Trigun Stampede
A reimagined anime adaptation of the Trigun manga.
Trigun Stampede is a Japanese anime television series that reimagines the Trigun manga by Yasuhiro Nightow. Produced by studio Orange, it aired from January to March 2023, followed by a sequel titled Trigun Stargaze in 2026.
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Space Western
- Creator
- Yasuhiro Nightow
Facts from the source article.
Plot
In a far future where Earth is uninhabitable, humanity flees in colony fleets and creates plants—artificial lifeforms that produce clean energy. On one fleet, brothers Vash and Knives are born with a special connection to plants and are raised by Rem Saverem. A computer malfunction causes the fleet to crash on the arid planet Noman's Land; Rem dies saving the brothers, and Vash learns Knives caused the disaster to kill humans for exploiting plants. Years later, survivors depend on plants to live. Vash, now an adult branded as the outlaw "Vash the Stampede," wanders the desert seeking peaceful resolution between humans and plants. He meets reporters Meryl Stryfe and Roberto De Niro, beginning a new adventure.
Production
Producer Katsuhiro Takei stated the project aimed to create "a new Trigun" that attracted new viewers without requiring prior knowledge. Original author Yasuhiro Nightow supported the project, viewing continuation beyond the first anime as "bonus time" with creative freedom; he advised to keep the core faithful and found few script issues. Takei advocated 3DCG animation, believing the core strong enough for different formats. Studio Orange developed concept art balancing nostalgic and new designs; Kouji Tajima read the manga for his interpretation. Development began in 2017, lasting about five years; CG modeling took a year and a half, finishing before the July 2022 trailer. The narrative focused on Vash's origins and backstory with Rem and Knives to explore his depth. For Trigun Stargaze, director Masako Sato portrayed Vash as incapable of true righteousness, emphasizing differences with his brother and his sensitive side; Sato was moved to tears recording a line, feeling the actor fit perfectly. Johnny Yong Bosch reprised his English dub role. Tatsuya Kato composed the soundtrack; Takei decided against using the 1998 soundtrack as it would not suit the new world.
Release
Animated by Orange, the series was announced in June 2022. Directed by Kenji Mutō, with Takehiko Oxi on story draft and Tatsurō Inamoto, Shin Okashima, and Yoshihisa Ueda writing the screenplay. Kōji Tajima served as concept designer and character concept; Nao Ootsu as chief designer. Character designers included Kōdai Watanabe, Tetsurō Moronuki, Takahiko Abiru, Akiko Satō, Soji Ninomiya, and Yumihiko Amano. Music was by Tatsuya Kato. It aired from January 7 to March 25, 2023 on TV Tokyo. Opening song "Tombi" by Kvi Baba; ending "Hoshi no Kuzu α" by Salyu and Haruka Nakamura. A "final phase" was announced after the finale; in July 2024 it was titled Trigun Stargaze, set 2.5 years later, directed by Masako Sato, with Oxi returning, Kazuyuki Fudeyasu writing scripts, Tajima as original character designer, and Kiyotaka Oshiyama as character designer. It aired January 10 to March 28, 2026; opening "Picaresque Hero" by Ano, ending "Stardust" by Fomare. Crunchyroll streamed both series worldwide excluding Asia but including several Asian countries. Medialink licensed the series in Southeast Asia for Ani-One Asia's YouTube channel.
Reception
Reviewing the first three episodes, Anime News Network's Bolts noted changes like Milly Thompson's absence and earlier incorporation of later plot points, while finding some revisions improved. He praised the stylized 3D animation and Millions Knives' introduction, but criticized exposition-heavy dialogue, contrived action, and underdeveloped focus on townspeople's desperation, calling it an "OK start." James Beckett of ANN praised the series as Orange's most technically accomplished work, highlighting fluid animation and a shift from Western to science-fiction tone, finding characters memorable and pacing commendable, though noting unresolved plot threads. Eric Himmelheber of Anime Corner praised the sixth episode on Wolfwood's backstory as Winter 2023's best, lauding its execution and visuals.
More in Characters & Cast
Elsewhere in Trigun
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