(2001)
26 episodes

Screenplay : Tsukimura Ryouei Character designs : Kikuchi Youko Music : Kajiura Yuki Producer : Mashimo Kouichi

SUMMARY

Frenchwoman killer Mireille Bouquet receives an e-mail from young Japanese woman: Yumura Kirika. The latter invite her to make "a pilgrimage in the past". She has a watch that's very significant for Mireille. At the time of their meeting, young Kirika tells she has forgotten her past but has unquestionable competences to assassinate without knowing why. Where as Mireille rather seeks to forget hers. The two young women became allied under the name of "Noir".

Each episode confronts them with a new contract. But Noir will discover that they are threatened by the "Soldats", another gang of killers. Noir also meets Chloé, a young killer teenager who says being "the True Noir". As the episodes progress, we discover the mystery of the past of Mireille, Kirika, the Soldats and, especially, Noir.



REVIEW

What dazzles in "Noir" is the music which is absolutely astounding. Canta per me takes religious accents, Salva Nos mix it with "dance", Melodie remixes a lullaby, Copperia No Hitsugi is rather pop and Romance is very appropriate for a Parisian ambience. In short, hats off to the musical composition which sticks so well to the series and adds several meanings to it!

The screenplay is, in my opinion, excellent. The mystery is practically kept until the very end, even though we start to suspect the outcome towards the 24th episode. The scenes of slaughter are very well drawn and particularly impressive. Pity do not exist. Some confrontations cause admiration, others, sorrow. I noticed that certain scenes returned a little too often, especially at the beginning of the anime. Moreover, one could have created drawings a little more realistic, the victims remains always immaculate and without bloodstains.

Besides these details, the drawings are very beautiful by their simplicity and their colors. For someone who understands French, the series takes an other dimension since it's possible to read the text. They are translated by Mireille or Kirika for the Japanese audience but it remains interesting being able to read it on screen.

Finally, I liked "Noir" very much. The end is very good, but the best would probably be the gradual discovery of the mysteries. The actions scenes and music remains strong points (very strong) of the series. Worth seeing!



Review made with the Japanese original version with English subtitles



Myriel DesTorrents
myriel.destorrents@iquebec.com

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