The series first reels you in as a hilarious, action-packed romp full of wit and comical chaos, with a pretty clever premise behind it. But as the episodes progress, a more complex mystery begins to unfold and you'll find yourself dying to find out what's next when you're not laughing your head off or marveling at the action scenes. Crisp animation and chara designs, clever humour, a solid storyline and likeable characters that grow on you make Trigun a highly recommended series. Watching Trigun is not just very entertaining, it also leaves a lasting impression. Long live "Love and Peace"!
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vkn10 October 2000
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emasterslake9 June 2007On a desert planet in a far future lives a guns man named Vash the Stampede. He's feared and seen as a murder by all individuals alike. He gain the nickname "Humanoid Typhoon" because he brings disaster to wherever he goes. After demolishing a city, a bounty was placed on his head $$60 billion. Two insurance girls(Meryl and Milly) were hired to locate and keep an eye on Vash to insure the damages that occur around him. At first they don't know what Vash is really like. But eventually they'll learn that he's the one guy you'd least suspect to be a wanted criminal.
Throughout the whole series, you'll learn about the past, personality, and tragedy of Vash. As well seeing many interesting minor, secondary, and vile characters that surround him. Not to mention the dozens of "Wild West" themed towns on the desert plant they all live on.
Trigun is one of the common 26 episode TV anime. But it's indeed one of the best ones out there. The animation is well done, for it being made back when Anime is still done with original cell animation. The western/punk look makes it stand out more than the other series. The story is really unique. It's also well balances in drama, comedy, action, and sci-fi.
Those who like Lupin III and Cowboy Bebop will indeed admire Trigun as well. -
Meryl Stryfe and Milly Thompson of the Bernadelli Insurance Company have a problem. They are to contain the problem of Vash "The Stampede", also known as "The Humanoid Typhoon". Every city that he stops in finds itself utterly destroyed. The problem is, once they find Vash, they also find that he's never killed a person and appears to be a bumbling idealistic fool which a penchant for dodging bullets and eating donuts. At least that's what he appears to be.
In a strange twist on anime protagonists, Vash is not a dark brooder or a naive boy with skill. Although he has elements of a dark past and such, he's an idealist committed to "love and peace" and he never shoots to kill, but rather uses his gun and his impossible marksmanship as a tool. While the series begins with a strong comic tone, serious elements are placed in the undercurrent and as the series progresses, the tone becomes increasingly serious with the comedy becoming more like breaks between the intense story. Towards the end of the series, it becomes increasingly potent, resonating both with emotions and intellect.
I really like the way the series really grapples with questions of idealism, pragmatism, questions of morality regarding the ends and means and other philosophical concepts, each having some embodiment in the various characters of the show. All the same, the characters are not allegories, but just strongly aligned to certain kinds of thinking. I do wish that some of the other characters were fleshed out more, but I also realize that it's hard to devote so much time to characters in a 24-episode arc.
Trigun is a surprisingly superb piece of storytelling thrown in a fantastic animated world and while the earlier comic episodes might be a little loose, they set the ground for the more serious second half and no episode seems utterly unnecessary. An excellent series and highly recommended to those who love science fiction, strong serial storytelling or those who love animation. 9/10 -
zmanjz13 April 2002This has to be one of the most amazing Anime series ever made. It combines some of the funniest and absurd physical and intellectual comedy with a powerful drama and sense of what I would consider to be Horror in the emotional sense.
Vash has to be one of the most contradictory characters in any anime. A Gunfighter who hates killing. Nearly Immortal, yet vulnerable. Power to destroy all life on a planet, but upset at the death of a bug... It really is amazing.
If I had to choose any series which has impacted my own sense of ethics, this would be it.
The concepts of Life and Death, Good and evil are brought to the line in the grey... Not the blurry grey area, but the pencil thin line within the miles of grey.
The goodness of Milly, the callousness of Nick, the pride of Meryl, the hate of knives, and the love of Vash... Though through it all, even the smallest character is "Fleshed out" with a multi-faceted personality. It really is amazing.
Though I would not recommend this for young children, I believe that rational adults people can only come out better people after seeing it. -
stargunner21 March 2005A lot of animes set people off. Slow beginnings, long series, and lack of substance make a lot of anime shows completely unwatchable to the newcomer.
Those animes should take a lesson from Trigun. If there was ever an anime that told a story best in 26 episodes, it's definitely this one. Vash The Stampede, a supposed outlaw with a $$60 million reward, must set out to find where his life started and how to go on now. On his journey he is tagged along by reporters Meryl Stryfe and Milly Thompson, and is later accompanied by the gun-toting priest Nicholas D. Wolfwood.
Every episode has its own wonderful story and solves a little more of the mystery of Vash's life, always wanting you hungering for more but feeding you enough to love that episode just as much as any other. I, for one, was very able to connect to the characters as each has their own colorful and lovable personality. It brought a lot of life to an anime series that you aren't treated to often.
There's no way you can't enjoy Trigun - it's an anime series for all and definitely one that will last throughout anime history as one of the best. It may not be glittered with massive CG and high-budget animation, but that's not what is important. If you haven't seen this yet, go see it now. -
emirdumani11 May 2008I'm not a big fan of anime, but when i watched the first episode of Trigun, i fell in love :)
The character of Vash is the best character ever. He is extremely funny with his expressions and the way he acts.
Trigun is a rather funny show at start but the show becomes serious in the later episodes.
I watched it in Japanese with English subtitles, and later in English and recommend Japanese version.
If you like anime you've already watched this masterpiece...
but if you are new to this business as i am...its a must see... -
Speedracer0116 May 2006Trigun, for me, is one of the best stories I have ever experienced. It is the story of Vash the Stampede, and his search for truth. He lives by a creed in which he refuses to kill a human life, and he takes on a demeanor that shuns even the thought of killing another person. No matter the situation, no matter the danger, no matter the trouble he would save if only he would pull the trigger, Vash refuses to kill another human being. He has the ability to destroy the entire planet, but all he wants is to live a normal life. Vash is a character who loves and respects all life. There are times during his travels, however, where Vash becomes enraged at his adversaries. He does this not because they try to kill him, not because they want the $$60 billion that go with his head, but because his enemies show no value for human life- this is simply too much for Vash to stand. Only at those times does he let loose his anger. Even then, he refuses to kill another life.
During the story, Vash experiences terrible trials that push him over the edge, and he experiences an incredible amount of grief over the pain that he thinks he causes, all to save lives. I remember one scene where the grief he feels over what he does is so unbearable that he just starts sobbing so helplessly- I had tears come to my eyes. Vash does nothing morally wrong throughout the entire 26 episodes.
I am a Christian, and all I could think about during the episodes is how Vash's value of life resembles Jesus. It sounds kinda corny, I know, but watching Trigun has had a profound affect on my life, and I would offer my highest recommendation for anyone looking for an amazing, emotionally gripping story.
Humor, awesome gun battles, questions about ethics, and love- its all there. You have to see it to experience it for yourself. -
Daelock8 March 2003The best way to go into watching Trigun is with a good attitude. An attitude of "I'm going to watch this with an open mind and disregard the fact that it's 'just a cartoon.'" This is, of course, to all non-anime fans. Anime fans, if you haven't seen this yet, where have you been hiding yourself? This is one of the most talked about anime series of all time, and with very good cause. I don't like to attack other people's opinions, but someone on here said that this series had a shallow plot and I can't see how they got that out of this unless they were either watching it half asleep or missed some episodes. The series has depth and meaning and questions ethics (is it ok to kill at any time even in self defense or defense of others?) and takes on an emotional roller coaster, starting out funny and carefree, but becoming deadly serious by the mid-point(I'd say the major turning point is when Vash is hired to do a hit) The main character, Vash the Stampede is one of the most lovable protagonists in entertainment history. His violent mood swings from carefree wanderer to vicious fighter are juxtaposed beautifully. The callous Wolfwood who kills to protect the innocent(is he wrong?). The air-headed(or is she simply innocent?) Milly and strict, but loving Meryl. Even the villains who last only a single episode are memorable and dynamic and Legato Bluesummers is one of the best villains of all time. Not simply content to defeat Vash, he wants him to suffer terribly. **SPOILERS!!!!!**
This anime literally moved me to tears. When Wolfwood is dying in the chapel and calls out to God, not knowing if he can be forgiven. And when Vash holds a gun to Legato's head, either violating every moral fiber in his body and killing the wicked man(who surely would, to almost any of us, deserve the death) or letting him live but sacrificing Meryl and Milly. As Rem and Wolfwood's dueling views play in his mind ("Don't force your way of life on others!!," "No one has the right to take the life of another," etc.) it's so moving and genuinely heartbreaking, especially when he decides.
**END SPOILERS!!!*****
So ultimately, if you're an anime fan, you owe it to yourself to watch this. It has everything: action, intensity, emotion, philosophical questions and a BIG, BIG gun. If you're not an anime fan, give it an honest try, it might get you hooked. (SLIGHT SPOILER!!!)
And by the by, this is for everyone: Trigun refers to Vash's 3 guns. His pistol, his arm cannon, and the Angel Arm. Tri-gun. Three Guns. (END SLIGHT SPOILER!) (END REVIEW!) -
jaylaurie902 January 2005I first thought trigun was going to be all the same as all the other animes... blood, nudity, etc. It wasn't and i'm going to have to say that it is about the only anime i enjoy. The last commenter said that it was childish...and like a lot of animes aren't??? Sure it has a lot of goofy things, but thats what makes it refreshing! It has to be one of the most original animes i have seen. Many of the different things that Vash does like using the guns movements to dodge bullets is quite interesting. Also the anime is very funny. The artists did a very good job showing the characters expressions. Sure the comedy is broad and goofy but it's fun! And if sophisticated comedy is more preferred then you might not enjoy this. But the level of action and comedy the lovable characters, make this a surprisingly clean and fun cartoon.
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renegadeviking-271-52856831 December 2020I've met otaku who are pretty picky about the choice of anime that land on their must-watch list, and surprise, surprise, there are people who refuse to watch mecha, people who refuse to watch slice-of-life, and there are people who refuse to watch anything which doesn't look like anime as they know it. So you'll see people shunning RWBY, Ping Pong the Animation, even Flowers of Evil, but let's put those titles aside for a minute; and focus our attention on anime that aired before 2000. Back in the day, art styles were different, animation was tightly budgeted and unpolished, so it's a jarring contrast when juxtaposed against the shine and sparkle of anime that come out today, and it's hard not to cringe when one's first impression of an anime is its aged feel and look. But hey, there are people today who still dare to say things like, "Meh, Death Note versus Code Geass? Has anyone actually seen Legend of the Galactic Heroes?" And that should tell us a little something; that there are shows which are so good for what they are, that to gloss over them in favour of better visuals would be nothing less than pure travesty.
You know where I'm going with this. Trigun is a classic. I didn't expect it to be, but it's always nice when you're proven wrong. At this point, I'm going to gently tell you that the way to get the best out of this show, is to know that it's a story about cowboys having showdowns in the wastelands, and just watch it. Watch it, and even when you feel like giving up, push yourself past episode 7, and if you're the least bit intrigued by this point, then push yourself past episode 9, and if you get to episode 17 then you're probably set to finish the rest of the story on a good note.
Still not convinced? Okay then, maybe a sprinkle of spoilers may be necessary. So Trigun tells the story of a reputably destructive and outlawed gunman called Vash the Stampede, who roams the barren wastelands with a .45 calibre revolver in his pocket and a $$60 billion bounty on his head. Entire villages are paranoid at the very mention of his name, and for good reason too, as the legendary outlaw leaves a trail of blazing destruction in his wake. Implicated in all this chaos is the Bernadelli Insurance Society, which sends two of its staff, Meryl Stryfe and Milly Thompson, to track down Vash and to ensure that he ceases causing the damage that is crippling their company. However, they're not the only ones hot on his trail, for the widespread poverty and corruption that inflicts villages across the desert, mean that there are others on the hunt for the bounty on Vash's head. And with that, here's the second chance for you to close this window and watch the first episode with all immediacy. You can come back later and read the rest of this 'review'.
Trigun's opening episode is one of the most well-written openings I have come across, and while the writing for the rest of the series isn't as consistently good as this, it at least sets the stage for a recurring trope that occurs throughout the plot - the element of subversion. In Trigun, there's this unspoken rule that what you see is never, ever what you get, and it keeps the entire story doused in a very healthy coating of mystery and suspense. You might think that you're dealing with an episodic adventure series which constantly reuses the who-can-pull-out-his-gun-faster plot device, but no, be warned, it's not like that. You might think you understand the settings and background of this whole story, but no, you really don't. This is your third chance to close the window and go watch Trigun's first episode. There will be no more chances after this.
Honestly, there's only one thing about the entirety of Trigun which has to hook you - the character of Vash the Stampede. If you decide that you like him, the rest of the series should be a breeze; if you can't see where the whole show is going with him as a main character, then give up, Trigun is not for you, because even the crowd's alternative fan favourite, Wolfwood, only shows up a little later. But on a personal note, I can't imagine why anyone wouldn't fall in love with Vash at first sight. To begin with, his character design - which encompasses everything from his blond Mohawk, to his mole, to the red trenchcoat - is iconic. Even Edward Elric looks tame compared to him. Appearance aside, everything about him drives the show, and this is what I love so much about Trigun. Vash starts out as a hopeless schizophrenic to the audience; he's incredibly serious one moment, and completely possessed by the ghost of a five-year old the next. In the first few episodes, he goofs his way through dodging bullets, and we (or myself, at least) are conned into thinking that this supernatural ability is a running gag of sorts. But like I warned you, don't be fooled; you think you know better, but you don't.
More importantly, Vash, like another classic anime icon Kenshin Himura, goes by the philosophy that one must never take the life of another, no matter how one can justify it. What's so phenomenal about Trigun, is that Vash doesn't spout his creed in a vacuum, if anything, countless lives are lost precisely because he chooses to stick to his guns (pun not intended), and he winds up losing a lot of friends along the way. What it shows us is the price of morals; like Kenzo Tenma from Naoki Urasawa's Monster, Vash is repeatedly tormented and haunted by the sacrifices his philosophy forces him to make. He's no Kenshin in the sense that he doesn't renounce a treacherous past; rather, he starts out haplessly idealistic, spurned by nothing more than a deep influence from the mother figure in his distant childhood, a young woman named Rem. Through all the antics and slapstick comedy, he's stubbornly committed to seeing the very best in humanity, despite all the pain people have put him through - I mean, there's a reason why Brad is a dead-ringer for Steve, okay? I've seen people dish dirt on his character for being 'boring' and annoyingly moral, and to that I say 'haters back off!', since if you're looking for mindless killing then go watch Hellsing Ultimate or Attack on Titan - Trigun is not about satisfying fantasy pleasures about action and violence, and in truth it's quite the opposite.
Trigun is a story about the age old moral quandary about whether the ends can justify the means, and while Vash sits on one end of the spectrum, settled right at the end of the other is none other than the motorcycle-riding, crucifix-slinging priest, Nicholas D Wolfwood. A priest, right? Well ha, ha, ha, I can't imagine how people suck up to him instead, when he's even bigger of a hypocrite than Suzaku Kururugi from Code Geass. For someone who goes around with a dollhouse church for performing confessionals, Wolfwood is absolutely liberal about taking the lives of others, and scorns Vash's pacifism as idealistic and reckless. Sure, his weapon the Punisher is a daring hunk of metal that has never really since been replicated in anime lore, but coolness aside, Wolfwood is a very conflicted man, and the fact that he and Vash seem (for the most part) to click like brothers-from-another-mother is almost a miracle. Do I like Wolfwood? I like his characterisation, sure, but I've always inclined myself towards Vash's type of ideals. I know lots of people adore him, though, so who knows!
Meryl and Milly, the insurance girls, serve as the story's supporting characters, and while I really like them, I have an issue with the fact that they seem to merely exist for comic relief, a dash of waifu-ism, and pretty much nothing else. They bear no significance to the overarching conspiracies, and are at best characters who initially guide and reinforce the first impressions of Trigun which the audience is supposed to hold, particularly with respect to the nature of the wanted criminal Vash the Stampede. After this, it's mostly their relationships with Vash and Wolfwood which continue to keep them interesting, for the meat of the story is something that only Vash is truly connected to...and Wolfwood to a much lesser extent.
A final character mention will be made of the series' main villain. After thinking about it over and over again, I've come to the conclusion that Knives is probably replacing Monster's Johan Liebert as my new favourite villain. This is entirely personal, so I'm not really looking to justify it. But granted, there's nothing comparatively charismatic nor alluring about Knives, so why, you ask? Well, considering the amount of actual screentime he actually gets, he's a highly anticipated character when he actually makes an appearance - and that speaks volumes of his subtle presence in the show. Beyond this, I'm deeply intrigued by his backstory, and the way he came to be who he is, despite growing up as a practical clone of his saintly twin brother. It's convincing, it's believable, it's very emotional - it's encapsulated in the metaphorical image of the spider and the butterfly, and that is all that needs to be said. Want to find out more? Go watch Trigun.
So yeah, if you haven't already guessed, the characters drive the plot, simply because their contrasting philosophies make the show what it is. And that's so important, mainly due to the fact that there is no way Trigun would have counted as a classic by virtue of its action scenes. Let's be honest here, it is often glaringly obvious that Trigun was done on an airtight budget. In order to bring out the desolateness and emptiness of the wastelands, the colours used for the backgrounds are drab and boring. The character designs are pretty good, though even the most outrageous villains pale in comparison to Vash. But oh my word, the animation is occasionally mediocre at best - because while there are pretty intense gunfights and spectacular GIF-worthy scenes of Vash pulling the cutest baka faces, there are other moments where characters speak despite their mouths not moving. -
Set sometime in the future, the human race has fled from Earth looking for somewhere new to live. Unfortunately for them, they ended up crashing landing on Gunsmoke, a hostile and dried up wasteland of a planet. Years after, we follow Vash the Stampede, who has a $$60,000,000,000 bounty on his head and leaves death and destruction wherever he goes. When two women are sent from an agency to find Vash for all the damage he's caused, we find out more about Vash and who he is exactly. Now I actually wasn't planning on watching this, but I came upon the first episode one day and thought why not, and so I rolled through the entire series in about a week and a half. And while it's not always perfect, Trigun surprised me with just how much simultaneously fun and interesting it was and I can happily say I'm very glad I checked it out.
Unfortunately, Trigun's first impression on you might not be that great. Being released in 1998, the animation is noticeably dated with some rough textures and details. Plus with the setting being a desert wasteland, it's not exactly a series that pops out at you. The character animations, however, are very nice and allow for a lot of emotion and life that might've been missing in lesser hands. The style of Trigun is very cool as well, as it lends to some tense and impressive moments. Another thing that might turn people off at first is the tone of the show, it starts off pretty goofy and lighthearted, using that Japanese humor where people's heads grow twice their size when they get mad or embarrassed. I didn't mind it, it eases you into the show and the first half is very entertaining with likable characters. If you hate the humor though, don't worry, for the second half of the show is an entirely different animal from the first. The second half gets dark, depressing, deep, shocking and very tense. Another noteworthy thing is the music, it has lots of memorable tunes and sets the tone of the show, light or dark, very nicely. The beginning and ending songs are especially awesome.
Now onto the characters. Vash at first seems like a total bada$$, with an intimidating set of clothing and tall stature. However, that image is quickly done away with when he see how Vash deals with these group of merchants trying to kill him in the first episode. For lack of a better word, Vash is more or less a goofball. He loves donuts, love, peace and refuses to kill. Vash is a great character in that without even knowing anything about him he is just such a likable and entertaining guy, and when you learn more about who he truly is he becomes so much more. The two agency girls, Meryl and Milly, are very entertaining in their own right and form a nice relationship with Vash. Then there's Nicholas D. Wolfwood, a trigger happy preacher who runs into Vash and co. along the way. Wolfwood is just as cool and interesting as Vash, having his own personal problems and views on the world. Last but not least, is the gun-ho guns, a large group of unique and psychotic killers out to make Vash's life a living hell. While all these freaks don't really develop a whole lot beyond bloodthirsty baddies they are unique and bring forth a good amount of fun battles. The main gun-ho gun, Legato Bluesummers, is a whole different story. Legato's introduction is a big game changer and instantly he is a chilling and intense presence on the show. His true role ends up being a bit disappointing in my opinion when another threatening force is introduced, but regardless serves as a great foil to Vash. The other threatening force I mentioned, who I will not spoil, is great as well.
Onto issues, there are a few. Like I said before, some may find the beginning of the series to be very goofy and a bit slow to start with an episodic nature. I personally didn't mind this, my big issue is the pacing in the second half. While it has some of the series' best moments and is very interesting, I felt it was a bit repetitive. For a few episodes I kinda felt I was seeing the same things happen but in different locations and with different side characters. This unfortunately hurt the last half a bit and stopped it from being truly amazing in my opinion.
Overall, Trigun is vastly under-appreciated and a damn good series. The animation is a bit dated, it's tone may be too goofy at first and the second half suffers from some pacing issues, but these flaws don't ruin the experience whatsoever. Vash is a great character and his journey and relationships bring up very deep and interesting views on life and how we should live it along with how to let others live. Trigun is a great little series that is bound to impress you as well if you give it a chance -
mr_kapow10 July 2011Trigun was the series that got me into Anime. Amazing sense of humour along with intense plot line to the main character's past, which is Vash The Stampede.
I hate giving, along with receiving, too much information about storyline's and plot lines because the series or movie itself is supposed to do that for us by also giving us context and an emotional connection.
Which is why I'll say that Trigun engages your emotions so well by getting you to love each of the characters and really connect with them.
I'll say this; don't expect anything from this series. Don't expect it to be an action, drama, comedy, thriller etc. type of series as it can easily be described as any. This series is easily based on connection with the characters and their morals, beliefs, everything about them and the choices they have to take and have taken.
It's a true experience to be had if you just go to watch this series to enjoy it and have no expectation. I love this series and probably has to be my favourite series and I have gotten so many of my morals from TRIGUN also. It's amazingly beautiful and I never grow tired of watching it over and over again.
10/10
LOVE AND PEACE! -
Aleta_Nook30 November 2016A lot of people have been comparing this to Cowboy Bebop. While Vash may contrast an idealistic view on the world with Spike's cynical, sarcastic personality, I still liked them both. They were great western series from the 90s that should stand the test of time.
I don't really like half of the anime from the 90s that focused on psychological elements even though many people called it the best decade for anime, there were still a few that came out that I liked. But this and Cowboy Bebop were the best one.
This anime is about a guy who has caused destruction in July City which gives him the 60 billion double dollar bounty on his head. Almost everyone hates him and wants to catch him. But Vash is actually an innocent guy who has never did anything wrong. Vash and Wolfwood are funny, kind male characters with their strengths and weaknesses and I liked their relationship.
Now, the other characters such as the Insurance girls are kind of typical anime characters. Milly is sometimes stupid and Meryl is a tsundere who is in love with Vash, so I don't really care much for them. They're mediocre, I guess. A few of the more minor characters are able to grow on me such as Jessica, or have likable personalities such as Rem.
The villains are eh... not that great. They drag down the series and I understand that but I still think they're too evil.
The story is action-packed and exciting to watch. Vash may be a little too wise with his never kill moral because what if he's in a situation where he has to defend himself? But he realizes in the end, it's okay to make mistakes. He can cry a little too much but I like that he sympathizes with the suffering.
Overall, Trigun is not half-bad. Give it a try, you might be surprised. Even though it did have its flaws that stop it from being an excellent anime, Vash is still one of the best characters in anime history. -
chittranshiayush27 August 2021I don't know why. I watched around 15 episodes. Then I quit.
It couldn't keep me invested. -
raider2000_6818 October 2004I'm not really big into these here Japanese cartoons, but this is one of the two that I really like.
Trigun really throws off people that watch it. When it starts out, it's pretty funny as Vash takes on a series of fairly harmless and minor thugs and villains. If that's all you're looking for in the series, I wouldn't recommend watching the second half of the series.
The second half really gets dark in its viewpoints. It really shows that there's a human side as Vash fights with both his enemies and himself. So if you're looking for some comedy and darker views on life, I'd really recommend Trigun. -
nkl656424 December 2009I want to open this by saying that I don't watch too much anime. There are a handful of movies that I enjoyed and one or two series, but Trigun absolutely blew me away. The setting is amazing, the characters are interesting and well thought out; although, I did find Nicholas D. Wolfwood to be more interesting than Vash, but that's not to say that Vash isn't cool. He is. I just found him to be a little too goofy, but I also see that that's the point. Anyway, the story is just outstanding. There's something in this show for anime fans(i.e. huge guns, ridiculous action, and a very eccentric story line) and for western fans(the old saloon town setting, the gunslinging outlaw, and many many noteworthy shoot outs). This is probably one of the best shows I've seen, and what's great about it is that it doesn't drag out for seasons. It has a beginning and an end. In short, this show is great regardless of whether or not you like anime.
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Rectangular_businessman9 September 2011"Trigun", despite not having an incredible level of animation, it's a very good anime series, with a great story, and many interesting characters.
Which starts as a crazy homage/parody to the Western movie genre (With some elements of fantasy and science fiction) quickly evolves into something way more complex and dramatic, exploring the past of the characters, and showing how they are somewhat connected.
A very good element form this series is that plot advances in a fast (But never confusing, or muddled) way, moving from the episodic format into a continuing storyline. The changes from comedy to drama are never gratuitous or forced, and this series even manages to keep some glimpses of humor in the most serious episodes.
The best element of "Trigun" are the characters:Both the heroes and villains, each one of them are very charismatic and interesting, avoiding most of the most annoying anime clichés.
"Trigun" it's a pretty satisfying series, combining the best elements form different genres (Such as Western, Comedy, science fiction, drama and action) being one of my favorite anime series.
9/10 -
axemblue26 July 2006Vash the Stampede is a man shrouded in mystery. On the surface, he's a blond, airheaded, panty-chasing dork. Yet he's the most infamous outlaw on the planet Gunsmoke and has a bounty of $$60,000,000,000 (that's 60 billion double dollars, for those not in the know) dogging him. But there's more to Vash: for all of the massive property damage and injuries he's been linked to, he has no record of killing a single human being.
Vash is pursued by two insurance agents, Meryl Stryfe and Milly Thompson, who are tasked with following the exploits of Vash and the disasters that have earned him the nickname "Humanoid Typhoon". Other characters soon follow, such as the arsenal-toting priest Nicholas D. Wolfwood, Vash's cruel brother Knives, and Knives' manipulative henchman Legato Bluesummers. By the time the story begins to come to a close, we learn of the dark, sad history that Vash conceals beneath his upbeat and cheery exterior.
As an anime series, Trigun lends itself well as a mixture of genres. There are elements of Western films all over the planet the characters call home with several sci-fi touches as well. Early on, the show presents itself as a comedy; Vash is a donut-chowing pervert who escapes from trouble in the strangest ways, and cartoonish sight gags are commonplace. But by the time Legato enters the scene, the show takes a much darker turn, and we find that Vash himself is no ordinary man.
Once the serious side of Trigun came about, I wasn't sure what to make of a show that started out so focused on humor and throwbacks to cinematic gunfighting. However, the revelations exposed in later episodes definitely made me appreciate the characters--especially Vash--and their personal struggles in a hellish world. Because of that, Trigun is an anime I'd definitely recommend.
"Love and peace!" -
edgeofbubble7 October 2013After watching the first episode I was inclined to delete the series because I thought Vash was the stupidest anime character I've seen. But I decided to give him a chance and found a revelation in his craziness.
What makes Vash the greatest anime character for me is his determination. Most of the reviews praise or criticize him for his ethics. I don't care about them. You may think they were honourable or plain stupid. The impressive part is how Vash sticks to them even when he is angry, hurt, afraid or in danger. He believes in Rem with everything he has and sacrifices all he is for the path he has chosen. People hate him, love, insult, scorn, threaten, try to seduce him but they and their opinions don't matter because he has put his trust in Rem.
He knows the feeling of despair, longs for stillness but doesn't let himself to be lulled or tricked by his wants. He is determined!
I don't want to dismiss the other characters for each has a different beauty and depth. Each takes a different path due to the differences in their characters and makes this anime even greater. But for me Vash and his spiritual journey to Rem was the most significant..
Trigun is a masterful mix of epiphany, fun and sorrow. A must watch! Even if you are not an anime fan you should give this series a try. -
Claviot-123 June 2006This is definitely one of the best anime series of all time. Offers action adventure and many interesting characters on all sides off the spectrum. The main draw of this franchise is the question of morality that lingers in every episode attacking the characters' actions at every encounter. The series is only 26 episodes long and leaves you wanting more. However, it ended at the right time. Before the show could become stale and boring. Every episode is great and guaranteed as enjoyable as your favorite episode. If you cannot get enough there is a manga series that is roughly 10 years in the making and still going. It offers more story with little deviation from the setting in the anime. This allows easy transition between the two. Vash is also a different hero than a normal action star choosing to fight his battles in a different way than most normal humans would. He lives by a strict code that sets the plot for the series and makes trouble follow him wherever he may go. If you in the mood for something different and more introspective then this is what your looking for. Giving you a steam-punk experience you'll enjoy over and over again.
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keithlockhart5 January 2018Trigun is a series that if you watched chronologically would start as a Sci-fi, become a horror/mystery, change direction into a drama and quickly evolve into a cyberpunk western/comedy and end as a emotionally charged action thriller.
A man holds a gun to a persons head, this person is responsible for killing the man's loved one, you can shoot the man, shoot the hostage - What would you do? Life is a series of difficult choices with a time limit that only increases the risk and cost of making the wrong decision.
BUT - What if you were immortal and didn't age so time was not a concept you understood?
What if you could talk this man into taking out his anger on you and saving a persons life?
What if you had a bounty on your head worth billions of dollars while most of the planet was just scraping by to eat?
What if you refused to ever kill anyone who came after it?
This is what Trigun implants into you - After you take some time to contemplate it. You will soon see alternative solutions for difficult life choices, you will grow the confidence to cry as an adult, to change your morals, to forgive, instill in you the courage to be your own person and express yourself emotionally and still be respected, to stand up for yourself and rely on others for strength when you can't.
Trigun was my favorite series when I first started watching Anime and it still is - You will probably cry, you will definitely experience grief for the main character Vash. You may not like all characters the story or the music, but holy hell will you will be heartfully enjoying yourself .
For a series that's over 20 years old, it's dated animation and at times, rather jarring soundtrack can be seen as alien, but that simply adds to its flavor. It's not the greatest anime of all time, hell it's probably not even in the top 5 for animation, music or plot. But it's an emotional experience, like having your heart broken for the second time. You will grow as a person, and not much media in history can even claim that title. -
smashattack15 June 2002Spoilers.
Somehow I found the time to watch this entire series within a time span of four days. Maybe I shouldn't have used the time to...
Trigun is as much as can be expected from a series, as well as an anime. It has the usual big, rough, tough bad guys that the little guy must defeat. Nearly everything is solved with a barrage of massive weaponry. Although the main character steers clear of killing anybody, the body count still rises, especially toward the end of the series.
The drawings are great, but the animation itself is really low. Motions are choppy and mouths move the same way for any word. Most anime do that, though.
Trigun starts out hilarious, especially the first episode. Vash the Stampede is a real likeable character, but he is flawed in so many ways. He is constantly changing his attitude and demeanor, from hungry nerd to wisened, hardened gunslinger to ecstatic, boyish young man.
The story to this is actually quite nice, but since it is introduced after half the series is over, the viewers are left completely confused. The "Big Bad Guy" is only seen in two episodes (as his "ultimate" form) and the final battle is not very difficult for Vash. He lacks a decent introduction, and even his lower villains seem to scare me more than he does.
Tons of things are left unexplained in this series. At the end, Knives claims they are plants. We never learn of their true origins. It is never explained why Vash has so many personalities. The angel arms aren't explained. His ability to outmaneuver bullets is left unexplained. Their long life span is never explained. Heck, even the name of the series itself is never explained.
Trigun does have its good moments, though. Some parts are downright hilarious (To Wolfwood: "I am known as Valintinez..."). There are great action sequences. It's great how one character, in the end, turns to God.
But, for the most part, Trigun is like any other anime. Shallow plotline, crummy ending (if one could call it an ending), great action sequences, and guns, guns, guns. It's a really funny series, but I wouldn't bother with it too much unless you're really into anime and have a lot of time on your hands. -
LiZard1513 May 2003At first, i truly was not into the whole anime thing. Until one of my friends brought over this movie on my birthday and we watched it. Now it is one of my favorite shows to watch. Vash's character is so cool. The hair and his whole attitude screams totally awesome. In my opion this one of the best anime shows to come around.
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taylorethan-0465814 September 2020Look, this show has some really cool concepts, but the execution is just awful. Absolutely lifeless animation and dialogue hold it back from being an all time great. If you want a show that tackles similar ideas but can actually follow through, I recommend Cowboy Bebop.
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hentaimakesmehappybtw21 October 2021Without the riveting plot of its contemporaries it is no shock that his abysmal animated series has faded into obscurity. Along with problems in the plot department, the animation is atrocious. If you told me Trigun was the first disney animation I would honestly believe you; the style is just so chunky, it feels messy. I hope I can at least help one person not watch this horrendous show, good day.