#I definitely like more the 98 version and manga as you can see XD

[personalized-chaos]

yk I wasn't expecting my first drawing after such a long break to be turning out this good but I am surely not complaining

ID: drawing that is incomplete black outline of Vash the Stampede from side as he smiles softly with tears streaming down his cheek. His shoulders are bare showing numerous scars and feathers are growing from his back and face, he is wearing his typical round glasses and part of his mechanical arm is visible. His hair that stand up with only few strands falling into his face is just roughly sketched. /End ID

[tiggymalvern]

Trigun Stampede

I finally watched Trigun Stampede. I’d been deliberately not watching it because I didn’t like the new character designs when I first saw them (Wolfwood should NOT look that cutesy!) and what if it was bad? But then one of my old Trigun gang from the early 2000s told me it was actually enjoyable, so I dragged myself away from my latest shiny obsessive thing long enough to watch it – and it IS fun. It’s really cleverly done, actually. They made the smart decision not to recreate the 98 anime (which was deeply flawed, mainly due to being commissioned when the manga’s story had barely begun) or the manga (which would take YEARS). The Stampede creators didn’t know (and still don’t, I gather) if they’d get more than one series, so they deliberately made it a self-contained story that would leave nobody hanging, but with the option to make more if they’re given the chance. So they made a third story, an AU version, with the same basic characters with the same relationships and backstory, but with differing details. And it works really well. Since they had a limited number of episodes, they eschewed the slow leak of backstory of 98 Trigun and the manga – here we know right from the start the story of the crashed SEEDS ships and Knives’ sabotage. We know in the first ep of Wolfwood’s that he’s a plant (of the spy kind, not the Plant kind XD) and that he’s not human normal. They also set the story a little earlier in the planet’s timeline, so here we meet Vash before he’s blamed for the destruction of entire cities. We meet Meryl when she’s straight out of college, learning the ropes and not yet armed to the teeth. It’s a really interesting take – they’re inherently the same people, but we get to see some of their journey as they develop into the characters we met in the previous versions of Trigun. I liked the new character, Roberto, which I didn’t expect – he sounded like a cliché, and he is a bit, but they make him and his relationship with Meryl really work. I’m still not a fan of the new character designs for Vash and Wolfwood – for one thing, Wolfwood’s nickname for Vash (however you choose to translate it) makes no sense when Vash’s hair is that floppy XD In my head, they’ll always look like their manga selves. But Stampede was entertaining, and if there’s a second series, I’ll definitely watch it (looking forward to their version of Milly). It’s breathed SO much new life into a fandom that stole my heart and my brain twenty years ago, and to see so many new people falling in love with these characters exactly as I did back in 2003 is amazing and nostalgic. The people commenting now on my two decade old fanfics are filling me with utter delight – I’ll never obsess over Trigun again as I did back then, but I can still feel some part of that, and it’s lovely :-)

[hellsingmongrel]

Ok, yeah, then you’ll probably love all the different versions.  XD  The goofy parts in the 98 anime are more slapsticky goofball shenanigans, but the manga has more of Vash just being low-key savage in his subtle sarcasm, pretending he’s not roasting people and pulling it off so well that they don’t even notice it.  XD  It’s equally funny, but in a lot more subtle, realistic sort of humor, but they’ll both make you laugh for different reasons.  And then crazy shit happens and WELP.  OH NO.  NO MORE JOKES.  Except for the manga, which is able to maintain a level of humor because the humor was already subtle enough.  And then you’ll be sobbing your eyes out.  And then laughing really hard.  And then sobbing your HEART out in the span of like five pages!  It’s a great use of humor to counter the tension.

See, I didn’t know if that was exactly what I was seeing at first, but I was really uncomfy regardless.  And then the plants opened up and they showed what was happening to them and my brain went “AHHH AHHH AHHH OH GOD IT REALLY IS WHAT I’M SEEING RIGHT NOW OH GOD!”  I think I literally screamed at my screen, “NAI, NO!  WHAT DID YOU DO?????” and just couldn’t pick my jaw up off the floor for the rest of the episode.  But yeah, it’s worse imo than the scene in the manga, and fwiw, that part is more “coerced” than “forced,” involving the sex-slave-trade that exists on NoMan’s Land.  Six of one, half dozen of the other, it’s all awful, but there’s variations of awful, if that makes sense.  And you can definitely just see one panel of what’s going on and go “OOP.  NOPE.  SCANNING A FEW PANELS DOWN, NO THANK YOU.” and not really miss anything.

And YES, oh my God, Vash literally is so much stronger in the manga!  But that makes sense, Stampede was literally, from what we can all tell, showing how he got from being the sort of timid, sweet, quiet little guy to someone who knows he has to actually bring the whoopass and will absolutely kick your ass, and he will shoot you, he just won’t make lethal shots.  And even when he’s not using his gun, he can still bring a mountain of pain if he needs to.  When he’s just dealing with random thugs and bounty hunters, sure, he’ll go easy on them.  But the second Knives’ group gets involved (which is very early, compared to the 98 anime) he stops pulling punches.  There was literally a time when reading it where I was like “...Wait...so...is he still using non-lethal attacks?  Because he is getting scary right now!” and no, he’s just that scary.  He just then has complete breakdowns between encounters because of the severe amounts of trauma they put him through.  There are times when the feathery wingy Plant stuff that happens to him in episode 12 is like...almost never not a thing he’s dealing with.  He can’t control it, it just happens when he’s stressed out, and there are times when he’s almost completely feathery and just dealing with it like he doesn’t even realize it’s happening because he has to put up with feathers all the time.  Even though you know he hates it, it terrifies the people around him and he visibly reacts to their terror, so he knows it’s happening and it hurts him but he just has to accept it.

So yeah, you still want to just wrap him up in hugs and tell him he’s not a monster and that he’s ok and he doesn’t have to blame himself for everything, but he’s at least learned to stand up and kick asses and take names, and when someone gives him non-violent trouble, he’s absolutely not opposed to telling them to go fuck themselves, where in Stampede he was just super timid and meek and let people walk all over him.  Where Stampede Vash is sad, Maximum Vash is just perpetually pissed.  Still terminally depressed, but also just to the point of being done with everyone’s shit.

Basically Manga Vash is Episode 12 Vash, but nonstop and even more badass than you see there.  So yeah.  I was literally screaming for that entire episode, just “HECK YEAH!  KICK HIS ASS!  AHHASDLFJALJ” /FERAL GREMLIN NOISES!/  XD

Hey besties I have a question

Do I read the manga or watch the anime of trigun first? I wanted to read the manga first but the only way I know to access it is through the trigun manga overhaul account here on tumblr but i don’t like downloading stuff from random people on the internet

So if you say manga first, is that tumblr account a good and safe way to access it online or is there a better place?

[yyh4ever]

YYH and Togashi's musical references

I always find new references every time I read the manga, so I’ll probably edit this post in the future with new ones. If anyone knows more refs, please leave a comment or a message and I’ll add in the post giving the credits.

1. International artists: most of the bands and artists are from the rock/metal scene.

Keiko reading UDO in her English Class (v.2, p.98)

UDO is a German heavy metal band founded by the lead vocalist Udo Dirkschneider (ex-Accept) in 1987.

Keiko is reading an adapted version of the lyrics of “Unspoken Words”:

My thoughts are going back - back to the time When I was young to live a life A life of lies - full of lies

Then you came into my life And you've changed so many things That I've done before - that I've done before...

Togashi commented on the Table of Contents in 1991 that he was listening to UDO and Led Zeppelin as BGM. (WSJ issue 6, 1991)

Kuwabara’s “Moter-head” T-shirt (v.3-4, Genkai’s Tournament)

A reference to “Motörhead”, English rock band formed in 1975 by bassist, singer, and songwriter Lemmy (RIP, 2015). We can also see the names of two famous Motörhead‘s albums on his shirt: “Bomber”, 3th studio album (1979), and “Iron Fist”, 5th studio album (1982).

“Sodom” is probably from the German metal band formed in 1981 and “Sabbat” is probably a reference to “Black Sabbath”, English rock band formed in 1968 whose vocalist Ozzy Osbourne is very famous.

Michael Jackson in The Dark Tournament (v.6, p.132)

A man who needs no introduction. Michael Jackson wearing his famous white gloves and 'Smooth Criminal' hat, bringing a thriller night into the Tournament ;-)

The Scalper of the Dark Tournament and AC ϟ DC (v.6, pp. 172-173)

The suit, necktie and newsboy cap have everything to do with Angus Young’s famous costume. He is the co-founder, lead guitarist and songwriter of AC/DC.

So, most of us believe that the ticket seller was modeled after him. “I’m on a Highway to Hell”!

Imajin from Team Rokuyukai and John Lennon (v.6, p.170)

The name “Imajin” is a reference to the song “Imagine”. His character’s design also had some inspiration from John Lennon, such as John's famous round glasses.

Chapter 62 Opening and The Clash (v.7, p.132)

The Clash were an English rock band formed in London in 1976. Yu Yu Hakusho 62nd Opening Act. "The Second Round Begins!!" was inspired by the cover of The Clash’s self-titled debut studio album (1977).

Paul Simonon (bass): Kuwabara;

Mick Jones (guitars): Yusuke; 

In Joe Strummer’s place (RIP) there’s a suspicious couple in the background ⬇ XD

Kuwabara and Megallica (v.14, chapter 124. "Fierce Rain...!!)

This is a classic and everyone knows it, but it definitely deserves a mention. The day Kuwabara threw everything away to attend a Megallica’s concert.

A tribute to Metallica or both bands - Megadeth and Metallica - as Dave Mustaine's exit from Metallica and the founding of Megadeth in 1983 was a pivotal moment in the metal scene.

We can also spot a Metallica’s poster on the wall of Kuwabara’s bedroom in volume 6, chapter 46. "Springtime for Kuwabara!!" (p.14)

And another poster above the TV with the letters “ETH” written on it. Probably, a poster of “Megadeth”. It’s hard to tell, because the image is small, but it looks like the skeleton hand of Megadeth’s mascot Vic Rattlehead. (v.6, p.9)

2. Japanese artists: I included some actors as well, as most of them are also singers.

Daisuke Motomoto and Youki Kudoh (v.1, p.197)

Daisuke's type of woman is the famous actress and singer Youki Kudoh.

Shizuru: Bunta Sugawara & Ken Takakura (v.2, p.131)

Shizuru’s favorite type of man was two elder and renowned actors. Both were born in the '30s and appeared in almost 200 Japanese feature films.

Born in 1931, Ken Takakura, known as Ken-san, was an actor and singer. He died of lymphoma on November 10, 2014. Born in 1933, Sugawara was also the model for the design of the One Piece character Sakazuki “Akainu.” He died from liver cancer on November 28, 2014 . Isn’t it a huge coincidence they both passed away of cancer on November 2014?

REBECCA [レベッカ] (v.1, p.192; v.3, p.163)

REBECCA are a Japanese rock band that had a great success in the 80′s, fronted by singer Nokko. Natsuko, Keiko’s friend, says a curiosity about REBECCA’s song “MOON”:

“It's true, there is a voice saying "SENPAI" at the beginning of the bridge” (note: bridge from the song structure).

It is said in the middle of this song, there is a mysterious woman voice calling "senpai" (veteran, senior). Honestly, I’m not sure if I can hear it lol.

There’s also a rumor that the three guys and girl who appear in volume 3 (upper left of page 163) during the lottery of Genkai’s Tournament are REBECCA. What do you think?

Eisaku Yoshida, actor and singer (v.4, p.46)

Kuwabara and Yusuke arrived in front of the Maze Castle in Makai in only 2 hours. Togashi made a joke about it and wrote a small text below the scene:

“Fast as the development of Eisaku Yoshida’s doramas.”

Akiko Matsumoto (v.6, p.152)

The actress and singer Akiko Matsumoto is a Japanese 80's idol. When Yusuke is sleeping in the ship, Kuwabara says Yusuke is so tired that he won’t get up even if Akiko Matsumoto was next to him.

Eriko Tamura in the Dark Tournament (v.6, p.158)

The super famous singer and actress Eriko Tamura appears in a panel during The Dark Tournament in the Hanging Neck Island’s Hotel. It was probably a reference to her manga/anime version of “Idol Densetsu Eriko” (1989).

Kuwabara’s Energy Drink and Pierre Taki (v.6, p.160)

The name of the front man for Japanese synth-pop group “Denki Groove” appears on Kuwabara’s energy drink. I’ve already made a detailed post about it and the polemic involving his name.

Space Battleship Yamato Opening Theme (v.13, p.62)

When the guys are about to leave the Hanging Neck Island, Yusuke starts to sing: “Saaaraaabaa” (Farewell) which is the beginning of the opening theme of the super famous anime “Space Battleship Yamato” (Uchuu Senkan Yamato, 1974), sung by Isao Sasaki.

Sensui, Itsuki and Jun Togawa’s performance on Hit Studio (v.16, p.17)

Sensui spares Itsuki’s life after he confessed he wanted to live one more day to watch the singer Jun Togawa on Hit Studio. Sensui also watches the show. In the anime, the line was changed to “the last episode of the dorama”.

Fun fact: Jun Togawa actually performed a few times on Hit Studio and Togashi said in an interview this was a moment he really experienced.

This performance is from 1984 and Togawa was promoting her debut album as a solo artist “Tamahime-sama”:

Trivia: to celebrate the 35th anniversary of Jun Togawa’s musical career in 2016, an album alongside the metal band Vampillia entitled "Watashi ga Nakou Hototogizu" ("I Will Sing Like a Cuckoo") was released. Togashi created black & white illustrations for their collaboration:

I know Togashi said in “Yoshirin de Pon!” (1994) that Mukuro was modeled after Kushana (Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind) but Jun Togawa’s famous robotic arm from the 80′s reminds me Mukuro’s. She also performed the song “Radar Man” on Hit Studio wearing the cybernetic arm.

Akiko Wada and the earthquake (v.16, p.119)

When Sensui releases his sacred energy and the ground starts to tremble, a female citizen makes a comment: "Isn’t this Akiko Wada tapping her foot?". Akiko Wada is the famous singer, known as The Queen of the Japanese R&B. If you watch her performances, specially the from the 80s-90s, you’ll notice the peculiar way she shakes her legs and taps her foot while singing. When she debuted, she was also known for her tall stature, large physique and high tone voice.

“Otoko Nara” (v.17. p.171)

After saying goodbye and being dumped by Keiko, Yusuke starts to sing the famous military and wartime song “Otoko Nara” (男なら - “If you are a man”) from 1937. Translation to English

Yusuke: “Otoko nara, larilarila....”

3. Other mentions and references

WSJ issue 25, 1992; v. 6 opening illustration and v.8 cover

According to Togashi’s comments from the Artbook, these guys next to Yusuke were inspired by two black guys Togashi saw on a music video or magazine. But as he doesn’t remember where the inspiration comes from, it’s hard to tell the origin.

Anime: I’m only taking the manga and Togashi’s refs into consideration here. But you can always have fun searching in the animation for other references, like the Oingo Boingo poster in Kuwabara’s bedroom and Roger Dean’s artwork in the Makai landscape.

Other celebrities: 

↪ Downtown (v.19, p.114-115): is a Japanese comedy duo consisting of Hitoshi Matsumoto and Masatoshi Hamada. Formed in 1982, they are one of the most influential comedy duos in Japan and famous for hosting variety shows, such as Downtown no Gaki no Tsukai ya Arahende!! Togashi has stated he’s a fan and even the name “Hunter × Hunter” came about while he was watching their TV show, in which the hosts often repeat what they say to make the audience laugh. People believe the TV program Juri, Koto and Ruka were attending in the last volume is a reference to the variety show. Juri calls one of the hosts Yamazaki-san which is probably a reference to Hosei Yamasaki one of the five members of Downtown Gaki no Tsukai's regular cast. The man watching the TV while smoking is Togashi.

↪ Kurama comparing himself to Kazaguruma no Yashichi from the dorama “Mito Komon” (v.5, p.201). I made a post about it.

↪ The family name “Minamino” was taken from the singer Youko Minamino, but other Japanese celebrities were also considered. I made a post about it.

↪ A mention to the late sumo wrestler Kurama Tatsuya (v.13, p.89). When one of Kurama’s senior overhear Kuwabara calling Minamino as Kurama, instead of using his human name, he says: Kurama? (using the kanji of the fighter’s name), the former sekitori?

↪ Byakko bringing up Carl Lewis (v.5, p.57) was hilarious. Kuwabara needed to jump a distance of 10 meters, 2 meters more than Carl Lewis. Probably a reference to the 1991 World Championships in Tokyo and Lewis' greatest achievements during the competition. These chapters from the Saint Beasts saga were being written during this time.

↪ Kuwabara’s name was inspired by two baseball players as Togashi explained in the comics and the databook. But he also mentions some achievements from other baseball players during the series and incorporates them in his sword techniques:

→ Hiromitsu Ochiai (v.4, p.74): The “Ochiai-ryuu Shui-dasha-ken” (The Leading Hitter Ochiai Style Sword) used by Kuwabara to bat Rando’s fireballs technique (Kashou Happa-ken) is a reference to the baseball player Hiromitsu Ochiai. He is considered one of the most important players in the history of Japanese baseball and was given the title of “shui-dasha” (leading hitter), a player who ends the season with the best batting average score. That’s why Kuwabara mentions “shui-dasha” in the name of the technique.

→ Satoshi Inamoto (v.5, p.55): During the fight with Byakko, Kuwabara wants to use his “Teikyo High School Sayonara Two-Run Homer Sword” to bat the Tiger Scream but he is stopped by Kurama.

There’s a small text written below the panel: “August 17, 1991, 12h45PM, hitter Inamoto”. It’s a reference to a match between Teikyo High School and Ikeda High School in 1991. Teikyo High School turned the game around and won thanks to Inamoto’s home run.

↪ Fubuki Sato and Masato Hagiwara (v.17, p.120): while her brother Kaisei likes to watch TV, Fubuki likes the actor, voice actor and professional mahjong player Hagiwara Masato-kun.

↪ Hiei and Medaka Ikeno (v.19, p.88): a woman on TV describes the ET (Hiei) who abducted her. “His height is about Medaka Ikeno”. He is a  Japanese comedian known for his short stature, about 149cm, and for being the man whose 'size is same as a tie'.

↪ Arnold Schwarzenegger (v.19, p.113): when Kido goes to the movies, there’s a billboard announcing: “The Crying Game” (on the right) and “Schwarzenegger - Last Action Hero” (on the left). Toguro is said to be modeled after Schwarzenegger’s Terminator, but Togashi mentions in the Yu Yu Hakusho Artbook (2015) that "Younger Toguro is Sato", referring to Koji Sato, the main antagonist of 1989 film "Black Rain”, played by the Japanese actor Yuusaku Matsuda.