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Information
Title (English) Noir
Title (Japanese) Noir
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book cover

Fantasy Novel

Notes
Classification -
Synopsis Female assassins.
Review I finally got a chance to see the first two episodes of the much talked about TV Tokyo late night anime, "Noir" on the region 2 DVD release, Victor Entertainment VIBF-101, which is in 16:9 format. This show isn't being shown on TV Osaka, so my friend couldn't tape it for me when it started back in April.
I understood from the TV ads that the series was a variation on "La Femme Nikita", but I was a bit surprised to find out that it is done in a very "Euro-stylish", as well as a film noir approach. Yes, the series is about two assassin girls, but it is definitely more than that. The story actually reminds me more of the original "Day of the Jackal" crossed with the first "Grappler Baki" series. This looks to be a show, like "Baki", and to an extent "Jackal", in which there may not be any real "good guys" (or girls).
Now, sure, there are a lot of derivative things in "Noir", not the least of which are the character designs, particularly for Mireille, who is such an Ifurita/Sylia ( BGC 2040 ) lookalike that I'd swear that she was pulled off of an AIC computer screen. But there is something about Mireille that has caught my attention. And there is no doubt in my mind that the opening song is one of the most addictive themes I've heard in a long time. And the rest of the BGM is good too. Only the ending theme doesn't really grab me.
But the music is only part of the overall style of the show, and to a good extent, "style" is what "Noir" is all about. And it's a stylish approach that happens to grab me. I like the deliberate pacing, the contrast of "work versus play", the timing and execution of the action and all the subtle hints that things aren't quite what they seem. This isn't going to be an anime for "everyone", but if you are seduced by the opening theme, then get interested in either or both of the protagonists ( I'm not sure that "heroine" is appropriate ) you may very well, like me, find "Noir" to be an intriguing and entertaining series.
(Dave Baranyi)

Possible Spoilers I didn't know quite what to expect when I received the first "Noir" disc last year, but I was immediately stunned by the opening animation and music. Then as the first couple of episodes unfolded, I was fascinated by all the details and nuances, and in particular by the character of Mireille. All this came together in a style that was so reminiscent of French "flic" films that I kept forgetting that the series was in Japanese and not in French. And "style" is so much part-and-parcel of the power of "Noir". The episodes are almost as stylized and structured as those in "Utena". Each scene is framed by a particular piece of music that sets the mood and expectations. The animation is equally stylized with cascading images in the action scenes that are daring and breathtaking.
I also loved all the little details and hints about Mireille's character, particularly in the early episodes where she continually tries to justify the killings to Kirika, but is really trying to justify them to herself. Of course, the action scenes revolve around Kirika, cumulating in several fantastically choreographed fight scenes where Kirika mindlessly goes on a killing spree, only to wonder afterwards why she can't feel any emotion during or after the killing. As Mireille and Kirika became more involved with Chloe and Artena, revenge, forgiveness and love all became intertwined. In the end, it is Mireille's decision to forego revenge and extend forgiveness and love that allows saves her and Kirika and allows them to finally "leave the darkness and enter the light". All-in-all, "Noir" is one of the most memorable anime series I have seen. (Dave Baranyi)

Credits Dir: Koichi Mashimo
Episodes 26
Release Jap:DVD, US:DVD
TV Showing See the whole series for free? This series may be syndicated to regional cable, satellite or terrestial TV stations. For Europe click here.
Date 2001-04-06
Production B-Train
Broadcaster TV Tokyo
Animation
References & Help Look up the latest data on this title at:
Richard Llewellyn's Animated Divots, or
Anime News Network (see Encyclopedia section) ,
or in "The Anime Encyclopedia" (Clements & McCarthy, Stone Bridge Press, 2001).
Help & further information.

 

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