Well, that explains a lot. Why Trigun Stampede was Sci fi over Western.
I was toodling on Youtube (as one oft does in these current times) and stumbled upon this excerpt from a Trash Taste podcast where they interviewed a staff member from Studio Orange about Trigun Stampede. Pretty much this expands upon some of what I’d briefly read from a Sakuracon panel this spring.
TL:DR - Trigun Stampede was a complete remake of the original Trigun with a hired sci fi writer to not only write 150 years of history and lore but also mechanics of the world. This is why most of the elements of the original are lost. The manga and ‘98 anime were an example of an American style Western plopped on a desert planet but one where the materials and mechanics of the world are similar to our own.
If you are interested check out the video here:
This both supports what had been my general take away from the final product as well as explains things I observed but had no evidence for without hearing it from a staff member.
1.) Sci fi elements were a huge deal - hiring an independent writer explains why it has such a different voice and storytelling tone. One could argue that the original Trigun made it too easy to recognize it was a western, but that was what we were given as readers and viewers. As much as I, an anal retentive person who like details like thinking that there is no wood on the planet, therefore, we can’t have wood saloon doors. I also like a story that makes sense and flows.
2.) The twelve episode format boxed them in. Who knows how these sort of deals are made but they needed at least 24 episodes from the start. This is what killed the pacing. You can redo all you want but if the pacing and writing are bad, it will be bad. I feel like I’m the niche version of someone like Friendly Space Ninja and Amanda the Jedi. Just because you put a lot of time, money and effort (also money) it won’t matter if your writing is bad.
3.) I fully agree that the CGI was exceptional. It is obvious that the studio put so much effort into this front. The animation was breathtakingly well done for the most part. There were a few too many ‘show off’ animation sequences which annoyed me but the facial expressions were great.
However, due to the shift with the sci fi aspect being much greater than the Western, we get the loss of the ability to animate more of the common people who are largely absent and a key aspect of Nightow’s works. I’ve stated this elsewhere but the adults in his series are trying to protect the common folk. By leaning into the desert aspect and the desolation of the desert stereotype, they lacked the random kids, bakers, bankers, laborers, servers, farmers, mothers, fathers etc. I’m not sure if this is a technical issue from the computational/technical side or a storyboarding/framing issue. Or that they just forgot about the people in general were a thing?
This also heavily leans into the incorrect assumption that a desert is desolate and does not support life. Anyone who has visited or lived in the desert knows that despite appearing like it is dead and empty at first, plenty of life is present. It just has a totally different way to adapt to things. I was disappointed that the creative team leaned into this stereotype using green plants [photosynthesis] = livable and desert using angelic being plants = livable. My own experience of living in the desert also made me cringe at Wolfwood’s shoes. No. Just no. You do not wear slip on shoes in the desert. Lace ups for sure and up past your ankle even better.
4.) Ample amount of creative effort went into this. Again, Studio Orange put a lot of effort into this. Technically, it is very nice. If you wanted to look at it from an anime perspective, the presentation was excellent, and the writing was at most average. But, with so much source material that they did not include and the creation of so much of their own original ideas and concepts, it took it far from the work. If they wanted this as their product (which seems to have been their goal) then they succeeded. However, if they wanted to take the original and build on it and give it a fresh coat of paint with 2020s Pantone Colors of the moment, they did not do that.
5.) I’m surprised at how many YT critics are impressed and overall giving this positive reviews. I know that people in these positions have made it their job to do anime/manga media commentary and critiques so they may want to be less harsh perhaps. Many of them saw the original material, and so many seem to be okay with it. Yet, is anyone not commenting on what happened to all the female characters? No! This annoys me so much but repeating myself here won’t really do much other than reinforce the fact that I was very unhappy with Meryl, Elendira, Luida, and Rem. Lazy writing would be with the limited time space for the episodes they became tropes and shadows of their former selves. But Meryl was a key character and deserved better.
Yes, I love to critique things I love and that is fair but I’m wishing for a more comprehensive critique of Trigun Stampede taken from not a bunch of dudes on the internet. I have neither the time nor effort to become a Youtube creator and commentator in this space. With that whole full time job sort of thing that pays quite well. But I do want to see more women in this space expressing how they interact with media and walk us through their reactions an feelings towards it. For example someone the The Anime Tea. I absolutely love her analyses!
https://www.youtube.com/@TheAnimeTea
I honestly would love to see her do a review of Trigun Stampede! But it might be outside of her general scope and I’m not here to demand an analysis from anyone. She had a lot of nuanced and contextually appropriate reviews and ways to approaching things which is just - sooo good.
This TL is from the t7s staff book volume 2, of comments from MKS-san (character designer) and Motegi-san (franchise director). Thanks Esh for the TL. - Nab
Echizen Murasaki
MKS: A character enveloped in, and having an inner color of ‘purple’. I think she has a languid and mature image, with her clothes coming from overseas fashion brands that she likes.
Motegi: I wanted a character that was very individualistic, to a degree where it would be arguable if it’s okay to go that far. Meche hair [as in, having color streaks], plus blond. Kind of late to say it, but she is so cool don’t you think? MKS-san always makes piercings stylish, that’s the part I really like. By the way, her ‘personality setting’ naturally came into shape following Nomura-san’s (her voice actress’) voice. During the audition, the moment I heard her speaking English, I went, “Well, now this is something.” I guess from that moment on, it was decided that I would make Murasaki sing something.
Mimori Matsuri
MKS: Since it was decided from the start for the character to be the ‘childhood friend, game-loving onee-san with yaeba tooth (double tooth)’, I try to design her to not overlap with Momoka. My favorite is her date clothes. For some background, she also has her glasses. I think she would be wearing those when she is gaming at home.
Motegi: The glasses in the draft above this [comment], it’s something that I added on the copy, while kind of saying “she looks like this wearing glasses.” Kind of the image that she would definitely wear it when playing games at home. Matsuri is also loved by the writers, having a lot of fun scenarios. For me, I was already satisfied by having the words ‘The Mountain Cat is Now Fast Asleep’ as Matsuri’s Ep 2.5 title (lol).
Sakaiya Yumeno
MKS: There were plans with, like, straight hair or hair bands. Her having a lot of costumes with tights is to show off a bit, in particular her thigh’s thickness. The nosebleeding in her SS card is so fun, I wanna do it again somewhere...
Motegi: Yumeno... (LOL). I don’t really remember but I think she was mostly MKS-san’s character... I don’t have the confidence to say that I have the vitality to give birth to this kind of character (lol). Even her amnesia scenario for example, those kinds of scenarios are made out of ideas from the writers who love Yumeno. Awesomely fun. Isn’t that great, Yumeno!
Seto Ferb
MKS: For her hairstyle, it’s like the only thing that I’m particular about is how it goes flowing to the side. I bet she is always getting told by the hairstylist, “It’s okay having it long,” kind of thing.
Motegi: Ferb is cute too, eh. To be honest, there were many girls with her kind of image going to rehearsal studios wearing school uniform during the late 1990′s. Her hair, her headphones, they are just that in all its glory (lol).
Join the director and editor as they give a behind the scenes look at each of the dub episodes! Special thanks to Trennicus ( https://trennicus.tumblr.com/) ...
This TL is from the t7s staff book volume 1, of comments from MKS-san (character designer) and Motegi-san (franchise director). Thanks Esh for the TL. - Nab
7th Sisters
MKS: For the legend group, rather than designing one person at a time, I crafted them as a whole group while keeping their balance in mind. From their heights to the sizes of their mouths, I make sure their personality is shown off from even only their looks.
Motegi: This was the first draft [referring to an illustration in the book]. I thought, “it’d be awesome if there were these unhesitating, cool idols, but come to think of it, that wouldn’t be a typical idol, eh... Ah, wait, what is an ‘idol’ again?” I remember starting to think about many things like that.
Nanasaki Nicole
MKS: I struggled the most with Nicole... Thinking of how to represent a ‘charismatic type’, it was finally completed after numerous redesigns. Anyway, since it’s a ‘Flashy! Strong personality!’ kind of theme, I put in highlights in her hair and made her stand out among the other characters. For a ‘Let’s deliver IDOL! SONGS!’ kind of thing, I put a speaker on her head. Of course, there is someone I modeled her off of... fufufu.
Motegi: As expected, this is Nicole-sama, beloved by everyone! I am sure that there is no idol that a domineering presence suits as good as her! At any rate, Nico is a completely self-reliant, independently functioning character. There is no character whose scenario is easier to write than her. By the way, it’s supposed to be a secret, but Nico’s memorial episode was the first episode written at the beginning of this project.
Wakaouji Rui
MKS: Bold! Her image is ‘the male role atop a mound of treasure’. I was quite undecided on her idol costume but I liked each concept. “On the contrary, the fact that a skirt doesn’t suit her is a good thing!” is what I thought as I was drawing her in uniform for her silver card.
Motegi: I am quite uncertain if Rui swings to the boys side or the girls’ side. And the result was as you see here! I want to hurry and make her wear female clothes...
Yusa Memoru
MKS: I am so glad her three layered haircut looks so gorgeous. Cunning! Her eyes were made bigger and rounder than anyone else’s! To be honest, clad in silver private clothes, by her decolletage one can see a glance of a shell... (comment erased by self-restraint)
Motegi: Yes. The Empress of Evil. I remember the concept was totally made first from Devil Memoru and the rest of the setting for the character followed. As expected, that would be really bad if it continued as is, so Angel Memoru was also created. Together with Nico, they formed a unit, “Missus of Conspiracy”. In private.
Misonoo Mana
MKS: Anyway, since it’s a “Glamorous & Healing Type Onee-san!”, her plump lips is a charm point. Because she loves to support others, she becomes an idol -> that means ‘Cheerleader!’ and thus I thought of that for her idol costume.
Motegi: I don’t think there exist any men who hate Mana-san! That’s the only thing that I want to say! [motegi...]
Hanyuuda Mito
MKS: Since the design started from a ‘7 octave crystal-like voice’ concept, from the very start the image of a mystical songstress was very strong. At first I tried to set her up with long permed hair, but to pursue more coolness, it turned into the current hair style. How her yellow eyes can exert a powerful stare is my favorite point.
Motegi: I forget whether or not the golden eyes were decided from the very start but on the very first time I saw her design I was shot down by the power of those eyes. Ah, by the way, in the background story, when she is angry, she’ll redde- Oi, wait, let me go, what are you doi-
Kotobuki Qruit
MKS: Because she is a ‘feral child’, I took the image of a lion cub. Double fanged teeth and well-tanned skin screams, “WILD!” At first, her hair was green but with the balance of the final six characters in mind, we toned it down to orange.
Motegi: Qruit also represents ‘freedom’, right... Ah, if you think about it, since all members of seventh would just move about as they please, to have them gather in one place is guaranteed to be chaotic. Just leaving a camcorder running backstage can be an episode.
Join the director and editor as they give a behind the scenes look at each of the dub episodes! Special thanks to Trennicus ( https://trennicus.tumblr.com/) ...
Check out our new section, staff commentary! The director and editor will give you a behind the scenes look at each episode.
"Hundred Spirits" BD bonus and staff commentary in theaters
"Hyakuemu" BD bonus making video and staff commentary will be screened in theaters
Read more: https://myanimethoughts.com/hyakuemu-bonus-making-video-staff-commentary-hundred-spirits-theaters
#Hyakuemu #bonusmakingvideo #staffcommentary #HundredSpirits #theaters
根室記念館で生き埋めになった百人の少年たちは、当時、Ｄクラスと呼ばれる謎の研究機関のメンバーだった。事件以後、Ｄクラスは欠番あつかいになり、鳳学園高等部では、今でもＣクラスの隣の教室はＥクラスになっている。
現在、Ｄクラスの学籍番号を持つ者は、根室記念館の地下にしかいない。
Ｄはdes（死）の頭文字なのか……というのは、ちょっと裏設定。
ついでに、黒薔薇編の決闘の名前をここに記しておこう。
疎外（aliéation）という名の決闘［第14話 ・ vs 鳳 香苗］
執着（attache）という名の決闘［第15話 ・ vs 薫 梢］
嫉妬（jalousis）という名の決闘［第16話 ・ vs 高槻枝織］
焦燥（impatience）という名の決闘［第18話 ・ vs 石蕗美蔓］
限界（limite）という名の決闘［第20話 ・ vs 篠原若葉］
依存（dépendance）という名の決闘［第21話 ・ vs 苑田茎子］
自覚（conscience）という名の決闘［第23話 ・ vs 御影草時］
