,” I mean elite. This invasion force was up against Border’s best, and it was a close contest.
Still, it was due to the sheer amount of detail established in season one that allowed the opening act of this installment to shine. After all, it was this fight that demonstrated what makes Border such a threat. Although every attacking force has had a significant technological advantage, every opponent has failed to consider Border’s tactical sophistication. Border agents are skilled at thinking on their feet. Not only that, Border’s best agents are masters at reading the flow of battle. They recognize what their advantages and disadvantages are, on top of knowing how to exploit even the smallest edge effectively.
Raw power has not proven to be enough to defeat Border.
This aspect of World Trigger, its strategy use, has made this series such a fun watch, and season two outdid its predecessor. With that said, this segways me into my final point for this section of the review: World Trigger 2nd Season’s Rank Wars.
If you read through my review of season one or its accompanying Anime Hajime Impressions series, you’ll know my favorite part of this show has been the Rank Wars. For all intents and purposes, this is your classic anime tournament setup, which can grow tedious and uninspired if not done carefully.
No worries there since World Trigger has done this bit brilliantly.
For some context, Mikumo Squad was about to start their next match when season one ended. They had just come off a devastating defeat and had to redevelop how they fought as a team. In particular, Osamu Mikumo and Chika Amatori needed to up their game as to not to put the entire burden of winning on Yuma Kuga. At this point in the story, all other B-Rank Squads believed that victory was theirs if they could eliminate Yuma.
In comes season two and this new-and-improved Mikumo Squad. Following their first match of the season match, everything changed. Osamu, Chika, and Yuma had developed a fighting style that was uniquely their own as well as devastatingly effective.
Before, the Mikumo Squad was a rising star. Now, they are a force no one can overlook.
Plus, this escalation was before Hyuse (voiced by Nobunaga Shimazaki) joined the team. I cannot wait to see how Mikumo Squad will evolve in season three.
And that’s the thing, isn’t it? I cannot wait until season three.
Not counting the next installment, which is airing as of the writing of this review, World Trigger is sitting at 85 episodes strong, and there are no signs of it slowing down.
Series Negatives
We’ve reached a bit of a dilemma. Think about it; I recommended World Trigger 1st Season, and 2nd Season is noticeably better. Not only that, but World Trigger 3rd Season is merely 2nd Season Part 2. Thus, we are still in the middle of this installment.
But more than anything, if you sat through the first 73 episodes with no problems, why would you feel any hesitation towards an additional 12?
Frankly, World Trigger is in a powerful position. As long as it maintains course, it will remain a highly entertaining show. The only thing that can ruin that is some sort of catastrophic misstep. Not an impossibility, mind you, but considering how solid everything has been up to this point, I won’t be betting money on it.
Of course, that isn’t to say there is nothing negative about World Trigger 2nd Season. On the contrary, this installment had the same issue as its predecessor. Granted, it was to a lesser degree, but still.
Seeing how this was World Trigger, that meant it couldn’t help itself with giving up detail upon detail.
If given a choice, I suppose it is better to have more information, but this series takes it to another level. Whenever a new character, or more often than not, a new Border agent comes into the story – and believe it or not, even after season one, there are people we haven’t met yet – they are going to get a backstory.
This pattern, by itself, wouldn’t be too bad. In fact, I would consider it a commendable quality to World Trigger. The problem is, this show insists on taking up half an episode to do this. And always in the middle of a fight, no less.
I had hoped season two had kicked this habit, given how strong the opening episodes were. But in the end, thinking World Trigger wouldn’t do what it has always done is like expecting water not to be wet. It is what it is.
Final Thoughts
Part of me wishes I had experienced this season after waiting through the five-year gap. Alas, I cannot comment on this show as a glorious return. But as a continuation, I have no real complaints.
In actuality, the opposite is true. Season two brought this series to a higher level. If you were a fan of its predecessor, well, this installment is even better.
And soon enough, well be getting even more story to enjoy – I assume.
World Trigger 2nd Season has earned a recommendation.
But these were just my thoughts. What are yours? Have you seen this series? How would you advise World Trigger 2nd Season? Leave a comment down below because I would love to hear what you have to say.
If you liked what you have read, be sure to follow Anime Hajime on our social media sites so that you never miss a post or update. Also, please share this review across the internet to help add to the discussion.
Plus, if you wish to add your voice to Anime Hajime, why not consider writing for us? If you would like to contribute, check out our Write For Anime Hajime page. We welcome your style.
For Anime Hajime, I’m Odyssey, and I’ll see you next time.
More From the World Trigger Series
