#rereading trimax! it's going great!

[revenantghost]

Can't wait for bookclub 2.0 so the first-timers can feel the same Dread that comes with knowing what a chapter/volume holds :')

[orcelito]

Ok there r some pretty big things I wanna fix with the first chapter of ITNL, but I don't rly have the brain for that. Putting it on the backburner.

Might fuck around with chapter 2 tho. Just maybe.

[trigunbookclub]

TrigunBookclub Afterparty!

Hello there! As bookclub winds down to a close, there a few things to announce:

Bookclub Afterparty!

Bookclub may officially be over, but the Trimax brainrot continues! There are some bonus comics, the Multiple Bullets anthology (with all its great and terrible stories), and some folks have fallen behind, have essays left to write, or have things they wanted to create or share and haven't had a chance. I myself fell behind since life has been a bit hellish on my end, I'm two volumes behind--and I don't seem to bethe only one in that position!

So, I want to invite people to keep using and watching the tag until the end of October! Discuss, share theories, thoughts, art, shout-out posts and ideas that you love, just have fun! You can discuss the entire series and all related materials--hell, you can even do a read/reread it if you want to. Whatever goes, so long as it follows the guidelines.

Bookclub 2.0!

I've been talking with the @trigun-manga-overhaul team, who we all know has the best Trigun manga translation out there--but it's about to get better with Overhaul 2.0! When it drops probably next year, it will be at the pace of a chapter a week, and I plan to run the bookclub during that time to celebrate! This gives much more time for discussion, comparing, analyzing, and keeping up with posts. Since it will be a longer reading time and it's round two, spoilers will be allowed, though I will ask that they be tagged.

I also highly encourage everyone to feel free to use the tag when the hardcovers from Dark Horse are released to celebrate and discuss!

Bookclub Archive!

Since social media has a tendency to be ephemeral at best, the lovely @versaphile has taken it upon themselves to archive the bookclub posts of everyone who gives permission for them to do so! This way you can binge meta and posts and find everything much more easily. You can find the archive here, and see an example of archived posts here. If you're interested in or okay with being included in the project, please contact @trigunreferencelibrary!

Bookclub Stickers!

Multiple people have talked about wanting a badge of honor for participating in/keeping up with bookclub, and I think that might be a bit tricky... but how about some stickers? I figure that this way, the shipping is affordable even for international folks since I've seen a good amount of people around the world participating and lurking! I'm going to try and find printing for as affordably as I can (if anyone out there knows any good distributors for smaller batch sticker orders, please shoot me a DM!), and it won't be something to profit off of--just in memory of a great time! The only thing is I have two options, and I don't know if either of them are even what folks want. So...

And that's all that I can think of for now! I'm a bit exhausted and run ragged at the moment, so feel free to ask for any clarification on anything. When I started this project, I honestly didn't think I'd get many if any people following through--I know people lose their focus easily (myself included). But instead it turned into a huge celebration of a beautiful manga that is finally getting the attention it deserves after kind of getting buried by time. I've met some absolutely amazing and brilliant people throughout this event, and I just want to say thank you to every single person who made a post, supported others, and/or just lurked. You guys are fantastic and made this an amazing experience.

[somereaderinblue]

It's already Day 6 of Trigun Fanfiction Appreciation Week. I don't want any regrets so here goes: I give you a VW mpreg rec list. If this isn't your cup of tea, that's fine. If it is:

what I am trying to cultivate… by Altered-Havoc (Altered_Karma)

100/10, I've lost count on how many times I reread this. Both of them have suffered & after everything, they finally get a soft epilogue. Angst? Who dat? This is 80% comfort to me.

Surprise, Wolfwood! It's A Bouncing Baby Plant! by @attackofthezee, rated T

WW returns from the dead & there's a surprise waiting for him. 3 guesses as to what it is.

Until The End by squishycake, rated E

“Someone has to leave first. This is a very old story. There is no other version of this story.” – Richard Siken A bittersweet fic wherein an aging WW makes peace with his mortality but not before Vash two new lives.

Innocent Souls by NaughtyJacks (JackalJamboree), rated T

In a quiet moment, Vash asks WW to bless the two blessings he carries. Vash knows WW is still keeping secrets from him, but he also knows that he's decided to choose Vash & his kids over them. And that only makes him love him more.

o' light, won't you shine (upon souls of youth) by seventhgiver (fifthgiver), rated T

Another bittersweet fic wherein WW still faces his canon death, but Meryl & Milly are there to support Vash through thick & thin. There's angst, but it really does have a happy ending.

dear star and spring bud, my preachers by elemmacil, rated T

Post-canon AU where VW have a child. Does a great job at depicting their awe over the fact that they were allowed to make this dream their reailty.

I've Taken to Calling Him Nico by mak000000, rated G

Short one-shot wherein Vash tells WW that the little boy he assumed to be Lina's baby brother is in fact someone's kid. 3 guesses as to who's the father.

i’d give you the sun (i’d give you the sun) by justotherdays, rated M

Set post-Trimax, full of nothing but tenderness & a much deserved happy ending.

This is not humanity's song, this is ours by O_ToJoy, rated M & T

An AU where Knives's victory is short-live & WW has to pick up the pieces, one of said pieces being Nikolai. He's 16 years too late, but that won't stop him from trying.

Talk About Timing by lucifergooseifer (Lucifergooseifer), rated M

A small detour causes everything to NOT go according to plan. BUT! Nothing (too) bad happens, I swear.

A Black Angel at Your Side by hazeltea (madlovescience), rated E

I would've listed this at the top but then I read it, cried, & slapped it here. I want to devour this but also throw up. On a side note, I like how this fic depicts Livio's still somewhat religious view on Plants & how said view is deeply embedded in NML's culture, which causes conflict with the Earth Federation. There's also a Meryl POV chapter where she justifiably remains wary of Livio/Razlo, which really individualizes her. Also has fanart.

Flower Dew, Deep Waters, Desert Thirst & Use My Heart by cloudbureiku, rated E & M

Aside from smut, there's also tender caring & non-sexual intimacy, all of which are three of many reasons why VW is our bread & butter.

Lavender by @vaporame

Gotta love it when Plant pregnancy involves markings & telepathic bonds. Totally makes breaking the news to your s/o less nerve-wracking. Their other VW works are also recommended.

Modern AUs

To Build a Home by hielhue, rated G

Everyone is alive & happy, and WW narrates how he met Vash, fell in love & started a family.

cause everything else is a substitute for your love by @sascake, rated M

VW have a bad history when it comes to using protection despite one of them ironically owning a sex shop. They're not perfect but they make it work.

little moment verse by justotherdays, rated G & M

VW's journey as parents. In the second fic in the series, the author isn't afraid to write how some parents, no matter how much they love their child, still inevitably struggle. Which is why it's important to have support.

devil on your shoulder (or the angel laying on your tummy) & paint the town red by cloudbureiku, not rated & G

The former guest stars the one & only Kuroneko while the latter shows us why it really isn't advisable for heavily pregnant parents to sit on the floor.

[kitsoa]

I'd love to hear about all the fanfics that inspire you / you recommend

Yeah?? You're asking? Oh boy, I am so excited to share. This is my comprehensive fanfiction recommendation/inspiration guide.

Fandoms:

Trigun (current fixation)

Kingdom Hearts

The Legend of Zelda

Detective Conan

Danny Phantom

Criteria?

Chances are I have reread this stuff a few times. That's it. I love it. There are some that I have rose-tinted glasses about and I think there are a million more I just didn't list but I love fanfiction and just knowing these exist lets me work hard to indulge and enjoy on the things I love.

Trigun/ Trigun Stampede

The Second Celestial Evening series by tragic_unpaired_electron

Child of Blessing

Daughter of Eve

Season of the Witch

Multi-chapter. Complete. Gen.

A beautifully crafted series covering the complexities of Vash's place in the universe starts with a heart-tugging series covering Vash's growth into adulthood from Brad's perspective in "Child of Blessing". Then compelling and dark torture featuring ghost Tesla in "Daughter of Eve" and 'so good we had to share the fun'-- the Knives' redemption fic of all redemption fics in "Season of the Witch". Their plant biology headcanon, the masterful prose, and the vibrant character explorations are downright incredible.

Bloodletting series by tragic_unpaired_electron

The Pale Horseman

The Walls of Jericho

After Eden

Multi-Chapter. Complete. Gen.

Hands down the best Twin!Swap AU in all of Trigun fandom. It turns Nai into the most compelling, prickly, and surly protagonist. He pulls at your heartstrings and grows in ways you cannot fathom. There are twists and turns both inspired by canon and naturally spun from the various want-of-nail scenarios. Amazing headcanons and innovative and imaginative worlds and backgrounds. When I tell you that this Nai is one of my favorite characters of all time-- folks would think me blasphemous. I cannot sing the praises of this one enough. I love all their trigun work but this is my favorite. Sun, Moon, and Stars by tragic_unpaired_electron

Multi-chapter. Complete. Gen.

Tesla Lives AU with amazing character vignettes, imaginative worlds and characters and scenarios. And just an incredible message overall. If you want to chew on something by this author with a little less trauma and not as many total chapters this basically eases you into their genius. You get to really see how they roll with characterization.

the unknowable tomorrow by ScreechTheMighty

Multi-chapter. Unfinished. Gen.

Tristamp timetravel fic that turns Meryl and Wolfwood into little guardian angels to baby Vash. This makes my heart weep with fluffy feelings and emotions and the tension inherent to their being there is captivating. I love reading Vash through their perspective in this fic.

ten cent grace by fathomfive

Oneshot. Gen.

Trimax-ish. A plant sickness has Vash regress to childhood with no memories and only Wolfwood to cling to. It's such a great character retrospective and gives me feelings. Big brother Wolfwood. Strange but traumatized child Vash. It's written very well.

There are soooo many good trigun fics. I could actually keep going but I'll move on.

Kingdom Hearts

(i don't need you to) Worry for Me by Cygna_hime

Three-shot. Complete. Gen.

A freaking work of art. A Vanitas redemption story that humanizes and explores a character built on such wild extremes. Reading this made me cry. I fell absolutely in love with Vanitas and it explored the Wayfinder Trio in beautiful ways. It has great headcanons and world building. It's a rather long 3 chapters but it is an incredible ride. Islands Like Glass Towers by Organization VI

Multi-Chapter. Complete. Gen.

This is a famous and rather old fic that explores Sora's parents and it dives into the whimsical and bittersweet world Sora is to be born into. It left me feeling wistful and nostalgic and it's very hard to put into words but it's a fic about parenthood and love. It's a profound little read and I think it captures the unique magic of Kingdom Hearts in a grounded way.

IV[or]y Wall by me.... haaaa im sorry

Multi-Chapter. Incomplete. Gen.

You write what you wanna see. Self-indulgent self promo. Big ol' "Kingdom Heart 4" speculation fic that deals with Sora reverse isekai'd into the real world and having to parse what is real and what is fake and he's... really going through it. Basically a character deconstruction fic on his side. Very meta. Much suspense. I try. It's on Hiatus but you could enjoy the 29 chapters while I get ready to soft relaunch it.

The Legend of Zelda

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild by TheZedofAges

Multi-Chapter. Complete. T . f/m (Zelink)

BotW novelization that is an actual fantasy epic. It takes and develops the world and the plot into this very organic and vibrant cohesive story. Link is characterized so darn well. There are extrapolations and flourishes that suck you right in. There is a masterful use of non-chronological flashbacks and the relationship between Zelda and Link is total gravity. I read this story to my nongamer, not hip, completely clueless mother and she loved it.

Insomnia by  tikitikirevenge 

Multi-Chapter. Incomplete. T. Hiatus.

Majora's Mask Novelization! This is such a smart fic I'm always in awe as I read it. Not only does it have whipcrack good dialogue and great pacing, it's got a complex closed-time loop premise that has intersections and crosses that take tons of foresight and skill to pull off. It is just an electric read that covers the trauma of a hero out of place and a world that is crushed by oppressive fear and depression. And Tatl. Is. Just. the best.

Detective Conan

Fallout by the Silversage

Multi-Chapter. Incomplete. Hiatus. T.

... this fic. Is everything to me. What I would sell to get this thing finished. Basically, let's take the consequences of the Raven Chaser movie and kick the series into high gear toward the conclusion. Featuring intense intrigue and well-researched mystery and conspiracy. Kaito Kid being an incredible ally. The gosho boys. The Conan mystery being confronted and needled to such a satisfying degree. This fic makes me scream. I am so rabid about this fic. Sense & Sensitivity by  KosagiNoLegion 

Multi-Chapter. Complete. T

This one is also kinda old. Nature of the beast with Conan fic but like it's Psychic Detective Heiji. Which in the midst of all the 'realism' and 'science' is absolutely glorious. He's surrounded by skeptics and has to keep it secret but like it's a great time. There's another in the series from my memory.

Switched by Boogum

Multi-Chapter. Complete. Gen.

Kaito-Conan Body swap. It's got great dialogue and a fun pace. Just good ol' body swap shenanigans which are heightened by the two at the center who are great foils and have various context's to complicate things. Fun fact, I made the cover art for this one.

Danny Phantom

Yo this seres is what I like to call evergreen for me. For some reason these fics are just always in style. Always ready to be consumed.

Phantom of Truth and Shadow of a Doubt by Haiju

Multi-Chapter. Complete. T

Probably the big staple fic of this fandom. Dark, emotionally complicated. Body horror. Trauma. Danny's mom experiments on him and then we gotta pick up the pieces in the sequel. Love the ghost headcanons. It's captivating.

Candlelight by HappyLeif

Multi-Chapter. Complete. Romance. T

An AU with Danny being alone during his portal accident so he actually drifts away from his friends. This allows for a really sweet love story between Danny and Sam as they reconnect and form a friendship through his alter ego. I love outside-perspective fics and this takes that for a spin and makes a delightful romance.

Treading Water by The Full Catastrophe

Multi-Chapter. Incomplete. T

An AU where instead of ghost powers we've got Mer-Danny. It is so imaginative and fun that feels like the original show with all the great grounded drama we expect from fanfic. This is a total classic and the quintessential mer-Danny fic.

......And I could keep going. There are a few fandoms I've dabbled with reading but I'll save that. It's great to have this here in one place for me to refer back.

[myxinidaes]

Trigun Fic Recs!

There are so many amazing fics in this fandom, I thought I would round up a few of my favorite completed fics (mostly for my own sake since I don't bookmark as often as I should, but also I would love to see some of these get more attention) Some Vashwood, some gen. If you check any of these out, please remember to give the authors some love with kudos or comments <3

man's best friend, et cetera by unsungillumination. 3.8k. Long after the events of trimax, Vash finds a dog that reminds him of a dearly missed companion. Offscreen/non-established Vashwood and rated G. I'm so enchanted by this fic and the way that the author portrays grief in the face of the mundane and just. it's such a good fic, yall

YOU ARE HERE; or, How to Get Lost in the Desert Without Really Dying by fathomfive. Wherein Vash and Livio find a de-aged Wolfwood after the events of Volume 10. Gen, rated T, and 15k, this fic absolutely nails the razor-edged absurdity between the edges of seeing the man you killed/buried/have only just begun grieving come back as a child who doesn't know what you did to him and the looming despair of the Ark. And, in the background, Vash is quietly losing his mind the entire time. It is. So well done, yall. So many gut-punches, and every character is perfectly portrayed. (All of fathomfive's trigun fics are top-notch!)

Tomorrows and Thereafter by KingfisherPrince. Vashwood, rated T and 9.3k words long. Vash communicates with his sisters in his dreams, and Wolfwood accidentally intrudes. There's some really fun examination of Plant communication and Vash and Wolfwood's dynamics. Also, a not-so-nebulous future.

still my guitar gently weeps by faugan. Background Vashwood, rated T and 4.6k. A melancholic fic featuring a ghost town and a guitar. It slots in very well with early stampede!!

Neck in a Noose (Kick the Chair, Hang Loose) by neatrogenous. Vashwood, rated E, 3.8k. Despite the title sounding ominous as hell, this fic is mostly just pining while fucking and Vashwood having a great time laughing at each other. It's massively cute. The goofy smutfic the fandom deserves.

Never Understood a Single Word He Said by aboxthecolorofheartache. Gen, rated T, 9.5k. Vash takes Meryl and Wolfwood to a hidden location near and dear to his heart. A oneshot about greenery in the desert, featuring a top-notch Vash characterization that's offbeat and lonely and very, very old.

these hands stained red (a thousand bodies piled up) by littleghost. Rated M, Vashwood, 12k. Mind the tags! An absolutely devastating fic about Wolfwood, a deal, and how far he'll go for Vash. It's so good! I'm scared to reread it!!

something to hold onto by VerboseDescription. Rated T, gen, 40k. In which a post-trimax Livio, Razlo, and Chronica face the future. A little bit about grief, a little bit about mourning, and entirely captivating.

and we're gonna sing it again by procrastinatingbookworm. Rated T, 5k, past vashwood. Based off of shelternmberone's Ghostwood AU. Wolfwood dies on the couch in Trigun Maximum, and finds himself haunting the narrative of Trigun Stampede. About second chances and self loathing and maybe loving yourself a bit despite it all.

as above, so below by chuchisushi. T, 2.4k, Vashwood. In which Vash gets drunk and has A Time. I'm absolutely obsessed with the plant headcanons in here!!! I'll never not be overcome with emotion about Vash and his sisters.

[deludedfantasy]

Trimax Vol.2

Hello! I’ve been lurking in the book club so far but I wanted to jump in the ring and add my own thoughts to the mix. Fun fact: I actually binge read the manga about two weeks, but read it so fast I didn’t absorb much. I’m taking this as an opportunity to read it more slowly and really savor it, and hopefully understand it a little more. My first experience was fun, but I was also a little confused by the end. 

I certainly can’t compare to some of amazing analyses I’ve read so far, but here are some thoughts!

Ch1

WOW. What an opening. This only gets more horrifying on reread. I was actually very confused the first go around because I thought Midvalley was the one shoving all those people in the trucks and squashing them and my knowledge of him from 98 did NOT fit this at all. It was a great way to reintroduce Legato though 

I’m STILL wondering who this giant person is that’s carrying Legato around in his Iron Maiden. Just another Knives minion I guess?? They got put on Legato babysitting duty

Ch2

Well, Legato is somehow more unhinged than before

Genuinely sometimes feel like Legato mauling that steak when I’m reading this manga though 

Love when Vash and Wolfwood are being stupid together. Also Vash driving is me when I drive

Vash’s ridiculous greeting Rai Dei is preceded by him having a Very Serious moment staring at the empty town. I appreciate the ability this manga has to insert moments of humor into otherwise incredibly serious situations without it being jarring. 10/10 great character and storytelling

Death skull rollerblades??? Death skull rollerblades!!!

I really like this panel of Vash, right after Rai Dei reveals he knows about the colony. Something about how most of his face is obscured, it really underscores how terrifying Vash can be. Every time something he loves is threatened, he gets very, very scary very fast and the way Nightow shows this is just amazing

Ch3

The cover for this chapter is on point

Not actually sure what Wolfwood is saying here? He’s going to help Vash…because the Gung Ho Guns are inhuman humans? They’re too determined and this will take too long? 

Vash acrobatics!! Big fan of Vash acrobatics!!

He just won a fight but he’s such a goofball about it

Ch4

“C’mon. Leading a normal life, it’s not so bad, y’know.” He’s speaking from experience and this line makes me kinda sad. He really liked it, but he had to give it up to do the right thing :( 

You know, for some of the backstories of the Gung Ho Guns, it makes sense where they got their abilities from. Like Monev and Rai Dei obviously trained for years and years to become these expert fighters. But for the others, like Dominique and Legato, I’m constantly wondering where they picked up what are essentially supernatural abilities without being plants or something. Though this may just be the fact that I saw tristamp first talking, since they do explain that there.

WHAT? How did I not notice Rai Dei had a gunblade??? My favorite ridiculous anime weapon

Also, uh oh Wolfwood’s done it now

Holy shit, did Vash just punch him?!?!

Hmmmm, oh yes, this scene made me lose my mind when I first read it (last week lol). Wolfwood trying to prove a point about making tough decisions by making Vash literally put a gun to his head and calling Vash a coward for refusing to kill and get his hands dirty

Unfortunately, it also confuses the hell out of me because it feels like they’re having multiple conversations at once and I can’t pick up on maybe more than half of one.

But!! The thing that stands out to me: Vash calls Wolfwood out, saying that he knows he’s better than this, that he wants better than this, but he’s so scared of hoping that he becomes a devil instead. I love how these two really see each other. Even when Wolfwood is kinda scared of Vash, he’s trying to understand him more than anything, and though he struggles, he does see him and get him

On a lighter note…Ahhh yes, the girls are back!! I’ve missed them the past few chapters.

Ch5

Oh no, Wolfwood’s dream :( It makes me so, so sad. He just really doesn’t think there’s any way for him to go back or wash his hands clean

The tone shifts are honestly masterful. Wolfwood goes from having a horrible nightmare to slapstick comedy because Vash crashed Angelina again

Gotta love that Wolfwood just dumps Vash facedown on that couch

Oh my god, Vash, you have a concussion, what are you doing!! Why did Wolfwood just leave him there on his own? I know they haven’t spent that much time together, but does Wolfwood not know him at all? Vash will get into Situations if left to his own devices.

Hmmm, Rob’s situation really underscores the argument Vash and Wolfwood were having last chapter. Especially his father’s line about not everyone being able to gamble with their lives so easily

Jesus, Wolfwood is terrified of Vash. I thought on my first read that this is a bit of an overreaction to this situation, but thinking on it again, after Fifth Moon and seeing all the crazy shit Vash can do, it has to be scary to see a guy who’s hurt and reeling and still manages to cause massive damage. So yeah, can’t really blame him for wondering what kind of monster he’s gotten himself involved with

But then he’s reminded…Vash is also just some silly guy who really likes food. Ah, the duality of man and monster. Again, the tone shift from Wolfwood having serious thoughts of fear and doubt to Vash being a certified goofball.

Ch6

The opening of this chapter is great. We get a little bit of Wolfwood’s backstory and start to understand how dark it is. Who shot him as a child? Where did he come from? But also, we find out he has a deep conviction to stay alive

You know, I completely forgot Rei Dei threatened the colony two chapters ago because for a hot sec I was really confused why they’d been traveling so hard and why the hell they’re on this weird contraption right now.

What’s interesting to me about what Wolfwood says here—about living his life the way he does, about the reason he kills—is because he’s doing it to protect something. Just reminds me of that bit of Stampede where Vash asks Wolfwood if he has something he wants to protect above anything else. And how protect has a different meaning to each of them—for Wolfwood it’s about who he’d kill for and for Vash it’s about what he would do to save them. Idk, there might be more there but I’m having a hard time explaining it.

Vash has a moment of doubt in front of Wolfwood! He admits he’s not always sure of what he’s doing. I kind of read Wolfwood’s silence as him not knowing what to say to that because he wasn’t expecting that

Okay, but how hidden is this place really if there’s a platform and an elaborate construction to get into it. Are you telling me no one has stumbled on it before and wondered where it led?

Vash is so afraid when he opens the door! His first thought is of all the horrors his enemies have promised to him and he doesn’t know if he can face it

Look at him!! He’s so sweet! He’s relieved and immediately goes to play with the kids. (While Wolfwood just poses lol)

Oh god, he gets teary eyed, he’s so happy! How rarely have people reacted to his presence with joy or care? 

How dare!! This was cruel. Crueler then if he’d walked in on corpses. He’s literally given something he wants so deeply and then has it snatched away

Ch7

Wolfwood really went, “I’m done listening to your bullshit” and interrupted Leonof’s evil villain speech. Respect.

Ooooh, Wolfwood did it because he was angry. He felt Leonof was too cruel! He cares so much about Vash already.

Hey um so…did Leonof just say his puppets used to be people?!?! That he dissected while they were alive?!?!?! Yeah, no wonder this guy is unimaginably cruel.

Oh, Vash is angry. I love how he’s drawn when he’s like this. He disappears behind his glasses and his face gets very still. That’s when you know he means business. 

Vash is crying blood!? And he’s so angry he’s emanating some weird aura that paralyzes Wolfwood and emits a “sensation of death.” I’m actually having trouble finding the words to describe how I feel because this is a very different Vash from the one we’re used to. It’s jarring and terrifying to see him like this. And that feeling also reminds Wolfwood again that Vash isn’t human, something Wolfwood is very fixated on.

Despite that, when Gray the Ninelives appears and Wolfwood makes eye contact with Vash, he doesn’t immediately go to shooting him! We’re making progress already.

That’s that for this volume! Excited to get started on the next one and see how the big showdown with Leonof goes!