Crunchyroll’s Trigun Reboot Redefines One of the Best Sci-Fi Manga

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Anime remakes are becoming increasingly popular. We’re seeing both classic series like Ranma ½ and Urusei Yatsura return, and older shows like Devilman Crybaby getting updated for modern audiences. However, reboots are often debated among fans, as many question the need to revisit series that are already beloved and considered classics.

While many remakes simply rehash old stories, Studio Orange’s Trigun Stampede truly stands out. It’s a fresh take on Yasuhiro Nightow’s classic manga, Trigun, and its accompanying Stargaze series. The new adaptation boldly reimagines the original story in unique ways, while still staying true to the heart of what made Trigun so beloved.

Trigun Stampede & Stargaze Is a Completely New Trigun for Old Fans & Newcomers Alike

Yasuhiro Nightow’s Trigun first appeared in 1995 as a manga—a space Western aimed at young male audiences—and told the story of Vash the Stampede, a gunslinger who tries to avoid violence, and his wild travels across the desolate planet of No Man’s Land. For many anime fans, their first experience with Trigun was through its anime adaptation, which became especially popular in Western countries.

While the original Trigun ‘98 anime is fondly remembered, it doesn’t closely follow the manga. After the first Trigun manga ended, the story continued in a different magazine as Trigun Maximum until 2007. Because of this, the Trigun ‘98 anime created its own ending, significantly differing from the still-unfinished manga. Also, Trigun ‘98 maintained the early, more lighthearted tone of the series, while Trigun Maximum became a much more mature and complex story.

Almost three decades after the first Trigun appeared, Studio Orange decided to create a fresh take on the series. Trigun Stampede respects what came before, but aims to tell Vash’s story in a new and independent way. This unique approach is immediately noticeable, largely due to the show’s almost complete use of 3D computer graphics, giving it a contemporary and striking visual style that differs from the original’s rougher aesthetic.

The storytelling in Trigun Stampede offers a fresh take that surprises even longtime fans. While it stays true to the central story, it significantly departs from previous versions of Trigun, drawing inspiration from the manga but largely creating a brand new plot. This approach made the anime accessible to new viewers without any prior knowledge of the franchise, while also offering a creatively reimagined world and characters that excited existing fans.

The Community’s Reception of Trigun Stargaze Has Been Mixed

Despite a few imperfections, Trigun Stampede did a great job of reinventing Trigun for a broad audience. The plot kept viewers guessing, the animation was stunning, and the series maintained the original’s meaningful themes without just repeating the same story. Exploring Vash’s past and his connection with Millions Knives made this new version even more compelling.

Studio Orange’s second season of Trigun, called Stargaze, recently finished airing. While some disliked the fresh take of the first season, Stampede, the reaction to Stargaze has been much more mixed. Now that the show is adapting the story from Trigun Maximum, some fans are unhappy with how beloved characters like Hoppered and Midvalley are being portrayed, as well as changes made to the established story in Stampede. They’re also questioning the overall direction of the season’s plot.

Fans are finding that Trigun Stargaze moves too quickly through character development while also feeling slow when it comes to the main storyline. Unlike previous installments, Maximum and Stampede, which felt like meaningful journeys filled with challenges and tough decisions, Stargaze doesn’t create the same sense of forward momentum, leaving viewers worried about where the series is headed. While Stargaze incorporates familiar elements from the original, many potentially powerful moments don’t land as expected because the series rushes through important character growth.

Even though Trigun Stargaze is only halfway through, there’s still a good chance it will impress viewers who were initially unsure. The show continues to look great and offers a lot of quality beyond just its impressive visuals. Ultimately, how Stargaze handles the manga’s famous ending, and the difficult emotional scenes that are likely coming up, will determine how the series is remembered by fans.

Trigun Stampede & Stargaze Takes a Novel Approach to Reimagining the Beloved Classic

Whether you enjoy them or not, Trigun Stampede and Stargaze are commendable for going beyond a simple retelling of the original story. They strive to create something fresh and unique, which has sparked interesting conversations among fans. Stargaze specifically encourages viewers to compare it to past versions of Trigun and consider what new elements it introduces.

Even though some fans were hoping for a direct remake, this new take on Trigun is still incredibly engaging. By boldly reimagining parts of the original story, Studio Orange’s Trigun offers a fresh perspective on the beloved series, known for its depth and complexity. Both Stampede and Stargaze largely succeed as standalone stories, capturing the spirit of the original Trigun despite offering very different versions of Vash’s journey.

Anime reboots like Trigun Stampede and Stargaze are special. It’s rare for a story to be complex enough to support a fresh take while still honoring what made the original so good, and that’s what makes the new Trigun so exciting. Beyond reigniting the passion of longtime fans, these reboots have also introduced a whole new audience to a truly exceptional manga that deserves its classic status.

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2026-02-14 18:41