REVIEW: ‘TRIGUN STARGAZE’ Episode 2 — “Unforgiven”

TRIGUN STARGAZE Episode 2, “Unforgiven,” sees struggles continue, even as salvation is poised to arrive. With their home under attack, Jessica (Eri Suzuki, Kotaro Lives Alone) was sent to retrieve Vash (Yoshitsugo Matsuoka, Octopath Traveler 0) to save the day. But when she finds the 60 Billion Double Dollar Man, he is not who she expected. But as is often the case in their world, hope can yet be born, though it will have to spring forth from despair. 

There is an underappreciated element of storytelling that takes center stage in this episode: knowing what to show and what to conceal. While it is typically best to give the audience as much information as possible without hindering pacing, there are times when leaving a crucial bit of information out of a moment makes it hit harder. This is the case with TRIGUN STARGAZE Episode 2.

The opening moments of TRIGUN STARGAZE Episode 2 bring us up to speed on why Jessica mysteriously appeared at Hoppered’s (Taketora, Dragon Ball Daima) home in the closing moments of the last episode. The joy she and those around her get from the confirmation that the colony fleet is real and coming to save them is dashed when their home comes under attack by a mysterious enemy. Knowing they need help, Jessica is sent to find Vash. 

TRIGUN STARGAZE Episode 2 makes great use of the art of showing and telling.

This opening sequence leans into the unfolding narrative beautifully. With the arrival of hope, the presence of a new threat comes crashing down all the harder, making the pang of danger all the more pronounced for the characters. They are so close. How can they lose now?

When Jessica comes to in the present, she is led by Hoppered to Vash, where she discovers her would-be hero isn’t quite his usual self. Barely aware of his surroundings since the events in JuLai, Jessica is torn over whether or not she should even bother Vash with this new trouble. After all, he’s already given so much. But while Jessica muses, Hoppered sets his own plan in motion. 

To force Vash out of his shell, Hoppered informs him that he will kill Jessica that night, unless Vash comes and stops him. This has the desired effect, as Vash does show up and confronts the man who has nursed him back to health, but is now demanding Vash end his life. 

New heights of emotion are reached for Vash in TRIGUN STARGAZE Episode 2.

As the emotional fight between the pair unfolds, TRIGUN STARGAZE Episode 2 also explores Hoppered’s past, revealing key details about his character and his connection to the JuLai incident. As he charges Vash over and over again, we see the tragic character’s past move towards the blinding light that JuLai became. While we learn a lot about Hoppered and why he is doing what he is, the key component of his character left unanswered is why.

Why has he cared for Vash for two-and-a-half years? Why is he so dead set on Vash ending his life now? Is it penance for failing in his past, or is it to stab out at Vash for the pain caused to Hoppered by the JuLai incident? Did he really spend two years nursing Vash just to have this final moment with him? None of it is clearly answered. 

This lack of clarity only exacerbates the pain present within the scene. As these critical questions become unanswerable, their now permanent state becomes yet another fracture in a painfully broken tale. Another life is heaped upon Vash’s shoulders, even though he never wished to do any harm. 

Studio Orange’s animation continues to hold strong in its latest fight sequence.

Continuing with their visually superb performance from the previous episode, Studio Orange pulls out all the stops again, capturing both the action of the fight and the tragedy lying in Hoppered’s past. The way the camera smoothly rolls, turns, and follows both combatants lends a grace to the battle, harmonizing it with the tragic backstory that plays alongside it. 

That backstory is handled with equal visual care and effectiveness. As the scenes from Hoppered’s past play out, there is a beauty to the moments, made all the more potent by the impending doom one instinctively knows is coming. When the sequence reaches its apex, we see the tragedy play out in chilling simplicity, as a life is snuffed out. 

TRIGUN STARGAZE Episode 2 delivers a powerhouse second entry as it continues to set its cast in motion. With the final moments of this story, we can expect another fan favorite character to make their return next episode, and he still has his cross to bear. 

TRIGUN STARGAZE Episode 2 is streaming now on Crunchyroll.

Previous Episode | Next Episode