The Trigun anime has been a recognisable member of the manga scene since the late 90s. Based off the original manga by Yasuhiro Nightow the anime continues to be one of the most original action anime of recent times.
Trigun follows the fortunes of a gunslinger named Vash on the distant planet of Gunsmoke. This desert wasteland, combining the old American West with Star Wars rustic futurism, is a mean and unforgiving place. Bandits, sheriffs and bounty hunters occupy every town. In the world of Trigun the only way to survive is to fend for yourself. The one man who seems to ignore this rule is Vash himself. Hunted for a crime he may or may not have committed, and with a $$60,000,000,000 reward on his head, Vash stumbles from town to town trying to make the world a better place.
Where others waste and pillage to survive, Vash tries to help and defend people – even if it means suffering himself. Vash fundamentally believes that every human life has the chance to be made good and as such will never pull the trigger to end someone’s life. This makes for a startlingly original and refreshing take on the action genre of anime. One that not only demands to be watched but eases the viewer into a genuinely interesting philosophical discussion about the nature of violence and forgiveness.
The strength of Vash as a character is the trump card of the Trigun anime. Vash’s genuinely unique character, both in terms of his striking, instantly recognisable design and his alluring morals, lifts the anime away from being merely an action romp and turns it into a mature science fiction manga.
Unlike many anime heroes, Vash is not a completely blank slate, devoid of emotion of drive but nor is he a pretentious and irritating protagonist, spewing out catch phrases and cliches at every opportunity. Vash’s demeanor is one of a slightly silly and optimistic man who is nevertheless introspective and uneasy with himself. Despite Vash’s complex personality he never becomes whiney or irritating, he is almost always funny and engaging when on screen and his moments of genuine emotion are used sparingly, being all the more powerful for it. Due to his deeply held beliefs about the special nature of life the trials he encounters become vastly more interesting.
The extended cast of Trigun also deserves a mention for their balanced and intriguing nature. The most dominant character, other then Vash, is that of Nicholas D. Wolfwood, a whiskey soaked, black suited preacher who is Vash’s moral challenger. While Vash is an idealist, who believes humanity can always be made good, Wolfwood is an unapologetic realist. Unlike Vash, Wolfwood has no qualms about killing enemies when he himself is in danger and while he may not enjoy it he sees it as the price one must pay to defeat evil.
The discussions between the two men form the backbone of Trigun’s constant moral debate. Is it right to kill someone else to preserve your life or the lives of those you love? As the tension rises during the series Wolfwood and Vash clash more and more over the correct way to deal with threats. The difference can even be seen in their weapons, while Vash favours his trusty pistol and at times a small machine gun Wolfwood carries a gigantic iron cross with a heavy machine gun down the length and a rocket launcher stored in the top. The differences in fighting style as well as design and morals make the pairing one of the most dynamic and impressive in anime. It is rare so much can be brought out in the series by only two characters.
Having been released in the early 1990s the animation in Trigun has unfortunately aged slightly. Compared to anime of recent years the colours and effects are slightly damp and muted. The series does also have a very particular style, echoing that of Nightow’s manga artwork, which may not be to everyones tastes. This is not to say the Trigun animation is bad or painful to watch, the animation is clear enough and fundamentally well drawn. Action scenes are thoughtfully planned out and the gun fights still hold up to their modern day counter parts. While not flashy by modern standards the animation gets the job done satisfyingly and certainly does not detract from the series.
The anime is also well paced, the 26 episode length suits it perfectly and there is very little flab or filler to speak of. Once the introductory episodes are over and the the main story arc is in place the series gallops along at a good speed which is neither too rushed or too drawn out. This is particularly to be praised when compared to the Trigun manga. While the manga is undoubtedly good- running for a pretty hefty 14 volumes causes a slight loss of steam near the end. The Trigun world is vast and expansive but fundamentally relies on the adrenalin of action and fear to move it along. The anime succeeds in this sense where it’s manga counterpart fails slightly. However, once the anime has been enjoyed the manga makes a fine accompaniment, at times reaches levels of maturity and emotion beyond what the anime can accomplish.
Weather you’re new to anime (Trigun was one of the first series I ever watched back in the day) or a veteran, Trigun has something to offer. No prior knowledge of action anime is needed to appreciate it but fans of action will always find something new and exciting within. Boasting such a strong cast, unique setting, interesting themes and pulse pounding action Trigun can only be highly recommended.
Trigun can be purchased now from online stores such as Amazon and Play.com.
