This battle action series, written by Daisuke Ashihara, began serialization in Weekly Shonen Jump in 2013. It began serialization in Jump Square in 2019. The first season of the anime (73 episodes) aired from October 2014 to April 2016, with a second season scheduled for 2020. Border is an organization that protects Earth from Neighbors (Neighbors). The protagonist, Osamu Mikumo, a member of Border, meets Yuma Kuga, a Neighbor from outside the gate. Mikumo battles the Neighbors that have invaded his school, but when he finds himself overwhelmed and struggling, Kuga uses a "trigger" to come to his aid. Mikumo of Border and Kuga of the Neighbor, two people who should normally be enemies, end up joining forces to fight. This time, we'll explain the Neighbors, the antagonists in the story.
What exactly are Neighbors?
Neighbors, also written as "neighbor" in English, means "neighbors, neighbors, or neighbors." In the story, it refers to invaders from another dimension, meaning "neighbors." Since they specifically say "from another dimension," it's better to think of them as living in an entirely different dimension, rather than on a planet in outer space. Suddenly, a gate from another world opens in Mikado City, Japan, and the Neighbors invade Japan. The Neighbors possess technology distinct from that of Earth, and Earthly weapons are largely ineffective against them. Furthermore, their appearances have never been confirmed outside of Mikado City, and it's unclear why they only appear there.
Border Protects Earth from the Neighbors
Conventional weapons cannot counter the Neighbors. Therefore, the Border Defense Agency was established to independently research Neighbor technology and fight to protect Earth. Four years have passed since the Neighbor invasion, and the gate remains open, continuing the Neighbor invasion of Mikado City. However, thanks to Border's efforts, fewer people are leaving Mikado City than expected. Since Neighbors only appear in Mikado City, it might be better to move, but that's only for now. If Neighbors appear in other areas in the future, staying in Mikado City, where Border's base is located, is likely to be more likely to save you.
Types of Neighbors
Neighbors can be broadly divided into two types: humanoid and Trion soldiers. Humanoids, like Yuma and the invading Aftokrator, look almost identical to humans. They are intelligent and fight using triggers. Trion soldiers are unintelligent and each has a different role. There are many types, including the "combat" Mallmod, the "bombardment" Ilgar, and the "intelligence-gathering" Lad. Replicas are also Trion soldiers, but they are specially designed by Yugo and appear to be different from other Trion soldiers. Most of the invaders of Earth are Trion soldiers, so there aren't many humanoid Neighbors.
Neighbors are residents of a planetary nation in another world
The world of Neighbors: Neighborhood, written as "neighborhood" in English, means "neighborhood," "adjacent," or "surrounding area." In the story, it represents the "near world," where the Neighbors live. Most of the Neighborhood is shrouded in the darkness of night, with the Neighbor nations floating like stars within. It's like a planet floating in space, and each planet is a country. Yuma's father, Yugo, calls this state a "planetary nation." Because it's a "planetary nation," there are no borders like on Earth. The nations aren't connected.
Large-Scale Neighborhood
The planetary nations in the Neighborhood orbit our world, often at close range. It seems they can only launch expedition ships and open gates to invade when they approach our world. Is it just by chance that Mikado City is the closest? Because there are many nations in the Neighborhood, the nations that invade Earth are different each time. If we know which countries are near Earth, we can predict which countries will attack and take measures in advance. At the time of the Neighbors' large-scale invasion, there were four countries that were near Earth: the Maritime Nation of Liberty, a watery world with a vast and fertile ocean; the Cavalry Nation of Leofolion, where people fight on horseback riding special Trion soldiers; the Snowy Nation of Kion, where harsh climate and terrain hinder enemies; and the Divine Nation of Aftokrator, one of the largest military nations in the Neighborhood. We can predict that one of these countries will invade, but the Neighborhood is also home to "Raging Star Nations," which fly freely without orbit like "Planet Nations," and it seems that these countries can also launch sudden attacks.
Neighbors' Purpose
Why are the Neighbors invading Earth? It's to recover Trion. In a war-torn Neighborhood, no amount of Trion is enough. They capture people with superior Trion abilities and use them in wars, while those with lower Trion abilities take only their Trion organs and use them for weapons and other purposes. This is also why Chika, who has superior Trion abilities, is being targeted!
Not all Neighbors are bad
Neighbors invade Earth in search of Trion and pose a threat to humans, but not all Neighbors are enemies. Most Neighbors invade Earth in search of Trion, so they are enemies, but there are also ordinary Neighbors living there. Just like on Earth, there are good people and bad people. Yuma is a Neighbor, but he is harmless to humans and cooperates with them! However, it is also true that many people, like Miwa, who had their sister killed by a Neighbor, resent all Neighbors. It's probably difficult to get along with them easily.
Summary of the Neighbors Invading Earth
What did you think?
Neighbors are basically like aliens, so it's surprising that they can speak their language (lol). As long as the Neighbors seek Trion, will peace never come to Earth? Or is there a future where Neighbors and Earthlings can live hand in hand?
