Trigun Stampede Recap: Vash vs Knives and Everything You Need to Know for Stargaze
Confused by the end of Trigun Stampede Season 1? Here is a breakdown of the July Incident, Vash's ideology, and what Knives is planning for the Stargaze Phase.

The wait is over. Trigun Stampede: Stargaze Phase is finally premiering, but if you're scratching your head trying to remember what happened in Season 1, you aren't alone.
The finale of Trigun Stampede wasn't just a cliffhanger; it was a planetary catastrophe.
Here is everything you need to know about the conflict between Vash and Knives before you press play on the new season.
| Technical Specs | Detail |
|---|---|
| Original Creator | Yasuhiro Nightow |
| Studio | Studio Orange |
| Prequel | Trigun Stampede (Phase 1) |
| Streaming | Crunchyroll, Hulu |
The Core Conflict: Love vs. Genocide
Unlike the 1998 anime, Stampede dives straight into the philosophical war between the brothers.
- Vash the Stampede: Believes humanity is flawed but deserves to live. He refuses to kill, even if it costs him his body (literally, look at his cybernetic arm).
- Millions Knives: Believes humanity is a parasite that feasts on their kind (Plants). His goal isn't just to rule; it's to exterminate humanity to save the Plants.
The "July Incident" Explained
In the Season 1 finale, Knives successfully syncs Vash with the Plant network. He forces Vash's gate open, using him as a biological key to birth a new dimension where Plants can thrive—a process that destroys everything around them.
Vash breaks free, but the release of energy is catastrophic.
The city of July isn't just damaged; it is erased. The final shot of Season 1 showed a massive crater where the city stood. This is the July Incident, a historical event that defines Vash as "The Humanoid Typhoon."

Where We Are Now (Stargaze Phase)
We pick up years later.
- Vash is gone, presumed dead or in hiding, traumatized by his role in the destruction.
- Knives is recovering, preparing for his final move.
- Meryl Stryfe is no longer a rookie reporter; she is a hardened journalist searching for the truth behind the incident.
The Stargaze Phase isn't about saving a town anymore. It's about saving the planet from an ideological war that has already claimed millions.
!TIP Ready to watch the new season? Check out our premiere guide: Trigun Stampede: Stargaze Premiere - Final Phase Begins.
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