Vash

Vash the Stampede is a fictional character and the protagonist of the manga and anime Trigun, created by Yasuhiro Nightow. He is known by the nickname The Humanoid Typhoon, a reference to the destruction that seems to accompany him as he travels the desert planet Gunsmoke. The story follows his attempts to live peacefully while avoiding lethal violence.

In appearance, Vash is typically depicted as tall and youthful, with blond hair and a distinctive red trench coat. He wields two pistols and is renowned for exceptional marksmanship and agility. Despite being the target of a 60,000,000,000 berry bounty, he pursues a pacifist path, prioritizing the protection of others over personal safety or revenge.

A central theme of Trigun is Vash’s insistence on nonlethal solutions and his belief in the value of every life, even as he is pursued by bounty hunters, mercenaries, and lawmen. The character’s backstory centers on his complex relationship with his brother Millions Knives, whose antagonistic outlook drives much of the series’ conflict. Vash’s experiences on Gunsmoke, along with companions such as Meryl Stryfe and Milly Thompson, shape his philosophy and actions throughout the narrative. He also possesses the Angel Arm, a powerful energy-based attack that manifests from his right arm and can cause catastrophic destruction, typically used only in extreme circumstances.

Publication and media adaptations place Vash at the heart of Trigun’s enduring popularity. The manga ran from 1995 to 1997 in Kadokawa Shoten’s Young King Ours, with English editions later published by Dark Horse Comics. The 1998 Madhouse anime popularized the character, and a 2010 feature film, Trigun: Badlands Rumble, expanded the franchise’s footprint.