Plant (Trigun)

Plant is a term used in the anime and manga series Trigun to refer to a species of organism present in the fictional world. The main character of the series, Vash, and his twin brother, Knives are both Plants.

Plants are inter-dimensional beings that are tapped as a source of power and energy for the planet Gunsmoke, a planet within the Trigun series universe. They are beings that can generate energy and even food and water based on environmental conditions. Plants were invented by humans, and are usually kept alive in light bulb shaped containers and used as a power source. Vash and Knives are independent Plants, meaning they can survive independently (other plants depend on being kept in a special environment in their containers) and even use their powers of their own conscious will.

Plant Characteristics

As humanoid plants, the characters Vash and Knives display a few distinct characteristics which separate them from the human race.

Extended lifespan

The character Vash shows an extended lifespan beyond the reach of ordinary humans. In the Anime series the character is 130 years old. In the manga version he is aged even more so at 150 years.

Weapon generation

Both Vash and Knives exhibit the ability to generate powerful weapons from their bodies. Vash's ultimate weapon, the Angel Arm, is the result of this ability. Knives manifests this ability in the form of an array of blades.

Plant fusion

With an advanced level of control over their Plant ability the user gains the ability to merge and manipulate plant energies. This power is seen in Knives' use of plant matter to increase his own powers throughout the manga. At one point he even attempts to absorb his brother but is overwhelmed at the potent energy source and fails in his goal. Later in the series Knives absorbed enough plants to create an "Ark"- -a floating ship which aided in his attempts to capture the remaining plant life on Planet Gunsmoke.

Plot

Vash and Knives were born aboard a SEEDS ship, part of a fleet to send humans to colonize new worlds. A scientist named Rem raised the two over a period of one year and they grew quickly, resembling preteens within that time. Vash keeps an expressionless face because he does not know how he should look, and both twins are concerned about what humans will think of them. Soon afterward, they discover that their birth had been preceded by another: Tesla. The crew of the ship, interested in the discovery of an "independent" plant, experimented on her until she died. Her dissected remains are discovered by Knives and Vash.