Legendary Space Western Creator Says Anime Was ‘Broadcast on Cartoon Network at the Right Time’

by

Yasuhiro Nightow, the creator of the series, has discussed how its popularity coincided with a growing interest in anime among U.S. and international audiences, suggesting it aired at the perfect moment.

During a recent interview at Tokyo Comic-Con 2025, Trigun creator Nightow talked about how challenging it was to create the original manga. He explained that he was constantly working under immense pressure, saying, “It was a struggle in every way!”

Trigun Creator Yasuhiro Nightow on the Anime Series Becoming a U.S. Cartoon Network Hit

I kept drawing until the very last second, which created a lot of stress for the editors and the printers,” Nightow explained. “At one point, I actually submitted the final manuscript the morning of my flight to Comic-Con in the US, and then went straight to the airport.

Nightow expressed his happiness with the enduring popularity of Trigun, noting its influence on contemporary anime. He shared that creating the series was a personally rewarding experience and that he’s often surprised to find even non-anime fans are familiar with it. He feels grateful for the opportunities Trigun has brought him and how it’s spread its reach worldwide.

The manga Trigun first appeared in Monthly Shonen Captain in 1995, introducing the character Vash the Stampede, also known as the Humanoid Typhoon. Vash is an incredibly powerful gunslinger who is wanted after unintentionally leveling a whole city. Despite being known as a dangerous figure, Vash is consistently shown to be kind and friendly, always trying to avoid seriously hurting anyone he fights.

The popular manga Trigun was turned into an anime series by Madhouse in 1998, which significantly boosted the franchise’s popularity. The 26-episode anime was highly praised by both critics and fans when it first came out, and it remains a beloved series today, currently holding a perfect 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Trigun’s New Anime Series Remake Returns to Stream on Crunchyroll This January

The year 2023 saw the release of Trigun Stampede, a fresh reimagining of Vash the Stampede’s classic story. Produced by studio Orange and available worldwide through Crunchyroll, the series was a hit with critics, earning a 100% ‘Fresh’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes. While viewers also enjoyed it – giving it a 74% approval rating – it didn’t quite reach the same level of audience enthusiasm as the original, which received an 89% ‘Popcornmeter’ score.

The sequel to Trigun Stampede, titled Trigun Stargaze, is coming soon, taking place over two years after the original series. This new series promises more exciting sci-fi Western adventures and will explore the Trigun universe in ways fans haven’t seen before.

I’m so excited for Trigun Stargaze! It’s been two and a half years since the devastating Lost JuLai incident – it basically destroyed a city and threw the whole planet into turmoil. Now, Meryl’s a seasoned journalist and she’s still searching for Vash, but this time she’s got a new, younger partner named Milly. They even bump into Wolfwood during their travels! But things are heating up again because plants are starting to get stolen, and it feels like Millions Knives is pulling the strings behind it all. It’s going to be intense!

Read More

2026-01-03 07:12