Crunchyroll’s newest adaptation of the Trigun series has come a long way since Stampede released in 2023. Not only did that series give fans a new, modern version of Vash and his friends, but also a changed world where nothing is the same. It’s left these characters in a tough spot, but they break through those obstacles with this finale.
Studio Orange’s Trigun Stargaze is the final installment of the studio’s adapted series. This series takes place years after 2023’s Trigun Stampede, where the Earth has been decimated by a catastrophic event known as the “JuLai Tragedy”. Although things seem grim, four individuals, the insightful Meryl, the hopeful Millie, the charismatic Wolfwood, and the determined Vash, join together to find a solution to humanity’s survival.
I had the opportunity to speak with series stars Johnny Yong Bosch and Sarah Roach, who play Vash and Meryl respectively, about Vash’s time as Eriks, the duo’s leadership skills, and what’s beyond Trigun for both of them.
Discussing their time recording for Trigun Stargaze, Bosch and Roach recalled what was most intimidating about the experience that they were able to overcome. “I was coming into this world for the first time,” Roach began “As someone who watched the series growing up, there were a lot of nerves and a lot of excitement and the nerves have settled down over time. I’m just thrilled to even be a part of it!”
“I feel like anything that I do, I feel the pressure of doing my job right and delivering whatever’s happening in the scene, as long as that still resonates, whatever the meaning is,” Bosch added.
“As long as I do my part, as long as they feel like I’m not phoning it in, it feels real enough for them. I definitely feel the weight, but not so much that it’s going to make it impossible for me to do. I think it’s just the risks we all take when you do any kind of acting.”
In addition to the expectations that Bosch and Roach held themselves to, they also held Vash and Meryl with those same expectations. As such, both Trigun Stampede and Stargaze tested the actors and their characters in big ways. Both actors touched upon which episode brought out the best of Vash and Meryl.
“For Meryl, [it’s] the episode in Stampede where she and Roberto are in the elevator,” Roach recalled. “She has a complete shift within herself because she has to. She has to now fill in his shoes and move forward.”
“You see her deal with that grief and then wipe away the tears and say, ‘All right, I have to keep moving.’ I think that was a really pivotal moment for her.”
“It would also be the last episode of Stampede, like really locked in for me,” Bosch added. “I could see where things are going right now and I’ve seen some stuff where I’m like, ‘OK, that is going to be challenging, but in a good way coming up.’ Definitely that last episode of Stampede for me.”
For viewers going into Stargaze for the first time, Vash takes on this new persona known as Eriks in order to hide his emotions regarding the catastrophic event that led to the world’s destruction. As such, this series sets up the character to go on his own journey of discovering himself and getting back to his heroic roots.
During our conversation, Bosch discussed what is the one consistent trait that was present between Vash and his “Eriks” persona and how Stargaze explores that. “He cares for people and he will do anything to make sure that they’re protected or safe,” Bosch described. “That’s just always there and so that’s why [he feels] so much guilt with what happened in Stampede when we see him as Erik. That’s the one thing that I kind of lean on throughout.”
“I think he’s just I think he’s trying to navigate it in his head,” Bosch explained. “How did it happen? You know, why did it work out that way? I’m sure you can think about it many different ways. He’s always being challenged with, ‘Well, OK, you’re a pacifist,’ but look what happened.”
In a similar way, Meryl also goes through her own journey of self-discovery. The incident that caused the world’s end left Meryl in a tough spot, but she still has some empathy, which is reinforced with the introduction of Millie.
Roach explained how Meryl’s personality in Stargaze compares to Vash’s as well as how the character balances her emotions. “I think she has a similar outlook to Vash in that she’s also a pacifist and she cares very deeply about people. I think that really informs everything that she does.”
Additionally, Roach and Bosch declared who they think the leader of Stargaze’s found family dynamic is, between Vash and Meryl. However, it was neither.
“I don’t think it works without either one of them,” Roach said. “You know, maybe Millie is the real leader!”
As Studio Orange’s Trigun adaptation wraps up, Bosch and Roach reflected on what inspired them while recording those endgame episodes. “It’s usually what’s going on in the script [at] the moment with the characters that we’re voicing,” Bosch explained. “That’s what inspires us and the animation. Sometimes, we even [hear] with the music, we can hear what’s going on musically. We’re like, ‘Wow, OK.’ There’s a lot there that helps us get into the [head]space.”
“You really get a sense of gravity with all the super expressive animation, it’s very cinematic,” Roach added. “The music, I mean, it really helps you feel the gravity of it when you’re in there recording.”
The Trigun Stargaze English dubbed finale premieres Saturday, April 11 at 7AM PT.
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Christopher Gallardo is a freelance entertainment writer and critic. While not running The Reel Roller, Chris can be found writing reviews and breakdowns on all things films and TV. Outside of entertainment writing, he’s currently taking classes for a Bachelor’s of Science with a minor in Digital Media & Journalism. Plus, he loves Percy Jackson, animated films and shows, and Fallout! Follow Christopher on Instagram & X.