World Trigger

“Ai Kitora, A-Rank No.5 Agent”

One thing I’ve learned from watching World Trigger is that good deeds can get you punished, and so is the case with Osamu, who, despite his heroic efforts, has come under the ire of Ai Kitora. After episode three, Kitora was a bit suspicious of the blows dealt to the offending Trion soldiers. She was offended to the point that she had to test her skill by using her own Trigger named Scorpion to determine how a C-Rank Trigger could have done the same.

If you’ve forgotten, Border Agents are categorized into three primary divisions. C-Rank Agents are trainees at the apparent bottom, B-Rank are at the middle, and A-Rank agents are at the top tier of the pyramid. A-Rank agents are in the top five percent of all Agents. Unsurprisingly, some A-Rank agents might possess that remarkable trait known as arrogance.

Kitora is no exception. As part of the Arashiyama Squad and an A-Rank Agent herself, she immediately puts her colleagues in check and proceeds to read Osamu the “riot act!”

Kitora’s arrogance comes as no surprise. She achieved an A-Rank at the age of fifteen. She is also brilliant and a formidable combatant, so when she questions Osamu, he is both intimidated and impressed. She has yet to face a truly worthy opponent, so her belief in her abilities has yet to be thoroughly vetted. So with all the smugness she can muster, she tells Osamu, based on the rules, he must report to headquarters immediately to receive his punishment.

Let the record state that the “Osamu/Kuga ship” is constantly overlooked. The relationship between Osamu and Kuga is given a chance to grow, with neither person hogging the spotlight. While it does follow some of the usual Shounen tropes, their bond is allowed the treatment found in many shounen-ai anime.

Kuga is not the least bit impressed with Kitora’s stance on the current situation, so while Osamu has regrets, Yuma chimes in as he believes that the greater good should trump Border’s petty rules. He sets the record straight on the use of “Triggers,” much to the chagrin of Kitora. He ends their song and dance show by using his eye to expose her true intent, and before she can counter, they are interrupted. Osamu is to report to Headquarters after school to receive his punishment.

The use of lighting and music to show the passing of time is excellent. The after-classroom moment between Yuma and Osamu was illustrated well and allowed for more relationship-building. Throughout four episodes, Osamu remains committed to being unsure of himself, and he battles against the need to protect those he cares about. Despite all the fanfare amongst his peers praising him for what he’s done, He remains in a funk. Kuga leaves him with a few words of wisdom and goes his own way.

It's not long, however, before the duo meets up when it's time for Osamu to take the dreaded March of shame. On the way, they are greeted by Kitora, who says she wants to ensure he doesn't chicken out. But only after we got a Photo op with Kitora. Bombarded by her many fans, Kitora berates them first for taking pictures of her and second for not getting her good side. We really get to see Kitora for who she is.

After a short Q and A session, we learned that Border's barrier is not working as intended. While it's keeping the Neighbors from causing havoc near the base, Neighbors are still coming through in other parts of Mikado City. As the duo walk alone along a bridge, they are being spied on and not by Kuga, who has been following the two.

Pride goes before the fall, and it's not long before Kitora’s abilities are tested. Mocking Osamu for his inability to get it up, she heads off to fight the new Trion soldier that has entered the city. This is the same scenario Osamu found himself in, having to save the city without the help of agents. It should be no issue for her since she's A-Rank.

The episode does an excellent job of introducing Kitora as an antagonist for Osamu. One wonders why she is so hard on him and how soon Yuma's secret will be exposed. The duo sews their bond further solidified in this episode as Yuma aids in helping Osamu from being killed as he tries to save the many people I'm danger. It ends on a climactic note, and I'm eager to learn what happens next.