World Trigger: 5 by Daisuke Ashihara (23-Apr-2015) Paperback

ワールドトリガー [World Trigger] #5

by Daisuke Ashihara

Destroy thy Neighbor! A gate to another dimension has burst open, and invincible monsters called Neighbors invade Earth. Osamu Mikumo may not be the best among the elite warriors who co-opt other-dimensional technology to fight back, but along with his Neighbor friend Yuma, he’ll do whatever it takes to defend life on Earth as we know it.Border headquarters is abuzz with gossip about talented new rookies Yuma and Chika. But it’s Osamu who attracts the most attention when an A-Rank agent challenges him to a duel. Then it’s Yuma’s turn to fight when another A-Rank agent challenges him! Plus there’s that meeting with Border’s top brass that they just got called to… Is there such a thing as too grand an introduction?

Genres: Manga, Science Fiction, Action, Shonen, Graphic Novels, Fiction, Young Adult

Unknown Binding

First published April 4, 2014

Reviews

[寿理 宮本 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've declined to tag "secret life" for this volume, since by now it's well-known that Yuma is a Neighbor. Even so, this random blowout sale find in my efforts to reacquire the books I'd given away prior to thinking of reviewing them first makes me nostalgic for the anime that is... basically unlikely to ever finish, given the glacial rate the manga is getting done.

...IS it getting done?

*checks*

Okay, looks like book 28 recently-ish came out (even though I never see it in the stores), so at least it's still going despite Ashihara's health issues having put it on hiatus for a scarily long time.

I'm mostly concerned due to a number of titles that have not and may never finish over the author's pace/health issues. I'm also vaguely concerned about the same with ongoing web comics with creators who are still moderately healthy, since the ones I *still* follow largely do not have an "ending" and will eventually just stop updating when the creators die—or have planned endings but create anxiety when on extended hiatus for financial reasons (the usual suspect).

I even mentioned as such to my spouse, that I would like to watch the show (again) together, but it's both slow-paced and not likely to finish any year soon—stopping frustratingly in the middle of a ranked tournament!!—yet I like the series just enough that I'm tempted to show my spouse anyway if only to wait out when the (hopefully!) GOOD shows set to release this year come out.

Anyway, this volume is pretty great but focuses a LOT on the other Border recruits' distrust of Yuma (for being the "enemy" despite the fact that he's technically human) since lots of them still have blanket prejudice that anything/anyone who comes through the Gates is an enemy to destroy, EVEN THOUGH Yuma was born to humans on an away mission, EVEN THOUGH there are many nations on the other side of the Gates that are as different as the nations of Earth, etc. etc. So there's mostly focus on two battles in specific, and a big meeting with the "brass" that results in overall a large benefit to Border and peace of mind for Team Tamakoma.

That's probably not a great sell, is it? Well, I already admitted it's a series I like but don't LOVE—the art is fantastically consistent, it's easy to tell characters apart even though there are PRACTICALLY HUNDREDS of them, ALL named and ALL getting some screen time, and the lore behind the series is just as interesting as the plot (Ashihara answers lots of questions about how Trion works, do all the Border agents attend the same school, etc.). Yet the pace is slow DESPITE having a lot of content, vs. lots of action readable in seconds. This is also not a great volume specifically to sell anyone on; like most long-running series, it's better to start with book 1.

I love that Osamu is the most popular Valentine despite being self-admittedly weak and having no outstanding traits, though! Very "root for the underdog" series!

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read more graphic novel reviews at www.graphiclibrary.org.

Training and rank wars continue as several top, elite agents test the apprentices of Jin to see what all the fuss is about. First up is Mikumo against Kazama. The two go 25 rounds, with 24 going to the A-ranked Kazama, and a tie on the very last battle. Then, after fighting for as many rank points as he could, Yuma challenges A-rank Satori for being disrespectful to Mikumo. Chika also wows the trainers and execs with her off-the-charts Trion levels. It’s all fun and games until Jin’s side effect predicts a massive invasion from Neighbor, which leaves everyone preparing for battle.

This series is a really well-done adventure story. There are a lot of characters when you take into account all of the teams that play a part in the Border agency, but through natural storytelling, we are starting to focus on specific ones and learn more about individual members. There are some more reveals in this volume that are necessary. Overall, there’s a good piecemeal feeding of background/world building information that’s not overwhelming. Every volume, we get a little deeper into the mechanics of the Neighbor world, and after what was given to us in this volume, I am even more intrigued by the concept of Neighbors.

The illustrations continue to be really detailed and well done. Action sequences are easy to follow.

Sara's Rating: 9/10
Suitability Level: Grades 7-12

[The Book Dragon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mikumo, Yuma, and Chika waste no time making a big splash at Border Enlistment Day and their notoriety spreads through the next few weeks as Yuma begins the grind toward B-rank and Mikumo tries to live down his one-on-one fight against A-Rank 3 Squad Leader Kazama.

Also there's another info dump that explains how the Neighborhood is structured and names a few of the more well known countries. This is relevant because Jin's side effect has predicted a major invasion in the near future so strap in for some incoming intensity.

[Mac Dubista Keso The Bibliobibuli v(=∩_∩=) · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this volume, Osamu's character is highlighted. I'll give him credit. He's weak. But he's not stupid, and he knows his weaknesses, so he's using his head to read his opponent. Wisdom and creativity. I see. How far can someone without talent get on wisdom and creativity? Interesting.

There are also many new characters introduced. Facts about shooters and gunners are also revealed here. Plus, Replica is also introduced. Details about the near attack of the neighbors are provided. The ending is a cliffhanger... The next volume is again something to look forward to. Yay! Highly recommended!

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Volume 6 continues our story and continual focus on Yuma and Osamu at Border Academy. Osamu is exposed as a fraud while Yuma shows he can fight like the rest of the other cadets at Border. Yuma decides to take on an A-ranked squad leader; moreover, he destroys the A-ranked member in a nearly clear sweep. The residents then realize there might be another attack soon.

[Amanda Setasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This particular volume has a great cliff hanger at the end. I really enjoyed this one.

[Galion Public Library Teens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review by D.H. : "I didn't like how many times Osama was teased on and made fun of, even if it was made just to be funny. My dad and sister [would like this]."

[Adam Sunny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chapter 35-43

[Online Eccentric Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/

World Trigger 5 continues to defy expectations as author Ashihara cleverly puts Osamu in situations where he will unexpectedly excel, Yuma will underhandedly conquer, and Chika will surprise. Volume 5 does feel a bit like filler episodes, however, as our intrepid heroes enter training to begin their movement toward A-rank status. Not a lot happens until the end and then we're set up for a big cliff hanger.

Story: Osamu's team is finding it difficult to navigate the Border academy. Osamu and Yuma, due to their defeat of so many Neighbors and their relationship to Jin, are obvious targets for the other students with something to prove. Chika's monstrous Trion is also making it difficult for her to adjust as she finds herself blowing holes in the walls with her gun. But they all know that something big is coming; an all out Neighbor attack may be imminent and only Osamu's team may be the key to survival.

I really like that the main character isn't all powerful but instead clever - Osamu fails a lot but in the right ways that help rather than hinder. Kuga's omnipotence is therefore balanced by Osamu's faults but in no way does one diminish the other. Chika's raw power, Osamu's intelligence, and Kuga's experience are making the strong team that Jn clearly predicted. I love their interactions and how they trust each other and work together.

The characters are all really low key (even Jin!) and that creates a really nice flow. We don't have Bleach-style declarations all the time nor crazy fights. It grounds the story quite a bit in a way that I'm finding really appealing even after five volumes.

So far, the anime has followed the manga fairly closely. But there is still a lot more information to be found in the manga and not in the anime that make it really worth the read.

So although this volume was mostly mock battles and challenges that all three team members have to work through, the promise of something big in the next volume has me eagerly waiting for volume 6.

Reviewed from a copy received from the publisher.

[Aleece · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kazama, the captain of the #3 A team wants to fight Osamu to test his strength and discover the meaning behind Jin protecting Yuma, Osamu and Chika by giving up his black trigger. While Osamu is completely outmatched he manages to use his head and think of other possibilities in order to pull out a draw in the final attempt.

There seems to be a lot of foreshadowing that shows up with Jin's "side effect" but the full details have yet to be revealed. This was another exciting volume with even bigger action right around the corner. It seems that a lot of characters have been introduced in the last two volumes in preparation for the upcoming volume (one can hope). I love the illustration style and the way each character gives off their own distinct personality.

I received this advanced copy from VIZ Media through Edelweiss in exchange for my honest review.

[Beckiezra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a book of duels then it suddenly escalated to an invasion. I also see why I was confusing Miwa and Kazama, their hair has gotten more similar as the volumes progress and Kazama took Miwa's place in standing by the director in meetings once he came back from the Neighborhood so that probably confused me, too. I thought I was getting on top of character identification, but then I took a long time to finish this one and the things I knew from the first volumes have trickled out of my mind...

[Sean O'Hara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a big improvement over volume 4, though I'm not sure how much longer they can drag out the training arc. At least the next volume looks like it'll be a combat arc at last, even if the characters aren't all trained yet.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the things I most admire about this series is the way Ashihara is able to create a violent, desperate story without actually putting the characters at risk of real physical harm. It's a great way to circumvent parental/librarian objections to a middle grade series.

[はやて 芬 · Rating 5 out of 5]

next book has my favourite arc. it has lots of strategies and twists. can't stop re-reading. a

[Selena Pigoni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Need next volume. Need it now. Don't end a volume with the start of a big battle!

[Michael Galdamez · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

[Ashlie Hoyt · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was amazing