Trigun watch order
Vash the Stampede is a gunman with a bounty of 60 billion double dollars on his head who refuses to kill anyone, wandering a desert planet with insurance agents trailing him to limit the damage. Yasuhiro Nightow's manga has two separate anime: Madhouse's 1998 series with its own ending, and Orange's 3DCG reboot, Stampede and its finale Stargaze.
First time? Pick one version. For the classic, watch Trigun (1998), then the film Badlands Rumble. For the modern retelling, watch Trigun Stampede, then Trigun Stargaze. Neither needs the other.
Story order
Two separate continuities, each with its own story order: the 1998 series and its film, then Stampede and Stargaze. Badlands Rumble takes place somewhere during the 1998 series, but sources disagree on exactly where, so it's best after the last episode.
- Trigun
Madhouse's original series. The first half is mostly episodic adventures with Vash, Meryl, Milly and the priest Wolfwood; the second half turns to Vash's past and his brother Knives. It loosely follows the manga early on, then tells its own story to an anime-original ending, because the manga was still running.
- Trigun: Badlands Rumble (optional)
A standalone adventure with the 1998 cast, made 12 years later by Madhouse: Vash gets caught up with a legendary bank robber he first crossed paths with 20 years earlier. It's set during the series (Wolfwood is along), but it's usually watched after it. Optional, as it doesn't affect the story.
- Trigun Stampede
A reboot by Orange in a new continuity, with 3DCG animation and redesigned characters. It retells Vash's story from the start with big changes: Meryl is a rookie reporter travelling with a veteran, Roberto, and Milly doesn't appear. Ends on a cliffhanger.
- Trigun Stargaze
The direct sequel to Stampede and its final chapter, set two and a half years later. Teased as the "final phase" at the end of Stampede. Milly joins the cast here.
Release order
Release order happens to keep each continuity together. You can start with either version.
- Trigun
Madhouse's original series. The first half is mostly episodic adventures with Vash, Meryl, Milly and the priest Wolfwood; the second half turns to Vash's past and his brother Knives. It loosely follows the manga early on, then tells its own story to an anime-original ending, because the manga was still running.
- Trigun: Badlands Rumble (optional)
A standalone adventure with the 1998 cast, made 12 years later by Madhouse: Vash gets caught up with a legendary bank robber he first crossed paths with 20 years earlier. It's set during the series (Wolfwood is along), but it's usually watched after it. Optional, as it doesn't affect the story.
- Trigun Stampede
A reboot by Orange in a new continuity, with 3DCG animation and redesigned characters. It retells Vash's story from the start with big changes: Meryl is a rookie reporter travelling with a veteran, Roberto, and Milly doesn't appear. Ends on a cliffhanger.
- Trigun Stargaze
The direct sequel to Stampede and its final chapter, set two and a half years later. Teased as the "final phase" at the end of Stampede. Milly joins the cast here.
Explained
Do I need to watch the 1998 series before Stampede?
No. Stampede is a fresh adaptation of the manga in its own continuity, made to be watched with no prior knowledge. The two versions share the main characters and setting but tell the story differently.
Which version should I start with?
Most watch-order guides start with the 1998 series, a cult classic with a hand-drawn look and a lot of comedy before it turns serious. Start with Stampede if you'd rather have modern animation and a shorter, more serialized story that reaches its end in Stargaze. Both are worth watching.
Does the 1998 anime follow the manga?
Only partly. It was made while the manga (continued as Trigun Maximum until 2007) was still running, so its second half goes its own way and it has an anime-original ending. The manga's ending is very different.
Where does Badlands Rumble fit?
It's a self-contained story set in the 1998 continuity, during the series once Wolfwood has joined Vash. Guides disagree on the exact episode, and none of it affects the plot, so watch it after the TV series.
Is Trigun Stargaze the end?
Yes. Stargaze aired from January to March 2026 and was billed as the final chapter of the Stampede continuity. No further Trigun anime has been announced as of October 2026.