Trigun Stampede Reveals Marvel Cinematic Universe Inspiration

As a huge fan of anime and animation, I was thrilled when I heard that studio Orange was working on a new retelling of the classic Trigun series. Last year, they released the first season of Trigun Stampede, which, despite being a retelling of a familiar story, managed to stand out with its unique art style and captivating storytelling.


In the previous year, studio Orange brought out a new adaptation called Trigun Stampede, which is a reimagining of the 1998 Trigun anime that was derived from Yasuhiro Nightow’s manga. Although it shares similarities with the original storyline, Trigude Stampede manages to establish its unique identity.

An illustrious illustration is evident in the selection of artistic approach. For instance, renowned animes like Attack on Titan typically employ a 2-D animated aesthetic, primarily saving computer-generated imagery (CGI) for dramatic battle sequences. Conversely, Trigun Stampede predominantly utilizes CGI as its principal art style.

Approximately a year has passed since the series premiered on television. During this time, Studio Orange has been diligently working on Season 2. Not long ago, the official Trigun Stampede X/Twitter account made an announcement that the second season will be named Trigun Stargaze.

At Anime Expo 2024, Katsuhiro Takei, a TOHO producer involved with Trigun Stampede, talked with GameSpot about the production of resurrecting Trigun. He shared insights into the inspiration from the MCU and highlighted significant scenes that left an impression on him during the conversation.

Trigun Stampede Reveals Marvel Cinematic Universe Inspiration

GameSpot: What was the inspiration behind retelling Trigun?

Katsuhiro Takei mentioned during the early talks with Nightow about Trigun’s adaptation that he was fond of the Marvel Netflix series.

During the time when Marvel began reviving their classic titles into contemporary versions, we drew significant inspiration from those sources. This experience taught us that while modifications can be made, preserving the essence of the original remains crucial to maintaining the identity of the property. Thus, this discovery proved to be quite inspiring.

Can you share which Marvel properties helped inspire Trigun Stampede?

Takei: The first one was Netflix’s Daredevil. Then we saw the first Iron Man, [and] we started watching all [the MCU] movies.

Was there any fear that the retelling wouldn’t be as popular as the original anime?

Takei: For me, the ’98 anime holds a special place. Yet, I couldn’t help but feel apprehensive about its potential success. This fear pushed me to explore the true nature of this property, preventing any arrogance that might have arisen from overconfidence in my own ideas.

What was behind the decision to change the original art style to CGI?

As a huge fan of “Takei” and the 1998 Madhouse version of his beloved series, I can understand how challenging it must have been for him to create something new and impactful after completing such an excellent work. To paraphrase in simpler terms, he felt that since the previous version was already perfect, he needed to explore a different medium if he wanted to produce something on a similar scale once again.

From my gaming perspective, I can’t help but wonder if there were specific animations that posed a challenge due to the fresh art style. On the other hand, which scenes left me feeling particularly accomplished and pleased with the end result?

In simpler terms, Takei explains that some scenes were challenging, but they managed to excel with Episode 1 where Vash requests the bullet. This episode encapsulates our vision for this new series – action, character development, and interpersonal relationships are all present.

Trigun Stampede Reveals Marvel Cinematic Universe Inspiration

Even in this arid gaming landscape I inhabit, the colors truly pop and come alive. It may seem counterintintuitive to some, but I believe that adding vibrancy to an otherwise monotonous desert setting is a way to engage players more deeply. By playing with contrasting hues and saturation levels, we can create a sense of depth and richness that makes the environment feel more alive and immersive. It’s all about finding the beauty in unexpected places and using it to captivate the imagination.

Takei explains that Muto, the Trigun Stampede director, was deeply committed to creating a lively and enjoyable world for the audience. Additionally, he has a preference for using colors symbolically.

I’ve had the pleasure of delving deep into both the Stampede anime and the Trigun manga, and I must admit, there are noticeable differences between the two. The production team behind Stampede made some thoughtful decisions when it came to adapting the source material for the screen.

Takei: Our narrative emphasizes the connection between Vash and Knives, designing the plot around Vash’s quest to encounter Knives. Consequently, this framework results in a powerful yet uncomplicated storyline, which we have pursued diligently. Although there are elements missing at present, we remain confident that this focus is an effective storytelling strategy.

Trigun Stampede Reveals Marvel Cinematic Universe Inspiration

In your search for actors for the Stampede adaptation, were there any elements from the source anime that influenced your choices?

Takei: We gave this matter careful consideration. We had decided to make a change since it wasn’t feasible for us to bring back the original cast due to the unfortunate fact that one of its members is no longer alive. Onosakasan, who voiced Vash originally, truly embodied the character. Finding someone to equal his performance would be quite a challenge.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but reflect on the careful consideration given to choosing the right actor for the role of Vash in Trigun Stampede. Despite our high expectations, the talented cast poured their hearts and souls into their performances. Consequently, they truly met and even exceeded our lofty standards.

I firmly believe that music plays a pivotal role in storytelling, adding depth and emotion to bring narratives to life. Regarding your question about why Tatsuya Kato was chosen to compose the soundtrack for our project, allow me to share some insights based on my experience.

As a devoted fan, I can tell you that based on my understanding, it was the director who held a firm belief in this matter. He yearned for powerful yet uncomplicated music that could stir deep emotions within us. Considering his perspective and these requirements, we ultimately arrived at Kato-san’s composition.

In simpler terms, what insights gained during the filming of Season 1 would be beneficial for producing Season 2?

Takei: Adapting Stampede was quite an endeavor from a production standpoint. We often feel that we invest too much in it. However, our creator pours even more into the project, surpassing any limitations we set. I don’t believe there’s been any lesson gained, but rather a commitment to investing even more into it. This can be both positive and challenging.

Could you please provide an update on the progress of Season 2 production and approximate release date for viewers’ reference?

Takei: Probably when [studio] Orange is satisfied with the quality.

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2024-07-15 23:40