‘Trigun’ allows climatic plot, memorable characters

Something I’ve grown very accustomed to in the past few years is post-apocalyptic, space-centered anime.

I decided to search for more and I came across the anime “Trigun,” which was released in 1998.

“Trigun” is centered on a man named Vash the Stampede, who has a large bounty on his head for reasons that are answered throughout the series. He’s introduced in the beginning as a seemingly tough, “don’t-mess-with-me” character who, based on the title, carries three guns around.

In the first episode — which is probably one of the best opening episodes in any show or anime ever — the viewer learns that Vash is actually scared of being shot at, hates murdering and loves people. His motto is “love and peace.”

Vash is probably one of the most unique characters ever created, and probably one of the most inspirational. He, though everyone knows he has a bounty on his head, lives by that motto of love and peace, and sticks with it until the end.

Nicholas Wolfwood, who I would call Vash’s best friend, and at times, enemy, always makes sure Vash is living to make peace and love. He puts him in his place, and he and Vash have this beautiful, platonic relationship that I love.

Nicholas also carries around a giant cross that’s actually a giant gun with a ton of ammo.

He’s determined to protect people. But even though he loves people and hates killing, when an innocent person is killed, he becomes really aggressive and murderous. He doesn’t actually kill anyone throughout most of the series.

Vash’s past plays a huge role in his search for his essentially perfect world, though he has forgotten a lot of his past and exactly why he has such a giant bounty on his head.

One of the best parts of the entire anime is that it’s only 26 episodes, and it never strays far from the original story. The episodes are all memorable, and they all connect back to Vash and him finding himself, living for himself and creating a world where people can live peacefully.

The first episode could hook anyone. It’s comedic, suspenseful and interesting.

More and more is released regarding Vash’s past, and it’s not always pretty. It will break hearts and cause viewers to shed tears. However, that’s exactly what I enjoyed the most.

It allows comedic relief at the beginning, then switches dramatically, so much so that I sometimes forgot the first episodes even existed.

“Trigun” is now one of my favorite series based on the story of Vash and his characterization. Regardless, it made me open up more to the space, post-apocalyptic genre of anime, and opened new doors for me to walk through whilst discovering new anime to watch.