Stampede is WAY prettier and I love it, but I still think I like the 98 anime more. I think they just got more time to tell the story slightly better with their 26 episodes compared to Stampede only having 12
I think they're both good and the fun thing is they actually tell two different stories!!! A couple of the same major plot points, but they happen at different times in slightly different places and ways!
Here is my personal recommendation through for when I have been asked what people should start with. But this is just my personal opinion. I don't think you can go overly wrong either way
Watch Trigun 98 first. There is a bit more mystery in this one. With 26 episodes they had time to let things unravel to give you moments of: wait, how? What is that? That's got to be important later.
Plus I feel all the characters get a bit of a better chance to shine along with Vash in this one. Because, again, double the length
Then I'd watch Trigun Stampede It is gorgeous. I love looking at this anime. I have some understanding of how 3D works, not much, but enough that I look and go: damn a lot of love and time went into this. I so often forgot it was 3D with how smooth everything is.
This is the one to watch if you like action more than character growth
That's not to say the characters are bad. They're still great, but they are slightly different compared to the original. It is also very much the Vash show here and he greatly outshines the rest. Hands down the Knives here is better
They are also hinting at a second season one day. So my opinion may change. Still for just 12 episodes it's jam packed
There is a bit more mystery in this one. With 26 episodes they had time to let things unravel to give you moments of: wait, how? What is that? That's got to be important later.
Plus I feel all the characters get a bit of a better chance to shine along with Vash in this one. Because, again, double the length
It is gorgeous. I love looking at this anime. I have some understanding of how 3D works, not much, but enough that I look and go: damn a lot of love and time went into this. I so often forgot it was 3D with how smooth everything is.
This is the one to watch if you like action more than character growth
They are also hinting at a second season one day. So my opinion may change. Still for just 12 episodes it's jam packed