Trigun

Director
Satoshi Nishimura
Production
Madhouse, TV Tokyo, Victor Entertainment
Country of origin
Japan
Format
Series
Running time
26 episodes
Year
1998

Trigun Volume 8: High Noon

By otaku_kei
19th Aug 06

Yet another final volume! MVM have been finishing up a lot of their series recently, with several more due to wrap up in the coming months. But right now lets talk about the closing chapter of fan favourite show Trigun! Over the course of reviewing this series I have frequently said how enjoyable Trigun is, but just as frequently been baffled by the commonly held view of this being one of the seminal, genre defining shows in anime. Can this final volume finally sway me into the Vash loving hordes of fans that abound across the globe? Or will Trigun remain a show liked, but not loved? Well only one way to tell...

Trigun's success has always rested upon the character of Vash. Whilst there are other characters important to the plot, this show is really his journey; it is about what happens to him, how he effects the lives of others, and in turn how he is effected. If you find him an insufferable buffoon then you will probably hate this show. If you find him an unbearable dichotomy between his moments of dangerous seriousness, and his light hearted high jinks, then you will probably hate Trigun. But if you enjoy both sides to this character then you can get to the heart of just what has made this show such a global success. Without understanding Vash, then you will never 'get' Trigun.

I have to say that until this volume I never really 'got' Vash. Sure, I found Trigun entertaining, but not the groundbreaking show that I had heard so much about. But with the revelations in this volume, so much finally falls into place about the character at the centre of the story that looking back across the entire series you will see this show in a different light. Suddenly Trigun started to become one of the shows that just makes you go "Wow". These final episodes are filled with tragedy, death, irrevocable choices and hope. The characters that we have come to know and love so far each have their part to play as Trigun races towards a conclusion, and a shocking showdown between Vash and his wayward brother Knives!

Trigun has finally won me over. These closing episodes have managed to deliver on the promise that this show has demonstrated from the start. Whilst many may feel that you should not have to wait until the final couple of episodes for a show to really hook in the audience, I have to say that this show really did turn out to be much better than preceding volumes were setting up. Trigun has constantly been a source of popcorn entertainment since the first volume, but with this conclusion we get so much more, a great finale to a show that is widely regarded as one of the masters of anime! Now just to go and get a Vash badge so that I can join the countless hordes of Trigun fans out there...

R2 DVD Notes

Features: English Language 2.0; Japanese Language 2.0; English Language Subtitles; Trigun Trailer; Art Gallery; Laser Disc Covers Gallery; MVM Trailers

Release information: OUT NOW

Notes: Keeping to the good standard set for each of MVM's releases. Tha A/V quality is top notch for a series that is so old. The extras on the disc through are little to be impressed by, amounting to nothing more than a couple of art galleries. These extras will do nothing to bring you back once having watched them once.

-- otaku_kei 19th Aug 06

Trigun Images