‘Trigun Stargaze’ Episode 5 – “What a Wonderful World”

As was the case in Episode 3, Trigun Stargaze Episode 5 manages to home in on what Season 2 of this adaptation is currently best at: one-on-one battles. At least in terms of the visual landscape and scope. The composition remains flat, lacking the cinematic depth of Trigun Stampede, which matched the haunting, propulsive narrative chasing our protagonist across the deserts of No Man’s Land and beyond. Studio Orange has raised the bar to such staggering heights, and Stargaze is struggling to maintain that momentum. It’s not bad. It’s not even close to bad. But we’ve come to the point where it’s time to admit that, at least, it’s a letdown.

Which is why, when “What a Wonderful World” strikes a chord with hints of past greatness, it excels. Trigun Stargaze Episode 5 is deceptively simple in terms of how it sets itself up. Wolfwood (Yoshimasa Hosoya) goes out to buy time, fighting Midvalley (Shin-ichiro Miki), who can weaponize sound. They duke it out, we learn more about Midvalley’s backstory, and learn how much Wolfwood has grown since his introduction. He may still berate Vash for his pacifism, but his compassion is catching.

It’s the visuals that heighten the moment. The direction adopts a dexterous, spiraling motion that follows the position of the Punisher as Wolfwood spins his signature weapon into focus. The effect is similar to the fight between Vash (Yoshitsugu Matsuoka) and Leonof the Puppetmaster (Chō). Everything has a sense of weight to it, even if the two fighters are performing impossible, gravity-defying feats. The direction gives equal attention to the character details and to how they circle one another, which helps give Trigun Stargaze a stronger emotional throughline.

Trigun Stargaze Episode 5 executes weighty and detailed action.

Because Trigun Stargaze Episode 5 asks us to feel a lot for a character we only just met—a character who possesses a, frankly, ridiculous power. But the character animation and the details that make up Midvalley’s physicality sell his desperation and fear, so much so that we understand why he’d follow Knives. The team of artists captures the minute details and microexpressions that reveal Midvalley’s innermost emotions, even as he tries to fall in line to defeat Wolfwood and carry out Legato’s plan.

Knives’s presence looms over everything that transpires, even as the pacing remains rushed. The flashback of him decimating the rest of Midvalley’s group, leaving him the sole survivor covered in his friends’ blood, is effective. It proves why he became a hitman, susceptible to guilt, violence, and coercion. And it makes thematic sense why it would be Wolfwood up against Midvalley. Midvalley who is another wayward soul, convincing himself it’s better being a lone wolf operating under the thumb of an evil man, but a powerful one, was better insurance than any other option this oppressive world might offer. Wolfwood, who also had to watch as people he was close to were brutalized, left him to believe that being alone was better than losing anyone.

So to have Wolfwood have this moment where he refuses to be the killer Knives dubbed him, to be Nicholas D. Wolfwood rather than Wolfwood the Punisher, is a subtle moment of catharsis. And it’s well earned despite being rushed. If anything, it makes the prospect of visiting the original manga and anime all the more appealing as it gives us the chance to spend even more time exploring this character – all of the characters – and his psyche at greater length. Because while he’s not quite at Vash’s level (which is probably a good thing), he’s changed while working with him. And, through it, regains a sense of autonomy.

Wolfwood changes his typical course of action in the fight against Midvalley.

Vash, appearing to help in the fight, delivers well-executed fluidity. The direction capitalizes on his stealth in a way that fits his character when he needs to be. Wolfwood is, at this rate, worse for wear, but it’s clear that Midvalley is having second thoughts. With Vash and Wolfwood they’re able to obstruct Midvalley’s attacks. As they capture him they work to defend Ship Three better while Legato leads his attack.

That final attack, with missiles firing from Legato’s ship, hints at the majestic, operatic visual language of Trigun Stampede. As the attacks cut an imposing arc against the sky, any momentary celebration the characters rejoice in feels finite. While hope is the core of what makes this series tick, there’s also a sense of dread that follows. And it threatens to consume any light Vash might emit. They won this fight, and Emilio (the Puppetmaster) is helping, for now. But a bigger fight with greater strengths is on its way, and they’ve just given Emilio the use of his hands again. Knives might still not have his full strength or even his body, but who is to say those who walk to further his strength aren’t as formidable or more desperate?

Trigun Stargaze Episode 5 delivers a highlight standoff between two characters in search of meaning. While “What a Wonderful World” continues to struggle to recapture the cinematic momentum of Season 1, there’s no denying the impact when the strong writing and detailed artistry come together to create something vast and invigorating.

Trigun Stargaze Episode 5 is available now on Crunchyroll.

Images courtesy of Studio Orange.

Allyson Johnson

Based in New England, Allyson is co-founder and Editor-in-Chief of InBetweenDrafts. Former Editor-in-Chief at TheYoungFolks, she is a member of the Boston Society of Film Critics and the Boston Online Film Critics Association. Her writing has also appeared at CambridgeDay, ThePlaylist, Pajiba, VagueVisages, RogerEbert, TheBostonGlobe, Inverse, Bustle, her Substack, and every scrap of paper within her reach.