Border (ボーダー, Bōdā ?) is an agency in Mikado City.[1] It was created for the sake of protecting the city from Neighbor attacks.[1] They fight them by the means of Triggers, technology used by Neighbors.[1]
History[edit | edit source]
- Main article: Old Border
Before it became publicly known, Border was a secret organization with the purpose of being an intermediary between "Earth" and Neighbors.[2] Along with its establishment, Border had made an alliance with three Neighbor nations[3], Aristera[3], Meson[3], and Dexio[3] — using the building that would later become Tamakoma's base as its headquarters.[4]
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Between its establishment and 6 years before the start of the series[5], Border had 19 people within its ranks.[6] However, about a year later, an allied nation was invaded by a hostile nation[7]; when Borders sent its forces to assist, 10 out of 19 died, with some becoming Black Triggers.[7] After the incident, the organization split into two, with one becoming the current Headquarters and the other becoming Tamakoma Branch.[8]
About four and a half years before the start of the series[9], Border made its first public appearance when the First Large-Scale Invasion occurred.[10] Soon after that, Border built its Headquarters[1] in the middle of an area known as the Danger Zone and began recruiting new members.[11]
Duties[edit | edit source]
Members of Border have different duties depending on the department, and in some cases, squad.
Top Brass[edit | edit source]
The Top Brass is collective term for the most important of Border's directors.[12][13] This group is the one who decides the rules[14], as well as when to reward or punish an agent.[15] The directors can also issue commands, but only to their own department.[16]
Not every director is part of the Top Brass; for example, the HR Director[17] and the Branch Directors (other than Tamakoma's)[18] are counted as normal employees.[18]
Combatants[edit | edit source]
Combatants fight against Trion Soldiers[19], and Neighbors.[1] If the agent is part of a squad, they will receive help from an Operator[20][21], while some agents go solo.[19][22][23]
The main duty for combatants is Defense Duty for A-Rank, and B-Rank, while C-Rank agents primarily train[24][25], but there are cases where C-Rank trainees will join. During the Rad Extermination, everyone from A-Rank to C-Rank joined in[26], while during the Away Mission Test, groups of C-Rank trainees were selected to participate in Defense Duty.[27] Additionally, after the Ilgar Bombing[28], C-Rank trainees were allowed to help with evacuation and rescue[28], but were not allowed to fight.[28]
Defense Duty itself is a 3 shift system with 5 Squads each.[29] Normally, each agent would have to deal with defense duty every 2 days[29], but due to the frequency of "mixed squads" that are made up of individual agents who have free time, or want more wages, the actually frequency of defense duty is once every 3 days.[29] It is also possible for shifts to moved in case of school trips or festivals.[30]
During each shift, they patrol the boundary line around the Forbidden Zone.[31] The squads are sent to the base of each of the 5 branches (excluding Tamakoma) as points.[31]
When more gates are opened than normal, squads that are on standby at HQ at sent as reinforcements.[31] Similarly, during the Second Large-Scale Invasion the response was 8 Squads instead of the normal 5.[32]
Agents on defense duty get solo points[33], and money[34][35] for their performance.
In addition there are agents who count as one squad individually[29], known agents with this are: Reiji[29], Konami[29], Jin[29], and Shinoda.[29]
Operators[edit | edit source]
- Main article: Operator
A Squad Operator is a member of a squad that assists the squad's combatants by relaying various information.[36] One of their duties during combat is projecting various information in the field of view of the agents in battles in real time[37], such as: tags for enemies displayed on Radar[37], routes for the squad to regroup or escape paths[37], warnings for enemies coming from the side or back and for Snipers[37], predictions of enemy movements[37], and development diagrams for strategies.[37]
Outside of combat, Operators can serve as hosts and commentators during Rank Wars.[38][36]
Other than Squad Operators, there are also standalone Operators who work as part of Border's staff.[39][40] They are required to act as an intermediary between agents and HQ[40] via Border's communications center.[41]
Enlistment, and Scouting[edit | edit source]
The main method to join Border is through "open recruitment", where the applicant takes a basic academic and physical exam, and then finishes with a interview.[42][43] Other than low trion levels, or a criminal record, there wouldn't be a reason to be rejected.[42][43]
Those accepted go through a guidance course.[44] The main people picked to be in charge of the course are the members of Arashiyama Squad due to their job[44], but others have also been picked.[45]
Arashiyama has also helped out with the paperwork related to enlistment.[46]
The secondary method is to be scouted by Border.[47][42] Scouting can happen both inside Mikado City[47], and in other prefectures.[42][48] Scouting in other prefectures is another duty A-Rank agents have to do.[42] People who are scouted can be exempted from taking exams, and can even choose where to be assigned.[42]
R&D Department[edit | edit source]
The R&D director is Motokichi Kinuta.[49] Kinuta manages all the Engineers[49][50], as well as the 5 Chief Engineers, each who manage their own section.[51] The Engineers deal with Border's technology such as analyzing Neighbor technology and developing new Triggers, as well as improving and modifying currently existing ones.[52][53] They are also responsible for maintaining and developing the base's systems.[53] One of their recent achievements was reversing the cubeification of Border agents.[52][50]
PR Department[edit | edit source]
The PR director is Eizō Netsuki.[49] The department deals with every type of media including TV, newspaper, and magazines[49] to both improve Border's reputation[54], and cover up any problems.[54]
There are squads that work as a PR Squad; to become one, the squad would need approval from both Commander Kido[55], and Director Shinoda.[55] Currently, there are 2 PR Squads.
Arashiyama Squad is the first known PR Squad; they often make media appearances[56], and are counted as celebrities.[57] They primarily do work in Mikado City[56], but will sometimes appear in prefectural, and national networks.[56] Other duties include helping out with enlistment[56], and familiarization courses.[56]
Other than Arashiyama Squad, Netsuki formed Chano Squad as a second PR squad.[58]
Kageura Squad once tried to become a PR Squad[55], in which they were unsuccessful.[55]
The PR Department building has a life sized Arashiyama figure that is counted as creepy.[59]
HR Department[edit | edit source]
The HR director is Seiji Mizunuma.[17] Their role is recognizing aptitude for enlistment applicants[60], and then placing them in the most suitable place.[60]
When an applicant has an issue with the results, they talk to someone in HR[61] as was the case with Osamu talking to Director Mizunuma.[61][17]
External Affairs, and Business Departments[edit | edit source]
These two departments are directed by Katsumi Karasawa.[62] Karasawa is the person who gathers most of Border's funds[63][54], as well as does negotiations on various levels[54][62], this includes: Mikado City[54], the prefecture[54], the country[54], internationally[54][62], and even the Neighborhood.[62]
How the work is split between the external affairs and business departments is unknown.
Merchandise Department[edit | edit source]
There is a merchandise department[64], but the director is unknown. Known merchandise is Izumi's "A hundred hits in a thousand shots" T-shirt[64] (which has 8 different colors[64]), badges of Arashiyama Squa's emblem[59], as well as clothes with their emblem.[59]
There are plans to make trading cards of Border agents, as well as a mascot for Border.[59]
Positions[edit | edit source]
There are a total of 9 official positions available to Border agents: 7 directly involved in combat and 2 who support combatants from outside the battlefield. Out of the 7 combat positions, it seems only 4 of them are available to C-Ranks at the start.[65] However, anyone can apply to become one of the support positions when joining Border.[66] It is also possible to transfer from being a combatant to a support[66], or from a support to a combatant.[67][68] Someone's position is based on the equipped Trigger with the most amount of solo points[69]; however, if they have 6,000 points with an Attacker Trigger and any Gunner Trigger, they are classified as an All-Rounder.[70]
- The other 3 combatant positions are
Ranks[edit | edit source]
There are four ranks available to Border agents. These ranks do not constitute an actual hierarchy, but express the status of an agent and their team within Border: C-Rank is for trainees, A-Rank and B-Rank are for official agents with normal Triggers, and S-Rank is for official agents wielding Black Triggers.
New agents start from C-rank. When they reach 4000 usage points with their Training Trigger, they are promoted to B-rank and allowed to form a squad. To advance to A-rank, the squad must perform well in Rank Wars, meaning it is not the individual who is promoted, but the team as a whole. Agents who wield Black Triggers are immediately categorized as S-rank and do not participate in rank wars. In general, only A-rank agents are sent to the Neighborhood, but there will be exceptions among select B-ranks for the upcoming expedition in light of an increased away ship capacity.
Usage Points[edit | edit source]
Border uses a point system to track agents' skills with their Trigger or Trigger set. C-Rank trainee agents start from 1,000 points, but they are given extra points if they have performed well in the preliminary tests.[71] Points can be earned by winning optional rank wars against other trainees, while losses result in a deduction of points. The greater the point gap, the fewer the points awarded to the winner if they had a large advantage in points. Vice versa, if they lose in the same conditions, they will lose more points than normal: when someone with 1,100 points defeats an opponent with 2,358, 225 will be taken. Cadets can also fight official agents, but the scores of the two contestants will not be altered at the end of the match.
Attacker, Gunner, and Shooter trainees can also score points in group training sessions that take place twice a week.[72] There are five drills, only three of which are known: Topography Traversal Training, Covert Action Training, and Detection and Tracking Training.[73] Sniper trainees, on the other hand, receive points based on their performance during joint Sniper training. A perfect score awards 20 points, for a maximum of 200 points per week.[72] During the most recent enlistment session, all cadets started with 1,000 points and took part in four five-way matches, due to the session taking place at an irregular date with no time for a probationary period. Extra points can also be given out by the management as special awards for exceptional service.[74] Individual points determine an agent's Solo Ranking (how they fare in comparison to all other official agents) as well as their Position Ranking (how they fare in comparison to all other official agents with the same position).
When a cadet reaches 4,000 points with their Trigger, they are promoted to B-rank.[75] Sniper cadets can also be promoted if they manage to make the top 15% for three weeks in a row.[76] An agent's points correspond to their highest score with any one Trigger in their possession. Dropping below 4,000 points with all of one's Triggers does not result in the demotion from official agent to trainee, but this would be the case if the score of any Trigger drops below 1,500; however, this has never occurred thus far. An agent who reaches 8,000 points with any one Trigger is said to have reached Master Class with it. Official agents adding a new Trigger to their set will start from 3,000 points, or 4,000 if they are Master Class. In Rank Wars, if an agent fights with two Triggers, the one which dealt the final blow receives 70% of the total score, the other one 30%.
Awards, and Salaries[edit | edit source]
Salary[edit | edit source]
C-Rank agents are not paid a salary as part of their membership[34], but can receive awards for special contributions.[35]
B-Rank agents are not paid a salary like A-Ranks, but rather wages based on the Trion Soldiers they suppress on duty.[34]
A-Rank agents are paid both a salary and wages based on the Trion Soldiers they suppress on duty.[34]
How S-Rank agents are paid, and if they have a Strategy Room is unknown.
The payment schedule for the Away Mission is base pay, and commissions based on success.[77]
Awards[edit | edit source]
There are 3 known awards[35], and each of these were used for the large scale invasion.[35]
- Special Distinguished Service Award (特級戦功 Lit. Special Grade Merit of War ?)
- Reward: 1.5 million yen + 1,500 points.
- Outstanding Distinguished Service Award (一級戦功 Lit. First Grade Merit of War ?)
- Reward: 800 K yen + 800 points.
- Excellent Distinguished Service Award (二級戦功 Lit. Second Grade Merit of War ?)
- Reward: 300 K yen + 350 points.
Points and reward money passed to the whole team is awarded to each member. If someone also received the reward as a single person, they get it duplicated.[78]
Recipients[edit | edit source]
- Second Large-Scale Invasion
- Special Distinguished Service Award:
Shūji Miwa[79]
Kei Tachikawa[79]
Tsukihiko Amō[79]
Yūma Kuga[79] - Outstanding Distinguished Service Award:
Osamu Mikumo[79]
Haruaki Azuma[80]
Kōhei Izumi[80]
Yōsuke Yoneya[80]
Shun Midorikawa[80]
Kazama Squad[80]
Yūichi Jin[81]
Kirie Konami[81]
Arashiyama Squad[81] - Excellent Distinguished Service Award:
Kyōsuke Karasuma[81]
Reiji Kizaki[81]
Isami Tōma[82]
Tōru Narasaka[82]
Shōhei Kodera[82]
Suwa Squad[82]
Kō Murakami[82]
Suzunari First[82]
Azuma Squad[82]
Arafune Squad[82]
Kakizaki Squad[82]
Chano Squad[82]
- Special Distinguished Service Award:
- Galopoula's Invasion
- Special Distinguished Service Award:
Yūichi Jin[83]
- Special Distinguished Service Award:
Headquarters[edit | edit source]
The core of Border's operations is a massive fortress with trion cannons and reinforced walls. Aside from offices, common areas, and other ordinary spaces, it contains laboratories for the engineers, control rooms for Operators, private rooms for official squads, and virtual spaces for agents to train in. Deep underground is also a vessel made out of trion which houses the Away Ship; further below lies the Mother Trigger. Surrounding the headquarters is an uninhabited, devastated portion of Mikado City where Gates are redirected so they open away from ordinary citizens. However, this technology cannot prevent Rads from opening portals elsewhere.
Chain of Command[edit | edit source]
Due to the factions being unofficial, Border's chain of command is based off of who the agent's immediate superior is, as they are the only one who can issue commands to them.[16]
This means Commander Kido can only issue commands to agents who work directly under him.[16] Shinoda can only issue commands to HQ agents[16], etc.
Branches[edit | edit source]
There are 6 branches in Border. Personnel that are not aiming for A-rank are associated with a branch. They are placed on the outskirts of the danger zone, and act as a contact point for locals.[84]
- Tamakoma Branch (玉狛 支部, Tamakoma-shibu ?)
- Suzunari Branch (鈴鳴 支部, Suzunari-shibu ?)
- Wataayu (綿鮎 ?)
- Yumite District (弓手町, Yumete-Machi ?)
- Hayanuma (早沼 ?)
- Kuma (久摩 ?)
Factions[edit | edit source]
According to Jin, there are roughly three unofficial ideological factions within Border[85], and most agents fall under one of these ideologies[86]. However, there are a few agents who don't fall under any of these factions[86], as well as a few miscellaneous factions.
Kido Faction[edit | edit source]
Kido Faction, under Masamune Kido, is known for being hostile towards Neighbors[87], considering them enemies.[87] Its ideals are contrary to those of Tamakoma Branch, which promote positive relationships with Neighbors.[88] This mindset has allowed Border to grow substantially due to the popular consensus in Mikado City against Neighbors,[89] in turn making Kido Faction the largest faction to date.[90][88] However, it should be noted that Kido himself may not completely hate Neighbors, as he let Michael Cronin[91][92], Yūma Kuga[93][94], and Hyuse[95][96] all join Border at all despite their Neighbor status. It should also be noted that unlike Shinoda Faction, Kido's faction prioritizes away missions over defense duty[97], which is why Kei Tachikawa follows Kido despite having Masafumi Shinoda as a mentor.[97]
The faction's motto is: "Never forgive Neighbors".[87]
Shinoda Faction[edit | edit source]
Shinoda Faction, under Masafumi Shinoda, is known for its neutrality towards Neighbors[87]. Due to this, they prioritize defense duty over away missions, unlike Kido Faction.[97] This mindset allows them to have more members than Tamakoma Branch, but less members than the aggressive Kido Faction.[98]
The faction's motto is: "The safety of the town is first and foremost".[87]
Tamakoma Branch[edit | edit source]
The members of Tamakoma Branch believe that not all Neighbors are bad, and want to befriend all those which can be their allies; this mindset is the same as Old Border's.
The faction's motto is: "There are good Neighbors, so let's be friends!"[88]
Factionless Faction[edit | edit source]
The Factionless Faction, also known as the Freedom Faction, is a faction where nothing is known outside of the agents who follow this ideology.[86] However, due to the faction name, it can be assumed they don't follow any of the other three.
Miscellaneous Factions[edit | edit source]
Karasuma Faction[edit | edit source]
Due to HQ being full for Karasuma fans[99], it led to the rumor that stated "Karasuma Faction" was threatening Kido and Shinoda Factions[99], which was the reason why Karasuma transferred to Tamakoma Branch.[99]
Always in Trion Body vs. Always in flesh body[edit | edit source]
This faction stays in their Trion Body a lot as opposed to the "usually in flesh body faction". These two factions are related to if they are in their flesh body or Trion Body when at Border Headquarters.[100] There are rumors that the Trion Body faction have trouble sleeping at night.[100]
Trivia[edit | edit source]
- The uniforms of current Border agents are different from those of Old Border members due to the engineers increasing in number.[101]
Members[edit | edit source]
Top Brass[edit | edit source]
- Masamune Kido (HQ Commander and Chief Executive)
- Masafumi Shinoda (HQ Director and Defense Corps Commander)
- Kyōko Sawamura (Assistant HQ Director)
- Motokichi Kinuta (HQ Research and Development Director)
- Eizō Netsuki (Public Relations Director)
- Katsumi Karasawa (External Affairs and Business Director)
- Takumi Rindō (Tamakoma Branch Director)
General Staff[edit | edit source]
- Raizō Terashima (HQ Chief Engineer)
- Ryōji Kiriyama (HQ Chief Engineer)
- Seiji Mizunuma (Human Resources Director)
- Michael Cronin (Tamakoma Branch Chief Engineer)
S-rank[edit | edit source]
- Tsukihiko Amō (All-Rounder)
A-rank[edit | edit source]
(Elite, about 30 people[102])
- #1 - Tachikawa Squad
- Kei Tachikawa (No. 1 Attacker/Captain)
- Kōhei Izumi (No. 2 Shooter)
- Takeru Yuiga (Gunner)
- Yuu Kunichika (Operator)
- #2 - Fuyushima Squad
- Shinji Fuyushima (Trapper/Captain)
- Isami Tōma (No. 1 Sniper)
- Risa Maki (Operator)
- #3 - Kazama Squad
- Sōya Kazama (No. 2 Attacker/Captain)
- Ryō Utagawa (All-Rounder)
- Shirō Kikuchihara (Attacker)
- Kaho Mikami (Operator)
- #4 - Kusakabe Squad
- Saki Kusakabe (Operator/Captain)
- Shun Midorikawa (Attacker)
- Ryūji Saeki (All-Rounder)
- Kazuma Satomi (No. 1 Gunner)
- Hayato Uno (Sniper)
- #5 - Arashiyama Squad
- Jun Arashiyama (No. 2 All-Rounder/Captain)
- Ai Kitora (All-Rounder)
- Mitsuru Tokieda (All-Rounder)
- Ken Satori (Sniper)
- Haruka Ayatsuji (Operator)
- #6 - Kako Squad
- Nozomi Kako (No. 3 Shooter/Captain)
- Futaba Kuroe (Attacker)
- Mai Kitagawa (Trapper)
- An Kobayakawa (Operator)
- #7 - Miwa Squad
- Shūji Miwa (No. 3 All-Rounder/Captain)
- Yōsuke Yoneya (Attacker)
- Tōru Narasaka (No. 2 Sniper)
- Shōhei Kodera (Sniper)
- Ren Tsukimi (Operator)
- #8 - Katagiri Squad
- Takaaki Katagiri (No. 3 Gunner/Captain)
- Yukimaru Ichijō (Attacker)
- Tōichirō Momozono (Sniper)
- Asumi Amakura (Spotter)
- Karin Yuitsuka (Operator)
- Unranked - Tamakoma First (Kizaki Squad)
- Reiji Kizaki (No. 1 All-Rounder/Captain)
- Kirie Konami (No. 3 Attacker)
- Kyōsuke Karasuma (All-Rounder)
- Yuri Rindō (Operator)
- Independent Agents
- Yūichi Jin (Attacker)
B-rank[edit | edit source]
(Main Force, about 100 people[102])
Top Tier[edit | edit source]
- #1 - Ninomiya Squad
- Masataka Ninomiya (No. 1 Shooter/Captain)
- Sumiharu Inukai (Gunner)
- Shinnosuke Tsuji (Attacker)
- Aki Hiyami (Operator)
- #2 - Tamakoma Second (Mikumo Squad)
- Osamu Mikumo (Shooter/Captain)
- Yūma Kuga (Attacker)
- Chika Amatori (Sniper)
- Hyuse (Attacker)
- Shiori Usami (Operator)
- #3 - Kageura Squad
- Masato Kageura (~No. 20 Attacker/Captain)
- Yuzuru Ema (Sniper)
- Hiro Kitazoe (Gunner)
- Hikari Nire (Operator)
- #4 - Ikoma Squad
- Tatsuhito Ikoma (No. 6 Attacker/Captain)
- Satoshi Mizukami (Shooter)
- Kōji Oki (Sniper)
- Kai Minamisawa (Attacker)
- Maori Hosoi (Operator)
- #5 - Ōji Squad
- Kazuaki Ōji (Attacker/Captain)
- Kazuki Kurauchi (Shooter)
- Yutaka Kashio (Attacker)
- Haya Kittaka (Operator)
- #6 - Azuma Squad
- Haruaki Azuma (No. 3 Sniper/Captain)
- Noboru Koarai (Attacker)
- Tsuneyuki Okudera (Attacker)
- Mako Hitomi (Operator)
- #7 - Nasu Squad
- Rei Nasu (Shooter/Captain)
- Yūko Kumagai (Attacker)
- Sayoko Shiki (Operator)
Middle Tier[edit | edit source]
- #8 - Yuba Squad
- Takuma Yuba (No. 2 Gunner/Captain)
- Yukari Obishima (All-Rounder)
- Kazuto Tonooka (Sniper)
- Nono Fujimaru (Operator)
- #9 - Suzunari First (Kuruma Squad)
- Tatsuya Kuruma (Gunner/Captain)
- Kō Murakami (No. 4 Attacker)
- Taichi Betsuyaku (Sniper)
- Yuka Kon (Operator)
- #10 - Arafune Squad
- Tetsuji Arafune (Sniper/Captain)
- Atsushi Hokari (Sniper)
- Yoshito Hanzaki (Sniper)
- Rin Kagami (Operator)
- #11 - Katori Squad
- Yōko Katori (All-Rounder/Captain)
- Yūta Miura (Attacker)
- Rokurō Wakamura (Gunner)
- Hana Somei (Operator)
- #12 - Suwa Squad
- Kōtarō Suwa (Gunner/Captain)
- Daichi Tsutsumi (Gunner)
- Hisato Sasamori (Attacker)
- Rui Osano (Operator)
- #13 - Kakizaki Squad
- Kuniharu Kakizaki (All-Rounder/Captain)
- Fumika Teruya (All-Rounder)
- Kotarō Tomoe (Gunner)
- Madoka Ui (Operator)
- #14 - Urushima Squad
- Wataru Urushima (Gunner/Captain)
- Rika Rokuta (Operator)
Lower Tier[edit | edit source]
- #15 - Ebina Squad
- Takahiro Ebina (All-Rounder/Captain)
- Yukito Otokawa (Sniper)
- Shō Motegi (Attacker)
- Sakurako Taketomi (Operator)
- #16 - Tokiwa Squad
- Mamoru Tokiwa (Attacker/Captain)
- Tokiya Saitō (Sniper)
- Waka Utsunomiya (Gunner)
- Yoshinobu Kera (Attacker)
- Hazuki Nanao (Operator)
- #17 - Hayakawa Squad
- Satoru Hayakawa (All-Rounder/Captain)
- Ryōgo Funabashi (Gunner)
- Seiji Marui (Gunner)
- Asami Taya (Operator)
The rankings for the following squads are unknown as of the most recent manga chapter.
- Matsushiro Squad
- Hitoshi Matsushiro (Gunner/Captain)
- Masakuni Hakoda (Trapper)
- Yūya Tsuchisaki (Attacker)
- Ayumu Hatori (Operator)
- Chano Squad
- Makoto Chano (Gunner/Captain)
- Itsuki Fujisawa (Gunner)
- Megumi Tokura (Operator)
- Yoshizato Squad
- Yūichirō Yoshizato (Gunner/Captain)
- Hidetaka Kitazoe (All-Rounder)
- Hanao Tsukimi (Attacker)
- Asuka Asagiri (Operator)
- Mamiya Squad
- Keizō Mamiya (Shooter/Captain)
- Mitsuya Koinuma (Shooter)
- Minoru Hata (Shooter)
- Aoi Kusumoto (Operator)
C-rank[edit | edit source]
(Trainees, more than 400 people[102])
- Izuho Natsume (Sniper)
- Kōda Squad (unofficial)
- Teruteru Kōda (Shooter)
- Fumifumi Saotome (Shooter)
- Hidehide Hinoe (Attacker)
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 World Trigger Manga — Chapter 1 (p. 7-8)
- ↑ World Trigger Manga — Chapter 18 (p. 2)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 World Trigger Manga — Chapter 201 (p. 20)
- ↑ World Trigger Manga — Chapter 152 (p. 5-6)
- ↑ World Trigger Manga — Chapter 162 (p. 4)
- ↑ World Trigger Manga — Chapter 162 (p. 6)
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 World Trigger Manga — Chapter 162 (p. 9-10)
- ↑ World Trigger Manga — Chapter 162 (p. 11-12)
- ↑ World Trigger Manga — Chapter 3 (p. 12)
- ↑ World Trigger Manga — Chapter 1 (p. 5-6)
- ↑ World Trigger Manga — Chapter 3 (p. 15)
- ↑ World Trigger Manga — Vol. 10 Chapter 84 HQ Top Brass, Part 1
- ↑ World Trigger Manga — Vol. 10 Chapter 86 HQ Top Brass, Part 2
- ↑ World Trigger Manga — Border Briefing File (p. 27)
- ↑ World Trigger Manga — Chapter 6 (p. 16)
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 World Trigger Manga — Chapter 17 (p. 11)
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2
Daisuke Ashihara: Q: Is the person who talked with Osamu about Border's exam in Chapter 82 one of Border's Top Brass? I'm curious to know who they are.
A: It is the HR department's Director, Seiji Mizunuma. The father of Osamu's homeroom teacher, Mizunuma. (Osamu doesn't know about this)
Source: Border Briefing File, Page 313, Question 210 - ↑ 18.0 18.1
Daisuke Ashihara: Q: Does Suzunari Branch have a Branch Director? They don't seem to be called to meetings though.
A: The Branch Director of all the branches except Tamakoma Branch are normal employees whose roles are to act as a point of contact with the locals, and have no Trion ability. Branch Director Rindō is called to executive meetings because he is one of Border's first members.
Source: Border Briefing File, Page 312, Question 205 - ↑ 19.0 19.1 World Trigger Manga — Chapter 12 (p. 13-14)
- ↑
Daisuke Ashihara: Q: If you become B-rank or A-rank do you have to join squads? (I want to read about the stories behind all the squads’ formations)
A: To participate in rank wars, at the very least you need one combatant and one operator. Naturally, it’s more advantageous to have more members, so a squad with few members is quite a thorny path in comparison.
Source: Twitter Q&A: April 2014 - ↑
Daisuke Ashihara: Q: Are there any two person teams with captain + Operator or captain (Operator) + agent?
A: There are. B-rank Urushima Squad is a two person team with that configuration.
Source: Border Briefing File, Page 316, Question 231 - ↑
Daisuke Ashihara: Q: How did the current Miwa Squad form after the original Azuma Squad disbanded?
A: Tsukimi, who was worried about Miwa, followed after him and joined alongside Yoneya, who was still going solo at the time. They fought other squads for a while for a Sniper (Azuma's role) and got Narasaka. Kodera probably joined right after they made it to A-Rank.
Source: Volume 27 - Question Corner 26 - ↑
Daisuke Ashihara: Q: Before he became an Engineer, who was Terashima in a squad with? Was he the captain?
A: Before Raizo became an engineer, team combat wasn't all that popular, so Raizo did training and defense duty solo. If he had continued to be a combatant, it's possible he would have teamed up with Kazama or Suwa.
Source: Volume 28 - Question Corner 27 - ↑ World Trigger Manga — Border Briefing File (p. 26)
- ↑ World Trigger Manga — Chapter 43 (p. 6)
- ↑ World Trigger Manga and Anime — Vol. 2 Chapter 11 (p. 15) and Episode 6.
- ↑
Daisuke Ashihara: She is not participating in the Away Mission Test. During the test, several "C-Rank Selection Teams" are taking part in Defense Duty, but I wonder if Agent Natsume was selected? Many trainees are looking forward to the day they can be promoted to B-Rank.
Source: Izuho Natsume Birthday 2025 Tweet. - ↑ 28.0 28.1 28.2 World Trigger Manga and Anime — Vol. 5 Chapter 43 (p. 13-14) and Episode 21.
- ↑ 29.0 29.1 29.2 29.3 29.4 29.5 29.6 29.7
Daisuke Ashihara: Q: Is defense duty done on shifts?
A: Basically it is a 3 shift system with 5 Squads each. defense duty comes about once every 2 days, but frequently there are "mixed squads" being made up of agents who have free time or want more wages, so the actual frequency of work is about once every 3 days. Also, Reiji, Konami, Jin, and HQ Director Shinoda each count as 1 squad.
Source: Border Briefing File, Page 314, Question 218 - ↑
Daisuke Ashihara: Q: Border has many students, but can they participate in school events?
A: Shifts are managed so they can accommodate the participation of school trips or cultural festivals and so on. Compared to long ago, the number of college agents or older have increased, so it seems easier to adjust the shifts now.
Source: Border Briefing File, Page 315, Question 224 - ↑ 31.0 31.1 31.2
Daisuke Ashihara: Q: Do they patrol the Forbidden Zone during defense duty? Or are they on standby somewhere like a guardroom and are dispatched when Neighbors appear?
A: Basically, they patrol near the boundary line that surrounds the Forbidden Zone which has the bases of the five branches (excluding Tamakoma) as points. When the opening of the Gates are very active, the squads on standby in HQ base are deployed as reinforcements.
Source: Border Briefing File, Page 313, Question 216 - ↑
Daisuke Ashihara: Q: During the Second Large-Scale Invasion, the initial response was 8 Squads, but are the same numbers used for normal defense duty too?
A: Regular defense duty has 1 squad deployed to each of the 5 branches, so 5 Squads altogether.
Source: Border Briefing File, Page 314, Question 217 - ↑
Daisuke Ashihara: Q: Can official agents only receive solo points from Rank Wars and rewards for services? And are the rewards for services conferred on a team basis awarded to each member?
A: Besides Rank Wars and rewards for services, solo points can be earned from defense duty and events set up by Border employees (1-on-1 One Day Tournaments and so on). Points and reward money passed to the whole team is awarded to each member. If someone also received the reward as a single person, they get it duplicated.
Source: Border Briefing File, Page 318, Question 245 - ↑ 34.0 34.1 34.2 34.3
Daisuke Ashihara: Q: Do Border agents get paid?
A: I might show it one day, but yes, agents do get paid. B-Rank Agents get a fee per Trion Soldier they defeat. A-Rank Agents have a salary + fee per Trion Soldier. C-Rank Trainees do not get paid.
Source: Volume 5, Question Corner 1 - ↑ 35.0 35.1 35.2 35.3 World Trigger Manga — Border Briefing File (p. 87)
- ↑ 36.0 36.1 World Trigger Manga — Border Briefing File (p. 179)
- ↑ 37.0 37.1 37.2 37.3 37.4 37.5
Daisuke Ashihara: Q: What exactly do the Operators do?
A: They project various information in the field of view of the agents in battles in real time. Tags for enemies displayed on Radar, routes for the squad to regroup or escape paths, warnings for enemies coming from the side or back and for Snipers, predictions of enemy movements, development diagrams for strategies, etc. etc. The more skilled the Operator, the better they can narrow down the displayed information to only what's important, and make it so that agents can take it in naturally.
Source: Border Briefing File, Page 316, Question 233 - ↑
Daisuke Ashihara: Q: What are the criteria used to choose who does the Play-by-play and the commentary for Rank Wars?
A: It seems Play-by-play are mostly those who have A-Rank experience, but sometimes B-Rank captains are called up too. Anyone can be a commentator as long as they can talk, and honestly it doesn’t have to be an Operator but because you need to operate equipment a lot are Operators. There have been times when the person doing the Play-by-play was a combatant or an Engineer.
Source: Volume 20, Question Corner 14 - ↑
Daisuke Ashihara: Q: What kind of training do the people who enlist as an Operator do until they join a team?
A: New Operators first work as "central Operators" who process work for the base as a whole. After learning the basics and how to operate the equipment there, if they want to transfer to squad Operator they can hand in their notice, and if they are chosen for a newly formed squad or a squad that has lost an Operator, then they openly become one of the team.
Source: Border Briefing File, Page 316, Question 235 - ↑ 40.0 40.1 World Trigger Manga and Anime — Vol. 8 Chapter 63 (p. 10) and Episode 28.
- ↑ World Trigger Manga — Chapter 81 (p. 17-18)
- ↑ 42.0 42.1 42.2 42.3 42.4 42.5 World Trigger Manga — Border Briefing File (p. 61)
- ↑ 43.0 43.1
Daisuke Ashihara: Q: Are there any requirements, like fitness tests, for applying to Border?
A: There are basic fitness tests, basic achievement tests, and an interview. Other than having low Trion levels or a criminal record, you won't get rejected (Osamu was nearly rejected).
Source: Volume 5, Question Corner 1 - ↑ 44.0 44.1
Daisuke Ashihara: Q: How are the people (Squads) in charge of enlistment guidance decided?
A: Taking into consideration the impression given to the newly enlisted agents, the accomplishments in their position, and personality, they are chosen from agents who are free at the time. Enlistment guidance is one of Arashiyama Squad's jobs, so they are chosen pretty much every single time.
Source: Border Briefing File, Page 314, Question 222 - ↑ World Trigger Manga — Chapter 34 (p. 10)
- ↑ World Trigger Manga — Chapter 107 (p. 4)
- ↑ 47.0 47.1 World Trigger Manga — Chapter 1 (p. 10)
- ↑
Daisuke Ashihara: Q: Are all the agents from Mikado City?
A: Generally they are, but scouting occurs in other prefectures too so there are a small number from other regions.
Source: Volume 10, Question Corner 9 - ↑ 49.0 49.1 49.2 49.3 World Trigger Manga — Border Briefing File (p. 32)
- ↑ 50.0 50.1 World Trigger Manga — Chapter 53 (p. 15)
- ↑
Daisuke Ashihara: Q: Who comes up with the name of Border's triggers?
A: There are five Chief Engineers who names the triggers developed by the section they each lead.
Source: Border Briefing File, Page 305, Question 157 - ↑ 52.0 52.1 World Trigger Manga — Border Briefing File (p. 205)
- ↑ 53.0 53.1
Daisuke Ashihara: Q: Please tell us the details of an Engineer's job.
A: Analyze Neighborhood technology and adding it to the database, developing new Triggers, as well as improving and modifying them, modelling uniforms, developing, expanding and maintaining the base's systems (the Rank War System and others).
Source: Border Briefing File, Page 313, Question 212 - ↑ 54.0 54.1 54.2 54.3 54.4 54.5 54.6 54.7 World Trigger Manga — Vol. 2 Chapter 10 HQ Top Brass
- ↑ 55.0 55.1 55.2 55.3 World Trigger Manga — Chapter 236 (p. 22-23)
- ↑ 56.0 56.1 56.2 56.3 56.4
Daisuke Ashihara: Q: Please tell us the details of Arashiyama Squad's PR activities.
A: Appearing on PR websites, PR magazines and PR programs (TV, radio etc.), guiding enlistment familiarization courses, orientation responsibilities during the enlistment ceremony etc., and appearing in various events. Basically their activities are within Mikado City, but they sometimes appear in other prefectural or national networks too. (Their schedules are tight, so they don't usually take on work)
Source: Border Briefing File, Page 291, Question 29 - ↑ World Trigger Manga — Chapter 6 (p. 8)
- ↑ World Trigger Manga — Vol. 6 Chapter 47 Chano Squad Profile
- ↑ 59.0 59.1 59.2 59.3
Daisuke Ashihara: Q: Please tell us about the Border merchandise Netsuki has!
A: It's not very different from idol, pro athlete, or anime merchandise. Badges of Arashiyama Squad's emblem and clothes with the emblem attached are what sells well. There is a life-sized Arashiyama doll that is not for sale in the PR department, it's pretty creepy. There is currently a plan to make trading cards of Border agents and a mascot for Border.
Source: Border Briefing File, Page 299, Question 105 - ↑ 60.0 60.1 World Trigger Manga — Border Briefing File (p. 33)
- ↑ 61.0 61.1 World Trigger Manga — Chapter 82 (p. 14)
- ↑ 62.0 62.1 62.2 62.3 World Trigger Manga — Border Briefing File (p. 31)
- ↑ World Trigger Manga — Chapter 10 (p. 11)
- ↑ 64.0 64.1 64.2
Daisuke Ashihara: Q: Is Izumi's "A Hundred Hits in a Thousand Shots" t-shirt handmade? Or did he receive it from someone who screen printed it or something?
A: The merchandise department made it for Izumi. There are 8 different color variations.
Source: Border Briefing File, Page 294, Question 59 - ↑ World Trigger Manga and Anime — Vol. 4 Chapter 33 (p. 6) and Episode 17.
- ↑ 66.0 66.1
Daisuke Ashihara: Q: What do you need to do to become an Engineer?
A: There are two ways: request to become an Engineer when enlisting, or request to transfer after enlisting.
Source: Border Briefing File, Page 313, Question 213 - ↑ World Trigger Manga — Border Briefing File (p. 45)
- ↑ World Trigger Manga — Chapter 164 (p. 7)
- ↑
Daisuke Ashihara: Q: Kako doesn’t have a Gunner Trigger on her main Trigger side, so why is she a Shooter?
A: This comes from BBF. Thank you for reading. The positions are based on the equipped Trigger with the most solo points (except All-Rounders). Kako's Hound (Custom that she equips in her sub has the highest solo points, and the Scorpion she equips in her main hasn’t reached 6,000 points yet, so she’s a Shooter. It looks like she wants to increase her Scorpion to over 6,000 points and become an All-Rounder. In the Galopoula Battle, it seems she equipped Hound (Custom) in her main too in preparation for a firefight.
Source: Volume 20, Question Corner 14 - ↑
Daisuke Ashihara: Q: How is an All-Rounder defined?
A: An All-Rounder is ‘an agent who has earned more than 6,000 solo points in both Attacker and Gunner Triggers respectively’. Right now Border’s overall level is on the rise and there are those who say it should be raised to above 8,000.
Source: Volume 18, Question Corner 11 - ↑ World Trigger Manga and Anime — Vol. 4 Chapter 33 (p. 9) and Episode 17.
- ↑ 72.0 72.1 World Trigger Manga and Anime — Vol. 5 Chapter 38 (p. 2) and Episode 19.
- ↑ World Trigger Manga and Anime — Vol. 5 Chapter 38 (p. 1) and Episode 19.
- ↑ World Trigger Manga and Anime — Chapter 83 and Episode 37.
- ↑ World Trigger Manga and Anime — Vol. 18 Chapter 159 (p. 3) and Episode 85.
- ↑ World Trigger Manga and Anime — Vol. 5 Chapter 42 (p. 14) and Episode 21.
- ↑ World Trigger Manga — Chapter 205 (p. 14)
- ↑
Daisuke Ashihara: Q: Can official agents only receive solo points from Rank Wars and rewards for services? And are the rewards for services conferred on a team basis awarded to each member?
A: Besides Rank Wars and rewards for services, solo points can be earned from defense duty and events set up by Border employees (1-on-1 One Day Tournaments and so on). Points and reward money passed to the whole team is awarded to each member. If someone also received the reward as a single person, they get it duplicated.
Source: Border Briefing File, Page 318, Question 245 - ↑ 79.0 79.1 79.2 79.3 79.4 World Trigger Manga — Chapter 83 (p. 7)
- ↑ 80.0 80.1 80.2 80.3 80.4 World Trigger Manga — Chapter 83 (p. 8)
- ↑ 81.0 81.1 81.2 81.3 81.4 World Trigger Manga — Chapter 83 (p. 9)
- ↑ 82.00 82.01 82.02 82.03 82.04 82.05 82.06 82.07 82.08 82.09 World Trigger Manga — Chapter 83 (p. 10)
- ↑ World Trigger Manga — Chapter 136 (p. 2)
- ↑
Daisuke Ashihara: Q: Are there any branches besides Tamakoma and Suzunari?
A: Border has 6 branches: Tamakoma, Suzunari, Wataayu (綿鮎 ?), Yumite District (弓手町 ?), Hayanuma (早沼 ?), and Kuma (久摩 ?). Its personnel are mostly those who prioritise work or school and don’t aim for A-Rank (they do not participate in the twice a week Rank Wars). The branches are placed on the outer edge of the Forbidden Zone. Other than Tamakoma, the branches function as a point of contact for local residents.
Source: Volume 18, Question Corner 11 - ↑ World Trigger Manga — Chapter 18 (p. 10)
- ↑ 86.0 86.1 86.2 World Trigger Manga — Border Briefing File (p. 274-275)
- ↑ 87.0 87.1 87.2 87.3 87.4 World Trigger Manga — Chapter 18 (p. 11)
- ↑ 88.0 88.1 88.2 World Trigger Manga — Chapter 18 (p. 12)
- ↑ World Trigger Manga and Anime — Vol. 19 Chapter 162 (p. 12) and Episode 86.
- ↑ World Trigger Manga — Chapter 26 (p. 10) Tamakoma and Shinoda faction combined have 1/3rd of HQ's agents, meaning Kido has 2/3rds
- ↑ World Trigger Manga — Chapter 24 (p. 6)
- ↑ World Trigger Manga — Chapter 147 (p. 11-12)
- ↑ World Trigger Manga — Chapter 31 (p. 15-16)
- ↑ World Trigger Manga — Chapter 32 (p. 7)
- ↑ World Trigger Manga — Chapter 148 (p. 4-5)
- ↑ World Trigger Manga — Chapter 149 (p. 2-4)
- ↑ 97.0 97.1 97.2
Daisuke Ashihara: Q: Why is Tachikawa affiliated with Kido when Shinoda taught him how to use a sword?
A: The Kido Faction prioritizes Away Missions, and the Shinoda Faction prioritizes defense. Tachikawa is interested in Away Missions. It's not because he disagrees with Shinoda.
Source: Volume 8, Question Corner 7 - ↑ World Trigger Manga — Chapter 26 (p. 10) Tamakoma and Shinoda faction combined have 1/3rd of HQ's agents, meaning Kido has 2/3rds, however at the time there were only 4 combatants at Tamakoma Branch so most of the 1/3rd has to be from Shinoda Faction
- ↑ 99.0 99.1 99.2 World Trigger Manga — Chapter 225 (p. 23)
- ↑ 100.0 100.1
Daisuke Ashihara: Q: Are everyone basically in their Trion Bodies when in Border's base?
A: There are the "always in Trion Body faction", and the "usually more flesh body faction". Being in a Trion Body is less tiring, but there is the rumor that people start having trouble sleeping because of that.
Source: Border Briefing File, Page 314, Question 219 - ↑
Daisuke Ashihara: Q: The bodies the members of Old Border transform into have changed a lot between 4 and a half years ago and now, when was the design altered?
A: Around the time when the HQ base was completed and the number of Engineers increased, they realized that "hey now we can change the design of the clothes too" and redid the designs.
Source: Border Briefing File, Page 322, Question 271 - ↑ 102.0 102.1 102.2 World Trigger Manga and Anime — Vol. 1 Chapter 7 (p. 9) and Episode 4.
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