Noir
Assassination never looked so good
Review by: Craig "Dead-Eye Dick" Norris
Length: 26 episodes
Genre: Action
Watched: 1-26, subbed
By the time I had finished the first episode, I knew that I had found something special. As the series went on, that belief was only strengthened. The show brings many elements to the table, not the least of which are introspective characters, Matrix-esque action sequences, and the all-important hot chicks with guns.
Plot summary: Assassin for hire Mireille Bouquet receives a strange e-mail regarding a young student, Kirika Yumura. She is about to dismiss it as nothing, when a familiar tune from her past envelops her. Mireille sets out to find Kirika, and discover what connection she has with the melody. Upon catching up with her, she discovers the young girl possesses almost superhuman combat abilities. Spurred on by the pocket watch from which the melody familiar to Mireille originates, she agrees to help Kirika rediscover her past. They join forces, forming the two-member assassination organization Noir.
Artwork: Visually, the series is quite a treat. I was not this impressed by the artwork of a series since Cowboy Bebop. Particularly impressive are the backgrounds, which are detailed and expansive. The character designs are diverse enough to give each character their own unique flavor. The action sequences are seamless, and serve to start your adrenalin flowing like water. One major gripe I had about it, though, was the absence of blood. When people get shot, they bleed; it is a fact of life that seemed to be lost on the animators. During the expansive action sequences when body after body stacks on top of one another in an orgy of death, not a single drop of blood stains the earth, which greatly detracts from the credibility of a show that centers around a pair of assassins.
Music: The soundtrack is solid, combining rich vocals with subtle techno elements. It's not exactly Dance Dance Revolution, but a good portion of the score would not be out of place in a discotheque. As good as the soundtrack is, however, it gets repetitive. If you'll forgive another comparison to Cowboy Bebop, that soundtrack overflowed onto five CDs, while Noir's music would easily fit onto one. (Editor's note: He's not obsessed with Cowboy Bebop. Really, he isn't.) During action sequences, we are subjected to the same two or three songs throughout the course of the series, and many songs are simply remixes of the same tune. I was impressed by the music at the beginning, but by the end I was getting mighty bored.
Characters: Noir offers a fantastic array of characters, most of them having something to do with killing people. Mireille is a highly skilled blonde femme fatale who is considered one of the most reliable assassins in the underworld. An ironic situation indeed, since we later find out that her own parents and brother were the victims of assassination. She has a very casual and outgoing demeanor which quickly ices over when she's on the job. Kirika is probably the most interesting character in the series. She shows flashes of caring and emotion at times, but at other points in the series she makes Rei Ayanami seem warm and personable. If Mireille wields guns skillfully, Kirika uses them as an extension of herself. Once a person is in her sights, it's all over. Plus, she doesn't necessarily need her guns to kill. She has inflicted fatalities with the following items: A fork, a toy truck, an ID card, sunglasses, and a tie. And those are just the ones I can remember off the top of my head. Then, there 
is the mysterious Chloe, who fights with knives. No one is quite sure what side she is on, and she certainly doesn't give many clues herself until much later on. One thing is certain: she is a badass to the highest degree. High praise indeed, considering her gender. Anime needs more female badasses, and pretty much the entire main cast of Noir fills up some spots on the roster.
Plot: The progression of the plot reminded me of some of my favorite spy novels, and the international flavor present throughout really made me feel like this stuff could be going on in my own back yard. At times the progression seems episodic, but as we draw closer to the climax we see that they were all an integral part of the main plot. Translation: watch this show in order for maximum edification. One problem was that the show used too many flashbacks. Sometimes they were necessary and beneficial, but at other times they showed more than what needed to be rehashed. At several points I found myself thinking, "I just saw this in the last episode; why are you showing it to me again?" Maybe some of the staffers from DBZ had a hand in this one.
CHICKS!: Not only does Noir get your adrenalin pumping, I think you'll find a bit of testosterone mixed in as well. Not since Faye Valentine has there been as hot a chick with a gun as Mireille. (ED: Nope, not obsessed at all...) The fact that she wears leather boots, a miniskirt, and a tight shoulderless top certainly substantiates that suggestion. If I was going to get brutally murdered, I would want her to be the one to do it; what an image to take to the 
grave! Kirika looks absolutely adorable. Then she whips out her pistol and shoots everyone between the eyes. I must admit, sometimes the ease with which she pulls the trigger is a tad frightening. When she's with Mireille, however, she seems to let more of her emotions show through. Chloe is actually very cute, but she doesn't let that side of herself show through to many people. Her cloak covers the lower half of her face, and her eyes can be downright scary. But in a more relaxed atmosphere she often acts like an innocent, excitable young girl. Not only are these chicks easy on the eyes, but they're also complex.
Overall: Noir does have a handful of noticeable flaws. However, they cannot outweigh the fact that this is a quality series, which will appeal to anyone with a taste for action and introspection alike. I was particularly impressed by the fact that even later episodes were able to surprise and enthrall me. Noir slammed on the gas pedal from episode one, and didn't let up until the last credits rolled. Do yourself a favor, and don't let this action-filled roller coaster blow past you.
IN A NUTSHELL
+ Great animation
+ Astounding action sequences
+ Deeper than meets the eye
- Repetitive soundtrack
- Conspicuous absence of blood
- Liberal use of flashbacks
Rating: 8.5/10
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