Trigun: Badlands Rumble
Anime Review
A new original movie that brings us back to Trigun after what feels like a decade-long hiatus refreshes our taste for the series and the wacky band of characters. Somehow, they've managed to bring back all the voices from the series (or some pretty close representations thereof), and this movie squeezes itself somewhere into the existing-series' continuity.
Clearly created and aimed at the American fans of the series (as the anime doesn't have that large a following Japan), this "movie" is really just a stretched out episode, but that's fine, as you could really call this "Trigun: Episode 10-1/2", but bear with me; despite its 90 minute running time with a 20 minute plot, the film never ceases to be completely entertaining, lavishly animated, stupendously designed and styled, thrilling and awesome.
 In other words: yes, it stinks, but man, I love it anyhow! After a ten-year dry-spell, it's good to see the old gang back in action, and Vash is as goofy and bad-ass as ever, able to be both a complete moron while also kicking butt in a manner that only he can achieve.
The core team of characters, however, play as essentially sidekicks to the new characters created for the film; the chief antagonist and protagonist (Gasback and Amelia) are the stars here, and everyone else is in supporting roles. And this is the only place where the movie fails to deliver.
However, it needs to be said. It was totally great from begining to end and, as a Trigun fan, I was more than happy to see *any* new material. Go Vash!
Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, November 2011
Below: A scene from Trigun: Badlands Rumble
Trigun -
The complete Boxed Set
Anime DVD Review
You don't just watch Trigun, you *experience* it. There's no easy way to describe it. It's Cowboy Bebop turned on its ear. It's comedy, but with a complex and bizarre plot. It's a western... on another planet. It's a case of mistaken identity taken to an extreme. It's weird, wonderful, and intelligent, but in a mind-numbingly bizarre and twisted way. The characters aren't handled as realistically as Bebop, and it lacks some of the panache, and the music's not as good, but it's a damn good second to Bebop. And you gotta love a guy with that much of a taste for Doughnuts!
There's certainly no lack of action, but amazingly, when you consider the main character is supposed to be some kind of superstar with a gun, he never actually fires until the fifth episode. Yet, he manages to destroy more without a gun than with. And, as the subject of a bounty (the biggest ever), those after him to claim the reward are often more destructive than he is! Massive mayhem and considerable chaos ensue!
Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, January 2003
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