REVIEW: ‘TRIGUN STARGAZE’ Episode 1 — “Wandering Days”

TRIGUN STARGAZE Episode 1, “Wandering Days,” picks up two years after the tragic events that saw the destruction of Julai at the end of the last season. But things seem to be changing as a string of plant thefts harken back to those dark days. However, there is something unexpected coming over the horizon, from across the stars. 

At the top level, the most striking element of this season opener is its superb sense of balance. It shifts focus between story and character in a perfectly timed cadence, setting up the season and showcasing the current status of key cast members. The restraint the series shows with these elements imbues the episode with both excitement and intrigue. 

This sense of balance flows naturally into the competing core elements of the unfolding plot in TRIGUN STARGAZE Episode 1. Just as new worrying events unfold surrounding the thefts of plants, a boon from the stars promises a renewed sense of salvation for the struggling humans. 

TRIGUN STARGAZE Episode 1 doesn’t waste any time returning the audience to Vash’s world.

This split between the oncoming events of both good and bad consequences sets up a lot of potential plot energy. With a long hoped-for rescue just mere months away, the concept that something could cause the world to fall apart before it arrives exponentially increases the tension of the situation. 

This setup is also fantastic for how it side steps the doomed nature of the setting. Humanity has been on the brink ever since it crashed on this desolate hunk of rock. How many more threats and disasters can it reasonably endure before it’s just too much? By giving a perceived endpoint to the suffering, the narrative provides people with new strength and a reason to hope and persevere that would’ve been hard to grasp otherwise. 

While the overarching story of the coming season is introduced with elegant skill, so too are the cast members who make their first appearances here. And to open the season, TRIGUN STARGAZE Episode 1 makes the wonderful choice to center the bulk of the episode on Meryl (Sakura Ando) and her companion, Milly (Chika Ayamori, Zenshu).

“Wandering Days” puts a spotlight on Meryl and Milly.

The interplay between Meryl and Milly is sheer perfection. The timing and chemistry that allow the duo to play off each other create enough energy to power a small city. Since Milly was hinted at in the closing moments of season one, it stands to reason that the pair have been together for the intervening two years, allowing for this natural back and forth to feel genuine. 

The humor and spirit the pair bring to TRIGUN STARGAZE Episode 1 alone would make them worth a starring role, but the episode has more in store for the duo than that. Thanks to the surprising appearance of Zazie the Beast (Tarako, Noir), the investigative reporters are shown a new mystery, long buried in the sands of their world. 

The hints laid by this cryptic mystery may be the most intriguing narrative beat of the season opener. Too obtuse to clearly define, however, it feels likely that the riddle presented to our protagonists could redefine one of the core conflicts of the series, even as that conflict seems ready to burst open once again. 

TRIGUN STARGAZE Episode 1 is a return to a broken world.

The final way that Milly and Meryl get to steal the show is thanks to their incredible, action-packed introduction. Studio Orange pulls out all the stops with its gorgeous 3D animation to make the single moment of combat in the entry sparkle. Roving camera shots and fluid animation bring the brief conflict to dazzling life. Milly’s trademark weapon is back, and the animation delivers every shot landed by the behemoth of a gun with resounding force. 

TRIGUN STARGAZE Episode 1 hits the ground running thanks to its pitch-perfect blend of action, character, and narrative setup. Despite delivering a ton of elements, the episode never feels rushed, making it a fabulous return to the series after three long years of waiting. 

TRIGUN STARGAZE Episode 1 is streaming now on Crunchyroll.

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