The official Twitter/X for the Trigun Stargaze TV anime series announced this weekend that the voice of Zazie the Beast will be recast, with Minami Takayama taking over the role from the late TARAKO, who passed away in March 2024. The anime premiered in Japan on January 10, 2026
TARAKO’s voice for Zazie the Beast can still be heard for Trigun Stargaze’s first episode, which was recorded prior to her death. Takayama will then voice the character from the second episode onwards.
The anime’s production committee provided a full statement below.
© 2026 内藤泰弘・少年画報社／「TRIGUN STARGAZE」製作委員会
Part of the statement reads:
Ms. TARAKO’s ability to fully embody the unsettling nature, dignity, and endearing qualities of Zazie was an immense source of support and inspiration for the entire production staff. The sorrow we felt upon receiving the news of her passing is beyond what words can express.
However, as TRIGUN STARGAZE adopted a pre-scoring process in which voice recording was conducted prior to animation production, we were able to reunite with Zazie the Beast as portrayed by Ms. TARAKO in Episode 1 of the series.
We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude for Ms. TARAKO’s many contributions, and once again express our deepest condolences. We sincerely thank her for everything she gave to this work.
Masako Sato (Haikyu!! To The Top) is directing the Trigun Stargaze anime series, with Kazuyuki Fudeyasu (Flower and Asura) as series composer, Koji Tajima as concept artist and original character designer, Kiyotaka Oshiyama (previously special effects designer, Look Back director and character designer et al., Flip Flappers director) as character designer, and Takehiko Okishi as story draft writer. Orange is in charge of the animation production.
Meanwhile, the anime’s voice cast stars:
- • Yoshitsugu Matsuoka as Vash the Stampede
- • Yoshimasa Hosoya as Nicholas D. Wolfwood
- • Sakura Ando as Meryl Stryfe
- • Ryuji Sato as Millions Knives (replaces Junya Ikeda)
- • Chika Ayamori as Milly Thompson
The 12-episode Trigun Stampede TV anime series was released in 2023 and was streamed by Crunchyroll.
Yasuhiro Nightow’s original Trigun manga series was serialized in Tokuma Shoten’s Monthly Shonen Captain magazine from 1995 to 1997 through several irregular serializations and hiatuses. Three tankobon volumes were released by Tokuma Shoten and two reprinted volumes by Shonengahosha.
Trigun: Maximum was then serialized in Shonengahosha’s Young King Ours magazine from October 1997 to March 2007. Fourteen tankobon volumes were released in total. Dark Horse Comics re-released both manga series in deluxe edition formats in 2024.
The manga previously inspired a 26-episode anime series adaptation that was released in 1998 and the anime film Trigun: Badlands Rumble in 2010. Both were produced by Madhouse and directed by Satoshi Nishimura.
© 2026 Yasuhiro Nightow, SHONENGAHOSHA / TRIGUN STARGAZE Project
Crunchyroll is streaming Trigun Stargaze in select countries and territories worldwide, describing the main premise as:
It’s been two and a half years since the Lost JuLai tragedy laid waste to an entire city and engulfed the whole planet in chaos. Meryl continues her search for Vash with her new younger sidekick, Milly, and runs into Wolfwood along the way. Meanwhile, Vash has taken the new name Eriks and is living in hiding in a backwater town. When he receives an abrupt visit and SOS from the third ship they call home, he acts swiftly in order to protect those dear to him. However, as soon as the planet receives good news from the far reaches of outer space, the one-winged angel returns to wreak havoc and despair. Fates collide to forge a final conclusion for the panicked planet.
Source: Trigun Stargaze Official Twitter
