Story
Trigun: Lost Past contains three episodes. The episode titled Hard Puncher pits Vash against an entire city out for the $$60,000,000,000 bounty. The following episode Lost July takes place in the same city but Vash is now hired as a bodyguard for a beautiful woman who has come to the city to repair a power plant. But, her tragic past will cause her to betray Vash. Finally, the third episode B.D.N. takes place on a carrier ship Vash is traveling on. With the help of a kid Vash has decided to assist when the most feared gang, The Bad Lad Gang, hijacks the carrier.

Packaging
Once again "Pioneer" gives us a great cover. A dark picture of Vash sitting on a rock holding his gun with his sunglasses shining is the main image of the front cover. Above Vash are two full moons. The cover could be interpreted to fit with the episodes, as some of Vash's past is revealed and he is forced to reveal his abilities as a gunman. The back cover contains a short poetic description of the episodes contained followed by three screen captures with a border similar to a ship's window. Below the images is a paragraph referring to the episodes but written in a way as to convey a message. The episode titles are also below the screen caps but on the right side, as the message was on the left. The episode titles are listed as "1, 2, and 3" which makes distinguishing which volume is 1, 2, or 8 a little difficult. However, on the side cover, the bottom text has the volume number written. A picture of Vash pushing up his sunglasses is the background image of the back cover. The insert extra is a mail in slip to win a Vash the Stampede lunch box or mini resin bust. You are also given a feedback slip and an episode listing slip that has the episodes listed in the correct number sequence (5, 6, and 7).

Menus
The main layout is awesome, containing the same picture of Vash as the DVD cover but with a different background. Further, the image begins black and white but goes to color when Vash's sunglasses shine. A great Japanese musical score plays during this time. Unlike volume 1, you are brought directly to the menu instead of the first episode. The sections are layed out very well, each has a wild-west look to them and when selected, gunshots are heard as the page is shot away to reveal the next section.

Video
A few scratches appear now and then, nothing that takes away from the anime. I did notice a few rainbows in episode 5 (or one if you go by the listing on the DVD) but they weren't too bad.

English
To be perfectly honest, the English version is great. Dialogue changes are very few and retain the same meaning as the original. Voices are much better when compared to volume one, even with the main characters such as Vash. I'm unsure of the actor who portrays him, but he seems to have become comfortable being Vash by the fifth episode and does a superb job.

Japanese
The Japanese version is absolutely amazing in humor, voices, dialogue, and music. Though the English version is not too far from the caliber of the original, one voice in particular is performed much better. Satsuki Yukino pulls off a much better Milly Thompson than whoever does the voice in the English version. Yukino-san's voicing of the character is done is such a way as to show the innocence of Milly as well as the seriousness she has for her job and her loyalty to her friend and co-worker Meryl. This same idea can be associated with Vash's VA Masaya Onosaka. Onosaka-san depicts Vash as a goof who will protect anyone when they are in danger, but be able to revert directly back to his childlike persona. Of course that is who Vash the Stampede is, however, Masaya's performance is just remarkable.

Extras
Three extras appear on this DVD. The first is "mechanical designs;" drawings of the various vehicles used in the three episodes of this volume. There are twenty-five total images. The next extra is another set of twenty-five images, but in this case they are screen captures from the episodes of mostly Vash, but other characters are featured as well. The final section is "DVD Credits" which is simply a list of the people involved with the DVD's production and their job. Below Extras on the main menu is "Pioneer Info" which is the same as it was on the first volume. Simply a list of the other titles Pioneer has released categorized by ratings. The extras on this DVD are nice but could have been remarkably better.

Final Thoughts
If you enjoyed the first volume of Trigun, you will love the second. Still retaining the same form of comedy, the second volume increases the amount of action and fighting, which in itself is cool. Some new musical scores are also present in the second volume that was simply amazing. This series just seems to keep getting better after every volume. I highly recommend that you buy yourself a copy. Later minna!

© Eric.