This battle action series, written by Ashihara Daisuke, began serialization in Weekly Shonen Jump in 2013. It has been serialized in Jump Square since 2019. The first season of the anime (73 episodes in total) aired from October 2014 to April 2016, with the second season scheduled to air in 2020. Border is an organization that protects the Earth from Neighbors (Neighbors). The protagonist, Mikumo Osamu, a member of the organization, meets Kuga Yuma, a Neighbor who has come from outside the gate. Mikumo fights the Neighbors who have invaded the school, but when he is struggling and unable to fight, Kuga uses a "trigger" to come to his aid. Mikumo of Border and Kuga of Neighbor, two people who should normally be enemies, end up joining forces to fight. In this article, we would like to introduce Border, the organization that protects the Earth from Neighbors.
Border: Protecting Citizens from Neighbors
Border, the international defense organization that protects the peace of Earth from Neighbors, is based in Mikado City, Japan. Neighbors use weapons and attacks that utilize an energy called Trion. Conventional weapons are no match for Neighbors. Border has independently researched Neighbor technology and fights using Trion-based weapons called "Triggers." While these triggers are originally Neighbor-specific, Border's triggers have evolved by incorporating their own unique technology. While Mikado citizens fear the Neighbors, they trust Border highly, and surprisingly few people leave Mikado City.
Did Border exist before the gates opened?!
Border's existence became public after the gate opened in Mikado City four years ago, but the original Border, the prototype for the current Border, actually existed before that. Founding members of the old Border included Yuma's father, Yugo Kuga, Commander Kido, and Mogami Souichi, Jin's master and Yuma's searcher. Headquarters Chief Oshida and Tamakoma Branch Chief Hayashido are Yugo's juniors, so although they've been around for a long time, they're unlikely to be founding members.
Border members have ranks that indicate their strength.
There are just under 550 Border members in total, and each member is given a rank that indicates their strength. Different ranks are assigned different tasks and salaries. Members are divided into ranks A through C, but above A there is a special rank called S-class, which is given to individuals who possess black triggers, rather than a rank that indicates strength.
C-Rank Members
C-Rank members, also known as trainees, are not full-time Border members. They start at C-Rank upon joining and strive to advance by achieving results in training and ranked matches. While Yuma is skilled, he also starts at C-Rank upon joining. To advance, he must achieve a total of 4,000 points or more. He earns points by performing well in joint training or competing in ranked matches. There are a large number of trainees (approximately 400), but since they are not full-time members, they do not receive a salary. Many trainees struggle to earn enough points and become discouraged. Additionally, the use of triggers outside of Border bases is prohibited. However, after Osamu violated the rules of engagement by rescuing a civilian, C-rank members are now only permitted to use triggers in emergencies.
B-rank Members
With approximately 100 members, this rank is the largest among regular members and forms Border's main force. Osamu and his team, Tamakoma Second, are also located here. Approximately 20 squads, including Ninomiya, Azuma, and Suwa, aim to achieve A-rank status by achieving results in ranked matches. Divided into three groups—top, middle, and bottom—teams compete in ranked matches three times a year, with the top two teams advancing to A-rank. B-rank members are full-time members, so unlike C-rank members, they receive compensation. However, they are paid based on the number of Trion soldiers defeated. It also appears that some B-rank members operate solo without teaming up.
A-rank Members
Border's elite force consists of approximately 30 members, divided into nine squads, including the Tachikawa and Arashiyama squads. To be promoted to A-rank, members must advance from B-rank in ranked battles, so all members naturally form teams. However, Jin, who was promoted from S-rank to A-rank, is an exception and operates solo. The elite A-class unit receives a fixed salary plus rewards for defeating Trion soldiers. However, A-class rank is the top 5% of the team, so it takes considerable effort to achieve it. Incidentally, Tamakoma First, Osamu's senior unit, does not participate in ranked battles because they use a unique trigger. Despite not being ranked, they are Border's strongest unit.
S-class Members
This is a special rank above A-class, and requires the possession of a black trigger. Because the black trigger itself is powerful, S-class members' abilities are comparable to those of A-class members, but even without a black trigger, they are still as strong or superior to A-class members. Jin returned the "Fuuha" and became an A-rank, leaving Amano as the only S-rank. Will Miwa, who inherited the "Fuuha," also become an S-rank? S-rank is special, and unlike A-rank, it cannot be achieved through hard work alone.
Arashiyama Squad: In charge of public relations activities
The A-rank Arashiyama Squad, consisting of Arashiyama, Kitora, Tokieda, Satori, and Ayatsuji, is responsible not only for defense but also for public relations activities. Since PR officers often have opportunities to interact with ordinary citizens, Arashiyama's affable and good looks were likely chosen. Arashiyama Squad is truly the face of Border! Some trainees and locals mock the Arashiyama Squad as a promotional unit selected solely for their looks, but their A-rank status, achieved through successful ranked matches, rivals the other A-ranks in terms of skill. The beautiful Kitora has also appeared in magazine interviews, and while she doesn't say it out loud, she doesn't seem to mind either (lol).
A Summary of Border, the Border Defense Agency Protecting Earth from Neighbors
What did you think?
Border protects Earth from Neighbors. Even if you join, you can't advance to the top unless you perform well in ranked matches, making Border a meritocratic organization. Each unit has its own unique characteristics, so it might be interesting to compare them! !
