I liked it overall, but I understand why people who liked the old series would be disappointed here. If the old series took the manga in a sillier, episodic direction, then Stampede decided to go the opposite way. Stampede weaves a coherent and dark narrative from the origins of Planet Gunsmoke, or I guess it’s called something else this time, I actually can’t recall.

I feel like Vash is almost a passenger along for the ride half the time here, and I believe that is an important thing for how the show ends. When he finally decides to stop being a passive participant, it’s a great feeling. Knives lashing out at him and telling himt I his face that he is only being selfish was an incredible moment. Old show or new, the point of seeing his pacifist attitude lead to tragedy and hardship is to show that sometimes difficult decisions have to be made and doing nothing can be more harmful than doing something.

I’m hopeful for another season, and I think I’ll end up watching it a second time at some point to go over everything again.