So I started a re-read/review/reaction of World Trigger manga circa mid/late-2018 as a way to combat the drought that was THE WT HIATUS (which was at 1.5 years when I started it). It was also a rain-dance attempt to pray for Ashihara-sensei’s health and the series’ return. I had stopped around the early 100s, but I’ve been meaning to come back to it. Anyways, here’s a post for me to keep track of the chapter “reviews” I’ve done so far!! Most of them are grouped because it’s not meant to be a super in-depth in-depth review. It’s just me fangirling over the most spectacular, and most underrated series that is World Trigger~more like a reaction post I guess XD
Hopefully more new fans come into our fold with the series’ return & new anime confirmed :)
Chapter Reviews/Reactions/Blurbs: Separated by arcs~
I was mentally screaming as they showed the A-Rank squads montage bc my excitement was just ramping up with each team. Kazama's one of my fave chars so I was really excited to see that Raizo and Cronin are with him. I pretty much ascended when they got to Tamakoma-1 cuz I absolutely love them. Also giggled over the memory that Torimaru was once part of Tachikawa Squad XD
Who else got jump scared by the World Trigger anime reboot news?? Certainly was not on my mental list of anime that could possibly get rebooted!! It was for sure on my list of anime I would like rebooted bc of the dismal pacing and fillers in the OG.
And what a way to begin with these chapters because there's so much new info! More lore!
We find out so much from these chapters! We're introduced to Ruka Shinoda, but we find out that she is actually not related to Director Shinoda, just as we find out that Yotaro Rindo is actually not related to Director Rindo!! Ruka and Yotaro are actually siblings, and were survivors of Border's allies. Them being relatives of the two directors is their cover so they can be looked after by Border. The dynamic between Ruka, Director Shinoda and Sawamura is very interesting, I wanna see more of it~ Ruka's also very funny because she acts like somewhat of an entitled ojousama, freaks out over Cronin playing so roughly with Yotaro, but goes and does the same thing herself. Definitely a tsun-tsun lady here, haha.
We also have contact between Tamakoma Branch & the Galapoula Neighbors and learn even more backstory about Ruka and Yotaro. They're not just normal civilian survivors, but they're royalty from the Neighbor nation of Aristera that got destroyed five years ago! Earth (or Meeden as named by the Neighbors) got their Mother Trigger from Aristera when they escaped (we also see Cronin so he was probably their vassal/guardian of sorts). Mother Triggers are what makes life possible in the Neighborhood. With Earth, since they normally are able to to thrive without Trigger, they have no need of a "God" / Mother Trigger (Ruka just operates it), but they're able to develop technology that allows them to utilize Trigger and build their technology for it. Another bomb that gets dropped is the existence of a Crown Trigger, which exists to serve/aid the Mother Trigger and their roles differ from planet to planet. AND THE CROWN TRIGGER OF ARISTERA'S MOTHER TRIGGER IS RAIJINMARU!!! That was a shocking piece of info, and Jin was apparently shooketh when Yotaro went after Hyuse who made contact with Reghi, because he was more afraid of what Raijinmaru (who was tasked to protect Yotaro) would do. That said, I wonder why Raijinmaru, being the Crown Trigger, is protecting Yotaro and not the Mother Trigger, or Ruka. Is it because Yotaro is the prince/heir to Aristera? Or is there more to that?
Anyways, Galapoula and Tamakoma branch strike an alliance, and it's confirmed-confirmed that Jin won't be going on the away mission since he's giving the communication device Rata gifts to Osamu. Probably makes the most sense given his SE being so OP, they'll need him for sure while a bunch of their elites end up on the Away Mission.
And the final bomb drop we get is about RATA! He's apparently Galapoula's fourth prince & fugitive: Orkan Marduk. In some earlier end-of-chapter/volume notes, Ashihara-sensei did mention to pay attention to Rata, and it all makes sense. He also made a comment how his original hairstyle was supposed to be more like Reghi's, but ended up going for the buzz cut, and noted that there's some significance to that buzz cut. Wow, everything is just making sense now!! Well, Tamakoma is not aware of this (maybe Jin with his SE depending on how relevant that is to future events, but not likely?? yet??), but I definitely understand their motivation behind why they would want to ally with Tamakoma even more. Given that their royal family (Rata's family) was killed, and Mother Trigger taken hostage by Afto, it's more than just them being a vassal state doing Afto's work for them, but they're probably also trying to find a way to fight back and reclaim Galapoula & their Mother Trigger for themselves. Maybe not soon, but this idea was probably something they couldn't even dare dream of, and thanks to this alliance with Tamakoma, there's some sliver of hope.
Some additional thoughts: It's mentioned that Aristera got attacked 5 years ago, so I wonder if that same nation that attacked them caused the attack on Earth pre-series. Is there also any link to the one who attacked Yuma?? There's also the previous background knowledge of old Border losing a bunch of their members when they were trying to aid their allies, so Aristera's attack might be the event that caused it. I wonder if we'll get to learn more about Border's other allied nations: Dexia and Meson. I also would like to learn more about the world Yuma lived in where the Crown Trigger there are called Tsuchigami, they look like little cats with a lot of teeth, which I find super cute!!
Ahhh so much revealed, but also so much I want to know!! Very excited to be re-reading World Trigger again!!
I recently was thinking of World Trigger again and re-watched S2 and S3. I still can't get over how much I love this series, and the anime!!! They such an amazing and solid cast, I'm still a little sad with how S1 turned out T^T.
Anyways... I started re-reading the manga from the end of the B Rank Wars. And as I was going through the chapters for the provisional teams, I was making a whole Google sheet with color codes because I was forgetting who was in which squad and some of their positions too...
During the re-reads and me wiki-searching to refresh my memory, I thought about the World Trigger Chapter Reread/Review/Reactions that I was doing and my last post from the rereads was back in January 2021 featuring Chapter 199. I might be bringing this back with Phase 1 of the Away Mission Test Arc being completed, but I kinda want to go back and re-read all my posts first LOL before continuing as a way to hype myself up!! We shall see~
Actor reprises role as Arata Wataya in episode 7 on August 20
I'm pleasantly surprised that Mackenyu was able to come back to reprise his role for the sequel series, even if it's like for one episode (or more? who knows). That said, the only thing I could think of is that Mackenyu's bulked so much since the last Chihayafuru movie, it looks a whole art style change LOL.
Adult Arata looks all swole with bigger shoulders and all XD
Chihayafuru live action TV series, Kamishiraishi Mone being the only returning cast reprising her role as Kana-chan~ had pretty mixed feelings about the movie, but it also wasn't the worst adaptation I saw. Hope it does well!!
I actually saved this post as a draft back in 09/2024 because I didn't finish all my thoughts and wanted more time to think about it, but just left it there and never got around to it. I recently I found out that Eugene Woodbury, the one who translated the Twelve Kingdoms novels to English all these years, passed away back in January... so I decided to post this... thank you Mr. Woodbury for providing for the 12K EN fandom all these years, down to the recent novels which finally closed the loop for Kingdom of Tai.
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Finally finished reading the latest novels of Twelve Kingdoms... we've finally reached the conclusion (?) of the story of Tai after what? 18 ?? years??? It's been quite a journey. That said, there are some things I just have to scream about so spoilers ahead.
I got so so so tear-eyed during certain moments... here are some things I just really want to yell about off the top of my head.
When some of the common people meet Taiki for the first time and realize who he is: The presence of Taiki is hope for Tai and there were moments where people don't say anything bc they have to keep things on the DL, but they bow to him to express their deep gratitude or relief of his return. And Taiki just acknowledging all that... taking in the situation of Tai first-hand after all these years and experiencing it for himself. I think even those moments, there was just so much weight behind the people's actions/inactions... words said and not said. You can totally feel it and I just felt so moved by it.
The reunions throughout the series: Like Taiki sneaking in to meet Seirai and meeting him. Every time Taiki meets one of Gyousou's retainers or people he's worked with... ughh my heart!! Also some reunions that Risai went through. I think the biggest one was when they went through that really really difficult trek.
The moment when Risai found out the Hakushi's origins. Omgsh, I got chills the moment it was revealed!!! I love that earlier in the novel they really stressed about the importance of Tetsui (for Gyousou) and the bond they shared. The people of Tetsui are just really something. I still couldn't get over that especially when you think about the lengths these people went through in the name of going through a pilgrimage.
The lives loss towards the end of the novel. That really broke my heart, especially for the ones we met earlier on in this story. You get to learn their background, how they got to where they were, and they're all joining this cause to save Gyousou, Taiki and Tai. Especially sad for the non-soldier lives lost. Also the ones who passed on not having met Gyousou or Taiki... they held onto hope literally til their final breaths, but were unable to see it happen.
Gyousou's first appearance. Omgsh, they literally led us to think of ALL the places he could've been... and he was in the mountains all along!! I did have a brief inkling of "what if the basket offerings end up going to Gyousou?" but definitely didn't expect it to be a "dude was literally trapped under the mountains"--it was very brief "maybe he's in some secluded village along the riverside" thought. Anyways, suddenly everything was coming together... Risai's group coming to the conclusion about Gyousou in the mountains, Asen thinking of how he kinda failed to seal Gyousou away in the way he wanted to, but also didn't quite fail since Gyousou was somehow still alive bc he had to get sustenance from somewhere, and the father who still kept sending the basket of food, and us following where it goes!! Like I was literally anticipating it, and actually reading his appearance?!! Him expressing his gratitude for whatever he received??! Dang, that really got me.
Gyousou and Taiki reunion. Seriously, can any more be said at this point????
The elation I felt when Taiki transformed!! There was actually a point in the novel... forgot when, but I thought to myself if Taiki really will be like this... hornless, without his shirei, and without his kirin abilities altogether... and suddenly! Suddenly!! There was a thought of... what if meeting with Gyousou will heal him?? Like some magical kirin-emperor bond situation effect!!?? I think that feeling/thought came back to me when the day of the "execution" was coming near and literally everyone was at their wits end, uncertain of the best course of action. I mean, the explanation wasn't exactly as such, but the timing though!! When it happened, I was literally baffled and speechless.
I had some initial mixed thoughts about the ending, but it was more because I really wanted there to be more conversations between Gyousou and Taiki, but thinking it over, the way the ending was written was quite in Twelve Kingdoms fashion? Not sure if there will be more to the Twelve Kingdoms series, but where it ends now, it tied up the biggest biggest loose end that had been hanging for years. I will never say no to more stories where we get too see the other monarchs (my fave is En... I miss them), but time will tell...
Anyways, the novel got re-licensed for EN translation, and that's very exciting to hear!! Now hoping for anime continuation... or remake but crossing all fingers for a GOOD one.
It's happening. Finally picking up Twelve Kingdom's again, but re-reading from Shore in Twilight first before jumping into Silver Ruins. Needed some refreshers of what happened in what happened with Taiki rescue story before finally seeing what's happened with Gyousou. Ideally I should also re-read Taiki's story from the beginning, or the most recent one with Yoko/Suzu/Shoukei, but that will probably take forever... I'm more than halfway done with Shore in Twilight so I'm very excited for the new content!! Four whole volumes of it!!!!
I watched the Haikyuu movie and I have so many words! Need a bit of time before that so just gonna share this video of the theme song instead.
I'm still very sad about IKE leaving SPYAIR, but at the same time, I can understand why SPYAIR has to continue on. I'm glad for the movie that we have a new song (it just won't hit the same way if it's just a re-cover of an old song you know) and it's so great! Wishing all the best for SPYAIR's continued success!
Wow, this anime adaptation should've been out like 20 years ago or something!!! I'm so happy that finally it's getting adapted! I only hope that it's faithful to the OG, but maybe do what Furuba 2019 did and make certain things (like the technology maybe??) fit the current times a bit more. Maybe it's not necessary, but idk, it's been like 20 years since I read Hana Kimi the first time so I don't remember what may or may not age well~ XD
There were wayyy more people than I thought going to see it. Basically the entire back section was nearly fully, I think there were about 5ish seats left to pick. Also, not too many girls, there were a total of about 10 (I was the first one there so I noticed when they came in) including myself--the only other girl who came alone & not accompanying other(s) just so happened to sit next to me. She cried like 4+ times during the entire movie XD
Movie Thoughts (SPOILERS under the cut):
My initial thoughts coming out: Story was kinda meh-ish, but mecha-stuff was really cool. I think if this movie came out within the first 5 years after the end of Destiny OR if I rewatched SEED/GSD more recently, I would've enjoyed all the Easter eggs and such a great deal more.
After sitting down & re-checking stuff online (just to make sure I understood certain parts correctly), I think if I get to rewatch it again, I would've definitely enjoyed it more.
Off the top of my head likes/dislikes
Likes: the new theme songs, METEOR, Shin redemption, Athrun being cool again, flashback featuring old chars, Athrun piloting scenes, Cagalli piloting scenes, Athrun beating Kira, AsuCaga, ShinLuna, Yzak, Dearka, Miri, Hilda, Murrue, Mu, Millenium crew, the cool fights, Torii & Blue
Dislikes: Kira going through his old dilemma from all of SEED/end of GSD, the NTR stuff, the slightly over the top fanservice-y stuff, pacing at the beginning, the Black Knights
More in-depth thoughts on certain things:
Shin & ShinLuna: Shin was easily one of the characters I disliked the most in GSD, and I'm really glad that he's soooooo much more likeable in the movie. Why weren't you more like this in Destiny?!! He's also such a Kira fanboy (I just wished that Kira wasn't so... in need of a slapping 80% of the time) and it's really funny. Especially when he wanted to help Kira when him & Athrun were fighting and he got decked in the process!! He's like so dumb-cute and I really love that for him. I'm glad he had his moment to shine in the movie! I'm a little tickled seeing the ShinLuna interactions given that GSD was kinda how their VAs (Suzumura Kenichi & Sakamoto Maaya) got together and married. I wish/hope there's an interview where they have the couple talk about their roles and such, it would be so interesting. Better yet is if there's a video interview, I would totally eat that up.
Athrun & AsuCaga: Athrun in GSD was also an ache in my heart. I'm glad they made him cool again in this movie (lol except for that one scene where Shura saw THAT image in his mind, like it's so funny/crazy/wtheckkk). Man, how I wish that they threw more AsuCaga hints earlier in the movie!!! I was such a hardcore AsuCaga shipper too!! I remember feeling so burned and feeling so hopeless at the end of GSD when they parted ways. But seeing them together just soothes my soul. ALSO THE NECKLACES YO!!!! They're as good as together in my heart even though they didn't have a face-to-face interaction in the movie. Like c'mon, Cagalli is training Toyah to be her successor, and left him in charge while she flew out to space. Orb is in good hands in the future and Cagalli can totally pull a page out of Kira/Lacus' book and just elope with Athrun, maybe not frolicking on the beach at sunset with suits off haha. Upon google searching, apparently there's like a side-novel thingy that features more of them!! Please make an OVA out of this too TuT
Music: The music was great!! I listened to the new theme songs beforehand, so it felt great hearing them in the movie. I was hoping Meteor or Vestige would play during the movie, and they totally delivered when Meteor was playing! I was so so happy. Also thanks to the music, I'm back on Spotify (I left it for a good 1-1.5 months because of FF7 Rebirth OST was NOT available on Spotify).
Soap Opera Story: Someone described the movie being too soap-opera-y and I can't agree more. I think the whole NTR stuff (Orphee & Agnes, the pseudo-love triangles or messy relationship stuff) or the Freedom vs Destiny theme with a heavy dose of LOVE ME NOT HIM/HER on top (is this Macross?? why isn't Lacus singing?? XD) was just a bit too much. But then I have to remind myself that this is me 20 years later, but for them, it's only been 2 years... they're not even 20 years old yet canonically... they're still teenagers yo.
Macross jokes aside though, I kinda wish Lacus got to sing at some point. That would've been quite nice, though I did like that they added instrumentals for her songs in the movie.
Also, I went in this movie not knowing if Miri would appear, but she did and all is well.
Man does not look like he's in his 50s... he doesn't look like he aged at!!
The Gundam SEED fangirl in me was hoping for INVOKE or Meteor, but this track has been growing on me as of late, esp the chorus.
Delulu talk here, but after seeing both Tamaki Nami and T.M. Revolution promoting their Gundam SEED franchise songs on First Take, I will absolutely lose my mind if SEE-SAW goes on First Take as well.
I'm seeing news that the movie is doing really well in Japan--my friend who's there said pamphlets were sold out after checking at multiple theaters too. I'm actually looking forward to seeing the movie if it has US release. I had somewhat bittersweet feelings about SEED/SEED Destiny, but being my first Gundam series it has a very special place in my heart.
Yuta has finally arrived~ I was thinking about Yuta the other week and decided to rewatch JJK0 and then wondering when he was gonna show up in S2 ahahaha~
Random, but I watched the opening animation with SPECIALZ for almost every single episode it played. I don't remember the last time I did that for a series where I didn't skip the theme song (maybe Gintama). The only exception was that 1 time because I had to be somewhere and wasn't sure if I'd even have time to finish the episode.
I heard there were mixed opinions, but that episode where they played the OP theme at the end during THAT Yuji scene? I thought it was great.
