MANGA: World Trigger

Anything and everything you want to know about the Border Defense Agency!
By March 17, 2014

 
Border Defense Agency: A Guide for New Recruits

Congratulations, new agent! Border has received your application and has found your Trion levels to be above the minimum level. Starting today, you will begin a lifelong mission to protect humanity from the terrible threat of the Neighbors.

Border: A Brief History

The world will never forget the day when the Neighbors first invaded our world. Appearing four years ago in our very own Mikado City, these foul invaders caused grave destruction. Although the Neighbors proved impervious to conventional human weaponry, we of Border faced the challenge with our Triggers. These harnessed our Trion, the latent power within all humans, to successfully counter the Neighbors and drive their forces back.  In anticipation of further hostilities, our founding members constructed headquarters within Mikado City’s limits. Today, citizens live normal lives due to our continued protection. (This includes yourself, as you will continue to live as a normal citizen when not on active duty. Students will still need to attend school; we have informed your homeroom teacher that you will occasionally need to excuse yourself from class to help save mankind.)

Names To Know

 
OSAMU MIKUMO — B-RANK
Despite his low Trion levels and previously unremarkable reputation, Osamu is quickly proving that dedication and strategy are worth more than talent alone. Keep an eye on this one, however meek his exterior or meager his ranking.

YUMA KUGA — C-RANK
In a highly controversial act, headquarters has approved the inclusion of its first ever Neighbor agent. Yuma came to us armed with a Black Trigger, an artificially intelligent guardian named Replica and a lifetime of experience fighting his fellow Neighbors. However, he is still learning human customs, so please treat him with respect. And don’t lie. He knows when you’re lying.

CHIKA AMATORI — C-RANK
Young Chika Amatori chose to join Border after witnessing her brother’s and best friend’s abduction by the Neighbors. It is her hope to make A-Rank one day and attempt their rescue from the Neighborhood. Her dedication to this endeavor and studious apprenticeship make up for her physical weakness and relative lack of combat experience. It also helps that she has an absurdly high level of Trion and the Side Effect to sense approaching Neighbors.

 
STAR AGENT: YUICHI JIN
A living legend here at Border, Yuichi Jin controls both the Black Trigger Fujin and possesses the unique Side Effect to sense the near future of anyone he meets. However, what earned him his position was a combination of sheer talent, hard work and raw chutzpah. With so much to offer, it’s no wonder that Jin is one of our only two known S-Rank agents. Study his example well, and who knows where you might go?

 
Navigating Border

RANKING SYSTEMS
C-Rank: (Pop. 400) This is where you start your career here at Border, and receive low-level training Triggers. Unauthorized use of Triggers by C-Rank agents will incur discipline. Severe discipline.
B-Rank: (Pop. 100) Field soldiers. After receiving proper recognition in the Rank Wars, C-Rank agents will be promoted here. This is the point where you should expect to fight on a regular basis.
A-Rank: (Pop. 30) Only the best agents can apply for these select positions. A-Rank agents are the best of the best, acting as the last line of defense and the best weapon of offense against the Neighbor threat. Only A-Ranks may venture into the Neighborhood.
S-Rank: (Pop. 2) Existing outside the ranking system, the S-Rank is given only to those who are both capable of and approved to use a Black Trigger. Further information is classified.

Key Terms
Memorize the following terminology before training starts.

NEIGHBORS
Beings from another dimension that began attacking humans four years ago. Our mission at Border is to drive them back from our world once and for all!

TRION
Biological power source of the Trigger. It is created by the Trion gland, an invisible gland that all humans possess. It is located near the heart. Basic Trion function is a key factor in determining a Trigger’s strength.

THE NEIGHBORHOOD
The Neighbors’ home dimension. Comprised of many warring countries, each on its own planetoid. Countries that pass within Gate range of Earth are responsible for dispatching the Trion Soldiers that now attack humanity.

TAMAKOMA BRANCH
A radical branch headed by Takumi Rindo. Forerunner of the effort to negotiate with non-hostile Neighbors.

Combat Basics
Triggers are devices for focusing Trion, limited to licensed Border agents. Upon activation, it replaces your physical body with one made entirely of Trion. This new body is not only far more durable than the standard human body, but its destruction will leave your physical body unharmed. The Triggers listed below are only distributed to B-Rank agents and above.

ATTACKERS
Agents who specialize in melee weaponry may use the following.
The Scorpion: A lightweight blade geared for speed-oriented Attackers. Shape and length can be modified, but it’s quite brittle, so it’s offense-only.
Kogetsu (“Fox Moon”): All-purpose katana-like blade. It is heavier and has a static shape, but it is also balanced and high-powered. Can be temporarily extended by expending additional Trion.
Raygust: The heaviest Attacker weapon. Functions as Shield and Sword.

GUNNERS
Agents who specialize in short-range firearm combat may use the following.
The Asteroid: Shoots powerful bullets, but otherwise has no special traits.
The Meteor: A grenade launcher whose wide blast radius makes it both hazard and asset.
The Viper: Has the ability to control bullet trajectory.
The Hound: Bullets home in on the nearest target.
Note: Bullets can get additional modifications for increased effectiveness.

SNIPERS
Agents who specialize in long-range firearm combat may use the following.
Egret: All-purpose with the best range. Not fancy, but gets the job done.
Lightning: Weak and lightweight. High muzzle velocity makes it easy to hit targets. Allows agent to whittle opponents down gradually.
Ibis: Heavyweight gun. Its low muzzle velocity makes it difficult to aim, but it has high attack power against armored enemies.

ALL-ROUNDERS
Agents who are not a specialist of anything, but can use multiple Trion-based abilities. There are very few of these agents.

OTHER TRIGGER TYPES
Shield: A Trigger that blocks Trion-based attacks. The user may alter its size, but the larger it is, the more easily it shatters.
Black Trigger: A Trigger imbued with all the Trion of an exceptionally powerful deceased Trigger user. Each is very selective of its users, and requires immense skill to handle. Each has a unique power not found in any other Trigger. Goes hand-in-hand with S-Rank.
Bagworm: Cloak that renders wearer undetectable to radar at the cost of constant Trion drainage. Cannot be used with another Trigger at the same time.
Chameleon: A Trigger that renders the user invisible.

Hopefully, this information will help you in your training. Good luck, recruit!

This article originally appeared in the 03-03-2014 issue of Weekly Shonen Jump.

by Chris Turner