World Trigger, Vol. 17

ワールドトリガー [World Trigger] #17

by Daisuke Ashihara

The Rank Wars match against Kakizaki Squad and Katori Squad continues, and Tamakoma-2 isn’t pulling any punches. The other two squads seemingly don’t stand a chance against Osamu and Yuma’s new combination technique! Could this be the push Tamakoma-2 needs to sweep the competition? And what’s this about a new squad member joining them?!

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

192 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 2, 2016

Reviews

[Bibliophile Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Things to love in this volume (⌒▽⌒)☆

- Tamakoma Second's battle tactics are A+
- Izumi unable to figure out what Osamu's trick with the wires is. Tokieda has an idea but he won't throw out Tamakoma Second's secrets for all to know. :)
- Yotaro asking Hyuse what the trick is, and of course, Hyuse can guess (turns out it's simple but genius!)
- The whole of Chapter 174! ♡♡♡♡♡ Tamakoma has a celebatory meal at their base and they're all so happy for our favorite trio and acting like a big group of siblings. I love the fun, light-hearted moments Ashihara includes. (⌒‿⌒)
- Jin floating about carrying food and wearing an apron, waiter-fashion
- Hyuse acting all big brotherly toward Yotaro.
"Sit down and eat."

The cuteness^^
- Konami pulling on her hood and imitating Hyuse. "What is this sudden change in the wind I sense?! A couple days ago you were like...'It is 100% impossible for me to join.' That's what you said right?!"

Konami...it seems you forgot you were the one who actually said that? 👀  XD
- "I will become your second ace." :D!!!!:D!!!!:D!
- Konami's fiery antagonism toward Hyuse tho XD I mean, she /does/ make some good points but I think working with him is the best choice they have atm. Plus, it makes things even more interesting. :D
- Jin telling Hyuse not to underestimate Osamu.

You know that's right~ <(￣︶￣)>
- We are getting closer to the expedition and there's a good chance that Tamakoma Second will be able to go now (!!)
- Konami putting Osamu in a headlock because she thinks he sold out Chika to go on the expedition. And Reiji has to convince her that that's not the case before she finally lets Osamu go and apologizes xD Konami's level of ferocity is one of my favorite things.
- now this is extremelly Random™️ but I just discovered that Karasuma's jacket is a hand-me-down from Jin and that makes the fact that he wears it literally all the time 100% cuter (⁀ᗢ⁀)
- I honestly loved everything about this volume! („• ֊ •„)

[Amanda Setasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I missed this series a lot. The huge tactical battles are easily my favorite, and every character introduced so far (and I believe that's getting close to around 50?) has been extremely unique in every sense. Definitely looking forward to more.

[The Book Dragon · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's Tamakoma-2 vs. Katori Squad vs. Kakizaki Squad.
And Tamakoma's new strategy and Triggers are making a real impact on the teams they're fighting and on the spectators.

Meanwhile, Hyuse has agreed to join Tamakoma-2 as a fourth member. But getting Commander Kido on board with another (enemy) Neighbor becoming a (temporary) Border member is another matter.

Either way, Hyuse's not going to get the green light before the next match.
It's Tamakoma-2 vs. Oji Squad vs Ikoma Squad (#3 B-Rank)

[Adam Sunny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chapter 143-151

[Online Eccentric Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

With Volume 17, the rank war with Kakizaki and Katori ends - with surprising results. Meanwhile, Jin's 'interfering' produces surprising results that may just give Mikumo Squad the advantage in the next rank wars, this time with Ikoma and Ouji squads.

Story: Mikumo's wires and Amatori's lead bullet lightning gun are making the difference in this rank war after the last rank war's resounding defeat. Kakizaki tried to take Kuga with him - but Yuma's fast thinking once again saved the day. Katori is hell bent on taking out Mikumo while Teruya is slowly closing on Amatori. But Tomakoma-2 isn't the only squad full of surprises - and Teruya's ingenuinity is going to prove very destructive to our team. After the rank war ends, Mikumo will strike a very interesting and cleverly thoughout out bargain with Kido - one that may or may not make the difference in whether they make it on the next away mission to retrieve the kidnapped Earthers. And by the end of the novel, the next rank war will begin!

With this novel, we get the back story of Katori and Somei and how they came to be at border. It's a good story and explains Katori's skills yet huge character flaws. It also explains why she is so disgusted with T2's ambition and upbeat attitude. Her squad is almost the perfect antithesis to Mikumo's squad - and for that reason, we just know that they are going to lose to T2.

Jin's clever manipulating will ease the way for Hyuse to join T2. I would be surprised if we learn sometime in the far future that his real names is Hughes and that he was stolen from Earth a long time ago. It will mean his loyalty will be called into question at a pivotal time - and also explain Jin's interest in him.

T2's next rank war battle is with Ikoma and Ouji. Ikoma squad is VERY funny. I was curious how the translator would interpret the Kansai accent - which used to be the stereotypical villain accent until Osaka comedians performing with their accent became popular in the nineties. These days Kansai is generally used to indicate a fun loving, impatient, loud, boisterous personality. And Ikoma definitely fits that bill - while Ouji is carefully planning, Ikoma is pondering the latest cafeteria meal choices! Kansai is typically translated as Brooklyn or Southern accents - with World Trigger, they went hillbilly Southern.

Ouji, the careful and clever planning squad, also has its funny moments, including drawings and 'renames' of their opponents during the strategy sessions. Kuga becomes Cougar and their opponent icons are a Kewpie doll, a head of broccoli, and an Egyptian eye for the sniper. I have to appreciate Ashihara's humor here and that with each new squad, we get great new stories and personalities. I only wish the icons had been explained in the volume with footers.

Of note, this is the second to last volume before World Trigger went on hiatus (since last November, 2016). It's currently on hiatus as of this review (August 2017) but it hasn't been dropped - so we can hope there will be much more once Ashihara's health improves again and he resumes drawing/writing. Until then, I look forward to more of the rank war battles in Volume 18. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.