Trigun Stampede

First of: The obvious review bombing for the show is insane! Im 100% sure some people dont even give this a single(!) fair chance and go "3D bad!!"+"The OG Trigun rules" and give it an unreasonable low score. My first impression on the other hand is actually very positive! I have rarely seen an anime with such an kinetic style. The action is plenty, the camera goes wild, great sound design and the characters show so much emotion in their expressions and movements. This show is directed skillfully, just like Studio Orange's Land of the Lusterous. The criticism I have is that it basically tells you a lot of stuff in the beginning that could have made for good reveals. You should give at least the first episode a fair chance. Just dont expect the old Trigun. The first episode alone is such a blast!

The 25th anniversary of the beloved original just passed as did the finale of this new prequel / remake (pre-make?), taking its spin on the old established universe of the 1998 original series with the facelift of modern 3D animation technology. We follow the early days of Vash the Stampede, a wanted outlaw known for roaming town to town in a futuristic western wasteland, complete with apocalyptic vehicles, robo-cyber tech, and large guns. I personally don't love the newer 3D CG animation style the series uses, but I must say this series used it well enough. I didn't love the character redesigns (or replacements), however the original was definitely extreme and cheesy in its 1990s way and this new one has all the cheesy tropes and lean towards ridiculousness I commonly see in these modern anime. They do cut one of my favourite characters from this season, which hurt me deeply, but the voice acting is generally fine and the character dynamics are believable enough. Unfortunately the lore and world building is where we get to the unbelievability, the series makes a much larger emphasis on Vash, the world, and their intertwining backstories than does the original series. I quite liked the slower paced, subdued beginning of the original, with the world lore being a backdrop through most of its run, however this new series dives right into it, revealing much of what took the original 20+ episodes is divulged by episode 2. They certainly do a better job at this story telling than did the original, given the original got very silly very quickly, but at only 12 episodes much is left unanswered and even more teased for a new season 2 to come. I'm unsure if I'd give it a go when it comes around, but I can see why others liked it. I'd still recommend the original over this remake, and warn that this new series will spoil many parts of the original, but its not bad, just a little too all over the place for me.

So don't get me wrong here. Im not a hater off the bat, I don't mind the new art style much, the animation is smooth....but even in the character re-design my main critique of the whole reboot comes in. . . This series in it's attempts to tell the story in a new light fails to realize what made the original so good; firstly the key plot points are slowly revealed over the course of many interactions between characters in the original. For example: In the or first we do not find out Vash has a bionic arm and get the first clue that Vash is more than an oddball pretending to not be a skilled gunman until quite a few episodes in.....in this they took out the whole air of intrigue and mystery and imply all of the intriguing developmental plot points right in the beginning of the show. His Bionic arm in plain sight, no attempt to hide his mysterious odd connections really. It's just weak storytelling. The animation is sadly pretty impressive but the pacing and progression that it is all tied to in my opinion just feels underwhelming, half baked, and overall a much less impressive compositional mix than first. Would have been better off as a stand alone cyber punk style story and not tying Trigun to it imo. All of the characters just feel like shallower versions of their original concepts. It was nice to see a little more about Knives and Vash's mom but the incredibly direct way it is all spoon fed to you just never felt super surprising or exciting. I guess it might be pretty decent if you never watched the original and were forced to compare them though.

I'll start by saying that this Trigun is simply a feast for the eyes, the animation and the effects of modern cinema really give a unique atmosphere to each episode, although I can end here with the positive section of the series.

Now, an incredible animation is not the same as a work full of life, in this case it is a product lacking soul if we compare it with the classic series.

All the goofy expressions of our friendly protagonist have been eliminated and everything that made each character stand out too, instead they feel like Mad Max survivors who simply come together thanks to the magic of the script.

The music is something redeemable, it is quite good.

As a devoted fan of the original Trigun anime since 2001, I have eagerly awaited the arrival of the remake. I've watched the original series three times in full, completely enamored by its story and character development. The new version of Trigun, however, left me with a sense of disappointment, despite its stunning visuals and artistic excellence. The changes made to the original story and the characters' development failed to captivate me as the first series did, leaving a hollow feeling behind its beautiful facade.

Visually, the Trigun remake is nothing short of fantastic. The art style is both faithful to the original and enhanced with modern animation techniques. The color palette is vibrant, the character designs are detailed, and the action sequences are fluid and dynamic. This aspect of the remake truly deserves praise and recognition.

However, the beauty of the Trigun remake lies only skin deep. The most significant issue with the new series is the script and the changes made to the original story. The pacing in this version is remarkably different from the first series. In the original, the gradual discovery and growth arc for each character was a significant part of the show's allure. The pacing allowed the audience to become invested in the characters' stories and to develop genuine connections with them. This slow burn of character growth and story progression was replaced by a rushed narrative that reveals everything at once in the remake.

The original series had the characters gradually form bonds with each other, eventually becoming loyal companions. In contrast, the remake forces these connections from the outset, stripping away the authentic and organic development of relationships that the original series portrayed so well. The coincidences that happen to advance the story in the new version are also highly implausible, which detracts from the overall viewing experience.

I didn't expect or want the Trigun remake to be a carbon copy of the original. In fact, I would have been thrilled with a fresh take on the story and characters. However, it's disheartening to see that the writers of this new version were unable to weave a compelling narrative that would justify the remake. It feels like a missed opportunity to create a new and engaging Trigun experience for both old and new fans alike.

One of the most frustrating aspects of the Trigun remake is the fact that the characters have become more forgettable than in the original. With the rushed storytelling and lack of proper character development, the emotional investment in the characters is severely diminished. The original series was so successful because it made viewers care deeply about the characters and their journeys. The remake, unfortunately, fails to evoke the same emotional response.

In conclusion, the Trigun remake is a visually stunning piece of animation with a disappointing core. It suffers from a poorly executed script, rushed pacing, and underdeveloped characters that fail to capture the essence of the original series. I truly wanted to love this remake, but I cannot help but feel let down by the lack of substance and emotional depth. As a fan of the original Trigun, it's disheartening to see such a beloved story fall short of its potential. While I commend the artists for their exceptional work, I wish the same level of care and attention had been given to the story and characters.