Review of Trigun: Vol. 7

Introduction

Trigun is winding up for a grand finale as the story takes a more serious and epic tone. It`s good then that the wait for this penultimate volume hasn`t been as protracted as before. With feelings running high and revelations coming thick and fast, the last thing anyone would want is another hiatus, and this volume jumps straight back into the thick of things.

Vash the Stampede is perhaps the most infamous outlaw there is, with a $$60 billion bounty on his head. Deadly with a gun, he`s ruthless, fearless and the mere mention of his name can clear towns ahead of his arrival. He`s also a bit of a dork and a committed pacifist. Trigun is set on a distant future world that bakes under the glare of two suns. The human civilisation there has slipped back in technology, and society has taken on the aspect of the Wild West of old. Despite Vash`s reputation, there are plenty of bounty hunters willing to try for that reward. Two hard up insurance agents, Milly Thompson and Meryl Stryfe pursue Vash and try to limit the destruction that he leaves in his wake, and find it hard to believe that the goofy, comical character in the red coat is indeed the toughest gunfighter around. But Vash is a mysterious character beneath that attitude, his past is an enigma and he has abilities and knowledge that are lost to the rest of humanity.

Volume 7 of Trigun contains 3 further episodes. The previous volume offered breathing space and respite as we learned about Vash`s childhood and the story behind humanity`s existence on a barren desert planet. Following the explosive events of Volume 5, the last few episodes also served as a chance for Vash to get his groove back, and come to terms with what had happened. Realising that a confrontation with the Gung-ho Guns and Knives is inevitable, the episodes on this disc see Vash prepare for the showdown.

20. Flying Ship
Vash ditches Milly and Meryl once more and heads off into a genuine Typhoon. It isn`t just recklessness, as the storm offers a way to reach the last SEED ship, one that didn`t crash, and remains hovering over the planet`s surface. Aboard it are the descendants of the ship`s crew, living a peaceful and civilised existence, aloof above the anarchy and bloodshed that reigns below. Unfortunately, the Gung-ho Guns get there first.

21. Out Of Time
The Gung-ho Guns are wreaking havoc and leaving carnage through the ship, and it`s up to Vash to protect the last bastion of high technology from destruction. It`s hard enough just staying alive however.

22. Alternative
Recent events have made abundantly clear that Vash has to face the Gung-ho Guns and Knives, however reluctant he is to do so. Heading for a reckoning, Vash, Wolfwood, Milly and Meryl come to Keybas, a town that has closed its doors to outsiders. At the same time, not far from the town`s walls are a group of orphans gathered together after their abandonment when their parents left their homes. They are glad to see Vash, or at least the food he carries.

Video

The picture comes in a nice clear 4:3 regular transfer. The image is sharp and makes use of strong colours. This is an older anime, and the precision of CGI has yet to replace the freer feel of hand drawn animation. I love the design of the anime, Trigun takes place in a fallen civilisation, with vestiges of hi-tech still around, but mostly old and falling apart. There`s plenty of old fashioned technology, and the occasional synthesis of the two giving the story a nice steampunk feel. The animation takes a hit for this volume, especially the last two episodes, with a greater preponderance of static images, and some questionable character renditions. The show seems a pale shadow of its early season self at times. Watch out for the creator`s trademark, a black cat that manages to crop up in every episode.

Audio

You get the basic selection of DD 2.0 Japanese and English, with translated English subtitles to accompany. The dialogue is clear throughout and the music suits the story well. As usual I chose to listen to the Japanese dub, preferring to hear the characters as they were originally voiced. I did spot-check the English track, and while the main character voices were strong and distinctive, the same can`t be said of the guest characters. There were no technical problems in what I heard though.

Features

One trailer for Trigun, one trailer for Ikki Tousen, one trailer for Tenjho Tenge, animated menus, and jacket picture, all passable frills for your average anime release. Once more there are two galleries, one containing 7 images of Japanese VHS art, and one containing 28 pencil sketches in the Villians (sic) gallery.

Conclusion

Trigun enters its final stretch, and the budget begins to bite. Anime episodes with relatively weak animation are nothing new, but this time the animation is so lacklustre compared to the rest of the series that I actually found it distracting from the story. A dependency on panning shots across static images and simple flick-book animation for dialogue, coupled with character animation that strays from the original design, all make the last two episodes on this disc a caricature of the show. It`s a shame because this is where the story really begins to come together, character development is prominent, and the overall story moves closer to resolution. I only hope that the final episodes return to the detailed animation of earlier episodes.

Last volume`s Rem Saverem filled in much of the background for the world, and Vash and his brother Knives` upbringing. The first two episodes build on that, as Vash returns to the one ship that survived the fleet`s violent end on the planet. It`s a peaceful haven from the troubles below, and an indication of why Vash seems so much more knowledgeable about the world than anyone else. There is also a tantalising hint as to Vash`s, and by that token Knives` true nature. The final episode sees Vash`s pacifism put to the test once more, but it is Nicholas D. Wolfwood who is ultimately challenged by the events of the story. The Gung-ho Guns initially seemed to me as monsters of the week, bizarre character designs that would show up one by one to challenge our heroes. As the story has developed, their part in the story has become much more focused, part of a larger plan against Vash being orchestrated by hidden figures, and they aren`t averse to appearing en masse either. The story is definitely getting more interesting as the tension and suspense builds towards the conclusion. The one casualty of all this is the pairing of Meryl and Milly, who are reduced to little more than bystanders and observers. They have very little to say and do in these episodes, and while their presence as mother figures amongst the orphans makes sense, what they contribute to the story and plot is minimal at best.

These episodes are a strong addition to the Trigun story; the standalone nature of the episodes has long since been dispensed with, as the characters take a darker path towards the conclusion. The light comedic nature of the tale also has been lessened considerably, and the character drama now colours more of the story. Unfortunately, the impact of the episodes is lessened by some uncharacteristically weak animation. Hopefully the apparent budget cut here is applied to the climactic episodes. By this point in the series, if you haven`t been watching so far, then this would be the wrong place to start, but if you have been following Trigun, then obviously this is an essential disc.