World Trigger didn’t exactly start out as the happiest of manga—its premise revolves around various warring countries in the "Neighborhood" harvesting humans’ Trion glands with nightmarish bug-like creatures. So it’s no surprise that the story hasn’t been gumdrops and water lilies lately. Even so, this is by far the darkest volume yet, with a full-scale invasion intent on capturing C-Rank Border Agents (whom they have dubbed "baby birds" for extra creepiness). And to make matters even worse, Jin's Side Effect has also foretold disaster for Chika, whom the Neighbors have titled the "Golden Goose"...

The battle against the humanoid neighbors from Aftokrator isn't going well, as a single crack unit from their side is tearing through the Border defenses like wet tissue paper. Then again, Aftokrator’s military force IS the largest of all the Neighbors and had SEVEN Black Triggers at the last count...

Osamu, Chika and the other C-Class Border agents make a break for it together with several Neighbors hot on their trail. It's a race against destiny as Jin's dark predictions remain intact. Speaking of which, Jin himself teams up with Yuma to stop Viza, one of Aftokrator's deadliest soldiers. Enedora, another of the Neighbors, decides that he's had enough with following orders and decides to go for Border HQ to cripple the resistance against the Neighbors once and for all. 

Almost every plot point in this volume raises the stakes even further. 

With all the futuristic armaments, the fights in World Trigger have always been cool. But the battles in this volume are extra cool with some seriously awesome weaponry and powers. Viza's got Organnon, "The Staff of Stars," and it’s one of the slickest weapons I've ever seen in a manga. Even among Black Triggers, this thing's a doozy, slicing up anything—projectiles, people, city blocks—that comes into range. Talk about the ultimate attack AND defense…

Viza himself is quite the creepy character—a grinning old man who talks like your favorite granddad, sighs over how much he hates kidnapping children…and purees every obstacle he meets without dropping the friendly grin. Brrr…

This is also the first time I can remember where Jin isn't entirely on top of his game. I mean, the guy still plays it off as Mr. Cool, but it's pretty unnerving to see him not being 100% in control of the situation. I've always thought that being able to see potential futures was one of the coolest super powers ever, but it can't be fun seeing the future approaching and knowing that nothing you've done so far has made a difference. 

The biggest "aw crud" moment comes towards the end when Hyrein, captain of the Aftokrator Neighbors, puts in a combat appearance. Unwilling to wait for further collateral damage, Hyrein activates his Black Trigger Alektor, summoning animal-shaped bullets that turn their targets into easily-abduct-able white cubes. (And now I'll never look at a flock of birds the same way again...)

Guh. So many epic moments in this volume. Given how plot-heavy World Trigger tends to be, it's awesome and refreshing to have this massive fight between the established champions and these new foes. Yet even the S-Rank Agents are bringing their A-Game, which just makes the rookie Chika and Osamu all the more vulnerable. Though like all good middle parts, this volume really leaves you wanting more. I mean, WOW. It just got real.

You can check out some cool futuristic combat by picking up volume 8, on sale now! 

by Chris Turner