Trigun Stampede (2023): JuLai

Research Help: sutekiniichan

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Seven Cities Union

JuLai is considered the third city of the Seven Cities Union. According to Studio Orange’s Story Conceptual Fragments: About the Seven Cities, the city was established in July, Planetary Era 1.

Official Symbol

Each city in the Seven Cities Union has an official symbol used for communication and paperwork, typically printed or stamped in red ink. JuLai’s symbol is an open octagon with a stylized S in the center which resembles the Japanese symbol called the futatsudomoe (meaning ‘two tomoe’, tomoe referring to the teardrop or comma-like shape.

There are other symbols with different numbers of tomoe, the most common being three tomoe). While the exact origin of the symbol is unknown, it has been used in contexts of religion, philosophy, and martial arts. The futatsudomoe specifically bears resemblance to the yin-yang symbol. It should be noted that JuLai appears to have a strong Asian influence in its culture.

JuLai's official symbol — JuLai’s official symbol

A futatsudomoe, meaning 'two tomoe'. — A futatsudomoe, meaning ‘two tomoe’.

Studio Orange Conceptual Fragments

William Conrad, who was the leader of the Project SEEDS science division, proactively developed the city so it can sustain his research base with the alias Revenant Vazquez. Conrad was a top-notch plant engineer and maximized the efficiency of the surviving environmental and general-purpose plants and developed the city into the wealthiest in No Man’s Land Revenant Vazquez deliberately controlled the population in July. Individuals must contribute to the city’s development and pass a screening process to obtain citizenship. This system is strictly enforced to prevent excessive strain on the plants.
Studio Orange’s Story Conceptual Fragments: About the Seven Cities

JuLai description from Studio Orange's Story Conceptual Fragments graphic. — JuLai description from Studio Orange’s Story Conceptual Fragments graphic.

JuLai or July?

Both July and JuLai are used in Trigun Stampede, with JuLai used for the English sub translation dialogue. The official account has clarified that both spellings are correct. JuLai is a romanization of kanji that is also used to spell July 儒來儒 – Ju 來 – Lai

Studio Orange's English Twitter account accepting both spellings, with a typo for JuLai as JuRai. — Studio Orange’s English Twitter account accepting both spellings, with a typo for JuLai as JuRai.

Studio Orange's English Twitter account correcting the JuRai tweet, saying JuLai was the intended second spelling. — Studio Orange’s English Twitter account correcting the JuRai tweet, saying JuLai was the intended first spelling. For the purposes of the Library, JuLai is the preferred spelling, except where written as July such as in episode titles.

Studio Orange's Japanese Twitter account for "Humanity" showing the kanji for JuLai. — Studio Orange’s Japanese Twitter account for “Humanity” showing the kanji for JuLai.