Trigun Stampede

Trigun Stampede (stylized in all caps) is a Japanese anime television series, serving as the second and reimagined adaptation of the manga series Trigun by Yasuhiro Nightow. Animated by studio Orange, the series' first part aired from January to March 2023. A sequel, titled Trigun Stargaze, aired from January to March 2026.

Plot

In the far future, Earth has become uninhabitable, forcing humanity to evacuate in massive colony fleets to search for habitable planets. In order to sustain the fleets and the colonies they will eventually build, humanity also created plants, artificial organic lifeforms that can produce infinite, clean energy. In one colony fleet, two brothers named Vash and Knives are born with a special connection to plants and are cared for by a woman named Rem Saverem. However, the colony fleet's computer systems suddenly malfunction, causing the entire fleet to crash land on the arid planet of Noman's Land. Rem sacrifices herself to save Vash and Knives, but Vash is horrified to learn that Knives was responsible for the disaster, as he seeks to kill all humans for exploiting plants.

Many years later, the survivors of the colony fleet have built several cities on Noman's Land's surface, being totally dependent on plants to survive the hostile conditions. A now adult Vash wanders the desert aimlessly, having been branded a dangerous outlaw nicknamed "Vash the Stampede" or the "Humanoid Typhoon", while Knives continues his schemes and has taken up the nickname "Millions Knives". As Vash tries to find a way to peacefully resolve the differences between humans and plants, he runs into investigative reporters Meryl Stryfe and Roberto De Niro, marking the starting point of a new adventure for the three of them.

Voice cast

Production

Toho producer Katsuhiro Takei stated that the project aimed to create "a new Trigun", acknowledging the original manga and prior anime adaptations as "excellent pieces of work" that were already complete.[19] The intent with Trigun Stampede was to attract new viewers by avoiding the impression that prior knowledge was necessary.[20] Original manga author Yasuhiro Nightow supported the project, characterizing any continuation beyond the first anime as "bonus time" where the staff had creative freedom.[19] Nightow was involved from the beginning in an advisory role to ensure the project remained faithful to the core of Trigun, though he found few issues with the developed script, concluding the team had successfully grasped the concept of a new Trigun.[19]

Takei advocated for the use of 3DCG animation, believing the core of Trigun was strong enough to adapt to different formats.[19] Animation studio Orange began by developing concept art and a world that balanced nostalgic elements with new designs.[19] Kouji Tajima, who was responsible for this art, read the original manga to develop his interpretation.[20] Development lasted approximately five years,[20] commencing in 2017 prior to the broadcast of Orange's Land of the Lustrous. The CG modeling process alone took a year and a half, completing before the first trailer's release in July 2022.[20]

A narrative focus was placed on the origins and backstory of protagonist Vash, particularly his past with Rem and Knives, to explore his character in greater depth.[20]

Tatsuya Kato composed the soundtrack.[21] Takei decided against using Tsuneo Imahori's original 1998 soundtrack, feeling it would not suit the new world being built for this adaptation.[20]

Release

Animated by Orange, the series was announced in June 2022.[22] It was directed by Kenji Mutō, with Takehiko Oxi credited with the story draft, and Tatsurō Inamoto, Shin Okashima, and Yoshihisa Ueda writing the screenplay. Kōji Tajima served as concept designer and credited with the character concept, and Nao Ootsu served as chief designer. Kōdai Watanabe, Tetsurō Moronuki, Takahiko Abiru, Akiko Satō, Soji Ninomiya, and Yumihiko Amano designed the characters, and Tatsuya Kato composed the music.[23][24] It aired from January 7 to March 25, 2023, on TV Tokyo and its affiliates.[25] The opening song is "Tombi", performed by Kvi Baba, while the ending song is "Hoshi no Kuzu α" (星のクズ α), performed by singer Salyu and composed by Haruka Nakamura.[9]

Following the series' final episode, it was announced that a "final phase" was in production.[26] In July 2024, it was announced that it would be titled Trigun Stargaze, with the story set 2.5 years after the end of Trigun Stampede.[27] It is directed by Masako Sato, with Oxi returning for the original story, with Kazuyuki Fudeyasu in charge of writing and supervising the series' scripts, while Tajima returned as the original character designer and concept artist. Kiyotaka Oshiyama serves as character designer for the series, previously working on special effect design on Trigun Stampede. It aired from January 10 to March 28, 2026.[28][29] The opening theme song is "Picaresque Hero", performed by Ano, while the ending theme song is "Stardust", performed by Fomare.[13]

Crunchyroll has streamed both series worldwide,[30] excluding Asia, but including the Philippines, Singapore, India, Pakistan, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan.[9][27] The English dub for Stampede premiered on January 21, 2023, featuring Johnny Yong Bosch reprising his role as Vash;[31] the English dub for Stargaze premiered on January 24, 2026.[32] Medialink licensed the series in Southeast Asia for streaming on Ani-One Asia's YouTube channel.[33]

Reception

People were divided over Vash's redesign in the release of Trigun Stampede. It was praised by Ana Diaz of Polygon for its sex appeal as well as how Orange animates him,[38] with Nelson Acosta of FictionHorizon agreeing and adding that his movements were fluid.[39] On the other hand, Anime News Network provided differing opinions in regards to whether Vash's design was as appealing as the original.[40] Ross Locksley of UK Anime Network criticized Vash for coming across as "more of an emo-peacenik" than his iconic persona to the point he feels like a different character.[41] Meanwhile, Anime News Network enjoyed the handling of Wolfwood in Stampede due how his relationships and backstory are expanded,[42] while Eric Himmelheber of Anime Corner acclaimed Wolfwood's backstory episode as one of the best ones in the entire season for its execution and visuals.[43] The anime series helped lead to the sci-fi novel This Is How You Lose the Time becoming viral, as noted by Trigun Stampede Producer Yoshihiro Watanabe, with sales rising following comments by a user that kept parodying Wolfwood. Toussaint Egan from Polygon expressed joy in this acknowledgment as he was both a fan of the novel and Trigun.[44]

External links