That, and the steam-punkish theme really seems to be the only similarities that I can see at face-value. Volume three was what really made me fall in love with the series- it introduced so much necessary plot that set it apart from many other manga like it. Of course, it’s a common stereotype that the immortal character wishes to die, but the reason WHY Rain cannot die is so much more compelling. Vash, to my knowledge, hasn’t experienced a wish to die at all (on the contrary, he loves being with people so much I don’t really think he’d want to), and although his sole purpose seems to be eliminating Knives, a la’ Rain and Yuca, I think comparing Machika to Wolfwood is… sort of unfounded. She lacks a guilt complex type angst, religious undertones, the theme of betrayal(after the second volume, at least), the extent of Wolfwood’s brooding and, I might not be looking deep enough, but I don’t recall Wolfwood and Vash ever making out.

They may seem like comparisons to Vash and Wolfwood, but as time progresses, both the plot and the characters themselves develop into something far different from Trigun. From your review, it’s honestly hard for me to tell if you’ve read past the first or second volume.

I really think you’re over-exaggerating in trying to make this out to be a carbon copy. There are similarities, yes, but it’s not some cheap knockoff like it seems you’re making it out to be.

The art is extremely standard for manga- pretty much the epitome of manga art- but it’s not unendurable.

Anyway, that’s my two cents. Take it how you will.

P.S. sorry for my crappy english..and thank you very much for the review..

If you read farther into Immortal Rain, though, past volumes one and two, up to three and four, and beyond, it really begins to stand out, making itself separate from the same-old same-old similarities it shares with Trigun and other series.

The characters are amazingly vivid and well-portrayed, even the creepy Yuca, who I can’t help but love. (Is it wrong to love a deeply disturbed little kid? Hehe, probably.)

You may have already read all of the series so far, in which case this is little more than pointless rambling, but if you haven’t, I highly recommend it. (Eight volumes have been released so far. Release speed is slow both here, and in Japan.) Of course, I may not have been exposed to enough manga to understand when something is just a carbon copy of others, but in many places, Immortal Rain seems refreshingly original and interesting, despite some similarities to Trigun. It makes itself stand out by relating over-used situations to well-developed characters and making them that much better.

Actually… if I’d started at the beginning, I probably wouldn’t love Immortal Rain as much as I do now. I actually picked up the fourth volume because of its cover illustration while sitting on the floor and bored to tears, when dragged along, unwillingly, with my Magic the Gathering obsessed family to a card shop.

Umm… I’m sorry for rambling. I’d be honored if you had a chance to reply. I’m overly obsessed with this underrated manga, and can’t find anyone to talk to about it. I’d love to hear someone else’s thoughts.