Battle for the black trigger!
Creative Staff
Story/Art: Daisuke Ashihara
Translation: Lillian Olsen
What They Say
Should Border, Earth’s defense agency, admit a Neighbor into their ranks? Jin and Arashiyama Squad think so, and they clash against headquarters’ top agents to preserve Yuma’s right to enlist. After the brutal fight against his friends and peers, Jin makes an unimaginable sacrifice to put an end to the hostility and protect Yuma’s future at Border.
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
This time around, the volume kicks off with an explanation of Border’s triggers, helpfully shown off in the battle currently in progress. As we learn about the three types of blades, Jin continues to use his side effect to easily stall out his skilled opponents. Even so, Jin’s rival, Tachikawa, presses on with the attack. It turns out that he may well have been above Jin in skill, but once Jin gained his black trigger the gap became too large. When his opponents realize he’s just trying to stall, they prepare to try to go around Jin, forcing his hand. With his flexible Fujin, he’s able to make quick work of his foes.
As the battle winds down, we get a demonstration of the various types of gunner triggers, complimenting the earlier information on swords. Thanks to some clever maneuvering, Ai and her team are able to make one last impressive strike, and then it becomes clear that the attacking force has completely failed. Finally, in order to get Yuma into Border officially, Jin actually offers up his Fujin as a sacrifice!
When enlistment day finally comes around, will our heroes be able to make good on Jin’s sacrifice and make a successful entry into Border?
In Summary
Perhaps due to the focus on secondary characters, or perhaps due to the lax sense of urgency due to the bailout function, this volume seems to lack a little in terms of edge. Though the book does use this opportunity to sneak in an explanation for the various types of triggers in play, that also manages to take a little more edge off the fight in its own way. Fortunately, there are a few clever moments that display the interesting ways that triggers can exceed normal weapons, with Jin in particular stealing the show. Add in a nice little opportunity for Yuma and Chika to show off at the end, and you get a decent enough entry that feels just a little on the slow side.
Content Grade: B
Art Grade: A-
Packaging Grade: A-
Text/Translation Grade: B+
Age Rating: 13+
Released By: Viz Media
Release Date: February 3rd, 2015
MSRP: $9.99
