Trigun
a review by PiccoloLover
a review by PiccoloLover
Of course this is just my opinion, but don't skip the "filler". It's a 26 episode anime with 17 "filler" episodes. Yeah that's 65.3846154% but don't be fooled. The manga was nowhere near done when they made the show. Yasuhiro Nightow worked with Madhouse on the anime and decided on a different storyline. The anime holds up as it's own experience compared to the manga. Also dub or sub doesn't really matter. Both are good and have great voice actors.
I'll begin with the characters, starting off with the greatest character of any anime/manga of all time. Actually, of anything ever:
Goodness gracious, where do I begin? With his wild, spiky hair that seems to defy not just gravity but the laws of attraction? Or with his charming blue eyes that, with a single gaze, bring you to great oceans of heartbreak and hope, pulling you under yet keeping you afloat? Oh, and his smile... don't get me started. It's criminal. Every grin, feeling like the sun rising just for you alone, chipping away any uncertainty in your heart.
And the way he moves? Let's not even go there... just kidding, we will. Vash doesn’t just walk—he glides, spins, and twirls like the world is his canvas for expression. Every step beaming with confidence, charisma, and otherworldly beauty that takes every breath. And that coat... his infamous red coat. The way it flails in the wind, framing his figure carved by the gods, like he’s been painted by Michelangelo. Such graceful beauty! I need to take a moment just thinking about it.
He is not just a feast for the eyes but also for the soul; a true masterpiece of a character. Vash is compassionate to a fault, always striving to save the lives of others—even those who try to take his own. His silly antics and infectious laugh hide the unbearable pain of his past and all that he has endured. He makes you long to be the one to soothe that pain. To hold him close, tell him he's loved, perfect, and doesn't have to suffer alone anymore. I just want to run my fingers through his golden hair, trace every line of his face, feel his heart beat in tune with mine. I want to give him everything. Anyways...
And don’t even get me started on his voice. Whether you’re watching in Sub or Dub, every word uttered from Vash weaves its own unique tapestry of emotion—a true wordsmith. He's playful, yet tender, yet heartbreaking, and it’s everything you’d imagine such a heavenly godlike creature to sound like. I could listen to him talk for hours, lost in the angelic melody of his words, imagining that he’s speaking directly to me, telling me I’m the one he’s been searching for.
You can try to compare him to anyone else but you will only succeed in lying to yourself. Think of anyone—anyone you can think of. He is simply just better
I'm afraid I've probably rustled some feathers with this remark but I am not bothered. My only goal is to tell the masses the truth. Don't get me wrong, all these characters are great, but Vash is second to none. Vash is the gift given to us that can never be fully cherished no matter how hard we try. The most well written, thought-provoking, and downright heartstring-ripping character to grace our lives.
Just like the timeless balance of Yin and Yang, every fighter for good needs their perpetrator of evil. An embodiment for their struggle to shape their purpose and Million Knives fits his purpose like a perfect-fitting glove. His ruthlessness knows no bounds, always there to push Vash to his limits—keeping him on his toes. Knives devotes himself to his goal doing all he can. Frankly, I would put him up there with the best villains of all time. A true mastermind of evil always inching closer to his ultimate plan.
Do you think you know what evil is? Ask yourself if you know Legato Bluesummers, if the answer is no then you simply don't. A true incarnation of depravity I cannot speak about. A man so determined to make Vash suffer he makes the idea of the invincible snail seem like a fantasy wonderland. A character you have to watch in action for yourself to understand
Much like evil, good always needs it's partner. Being one of the more morally complex characters, he is captivating in his own right. Wolfwood is there by Vash's side yet adheres to his own sense of justice. Like Vash, he is more than a character. He is a lesson to be learnt, and expression to be felt.
Yes, there are other characters in Trigun. Yes, they are profound and important to the impact of Trigun on the soul. But Vash is the one and only idol, the one man to strive to become. Simply put, I don't care. Let’s be honest with ourselves: this show could just be 26 episodes of Vash standing there, breathing, and It would still the greatest work of art ever made. Every moment he’s on screen is a blessing—a gift to us mere mortals.
The plot? Perfect. Taking place on Planet Gunsmoke; a barren, lawless wasteland scattered with bits of civilization. The perfect place for Vash. Vash stands out against his environment, like the first bloom of spring in a barren winter. Vash is a wanted outlaw with a humongous $$60 billion bounty. Because no matter where he goes, destruction follows him to no avail. But Vash isn’t the villain, he is our guiding light through the world, a true spiritual figurehead. He is at his core, a pacifist with a huge heart. A heart so big it could hold the entire universe and still have space for desserts (perchance donuts). No matter who enacts it or who it is enacted upon, every act of violence pains him in the deepest part of his being; every life lost is a jab into his radiant soul.
The themes of morality, forgiveness, crisis of conscience, and the value of life are important and profound, but let’s not kid ourselves, you’re here for Vash. Despite that, Trigun is a message that should be spread throughout the world; played for kids in school, watched by families at home, for prisoners in jail, leaders in positions of power, people lost in life, those who strive for greatness, enlightened ones seeking wisdom and knowledge. It is an unmatched story that provokes you to think and have some introspection deep within yourself. Doesn't matter who you are, this show will change you. You can know everything and learn from this show.
Every episode brought with it the unwavering soul-crushing fact that I was one episode closer to the end. Before the credits could even roll across on the final episode, I was a wreck. Tears pouring, emotions ablaze, heart pounding, a grown man completely undone and rejuvenated by the sheer splendiferousness of this show and the divine perfection of Vash the Stampede. Trigun didn’t just entertain me; it consumed me. It bored into my chest, seized hold of my heart, and claimed it in the name of Vash.
So, would I recommend Trigun? Rhetorical question. Not just as a show, but as a transformative experience. Just be warned: you’ll fall in love with Vash the Stampede, and there’s no coming back from that. And honestly? Who would want to?
Trigun and the paragon of virtue that is Vash has deeply stricken me down inside my essence. Trigun is more than an anime—it’s a life-altering phenomenon focused on the absolute pinnacle of celestial beauty in the form of a man. His $$60 billion bounty? An insult to perfection, a worthless number, impossibly far from his value. A humble, donut-craving, lead-slinging god fabulously veiled in red, every step an interpretive display, every smile a weapon of mass seduction. Vash doesn’t just exist; he radiates love and warmth, his golden hair shimmering like a halo above his head. And listen, I don’t want to admire him—I want to worship him. To hold him, to run my hands through that gravity-defying hair, to wisp away the sadness in those glorious blue eyes. I’d give him every ounce of my soul, my body, my everything. Vash isn’t just my hero; he’s my wildest, most desperate desire.
I'm sure you have already noticed the comical nature of my review and yes I'm being a bit satirical (I wanted to have fun writing about my favorite anime), and yes I love Vash, and yes he's my favorite, and yes I hold him in higher regard than anyone else in my life. Regardless of that Trigun is a masterpiece. I am heartbroken at how criminally underrated and unwatched it is today. Trigun is a world filled with hardships and suffering that prompts you to think. It presents you with a concept and shows you its contrast through Vash vs. Knives/The World. They are the two edges of a double sided sword, two extremes brought to their conclusions and teach a valuable lesson in humanity. Vash is an incredibly complex character behind his lighthearted, happy go lucky facade. He grapples with the world using his philosophy he swears by, a daunting and taxing burden to undertake and it's shown to you the consequences he has to face, presenting it all to you in a captivating and thrilling manner. I won't say it will change your life but it's worth it. If you still disagree with me then:
And no, Trigun Stampede is nowhere near as good as the original was.
Sincerely,
PiccoloLover
53.5 out of 57 users liked this review
