Don't judge an advertisement, VHS tape, or DVD by its cover. That is what I did when I brought the Trigun DVD. For months I had seen the advertisements in Animerica, and thought "ho-hum just another male oriented anime, with action, shooting, and stuff". But like every good, strong person, I was seduced by the darkside-I mean by marketers and advertisers. The character was just too cool to pass up, with his pointy blonde hair, red trench coat, and gun. So I succumbed. Always have been a sucker for a bishounen (a pretty boy that is). It must have been the mole under his right eye? But I was presently surprised by this series! This was not your ordinary shoot em' up anime. And my pretty boy hero, Vash the Stampede, is one hell of a fool! This series immediately reminded me of the Irresponsible Captain Tylor with plenty of laughs, but when it comes down to what has to be done, the hero is a deep caring guy you just cannot help from falling in love with.
This series is not only funny it is addicting. Once you watch the first episode you just have to find out why everyone has in for the loveable Vash-Kawaii-he is so cute! The series takes place on an Earth-like planet with two suns that is reminiscent of the Hollywood's version American West. Vash is an expert marksman who has been rumored to have destroyed so many towns that a $60 billion reward has been placed on his head. Feared and elusive, every two-bit criminal and bounty hunter either wants to take him down or catch him for a reward. But little is known of the Humanoid Typhoon, not even his exact appearance! So Vash moves incognito from town to town, unless someone tries to destroy the one thing Vash seeks to promote "Love and Peace".
Vash's supposed rumored exploits have force the Bernardellie Insurance Agency, the main insurer on the planet, sends in two agents, Meryl "Derringer" Stryfe and Milly "StunGun" Thompson, to identify, monitor, and prevent (if possible) mass destruction, by the so called Humanoid Typhoon. Their negotiating tactic, a box of doughnuts, but when all else fails and trouble is afoot these two ladies are an assault team no one dare mess with.
Another daffy and versatile character is the priest Nicholas D. Wolfwood, who carries a giant cloaked cross with him. He claims he travels to gather money for his Church and orphanage, but his ability as marksmen, dress, and attitude tell otherwise. Vash and Wolfwood become quite good friends thanks to their common interests' food, ladies, and their quest to and preserve "Love and Peace". And Wolfwood seems to be the only one who can see past Vash's comedic interior and sense all the trouble he carries in his heart.
Why Vash wanders is uncertain, perhaps it is the raven hair woman he often dreams of, but his has an uncanny knack for finding trouble is definite reason why Vash cannot remain in one place for long. One thing is for sure no sharp shooter on the planet can take him. His moves are almost like martial arts, he prefers to talk things out over a good meal or sweets, rather than use the gun-Vash gets rather weak at the site of blood. He moves like a martial artist and can dodge every bullet shot at him. But if violence proves to be the only option Vash will use his prized shooter like in episode six when a group of women in a town plan on taking him down for the reward in order to fix the town's main power plant. He begs them not to use their guns, but they seem insistent, and Vash pulls out his weapon to protect himself. From this point on the meaning Vash serious side will become visible giving his character more depth and emotion.
Trigun, like many anime series is based on a manga series. Trigun was serialized in Shonen Captain Magazine from 1995 until 1997 and was compiled into three tankoubons. Currently the continuation of Trigun is running in Young King Comics. The series was adapted into an anime series around 1998 and is currently being distributed by Pioneer. So if you love comedy with a little slice of bullets and mayhem, check out Trigun.
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