Milly Thompson

Milly is optimistic, kind and unusually trusting. She approaches strangers with genuine concern and often sees good intentions before Meryl does. Her apparent simplicity can be misleading; she notices details others overlook and is a capable chess player.

She is deeply attached to her large family and regularly writes home about her travels. Milly can also become surprisingly emotional over smaller matters, particularly food, and has considerably less tolerance for alcohol than her size might suggest.

Her compassion survives repeated exposure to violence. Rather than becoming cynical as the journey grows darker, she continues treating human life as something worth protecting.

Milly possesses exceptional physical strength for an ordinary human. She carries and fires a huge cross-shaped stun gun that would be unwieldy for most people, using its projectiles to incapacitate opponents without killing them.

Her weapon suits the nonlethal approach she shares with Vash. Milly is also capable in dangerous field situations and adapts quickly when Bernardelli's investigation turns into direct involvement with criminals.

Beyond combat, she displays strong intuition and unexpected intellectual ability. Her chess skill in particular suggests that her sometimes ditzy behavior should not be mistaken for lack of intelligence.

Milly accompanies Meryl from the beginning of the manga and 1998 anime as Bernardelli investigates the enormous insurance claims associated with Vash the Stampede. Their assignment gradually changes as they discover that the supposedly monstrous Humanoid Typhoon is trying to prevent the destruction attributed to him.

She develops a friendship with Nicholas D. Wolfwood during their travels. The 1998 anime gives their relationship stronger romantic implications than the manga, where their bond remains primarily friendship.

Wolfwood's death affects Milly deeply in both continuities, though the circumstances and the nature of their relationship differ. She ultimately continues supporting Meryl and Vash rather than allowing grief to destroy her optimism.

Meryl Stryfe is Milly's senior colleague, partner and close friend. Milly consistently addresses her with the respect due to her senior despite towering over her physically.

Vash the Stampede begins as the target of Milly's Bernardelli assignment. She comes to trust his compassion and supports him as the dangers surrounding his past become clearer.

Nicholas D. Wolfwood becomes Milly's friend during the journey. The 1998 anime develops a stronger romantic connection between them than the manga does.

Wolfwood's eventual death leaves Milly grieving, but she retains the compassion and optimism that define her throughout the journey.