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Émile Durkheim

Vash the Stampede

Vash the Stampede
Japanese Name:ヴァッシュ・ザ・スタンピード (Vasshu za Sutanpīdo)
Role:Main Protagonist ofTrigun
Alias:The Humanoid Typhoon
Bounty:60,000,000,000(sixtybilliondoubledollars)inthe1998animeandmanga,60,000,000,000 (“sixty billion double dollars”) in the 1998 anime and manga,6,000,000 (six million double dollars) in the 2023 anime

Émile Durkheim
Born
David Émile Durkheim

(1858-04-15)15 April 1858

Épinal, France
Died 15 November 1917(1917-11-15)(aged 59)

Paris,France
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

Vash has a tall, lean frame with striking blonde spiky hair and is often depicted wearing a long, red trench coat that has become iconic with his image. He also sports a pair of yellow-tinted glasses and a prosthetic left arm that conceals a weapon, adding to his mysterious and imposing aura. His attire reflects both his past hardships and his role as a drifter, blending practicality with a unique style that is both recognizable and symbolic of his journey. Vash’s entire look—his coat, glasses, and towering frame—gives him an almost mythical presence that makes him instantly identifiable.

A collection of Durkheim's courses on the origins of socialism (1896), edited and published by his nephew, Marcel Mauss, in 1928

With his signature revolver in hand and a focused gaze, Vash the Stampede stands poised, embodying the sharp skill and enigmatic charm of a legendary gunslinger.

Personality

Despite his bounty and the widespread perception of him as a dangerous outlaw, Vash is inherently gentle, optimistic, and driven by a strong moral code rooted in the principles of “love and peace” taught to him by his adoptive mother, Rem. Vash deeply values human life, and his pacifist philosophy shapes his approach to the chaotic and violent world around him. He often displays a playful, almost comical side, which disarms those who expect the ruthless “Humanoid Typhoon.” However, beneath his lightheartedness lies a deep well of trauma and inner conflict stemming from his violent past and the personal losses he has endured.

Background and Story

Vash’s life has been marked by hardship, beginning with his upbringing and the moral lessons instilled by Rem, who serves as a beacon of kindness and compassion in his life. Her influence becomes Vash’s guiding principle, as he travels from town to town, protecting others and avoiding violence despite the significant bounty on his head. His journey often leads him into conflicts with bounty hunters, bandits, and people who misunderstand him or seek to exploit his bounty.

In the 1998 anime, Vash’s encounter with Meryl Stryfe and Milly Thompson, insurance agents investigating the destruction associated with him, unveils the truth behind his reputation. The two women initially track Vash as part of their job but eventually come to see him as a well-intentioned figure who suffers from the chaos surrounding him.

In the 2023 anime adaptation, Meryl teams up with Roberto De Niro instead, and they stumble upon Vash, who is restrained by the military police. Here, his bounty is reduced to $$6,000,000, still significant but less daunting than the prior figure. This adaptation explores Vash’s journey with a fresh narrative, retaining his pacifist ideals while introducing new dynamics with characters like Roberto.

In the Trigun manga, Vash’s interactions with the residents of a struggling town highlight his compassion for innocents, as he tries to resolve their financial difficulties peacefully, even when faced with adversaries like Father Nebraska and Son Gofsef.

Key Rivalries and Relationships

Rem Saverem

Vash’s adoptive mother figure, who taught him the values of compassion, love, and peace. Her influence drives his unyielding dedication to protecting others and avoiding unnecessary harm.

Meryl Stryfe and Milly Thompson

Insurance agents tracking Vash who become close friends and allies. Through them, Vash finds people who understand and support his ideals, bringing warmth and camaraderie into his life.

Nicholas D. Wolfwood

A fellow gunman and complex figure in Vash’s life. The two share a mutual respect and navigate their ideological differences regarding violence and justice, each shaping the other’s views.

Knives Millions

Vash’s estranged brother and antagonist, Knives holds a starkly contrasting worldview, driving much of Vash’s internal and external conflict. Their relationship explores themes of morality, family, and the clash of ideals.

Abilities and Skills

  • Marksmanship:Vash is a highly skilled gunman, wielding a powerful nickel revolver with speed and precision. His ability to disarm and incapacitate opponents without killing them underscores his pacifist ideals.
  • Combat Prowess:Though averse to violence, Vash possesses formidable combat skills, utilizing his agility, intelligence, and resourcefulness to avoid lethal outcomes in conflicts.
  • Angel Arm:Vash’s left arm hides a devastating weapon known as the “Angel Arm,” which unleashes immense power but at the cost of great personal conflict. This ability is tied to his traumatic past and adds a layer of complexity to his pacifist philosophy.

Signature Weapon

Signature Weapon:
Nickel Revolver:Vash’s iconic weapon of choice, symbolizing both his skill as a gunslinger and his struggle to wield power responsibly. His revolver is intricately designed and showcases his connection to his past while representing his commitment to justice without bloodshed.

Trivia

Trivia:
★ Vash’s pacifist journey reflectsTrigun’s exploration of morality, redemption, and the cost of nonviolence in a violent world.
★ Despite his fearsome bounty, Vash’s philosophy and lighthearted nature make him a symbol of resilience and hope.
★ His catchphrase, “Love and Peace,” captures the essence of his character, contrasting with his turbulent surroundings.
★ Vash’s past and the trauma he carries add a poignant layer to his character, resonating with themes of forgiveness and the pursuit of inner peace.