World Trigger Graphic Novel Volume 17 cover image

The Earth is under constant threat from “Neighbors,” powerful humanoids and invincible monsters from another dimension.  One day, a gate opened in Mikado City, and Neighbors emerged, destroying much of the city and killing hundreds of citizens.  An elite band of warriors in battle-bodies, the Border Defense Agency or “Border,” co-opted Neighbor technology and now fights back against their incursions.  Osamu Mikumo, a 15-year-old high school student, is a Border trainee, and his friend, Yuma Kuga, is a humanoid Neighbor.

As World Trigger, Vol. 17 (Trap Thy Neighbor, Chapter 143 to 151) opens, the “Rank Wars” continue.  Tamakoma-2:  Osamu, Yuma, and Chika Amatori continues its battle against Kakizaki Squad and Katori Squad.  Even if Tamakoma-2 gets to bask in victory, they will still be vulnerable.  When recently captured “Neighbor,” Hyuse makes Captain Mikumo and his squad-mates an offer to join them, they might see it as too good to pass up – even if Hyuse cannot totally be trusted.

THE LOWDOWN:  The World Trigger manga continues to be a thrilling science fiction, young reader manga.  It certainly tickles the young reader still in me.

World Trigger Graphic Novel Volume 17 is a little more than business as usual.  Creator Daisuke Ashihara continues to push his characters and readers towards a big mission in the Neighbors... neighborhood.  He also begins to reveal the layers of motivation that could be a threat to Border's cause on Earth and on an away-mission.  I still think the best of the series is yet to come.

POSSIBLE AUDIENCE:  Readers looking for a good alien invasion graphic novel series for young readers will want to pull the Shonen Jump World Trigger.

A-
7.5 out of 10