Trigun

I'm not really big into these here Japanese cartoons, but this is one of the two that I really like.

Trigun really throws off people that watch it. When it starts out, it's pretty funny as Vash takes on a series of fairly harmless and minor thugs and villains. If that's all you're looking for in the series, I wouldn't recommend watching the second half of the series.

The second half really gets dark in its viewpoints. It really shows that there's a human side as Vash fights with both his enemies and himself. So if you're looking for some comedy and darker views on life, I'd really recommend Trigun.

On a desert planet in a far future lives a guns man named Vash the Stampede. He's feared and seen as a murder by all individuals alike. He gain the nickname "Humanoid Typhoon" because he brings disaster to wherever he goes. After demolishing a city, a bounty was placed on his head $$60 billion. Two insurance girls(Meryl and Milly) were hired to locate and keep an eye on Vash to insure the damages that occur around him. At first they don't know what Vash is really like. But eventually they'll learn that he's the one guy you'd least suspect to be a wanted criminal.

Throughout the whole series, you'll learn about the past, personality, and tragedy of Vash. As well seeing many interesting minor, secondary, and vile characters that surround him. Not to mention the dozens of "Wild West" themed towns on the desert plant they all live on.

Trigun is one of the common 26 episode TV anime. But it's indeed one of the best ones out there. The animation is well done, for it being made back when Anime is still done with original cell animation. The western/punk look makes it stand out more than the other series. The story is really unique. It's also well balances in drama, comedy, action, and sci-fi.

Those who like Lupin III and Cowboy Bebop will indeed admire Trigun as well.

I can't think of anything wrong with this anime. The characters are lovable (even the bad guys, to a degree); the message of love is clear without being too saccharine or getting in the way of the action; the plot twists aren't predictable, and the music is breathtaking. I'll never think of donuts the same way again. ^__^

This show caught my eye on Cartoon Network's Adult Swin late night block. I like the Old Western scenery mixed with hi-tech things. The characters are a bit simple-minded but still touched my soul. I felt connected to message of peace and life this show contains. Don't let the violence or anime stereotypes fool you, this show is everyone's choice to lead their own life and develop morals. Vash and Knives are the Ying and Yang of evil and good. There's much to be learned from their feelings and attitudes. I'd take a close look at the minds of these characters and also enjoy the humor this series tries to lighten the mood (sometimes saddening) with.

Meryl Stryfe and Milly Thompson of the Bernadelli Insurance Company have a problem. They are to contain the problem of Vash "The Stampede", also known as "The Humanoid Typhoon". Every city that he stops in finds itself utterly destroyed. The problem is, once they find Vash, they also find that he's never killed a person and appears to be a bumbling idealistic fool which a penchant for dodging bullets and eating donuts. At least that's what he appears to be.

In a strange twist on anime protagonists, Vash is not a dark brooder or a naive boy with skill. Although he has elements of a dark past and such, he's an idealist committed to "love and peace" and he never shoots to kill, but rather uses his gun and his impossible marksmanship as a tool. While the series begins with a strong comic tone, serious elements are placed in the undercurrent and as the series progresses, the tone becomes increasingly serious with the comedy becoming more like breaks between the intense story. Towards the end of the series, it becomes increasingly potent, resonating both with emotions and intellect.

I really like the way the series really grapples with questions of idealism, pragmatism, questions of morality regarding the ends and means and other philosophical concepts, each having some embodiment in the various characters of the show. All the same, the characters are not allegories, but just strongly aligned to certain kinds of thinking. I do wish that some of the other characters were fleshed out more, but I also realize that it's hard to devote so much time to characters in a 24-episode arc.

Trigun is a surprisingly superb piece of storytelling thrown in a fantastic animated world and while the earlier comic episodes might be a little loose, they set the ground for the more serious second half and no episode seems utterly unnecessary. An excellent series and highly recommended to those who love science fiction, strong serial storytelling or those who love animation. 9/10