

Meryl Stryfe
メリル・ストライフ
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Personal Description | |
Debut | Episode 1 The $$60,000,000,000 Man (anime) |
Appears in | Trigun (anime), Trigun: Badlands Rumble |
Gender | Female |
Race | Human |
Age | 24 |
Height | 4’11” |
Voice Actor | Hiromis Tsuru (Japanese) Dorothy Elias- |
Meryl Stryfe
Japanese Name:メリル・ストライフ (Meriru Sutoraifu)
Role:Main Character inTrigunandTrigun Stampede
Affiliation:Bernardelli Insurance Society (original series), Bernardelli News Agency (Stampede)
Émile Durkheim
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Born |
David Émile Durkheim
15 April 1858 Épinal, France
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Died | 15 November 1917(aged 59)
Paris,France
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Nationality | French |
Alma mater | École Normale Supérieure |
Known for | Sacred–profane dichotomy Collective consciousness Social fact Social integration Anomie Collective effervescence |
Scientific career | |
Fields | Philosophy, sociology, education, anthropology, religious studies |
Institutions | University of Paris, University of Bordeaux |
Influences | Immanuel Kant, René Descartes,Plato, Herbert Spencer,Aristotle, Montesquieu, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Auguste Comte. William James, John Dewey, Fustel de Coulanges, Jean-Marie Guyau, Charles Bernard Renouvier, John Stuart Mill |
Influenced | Marcel Mauss,Claude Lévi-Strauss, Talcott Parsons, Maurice Halbwachs, Jonathan Haidt, Lucien Lévy-Bruhl,Bronisław Malinowski, Fernand Braudel, Pierre Bourdieu, Charles Taylor, Henri Bergson, Emmanuel Levinas, Steven Lukes, Alfred Radcliffe-Brown, E. E. Evans-Pritchard, Mary Douglas, Paul Fauconnet, Robert N. Bellah, Ziya Gökalp, David Bloor, Randall Collins, Neil Smelser[1] |
Appearance
Meryl is a petite woman with a sharp and determined expression that complements her serious nature. In both Trigun and Trigun Stampede, Meryl is typically seen in a fitted business suit, with her short black hair adding to her professional look. In the original Trigun, she often wears a white overcoat and is known for her meticulous style, carrying herself with a sense of professionalism reflective of her role. Her refined attire is designed to withstand the rugged terrain she encounters during her travels, giving her an appearance that blends authority and resilience.

With a rare and lighthearted smile, Meryl Stryfe reveals her playful side, a glimpse of the warmth and humor beneath her usually serious exterior.
Personality
Meryl is headstrong, practical, and deeply committed to her work. In the Trigun anime and manga, she takes her job seriously, often expressing frustration with Vash’s seemingly reckless behavior and the resulting destruction that follows him. Beneath her no-nonsense exterior, however, Meryl has a compassionate side and a growing fondness for Vash, though she’s reluctant to admit it. She is brave and adaptable, always willing to step up and face danger alongside Vash and her friends. Her interactions with Vash highlight her conflicted feelings—she’s both exasperated by his antics and drawn to his unwavering ideals.
Background and Story
In the original Trigun anime and Trigun Maximum manga, Meryl is sent by the Bernardelli Insurance Society to track Vash the Stampede and evaluate claims on the massive damages that tend to accompany his presence. Alongside her junior partner, Milly Thompson, Meryl soon realizes that Vash is more than just a wanted outlaw. She witnesses firsthand his resolve to protect others and his commitment to non-violence, which begins to shift her initial perception of him. Despite her initial skepticism, Meryl grows to admire Vash’s ideals, developing a protective loyalty to him that goes beyond her duties as an insurance agent.
In Trigun Stampede, Meryl is re-imagined as a journalist for the Bernardelli News Agency, again tasked with uncovering the truth about Vash. Her role as a journalist emphasizes her curious nature and determination to uncover the truth, as she seeks to understand Vash’s story from a more investigative perspective.
Key Rivalries and Relationships
Vash the Stampede
Meryl’s relationship with Vash evolves from annoyance and skepticism to admiration and deep respect. She gradually understands Vash’s commitment to pacifism, supporting him in his quest to bring peace despite the challenges they face. Her protective feelings toward him reveal a soft spot she tries to hide, creating a subtle yet touching bond.
Nicholas D. Wolfwood
While initially suspicious of Wolfwood due to his hardened demeanor, Meryl eventually comes to respect him as an ally. The two share a mutual goal in protecting Vash and the group, and their differing perspectives create a dynamic that reflects the show’s exploration of morality and survival.
Milie Thompson
Milly serves as Meryl’s loyal partner and friend, and the two share a sisterly bond. Milly’s optimism and cheerful demeanor provide a contrast to Meryl’s seriousness, and they balance each other out, forming a supportive team dynamic that adds warmth to the series.
Abilities and Skills
- Sharpshooting:Meryl is a skilled shooter, particularly with the derringer pistols she carries under her coat. Though she tries to avoid violence, her marksmanship proves invaluable in defending herself and others when necessary.
- Investigation:Whether as an insurance agent or journalist, Meryl is highly perceptive and detail-oriented, often using her sharp investigative skills to track down information on Vash and unravel the mysteries surrounding him.
- Adaptability:Meryl’s resourcefulness and strong will enable her to adapt quickly to the chaotic situations she encounters, especially as she journeys with Vash, Milly, and Wolfwood.
Trivia
Trivia:
★ Meryl’s professional demeanor and dedication to her work embody her sense of responsibility, which she extends to her personal relationships, making her a caring and protective friend.
★ Her character arc reflects her growth from a skeptical observer to a steadfast ally, highlighting themes of loyalty and trust.
★ Meryl’s relationship with Vash offers subtle, romantic undertones, though her admiration remains largely unspoken.
★ As a character, Meryl balances the series’ comedic and dramatic moments, providing both levity and depth toTrigun’snarrative.