Trigun Stargaze Episode 1: Lost July’s crater, Milly’s arrival, and Vash as a ghost of the past

Still from the anime
Still from the anime (Image credit: Studio Orange)

Trigun Stargaze Episode 1 has been released, and with that, it has a story that would force its viewers to face some tough questions. The story began years later, after the unfortunate event known as Lost July. Interestingly, this premier made sure to make things clear from the start that this particular installment is not going to be a simple continuation of the Trigun Stampede. After watching the episodes, things start to make sense that this installment is going to opt for a more reflective, emotionally heavier chapter that asks what happens after hope shatters.

Still from the trailer (Image credit: Studio Orange)
Still from the trailer (Image credit: Studio Orange)

Another important highlight of Trigun Stargaze Episode 1 is that we see the legacy of Vash the Stampede time and again. He was once a pacifist gunslinger synonymous with “Love and Peace.” Vash is now a missing figure blamed for the annihilation of an entire city. Additionally, the crater where July once stood became a reminder to everyone about failure.

But the most interesting part of this premiere is how the story did not just introduce the main hero from the very first second. Rather, Trigun Stargaze Episode 1 took time to build up a sub-plot narrative where fans understand to let that silence breathe, reinforcing how deeply the world has been scarred by Vash and Knives’ final clash.


Animation style that might divide the fandom

The anime production house responsible for animating Trigun Stargaze had combined a 3D character model, which might end up making fans feel like the expressions might be restrained. Because if the anime community ends up comparing it with the 1998 Madhouse anime, it might come off short.

But one thing that Orange Studio has done a great job of is world-building, as seen in the environment of this anime. The way we are shown Wide Deserts, industrial settlements is heavily dystopian and makes fans also feel distant, which ends up working in favour of the narrative. This would mean that every more is intentional, which continues to add to the charm of Trigun Stargaze.


A slow-burn narrative built on dread and fragile hope

Still from the anime (Image credit: Studio Orange)
Still from the anime (Image credit: Studio Orange)

The emotional core of the episode lies in what it withholds. Vash exists only as a ghost in the story, a myth distorted by rumor, fear, and guilt. By refusing to reintroduce him immediately, Trigun Stargaze Episode 1 focuses more on the consequences of our protagonist's actions that he has to face. The Love and peace, the series suggests, are not slogans; they are burdens that demand sacrifice.


Final thoughts on Trigun Stargaze Episode 1

Trigun Stargaze Episode 1 took its time to set a narrative to ensure that it does not overwhelm the viewers. Although this pacing sometimes is a risky move, as the audience ends up dropping a show but it seems like with this episode things might pay off. This kind of storytelling forces viewers to sit with concepts of grief, moral ambiguity, and unanswered questions. It is important to watch shows like these sometimes because of how they actually end up resonating with a viewer.

It’s an opening chapter that understands Trigun’s greatest strength has never been its gunfights, but its empathy. In a world still echoing with cries of “Love and Peace,” Stargaze quietly asks whether those words can still mean something or if they have become just another relic buried beneath the sands of Lost July.

Edited by Nisarga Kakade