It is boggling to see that we are still having debates on 3D anime in 2023. It is equally boggling that 2D ride-or-die fans are trying to crucify the work of Studio Orange, when the studio has proven time and time again with Land of the Lustrous and Beastars that they are the one of the premier 3D TV animation studios in the world. How can this be said when the cinematography just gets better and better every episode, building off of the previous work? Everything about Trigun Stampede is beautiful. There are a few shots that have 2D drawings that can be a little distracting, but 98% of the shots are so intricately planned and placed. You need to see it to believe it. And it just gets better and better. In particular, the final episode of the series was absolutely breathtaking, deftly weaving sweeping camera movements with its wild animation. Throughout the series, the camera moves, and the animation flows with it. The action is easy to follow and pleasing to look at.
Another standout of the production was the music. There’s a large variety of different tracks to support the mood, whether they are traveling through the vast sand, taking part in battle, and reminiscing on better days. All of these are very different situations, but every track belonged here and enhanced every scene. The piano is especially important here, and you will see why if you watch. The OP and ED are also fantastic, and they’re hard to skip.
One of the weaknesses of the production is that it makes up for the weaknesses of the plot structure. The plot rushes too fast a lot, to the point it jumps back and forth unexpectedly, especially in episodes that deal with flashbacks. It can be disorienting, even when it takes just a few moments to catch back up. Additionally, there are a lot of arcs that are thrown in here for one episode, never to be touched again. Despite those issues, it’s hard to say that it was hard to remain disappointed. Somehow, the story remains captivating and touching. At no point did disappointment linger that something was cut out, because there is always something new to see and take into account. Take this note as a sign that though the pacing could have been better, the story is far from bad.
The characters are also another weak link, but it should be noted that this is not because of the common criticism that these characters are so different from their original predecessors. There are several characters taking part in the story, and so many that not everyone gets enough development. This criticism, as well as the former, would be more muted had these characters had more time to be on screen, especially when Meryl and Wolfwood have big differences compared to their previous incarnations. Yet, the characters are still interesting and are ones to root for, even if we haven’t fully connected with them yet. They do not lose their identity and are far from low budget imposters. While their occupations and their psychological states may be different from the original versions, their motivations never do. As you follow them through the series, you find that their actions still come from their core motivations for traveling through No Man’s Land. And for some of them, you may find that they’re starting to grow into the original versions that many love.
Before I conclude this review, let me leave a personal note that I am currently watching the 1998 Trigun series at the time of this review. I am not yet finished, but I do think that Stampede is an improvement on the original anime. For those naysayers who still are skeptical towards Stampede’s existence, I ask this: Trigun has been reimagined once since 1998. Yet there are many American superheroes who have been retooled to positive results on multiple occasions. Is Vash the Stampede not iconic enough to receive that same courtesy? Even if you do watch this and say that it’s not for you, it can be respected that it has brought in a new generation of fans. Many of them are already watching the original anime and reading the manga to dive deeper into Yasuhiro Nightow’s triumph.
Overall, the series has lots of weaknesses but makes up for it with an incredible production that is able to convince you to sympathize with these characters and explore this world. Trigun Stampede is a fantastic new sci-fi anime entry and perhaps one of the best when considering fully CG sci-fi works. It’s also another beautiful addition to the canon of Studio Orange. Regardless of whether you have had an experience with Trigun before, the series is a great introduction to this story that will leave you satisfied and wanting more. With a continuation confirmed, we can only anticipate that it will get better and better as we reach a conclusion. Objectively and critically, this is closer to an 8, but my own personal enjoyment leads me to give this a 9. If you are willing to have an open mind, this is one of the best watches of the year so far.
