REVIEW: ‘TRIGUN STARGAZE’ Episode 6 — “The Darkest Hour is Just Before the Dawn”

TRIGUN STARGAZE Episode 6, “The Darkest Hour is Just Before the Dawn,” sees the assault on Home play out as Knives’ minions seek out Vash (Yoshitsugo Matsuoka, Sentenced to be a Hero) and the plants they need to revive their master. But they won’t have free rein of the base, as everyone is prepared to fight them. 

A pair of confrontations unfolds in TRIGUN STARGAZE Episode 6. You have the aerial clash outside Home, as well as the one-on-one confrontations that occur when Home is invaded. There is a sharp contrast in the effectiveness of these two separate battles, as one soars while the other stumbles. 

The shining said of TRIGUN STARGAZE Episode 6‘s central conflict is the moments spent outside of Home. Studio Orange’s visuals and camerawork feel custom-made to heighten the thrill of mid-air combat. Missile swarms, fighter jets, and massive artillery lasers all soar across the screen as the audience is pulled along for the ride. Vibrant hues of red and green dance across the screen, reinforcing good guys and bad with classic color selections.  

Multiple fights ensue in TRIGUN STARGAZE Episode 6, but some end far too quickly to pay off.

And even though the good guys feel outclassed in the power department, they feel capable of holding their own thanks to the inexperienced opponents they face. Drawing their enemy into ambushes and outmaneuvering more powerful barrages highlight the difference in experience levels.

While the external battle brings energy and excitement, the main event in TRIGUN STARGAZE Episode 6 adds little to the proceedings. Legato Bluesummers (Kôki Uchiyama, Love Through a Prism) leads the attack and is quickly confronted by Vash. As his compatriot moves on to acquire the plants they need, Legato tests Vash’s limits with his telekinesis. 

Vash’s staunch pacifism and respect for life are two of his most striking qualities. However, this scene handles these characteristics poorly. Vash’s missed shots as Legato calmly approaches him undermine the character’s strength. He isn’t the confident Vash who is going to save everyone without killing.

The mishandling of Vash in his standoff with Legato is hard not to notice.

He looks like a scared child. Someone unsure of the ground he stands on and is regretting the decisions that have led him to this moment. And that’s just not Vash. Vash may frequently be caught without a thought in his thick skull, but he always stands tall when he’s protecting others. 

When Vash finds himself in his foe’s grasp, Legatto begins to push the hero into the hauntingling familair transformation that heralded the death of Julai. The possibility of witnessing this level of power sends Legato into a manic state, as he begins raving at the struggling Vash. 

This glimpse into Legato’s character is the one salvaging moment of this portion of the story. The glee and eagerness the villain projects as Vash struggles to reassert control of himself create a disturbing aura for the character.

As a villain, Legato makes his presence known well.

On the other side of the invasion of Home, we see Wolfwood (Yoshimasa Hosoya, Arknights: Rise from Embers) attempt to stop the hijacking of the plants. His fight against a proverbial juggernaut is brief. He delivers a bit of the Wolfwood attitude as he futilely attempts to slow down his foe. But he is soon unceremoniously cast aside by a single blow of his enemy’s massive gauntlets. 

Between Vash’s non-fight and Woolfwood’s ineffective defense, TRIGUN STARGAZE Episode 6 feels like a letdown. While it was obvious that the fights would go this way, since any other result would mean Knives wouldn’t be resurrected, how briefly the struggle lasts undercuts all the buildup of previous episodes to the big clash. 

Despite all the buildup leading up to this confrontation, it’s ultimately a letdown.

With Vash in tow, the villains restore Knives to life. As the episode closes, we see Knives playing a hauntingly beautiful piece of music as he reaches out with his blade-like tendrils and begins preparations for his next move. Again, the camerawork and animation infuse this scene, combining perfectly with the stellar musical performance to create a captivating moment that ends the narrative. 

Despite delivering some big beats and a hauntingly beautiful ending, TRIGUN STARGAZE Episode 6 stumbles significantly. After multiple episodes of build-up, the battle itself is swept away far too quickly, leaving all the hype to ring hollow. 

TRIGUN STARGAZE Episode 6 is streaming now on Crunchyroll.

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