Story
The past of Vash the Stampede is finally revealed and it is a big surprise how everything began. I stated in my review of the 1st volume that the setting is of the future, but rather than space, the setting was rather the wild west. I wasn't exactly correct in that statement as this volume reveals. The story of Vash begins on a spaceship called "Seeds" which carries the cryogenically frozen bodies of the human race. This ship, along with many others travel through space in search of a planet suitable for rebuilding Earth, which has become too barren for the human race to survive on. Vash and his brother, yes brother, Knives were born from the plants (those giant light bulbs) onboard that ship. They were to be killed, but were saved by Rem who raised them as her sons. The episode reveals the origin of Vash's red coat, the death of Rem, why everyone must live on the planet they are on, and why there is a rivalry between Vash and Knives.

The following episode takes place sometime after the destruction of Augusta City. Vash now lives as a man named Eriks in a small town. He has become a friend and form of mentor to a young girl who found him on the streets, looking like a bum and extremely injured. However, Vash cannot escape his past, and when Wolfwood shows up with unsettling news, Vash must pick up his six-shooter and become a wanderer once again.

The final episode on this disc isn't too entertaining, but important in that it re-unites Vash with Meryl and Milly and reveals more of Vash's abilities and philosophies.

Packaging
The cover art is two pictures from the opening made into one. The main focus is of Vash crouching against a wall filled with bullot holes with him holding his gun and surrounded by bullets himself. The background image is of a plant with Knives and Vash's guns crossed. Within the DVD casing the same two extras are again provided, a chapter menu and a contest entry form.

Menu
The menu opens like a 1920's black and white film strip. The film even over-runs itself and contains the scratches that a film strip of the time would. The image used for the main menu is Vash sitting, looking to the left. A shadow is even placed behind him which moves with the light and film. The extras menu is the same style as the main menu, but with Rem rather than Vash as the main image.

English
Though there are three episodes on this DVD, I will only be discussing the prelude episode since it is the only one of true importance to the series. I was truly happy with the casting of the characters. Rem in particular was really good, especially her singing voice, which is a crucial part of the character's persona. 

The Seeds Crew were even better, each one having a very mature, normal sounding voice for such minor characters.  The VAs chosen for Child Vash and Child Knives were a bit surprising. In most animes or any animated program in general, a female is used to voice a child character. However, in this episode, the VAs for Vash and Knives were boys. They did do a pretty good job, but I felt that Vash's VA wasn't innocent enough. The VA for Knives tried to mimic the original VA by having a deeper voice for the character and pulled this task off quite nicely.

Japanese
I am running out of things to say about the Japanese version that I haven't said already. Yellow subtitles with black borders and voices that are just perfect. Rem's VA is much better than the one chosen for the American version, though the American version's Rem was alright.

Extras
Three extras included on this DVD. The first is the "Japanese DVD Design" which is simply seven images of the covers used for the Japanese DVD releases of Trigun. These images look much better than the ones we were given. 

"Seeds Crew Design" contains 16 images of the character and ship designs for the crew of Seeds.

Again, the final extra is "DVD Credits" which is the same as always.

Final Thoughts
Though only the first episode of this DVD is really good, the DVD is still well worth getting. Anyone who is a fan of the Trigun series or manga will want this volume. If not, you will find this volume very deep and entertaining. Later minna!

© Eric.