TV Review | Trigun Stampede (Episode 1: No Man's Land)

“Trigun Stampede is off to an outstanding start. It is a fun ride with great action. Undoubtedly, this is the best CG work in Japanese animation, truly impressive on every level.”

A new season of anime has started. Along with Tsurune and Play it Cool, Guys we are also reviewing Trigun Stampede. This one is based on Yasuhiro Nightow’s manga Trigun. After five years of production, fans can finally discover this new adaptation.

STORY

This series premiere does exactly what you expect from a first episode. It introduces the characters, the world they live in and the plot. On the desert planet of No Man’s Land, reporters Robert de Niro and Meryl Stryfe are on the field to investigate a plant robbery incident. That’s when, they encounter Vash the Stampede called the “Humanoid Typhoon.” He has a $6 million bounty on his head. But things are not as they seem and the trio embark on a bumpy adventure that mixes action and comedy.

This first episode also features a glimpse at the origins of Vash the Stampede and Knives Millions. These flashbacks are going to play an important role in the story. It creates depth and set things up for a dramatic showdown between the two at later in the season.

As usual with Vash, in this version he is also an instant favorite. His character design is something that immediately draws attention. He is this crazy lone ranger with a big heart. You can only love him. Furthermore, the duo Robert and Meryl is quite fun. It is two people who are very different and yet they end up working well together.

VISUALS

Moreover, the producer Katsuhiro Takei opted for a CG project with this one. However, it is not the ugly CG we have seen in some anime before. It is actually a pretty good CG and more than that, it is the best CG I have seen in Japanese animation. The scenery is impressive with breathtaking wide shots and beautiful production value. But the action is also so well choreographed. I can definitely understand why it took five years for Studio Orange to make all of this. On top of that, the characters are styled to look like they are in 2D animation. So, this creates an interesting style, a bit like Dragon Ball Fighter Z but with a much bigger budget. Because it is different than what you usually see, it takes some time to get used to it. However, once you are into it, it’s a great ride.

OPENING & END CREDITS

The first episode is a bit different with opening and end credits. Indeed, at the beginning of this one there is just the title card with credits rolling while a scene is happening. And the end credits is actually what will be the opening credits of the other episodes. The theme ‘Tombi’ is sung by Kvi Baba. It is a catchy song. To be honest, I have listened to it quite a few times. I think it fits well with the credits. These credits actually remind me of True Detective’s opening credits, expect things to be dark. Plus, it captures the vibe of the series – half western and half scifi adventure.

VERDICT

Trigun Stampede is off to an outstanding start. It is a fun ride with great action. As usual with Vash, he is an instant favorite, you cannot get enough of him. Undoubtedly, this is the best CG work in Japanese animation, truly impressive on every level.