Trigun
Trigun manga, volume 1 (English version)
Warning: Plot details follow.
Trigun (トライガン), a 26-episode Anime series based on a manga, is the story of Vash the Stampede, a.k.a. The Humanoid Typhoon, and the two Bernardelli Insurance Society employees Meryl Stryfe and Milly Thompson who were ordered to follow him and minimize the damage that seems to follow Vash everywhere he goes. Much of that damage is caused by the activities of the bounty hunters who are after the $$60,000,000,000 ($$ = double dollar) reward on Vash's head for the destruction of a city called July (which, amazingly, resulted in no direct loss of life to the city's inhabitants). Vash does not clearly remember the destruction of July, and only wants "love and peace," as he puts it; though he is a gunfighter of near god-like skill, he uses his weapons only to save lives wherever he can (even the lives of those who try to kill him).
As the series progresses, more is gradually learned about Vash's mysterious history and the history of human civilization on the alien desert planet the series is set on. The series is often humorous in tone, but at the same time it involves very serious character development and especially in later episodes it becomes quite emotionally intense. Vash is occasionally joined by the preacher Nicholas D. Wolfwood, who is almost as good a gunfighter as Vash himself, and later is targetted by a band of mercenaries known as the Gung-Ho Guns for reasons which are mysterious at first.
Trigun evolves into a very serious discussion of the nature of morality, posing questions such as: What is the nature of morality? Can we judge different moral codes? If a person is forced to betray their moral code, does that betrayal invalidate that moral code, and can the person still try to live up to that moral code? Can the person find redemption from their wrongs, and if so, how?
Trigun was created by the animation studio, Studio Madhouse and is licensed in the United States by Pioneer USA. In 2003, Trigun began broadcast as part of Cartoon Network's Adult Swim programming block.
The original manga and television storylines deviate noticably with the arrival of the Gung Ho guns, and the TV series 'invented' an ending which expectedly some fans consider too 'rushed'.
Characters
Vash the Stampede (Humanoid Typhoon)
The main character. He was initially discovered by Meryl and Milly imprisoned by some bandits who wanted to collect on the $$60 billion. He escapes and Milly and Meryl eventually learn that this is the person they are supposed to track. Although he is a pacifist, he is also an extremely skilled gunman who seeks to preserve life where ever possible.Meryl Stryfe
She and Milly were sent by the Bernardelli Insurance Society to evaluate claims regarding Vash the Stampede. Initially, she didn't know who he was and found Vash to be a nuisance. As time passes, she recognizes that Vash isn't the villain that he is made out to be. Despite her serious attitude, she is still a good person.Milly Thompson
Friend and assistant of Meryl, she also works for the Bernardelli Insurance Society. She seemed to pick up on the fact that Vash was the wandering gunman before Meryl, but she didn't realize that she was right. She has an extremely kind heart, and is noticably quiet tall and strong despite her gentle, silly demeanor.Nicholas D. Wolfwood
A preacher and an excellent gunman, Nicholas and Vash meet in the desert when their bus runs across his motorcycle. He proves to be a valuable ally, but sometimes Vash and Wolfwood's philosophies conflict. In the end, he comes over to Vash's way of thinking, even though he was associated with Knives the whole time.Rem Saverem
Mother figure to both Vash and Knives. Her teachings of love and peace, and especially that no one has the right to take a life, combined with her early death have a profound influence on Vash. Knives blames her for his brother's softness. Knives
Vash's twin brother, who believes that humanity is a plague that must be exterminated because he felt that by killing man, he would prevent any damage man can cause. He first tried to convince Vash to join his quest, but eventually the two became bitter rivals.The Gung-Ho Guns
Legato Bluesummers
Loves death, wants Vash to kill him at any cost. Extremely telepathic.
Monev The Gale
E.G. Mine
Uses his shell to deploy exploding spikes towards an enemy.
Dominique The Cyclops
Rai Dei the Blade
Caine the Longshot
A talented sniper.
Leonoff the Puppetmaster
Controls mannequin-like puppet creatures from a remote location.
Gray the Ninelives
Hopperd the Gauntlet
Zazie the Beast
Chapel the Evergreen
Wolfwood's mentor. Chapel carries the parent version of Wolfwood's famous Punisher, and cared for young Nicholas after his guardian's death. Is instrumental in Wolfwood's salvation.
Midvalley the Hornfreak
A musician; plays a saxophone which is a deadly weapon.