Some critics commented on Vash's relationship with Knives. His final fight against Knives was seen as another well-developed scenario by "ANN". "Escapist" compared Vash and Knives to yin and yang because of their contrasting natures, which made their antagonism more appealing. "Comic Book Bin" also made this comparison, suggesting they subtly parallel Cain and Abel from the Book of Genesis because of how much Knives wants to torment his brother. By the manga's climax, "Mania" claimed the fight between these two characters was "the stuff of legend."