Nicholas D. Wolfwood (Stampede)
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- This article is about the Stampede continuity iteration of the character. For other uses of "Nicholas D. Wolfwood", see Nicholas D. Wolfwood (disambiguation).
| Nicholas D. Wolfwood | |
|---|---|
| Race | Human |
| Gender | Male |
| Japanese voice actor | Yoshimasa Hosoya[1] Mirei Kumagaiyoung[2] |
| English voice actor | David Matranga[3] Emily Nevesyoung[4] |
Nicholas D. Wolfwood is one of the main characters of Trigun Stampede.
Biography
Wolfwood's story begins as a child of about 11, growing up at the Hopeland Orphanage. During this time, he befriends Livio, who is also living there, and the two have typical childhood adventures. Unbeknownst to either boy, the orphanage is run by the Eye of Michael cult, and it is not long before their representatives come to the orphanage looking for the next Child of Blessing. Wolfwood is chosen and given a send-off party, but notices that his friend Livio is not present.
Upon arriving at the cult's base, Wolfwood is strapped to a cross-shaped table and injected with EoM serum. This rapidly accelerates his aging, causing him to physically grow into an adult in a matter of days to weeks instead of years. Wolfwood is quite lucky in that his body is still human and his sanity is still intact - in fact, this is so uncommon among test subjects that it earns Wolfwood an "S+" designation as the perfect test subject. Wolfwood is angry, however: he is angry at what's happened to him and angry at the cult for perpetrating it without his informed consent. One night, he breaks out of his cell and tries to escape, but is only stopped by Legato himself, who has come to see the "S+ Boy" and tell him that he is to become the Punisher of heretics in Knives' grand plan. Wolfwood wants nothing to do with it, but Legato presents Livio and says that if Wolfwood doesn't comply, they'll drug Livio instead and get him to do it. This at least gets Wolfwood to back down and do the job, even though he hates it the entire time.
Wolfwood then signs a contract with the cult - specifically, Pastor William - in which he is tasked with finding Knives' wayward brother Vash and bringing him back to the headquarters at JuLai. While travelling the desert, Wolfwood is hit by Meryl's car when she fails to see him in time to avoid him. Meryl and Roberto are travelling with Vash in the backseat, incidentally on their way to JuLai themselves. On the way to the sand steamer docks, the group stops in a deserted village to confront what remains of Rollo, a previous Child of Blessing who did not take well to the serum. This reveals an ideological divide between Vash and Wolfwood regarding mercy and murder: Wolfwood is frustrated by the fact that Vash seems so "soft".
At the docks, the group boards the steamer and heads for JuLai, but is surprised and confronted by a grown Livio. It turns out that the steamer is being trailed by the EoM - specifically Legato and Zazie - and after Livio attempts suicide, Legato breaks a drive shaft in the steamer and sends it onto a collision course with Wolfwood's hometown. He and Vash have to work together to succeed in stopping it and are miraculously successful. Wolfwood becomes even more frustrated with - and puzzled by - Vash's ideology. The group then stops by Ship 3 to see Brad and Luida and learn more about Vash's past. Meryl is kidnapped by Zazie and taken to JuLai, which finally leads Vash and Wolfwood back to JuLai and straight into EoM headquarters. Wolfwood's contract is considered fulfilled, much to his disgust, and he is free to leave. Vash and Knives have a massive confrontation which causes the headquarters and city to crumble. Wolfwood grabs Meryl and escapes to safety before they are consumed.
Currently, Wolfwood is travelling with Meryl and Co., but as Stargaze is still ongoing, it remains to be seen what will happen to Wolfwood and how it will play out.
Character
Appearance
Wolfwood appears long and lanky, much like Vash. He has black hair cut short, though his bangs are long enough to get into his eyes. He wears black sunglasses with squarish lenses. He wears an untucked gray dress shirt over straight-leg pants that stop at the tops of his ankles. Over the dress shirt, he wears a black blazer, and on his feet he wears black espadrilles. He is often seen lugging his Punisher around on his back.
Personality
This version of Wolfwood is sullen and cynical, doing whatever he has to do for the Eye to keep Livio and the other kids at the orphanage out of danger. He seems resigned to his fate despite being frustrated, because he can't see any way of escape. However, inside him there is still that kind-hearted boy who slowly begins to come out as he spends more time with Vash and his group.
Relationships
Wolfwood is begrudgingly friendly with Meryl and her group (though the begrudging-ness seems to lessen as time goes on). He is on good terms with Vash, although Vash's behavior frustrates him quite a bit. He rescues Meryl from JuLai before it explodes. He despises Legato (and resents Conrad) for forcing him into a role he does not want, and for threatening the people he cares about. He knows of the other Gung-Ho Guns to a greater or lesser degree, though it's not clear what his relationships with them are like. He's not fond of Elendira, though he does not seem to despise her the same way he does Legato. He knows about Knives, but it's not clear what his direct relationship is like with him (or if he even has one).
Weapons
Wolfwood's primary (and iconic) weapon is his Punisher cross, which fires normal bullets, fires laser beams, and, as of Stargaze, also acts as a shield. The cross is at least as tall as Wolfwood is, and it is made of metal with turquoise green inlays that light up when it's in use. The materials are presumably somewhat lightweight, as Wolfwood is often seen hefting the cross around one-handed.