You’ve got to ask yourself one question… Do I feel lucky?

Saddle up for Trigun, The Complete Series as the popular 26 episode Western/Sci-Fi adventure is finally available in a compact, slimcase set!  With his spiked blonde hair, hefty gun and full length red trenchcoat, Vash the Stampede may look the part of a wild outlaw known to destroy entire towns.  However, legend has it, despite the many injured during a Vash rampage, he has never taken a life.  Insurance investigators Milly and Meryl soon find their man of interest, with a huge double dollar bounty on his head, is certainly different in person.  His pacifist heart and clumsy nature are only matched by his cravings for doughnuts.  Throw in a priest whose giant cross doubles as an enormous weapon, and a whole Gung-Ho Gun Gang of rivals, and you’re in for one whirlwind of an anime.

From episode one Trigun begins with a bang, as a small town is terrorized by a bulky baddie wielding a massive and mechanical boomerang blade.  Townspeople assume this menace must be Vash the Stampede.  Little do they know the true Vash, with a lot of stumbling around, will face the gang leader in one epic gunfight.  That is, after he rescues a couple of insurance girls who get too close to the action in their investigation …and they give him their doughnuts.  After a flurry of bullets there’s no doubt Vash is the real deal when it comes to bringing destruction.  But questions remain:  just where did this Human Typhoon come from, how does his presence level towns without killing anyone, and just what’s with the doughnuts?

Trigun for its popularity is one series that lives up to the hype.  An entertaining blend of classic Western and Sci-fi, action and comedy, the story takes a good deal of plot routes while remaining consistent and ends solidly.  The weapon designs are often exaggerated technological twists on old time guns or objects that you normally wouldn’t associate with a rain of bullets.  Accordingly, the gunfight choreography is especially marvelous to watch.  From over-the-top gang shoot-em-ups to intense two man duels, the fight action is clever, surprising and a definite standout element of the series.  The other strength of Trigun is its appealing and multi-faceted characters.  Vash and priest Wolfwood, along with their slew of enemies, have plenty of background and dimensions to their personalities.  A great focus of the series that draws upon these character complexities is how such interaction often forces even the most reluctant to kill in order to survive.  This dramatic dilemma shines when Vash ultimately faces his most dangerous adversary from his forgotten past. 

Highlights

Better if watched in order, Trigun does admittedly have some filler episodes.  However, the side story episodes do feature fine minor character moments and are strong enough to stand on their own.  The following feature the main story line and are among the episodes I found most entertaining.  Left out is the last episode –also one of the best for its drama and reveals, but naturally stuffed with spoilers.

• Episode 5 Hard Puncher.  We see Vash’s kind, dopey side as he befriends a child.  Moments later, an attack by the freakish giant Nebraska brothers reveal the ice cold stare of Vash’s serious side.  We also learn of the ruined town July and its alien-like light bulbs that tower large as buildings.  Their life giving energy for all desert town dwellers is a key to Vash’s lost past and his source of seemingly inhuman gun skills.

• Episode 11 Murder Machine.  First appearance of priest Nicholas Wolfwood.  Along with Vash, this character has many sides, all of them appealing.  Lanky in his black suit and shouldering a giant cloth-wrapped cross, he is self-proclaimed “soldier of love” with dreams to open an orphanage.  When the cloth comes off (his giant cross, that is) he’s also a smoking fighter with one big ass gun.  His dynamic with Vash is instant, sweet and great fun to see in action.  Get ready for bonus robot fights here!

• Episode 12 Diablo.  The chilling villain Legato Bluesummers appears.  With deadly telepathy he can manipulate the bodies and minds of others, and doesn’t hesitate to torture and kill.  Along with the helmeted maniac Monev the Gale, who has guns for arms, and slick saxophone player Midvalley the Hornfreak, they bring out Vash’s darker side and hang the horror of the Gung-ho Gang over our outlaw hero’s head.

• Episode 17 Rem Saverem.  SPOILER ALERT  Vash’s past is revealed and we discover his lost twin brother, Knives.  Once part of a space colony to create an Eden for humans from a ruined planet, Vash and Knives were abandoned test tube babies found by their loving mentor, Rem.  Beautiful and a brilliant scientist, Rem brought out a heroic nature in Vash, while Knives developed violent tendencies from his abuse by a ship crew member.  A tragic affair puts the ship in peril and the twin boys land on a desert planet.  There they discover the power of their organic weapons and Knives decides to use them against the humans he sees as so threatening.  Vash has other ideas.

• Not an episode, but a must mention: the omnipresent black cat.  A big eyed critter who doesn’t have much purpose, but it’s darn fun to spot him popping in and out of episodes. 

Special Features

Bare bones here.  The only extras for the DVD set are textless songs and trailers.  A decent price and compact slim casing, for a series only previously available in single volumes or a large collector box, are the benefits.  Case cover art that mimics classic Western film posters is a nice packaging touch.

Audio

English and Japanese 5.1 surround audio is well produced, so the dialogue is not drowned out by even the most outrageous gunfire.  English subtitles and original language is recommended for my fellow anime purists.  However, the dub is admittedly cute for its gruff townsfolk voices and fitting for the main characters.  Trigun’s music has a lively jazz/rock vibe to its Western twang.  The opening theme is flat out rock and delivers a nice punch.  Plenty of bongos, guitar and banjo fill the series soundtrack in an active blend that fits the tone of the anime.

Video

Trigun is 1998 Madhouse studios animation, so for a series of its time the visuals are slick with lots of interesting angles during fight scenes.  But, a major factor that makes Trigun such a popular series and so often cosplayed is the character and costume design by creator Yasuhiro Nightow.  Vash’s slim build, spiky blonde hair and long, bright red trenchcoat is eye-catching onscreen and practically iconic at anime conventions.  Same goes for lanky priest Wolfwood in his tight black suit and cross covered in cloth and belts.  Even villain Legato sports an unforgettable white trench with possibly the biggest, spikiest shoulder pad you’ve ever seen.

Overall

Well rounded and steady paced, with a great finale, Trigun has earned its popularity among anime fans.  For an older series, this new edition is sadly lacking in extras, but is otherwise a nice edition to your DVD collection.  Even for those not into Westerns, the series has plenty of character complexity, drama, sci-fi elements, slapstick comedy and action.  That and the gunfight choreography and costumes are just plain cool.  If you haven’t seen the anime or were wondering what’s with all the red trenchcoat guys at Comicon, check out Trigun, The Complete Series.  You’ll get it.

ComicsOnline rounds up Trigun, The Complete Series with 4.5 out of 5 tasty doughnuts.

Lasso your copy of Trigun, The Complete Series at Amazon.com now!

Shoot back to Comicsonline.com for more anime reviews and everything geek pop culture!