Rating: 
Summary: "The Flowing Tears Have Already Dried Up"
Review: After the first DVD in this series, I found myself wondering if they could keep this level of intensity up. Not only was I mistaken, this new set of four episodes only increases the tension and foreboding. Yet this isn't a horror story, it tells the story of the spooky world of crime where assassins compete for their drop of flesh. Where organized crime seems to border on organized religion, and mysteries are not meant to be unraveled.Two women come together, Mireille Bouquet, an established killer, and Kirika Yumura, who has lost her history but retains a chilling ability to kill. Together they are 'Noir,' a team to whom killing is just supposed to be a job. Yet, despite the cold gestures and promises of death, the episodes on this DVD deal with those times where their work rests heavily on their own souls. When they hunt down a Russian mass murderer, a kitten teaches Kirika that there are two sides to every issue. Can she kill someone who is deeply loved by his community for a price he exacted many years before? Even Mireille doesn't know the answer. Then a successful foray against a revolutionary leader leaves Kirika wounded and Mireille torn between her desire to flee and her allegiance to her partner. But she cannot desert the mystery that binds the two together somehow. "But then, she says, "I will kill you." The final two episodes bring the story back to Mireille's Cosa Nostra roots. Seeking a document with a clue to the mysterious Les Soldats, Noir makes a gangland hit that leaves them hunted by the new head of the clan, Silvana Greone - the brutal princess. We learn more of Mireille's past as this turns into a titanic struggle with her own fears. Animated against a background that varied from modern to period watercolors, its apparent simplicity belies the sophistication of the images. This isn't simply work of a style, but style in support of art. Dialog is sparse, and to the point, but never stilted. With two DVD's done it appears that the first episodes were no fluke. Recommended.
Rating:
Summary: "The Flowing Tears Have Already Dried Up"
Review: After the first DVD in this series, I found myself wondering if they could keep this level of intensity up. Not only was I mistaken, this new set of four episodes only increases the tension and foreboding. Yet this isn't a horror story, it tells the story of the spooky world of crime where assassins compete for their drop of flesh. Where organized crime seems to border on organized religion, and mysteries are not meant to be unraveled. Two women come together, Mireille Bouquet, an established killer, and Kirika Yumura, who has lost her history but retains a chilling ability to kill. Together they are 'Noir,' a team to whom killing is just supposed to be a job. Yet, despite the cold gestures and promises of death, the episodes on this DVD deal with those times where their work rests heavily on their own souls. When they hunt down a Russian mass murderer, a kitten teaches Kirika that there are two sides to every issue. Can she kill someone who is deeply loved by his community for a price he exacted many years before? Even Mireille doesn't know the answer. Then a successful foray against a revolutionary leader leaves Kirika wounded and Mireille torn between her desire to flee and her allegiance to her partner. But she cannot desert the mystery that binds the two together somehow. "But then, she says, "I will kill you." The final two episodes bring the story back to Mireille's Cosa Nostra roots. Seeking a document with a clue to the mysterious Les Soldats, Noir makes a gangland hit that leaves them hunted by the new head of the clan, Silvana Greone - the brutal princess. We learn more of Mireille's past as this turns into a titanic struggle with her own fears. Animated against a background that varied from modern to period watercolors, its apparent simplicity belies the sophistication of the images. This isn't simply work of a style, but style in support of art. Dialog is sparse, and to the point, but never stilted. With two DVD's done it appears that the first episodes were no fluke. Recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Noir is quite an unusual anime series
Review: Kill or be Killed. Assassination is not an easy job even if it can be done with a single shot. In Episode 6 - Lost Kitten, to Mireille, killing an old man is an easy job. Indeed, later in this episode, Mireille found out that the job could be done even without a single shot. However, Kirika who is more skillful than Mireille, this job hurts, and Lost Kitten is the only episode without any gun fights but a single shot. Is it unusual that love can kill? Find it out in this episode. Noir is unusual not simply because of its stylish action but also the stylish presentation of emotion behind an emotionless face.
Rating: 
Summary: In this one the action heats up, and the mystery deepens.
Review: Mireille and Kirika are back as the team NOIR in the second DVD release. This one consisting of four episodes, instead of five this time. In the beginning episodes, Kirika hunts an old, expatriated Russian agent. The agent had a long history of evil deeds, but currently has been a tireless worker to aid refugees in the town. A pure white cat seems to have some symbolic ties with the target. Through Kirika's fascination with the cat, and other information observed by Mireille, we learn that Kirika has more feelings than she lets herself show. The next episode is full of flashbacks, and mysterious spiritual messages, on the meaning of Noir, and the ties between the two women. In Japanese culture, I believe an invisible red thread connects two lovers, here a black thread is mentioned, as to be connecting two people, who share a common destiny. The DVD ends with a two-part story that explores some of the fears, and childhood memories of Mireille's back in Corsica. Silvana, a heartless, and accomplished assassin is the target. There is some apprehension on Mireille's part, as she has a long standing fear of this woman, who apparently knows no fear herself. The body count really mounts with this one. The action scenes are artistic, and spectacular, as is the scenery. The other main theme of the two-part story is that Silvana holds a document, a contract originally put out on Mireille's own parents. Will it reveal something more about the people chasing NOIR from the shadows? Once again the music seems appropriate, and spectacular for these episodes. I believe it serves as a substitute for the lack of comic, or other relief, contained in the dark tone of the series. It seems to convey a missing pulse in the two main characters. Killers who, for the most part, must be portrayed as heartless and cold. Even if you're starting to tire a little of the contract killing stories, remember this is more about style. Stay tuned for the next DVD in the series. Things change quickly, great new characters are introduced, and the story behind NOIR shifts into overdrive!
Rating:
Summary: In this one the action heats up, and the mystery deepens.
Review: Mireille and Kirika are back as the team NOIR in the second DVD release. This one consisting of four episodes, instead of five this time. In the beginning episodes, Kirika hunts an old, expatriated Russian agent. The agent had a long history of evil deeds, but currently has been a tireless worker to aid refugees in the town. A pure white cat seems to have some symbolic ties with the target. Through Kirika's fascination with the cat, and other information observed by Mireille, we learn that Kirika has more feelings than she lets herself show. The next episode is full of flashbacks, and mysterious spiritual messages, on the meaning of Noir, and the ties between the two women. In Japanese culture, I believe an invisible red thread connects two lovers, here a black thread is mentioned, as to be connecting two people, who share a common destiny. The DVD ends with a two-part story that explores some of the fears, and childhood memories of Mireille's back in Corsica. Silvana, a heartless, and accomplished assassin is the target. There is some apprehension on Mireille's part, as she has a long standing fear of this woman, who apparently knows no fear herself. The body count really mounts with this one. The action scenes are artistic, and spectacular, as is the scenery. The other main theme of the two-part story is that Silvana holds a document, a contract originally put out on Mireille's own parents. Will it reveal something more about the people chasing NOIR from the shadows? Once again the music seems appropriate, and spectacular for these episodes. I believe it serves as a substitute for the lack of comic, or other relief, contained in the dark tone of the series. It seems to convey a missing pulse in the two main characters. Killers who, for the most part, must be portrayed as heartless and cold. Even if you're starting to tire a little of the contract killing stories, remember this is more about style. Stay tuned for the next DVD in the series. Things change quickly, great new characters are introduced, and the story behind NOIR shifts into overdrive!
Rating:
Summary: Drakness and truth
Review: Noir is in many ways like Evangelion. It's dramatic, has a startling plot with amazing charectors. in the end it shows you the world a whole different way and you think of things differently as well. Watch it!
Rating: 
Summary: Recycled finesse gets a little boring...
Review: Noir's second installment is a grab bag of boredom and intrigue. As many fans of anime have noticed, directors tend to strive for implied meaning and subtlety more so than outright explanation. Flashbacks, and even intense repetition of flashbacks, can be an extremely useful tool for conveying intense emotional feeling or unraveling mysteries building up to the next level. Unfortunately, as many have attested before me, this formula is getting pretty stale in Noir. The same scenes, with no revealing variances, are played over and over and over throughout each episode. But, thank the stars for the fast forward button. Overall, the writing of these episodes is pretty good. I originally wondered why this series was referenced to (in the liner notes) being inspired by Film Noir when, other than femme fatales, there was little to visually indicate this. But like the plot, you can now see the visual style of "Noir" becoming more intricate, especially with the play of light and shadow. I agree with the previous reviewer who stated that there is nothing really to sympathize about the characters in this particular installment. Character development feels out of whack: "Noir" seems to be progressing into her identity, while for seemingly no good reason Mireille seems to be regressing into an angst-ridden trigger happy nitwit. The chemistry, albeit odd chemistry, between the two characters in the first Disc seems to be totally lost in this one. The DVD features included sketches, a "clean" opening and closing, promotional spots, and trailers for other DVDs. Nothing great, but certainly more than many anime DVDs include, which is nice. The hard thing about watching non-giant-robot anime in the US is that for the most part you have to either a) Be a member of an anime society in order to know people who have what you're interested in checking out, or b) go out and buy it. Very few places have everything for rent, and then only specialize in the major releases. I'd definitely recommend a rental over a purchase of this series, but would also encourage you to try it at least once. With all the repetition, it certainly stays with you. Like a good soap opera, you want to know what happens next, although you're thinking to yourself, "This is borderline drivel. I hope there's a good payoff!"
Rating:
Summary: Recycled finesse gets a little boring...
Review: Noir's second installment is a grab bag of boredom and intrigue. As many fans of anime have noticed, directors tend to strive for implied meaning and subtlety more so than outright explanation. Flashbacks, and even intense repetition of flashbacks, can be an extremely useful tool for conveying intense emotional feeling or unraveling mysteries building up to the next level. Unfortunately, as many have attested before me, this formula is getting pretty stale in Noir. The same scenes, with no revealing variances, are played over and over and over throughout each episode. But, thank the stars for the fast forward button. Overall, the writing of these episodes is pretty good. I originally wondered why this series was referenced to (in the liner notes) being inspired by Film Noir when, other than femme fatales, there was little to visually indicate this. But like the plot, you can now see the visual style of "Noir" becoming more intricate, especially with the play of light and shadow. I agree with the previous reviewer who stated that there is nothing really to sympathize about the characters in this particular installment. Character development feels out of whack: "Noir" seems to be progressing into her identity, while for seemingly no good reason Mireille seems to be regressing into an angst-ridden trigger happy nitwit. The chemistry, albeit odd chemistry, between the two characters in the first Disc seems to be totally lost in this one. The DVD features included sketches, a "clean" opening and closing, promotional spots, and trailers for other DVDs. Nothing great, but certainly more than many anime DVDs include, which is nice. The hard thing about watching non-giant-robot anime in the US is that for the most part you have to either a) Be a member of an anime society in order to know people who have what you're interested in checking out, or b) go out and buy it. Very few places have everything for rent, and then only specialize in the major releases. I'd definitely recommend a rental over a purchase of this series, but would also encourage you to try it at least once. With all the repetition, it certainly stays with you. Like a good soap opera, you want to know what happens next, although you're thinking to yourself, "This is borderline drivel. I hope there's a good payoff!"
Rating:
Summary: Assassins wrapped in a mystery.
Review: NOIR, in a nutshell, is about the lives of two sultry assassins in search of their identities. It is primarily an action melodrama with kick [...] music, exotic locations, and of course assassinations. NOIR is not Shakespeare, nor T.S. Elliot, but I find it a heck of a lot fun to watch. We still have our two assassins wrapped inside their own individual mysteries though we do inch closer to an explanation of who they are and how they got so hard-boiled. NOIR episodes are primarily two act plays with the characters and situations carefully set up in the first act and the resolution of the problems therein taking place during the second act. In the first DVD our two hired guns usually assassinated people of dubious intent or who just plain deserved it. That paradigm blurs a little here in this second DVD whereas a target in one of the episodes was not necessarily a bad man; but that is up for debate. As a result, this particular episode gave the characterizations and the plotline much more texture. The dub is excellent with some very fine voice acting. The character design is very good, especially MireilleÕs hair which lays on her shoulders like structures rather than Òspiky massesÓ. Liner notes come with this DVD, which even explains the kind of guns the characters use such as the Beretta M1934, and a Walther P99. Other weapons are described as well if you are interested. It also contains some production notes too and more. If you like anime with female centric characters with character appeal; rather than "fan service" flashing, this one is for you.
Rating:
Summary: The shades grow darker
Review: The follow-up to "Shades of Darkness" does not disappoint, as the plot continues to thicken as Kirika and Merielle continue their journey into the past. Although episodes 6~9 reveals very little about the mysterious Las Soldats, they do continue to focus on the psyche of our heroines. We learn a great more deal about Kirika and Merielle in these four episodes, as they both turn out to be more fragile than we have ever expected. Kirika begins to show her true emotions as a human being, and the audience will learn that Merielle has her own fears in life as well. The seemingly invincible Noir will begin to struggle in the face of their new enemies, and for the first time the viewer will be swept by a sense of dreadful uncertainty. How will Kirika and Merielle overcome the deadly curse that has followed them ever since they met? You must see it for yourself. Aside from the superb story-line, there are a couple of improvements in the series that will make "The Hit List" worth watching even for those that didn't like "Shades of Darkness": 1) Action -- Some have complained that the action sequences in the "Shades of Darkness" were not fluid enough and looked somewhat stilted at times. They will regret that they have ever made such remarks, as "The Hit List" has some of the most mind blowing gunfight sequences around. You will be glued to your seat as Kirika runs through the midnight forest amidst flying machine gun bullets. 2) Music -- Some have also complained that "Shades of Darkness" lacked in variety of music. A whole new array of compositions is introduced in "The Hit List," thanks again to Yuki Kajiura.
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