Wow. Rurouni Kenshin = Trigun with samurais?

[Vance]

Possible, but not likely. There are too many intricate similarities to be chalked up to coincidence. It's not just the plot, it's also how the characters are directed, suddle motions, reactions to certain situations, etc.

Taking influence is not a bad thing though, as long as they work in the context of the anime as a whole. It is also comforting that Kenshin covered the plot of the first five episodes of Trigun in one episode, which means it's going to have to branch in a new direction rather quickly.