Rating: 
Summary: Up, up, and away
Review: If you thought Noir's pace in the first two volumes was slow (and let's face it, even fans of the series acknowledge this), you DON'T want to miss this volume, because it's where the series really takes off. The 'assassination case of the week' pattern set up in the first episodes takes an unexpected turn when Kirika and Mireille try to do a job only to find someone else has beaten them to it. That someone is a mysterious girl called Chloe--and she fancies herself the 'true' Noir.
This volume is where we really start to see that there is much more than meets the eye when it comes to the girls and to Noir. It also introduces Chloe, who is arguably the best character of the series.
Even though this volume only contains three episodes, they are the best ones so far and some of the best ones in the whole series. Episode 12, the last one on this disc, is my favorite overall; it focuses on Chloe, and we understand that though she is utterly dedicated to her mission as 'the true Noir,' she is also much more than that.
If you've seen the first two volumes and are even remotely waffling on whether or not to continue, watch this volume first. It should raise your interests, asking far more questions than it even begins to answer. This series has only just begun to fight.
Rating:
Summary: A Mad Tea Party
Review: Just when you thought that Mirielle and Kirika were the baddest babes out there, in comes Chloe. As skilled as Kirika, but with none of her doubts or dilemas, Chloe is a cold blooded killer who never lets her guard down.
But this strange girl is not without her softer side. She honors an old man's final request, and she is respectful and even affectionate towards her mentor, the enigmatic Altena. And Altena, despite being behind Les Soldats, dotes on Chloe as a mother would her daughter. Much remains to be learned, but this is definitely an interesting series so far.
My one complaint: Will ADV make up their blasted minds about how many episodes go on one disc?! Five, four, and now three? Sheesh.
Rating:
Summary: noir great anime
Review: noir is a great anime that i dont see why more people dont like it, it has great action, and ok storyline. if u are a anime colector i dont see why you wouldnt get this.
Rating:
Summary: A cool new character
Review: One thing I don't like about the way anime series have started coming out is the 7 disk format which means one of the disk is only going to have 3 episodes.
That said, I have to say that I find this installment of the Noir series is one of the best so far. The introduction of Chloe and her claim to be the true Noir puts a interesting spin on the series. The fact that this claim was made after Chloe beats Mireille and Kirika to the mark for the second time rattles our girls to no end.
Its interesting to see the story shift off of our main characters to focus even an entire episode on another. The way its done gives us a good look at Chloe even though it doesn't explain much about her. She is cool, cold blooded, and profesional but at times she also shows a child like youth and a wonder for beauty. Aslo, what is her connection with Kirika? Never showing weakness and never with her guard down she is a very cool enigma to the series.
Rating:
Summary: This is where Noir goes from Good to Awesome
Review: The first two volumes of Noir were good. If you're reading this you've most likely seen them. They had great action and the best music I've ever heard. I don't usually notice the music much, but it seems almost like a character in Noir. The music is what gives the action scenes a lot of their artistic style.
Vol. 3 continues this. But it also adds Chloe, the third of the main characters. She seems to have more presence than Mirielle or Kirika. Chloe brings a certain style (and a bit of humor) to Noir and her presence makes the series infinitely better.
Rating:
Summary: After a slow start, the storyline now shifts into high gear!
Review: The next episode has an informant trying to bring them additional information on Noir, and the mysterious Soldats. He talks about bringing them an ancient book, which will provide some of the background on the group. In somewhat predictable fashion, he's going to have trouble completing the transaction, as dozens of killers show up. Again they are helped by the mysterious Chloe, who briefly sits down for a very nervous tea party. Episode 12 explores more about Chloe; the two principals are not even a part of this episode. It involves a general, long retired, who is perhaps too dangerous to leave alive by certain factions. He still knows the game well, and treats Chloe as an honored guest, even though he knows she's there to kill him. The bounds of Noirs honor are perhaps explored, as the general has an unusual favor to ask of his potential killer. In many ways, this episode echoes an early episode, with Kirika and the white cat. It shows the depth of character within Chloe, and of course more of her spectacular abilities. It appears someone else also has the same contract... or do they? The final episode on the third DVD is the closest thing to a true romance in the series. It involves Kirika, and a painter she meets while trying to draw along the riverbank. He shows her the proper technique, and they develop a fast friendship. Mireille advises Kirika, that her relationship with the painter is not a good thing in their profession. Is this something that Kirika must learn for herself? Like the two DVDs that precede this, we again get great music, and near flawless animations. If anything, the stylishness which is the main strength of the series, has picked up along with the plot.
Rating:
Summary: After a slow start, the storyline now shifts into high gear!
Review: The next episode has an informant trying to bring them additional information on Noir, and the mysterious Soldats. He talks about bringing them an ancient book, which will provide some of the background on the group. In somewhat predictable fashion, he's going to have trouble completing the transaction, as dozens of killers show up. Again they are helped by the mysterious Chloe, who briefly sits down for a very nervous tea party. Episode 12 explores more about Chloe; the two principals are not even a part of this episode. It involves a general, long retired, who is perhaps too dangerous to leave alive by certain factions. He still knows the game well, and treats Chloe as an honored guest, even though he knows she's there to kill him. The bounds of Noirs honor are perhaps explored, as the general has an unusual favor to ask of his potential killer. In many ways, this episode echoes an early episode, with Kirika and the white cat. It shows the depth of character within Chloe, and of course more of her spectacular abilities. It appears someone else also has the same contract... or do they? The final episode on the third DVD is the closest thing to a true romance in the series. It involves Kirika, and a painter she meets while trying to draw along the riverbank. He shows her the proper technique, and they develop a fast friendship. Mireille advises Kirika, that her relationship with the painter is not a good thing in their profession. Is this something that Kirika must learn for herself? Like the two DVDs that precede this, we again get great music, and near flawless animations. If anything, the stylishness which is the main strength of the series, has picked up along with the plot.
Rating:
Summary: Never Let the Right Hand Know...
Review: The surprise in this third DVD in what has proven to be one of this years most stylish issues, is the sudden appearance of a mysterious killer who keeps doing Noir's jobs for them. Of course, when you are a pair of assassins, this doesn't create a sense of gratitude and Mirielle and Kirika go one full alert. When a promising information source is killed, Mirielle decides that Les Soldats are involved, but this helps little. Les Soldats are as inexplicable as the mysterious assassin is. Chloe, the viewer finds out, is a pure killer, capable of a cruel sort of kindness. One with skills that surpass Mirielle's own. But, Chloe marches to her own agenda, or rather, to the agenda of Altena, a secret power in the world's most secret organization. Chloe believes she is the true Noir, rather than a team that has merely adopted and old, unused name. And she puts up a pretty good argument. Leaving a trail of spectacular yet efficient murders behind her. It is hard to decide who is one whose side. Chloe is taking on Noir's targets and has no qualms about endangering the team, but she doesn't attack them directly. Which she seems quite capable of doing. Soldat politics are so baroque that Altena is no clearer than her minion. In the end, the viewer must be resigned to appreciating yet another twist in a story full of subtle complications. The killings themselves are classic 'Noir' - saying more about the women that carry them out than the victims. It is almost a shame that the core plot has so much activity in it that the episode plots are a bit obscured. But writer Ryoe Tsukimura manages to achieve an edgy sort of balance where the interplay always enhances the whole. Based on a rare interview on this DVD, Chloe and Altena are more than an interesting detour, but will drive even more of the increasingly baroque plot. I don't mean that in a negative sense, story and character development continue to be the vital keys in this series. 'Noir' is clearly remarkable for combining beautiful women and weapons in a series that defies the 'girls with guns' anime genre and refuses to stoop to anything that resembles fan service. This remains high on my recommended list.
Rating:
Summary: Never Let the Right Hand Know...
Review: The surprise in this third DVD in what has proven to be one of this years most stylish issues, is the sudden appearance of a mysterious killer who keeps doing Noir's jobs for them. Of course, when you are a pair of assassins, this doesn't create a sense of gratitude and Mirielle and Kirika go one full alert. When a promising information source is killed, Mirielle decides that Les Soldats are involved, but this helps little. Les Soldats are as inexplicable as the mysterious assassin is. Chloe, the viewer finds out, is a pure killer, capable of a cruel sort of kindness. One with skills that surpass Mirielle's own. But, Chloe marches to her own agenda, or rather, to the agenda of Altena, a secret power in the world's most secret organization. Chloe believes she is the true Noir, rather than a team that has merely adopted and old, unused name. And she puts up a pretty good argument. Leaving a trail of spectacular yet efficient murders behind her. It is hard to decide who is one whose side. Chloe is taking on Noir's targets and has no qualms about endangering the team, but she doesn't attack them directly. Which she seems quite capable of doing. Soldat politics are so baroque that Altena is no clearer than her minion. In the end, the viewer must be resigned to appreciating yet another twist in a story full of subtle complications. The killings themselves are classic 'Noir' - saying more about the women that carry them out than the victims. It is almost a shame that the core plot has so much activity in it that the episode plots are a bit obscured. But writer Ryoe Tsukimura manages to achieve an edgy sort of balance where the interplay always enhances the whole. Based on a rare interview on this DVD, Chloe and Altena are more than an interesting detour, but will drive even more of the increasingly baroque plot. I don't mean that in a negative sense, story and character development continue to be the vital keys in this series. 'Noir' is clearly remarkable for combining beautiful women and weapons in a series that defies the 'girls with guns' anime genre and refuses to stoop to anything that resembles fan service. This remains high on my recommended list.
Rating: 
Summary: Enter the True Noir.
Review: The three episodes are some of the best so far, in the series. Good plots, great lines, good artwork, and Chloe, the 'True Noir'. The three episodes link together like one large story, with the focus on Chloe, who is not only a assassin of great skill with blades, but seems to know something about Kirika (and has a thing for tiny forks). In fact episode 12 is totally on Chloe, which just screams of her importance to the storyline. The DVD has the normal extras, plus an interview with Houko Kuwashima, who does the Japanese voice of Kirika (and the cat in Lost Kitten). I love Mireille's line about the Mad Tea Party, but her questions during the party suggests she's not too bright. She should have already guessed most of the answers.
I take a point away from what I think is the best Noir DVD out of the first three because it only has 3 episodes. The show is starting to grow on me, but giving me only 3 episodes on one DVD is bad business and not a very good value.
Get it used, unless you really like the series up to this point, then, used or not, you'll want this one!
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