Rating: 
Summary: an extraordinary fiction
Review: A set of 13DVDs contains all 26 episodes of the original Japanese version of Noir : the picture format is in 16:9 widescreen, the sound track is in 2.0 Linear PCM. I have watched these episodes over and over again. Noir is a rare masterpiece of extraordinary fiction, created by, and every episode written by, Tsukimura Ryoue. Even here in Japan, where the life of someone like myself is assailed by floods of animation, it is hard to compare the dramatic intensity and prowess of Noir to anything else.Noir is the story of two virgins, tragically grew up as assassins, desperately seeking light in their native darkness, and learning to love one another. Obstacles lie ahead in their paths, naturally. One particular and overwhelming trial exists between the two heroines which will become disclosed in the final series of episodes. The animation does not depict lesbianism in any explicit manner. Instead, their love is implied subtly and with depth of fluctuating emotions. The voice cast is done by some of the very finest of our voice actresses. The main heroines Yuumura Kirika and Mireille Bouquet are performed by Kuwashima Houko and Mitsuishi Kotono; the assisting heroines Chloe and Altena are done by Hisakawa Aya and Tarako. It is not just that the voice cast is distinguished. Noir pushes these talented voice actresses to go even beyond their normally high standards of performance. Kuwashima Houko reflects that acting Kirika was very difficult, but she positively claims Kirika is a treasure in her career. While the artwork is neatly executed, there is somewhat a naive feel about it. This may discourage a new viewer, especially when watching an episode for the first couple of times. Nevertheless, the drawings have a distinct flavor which I think will grow likeable after repeated viewings. Amazon.com's own review seems not fully informed and inaccurate. Not both Mireille and Kirika are amnesiacs. Mireille's memory remains intact all the way. Not for a moment does she forget the agonizing tragedy of her childhood. A part of Kirika's memory was hypnotically hidden from herself. This was done by a design of someone, for a purpose. The unique emotional experience of Noir is opulently enhanced by Kajiura Yuki's exceptional musical scores and lyrics.
Rating:
Summary: Noir is great, but it putters out near the end
Review: I really like Noir, I got it free, before it was copyrighted in the U.S. The begining is really the very best part, as with most series that revel in the 'mystery.' However, the end gets a little corney and strange as all the mysterious elements get explained. In my opinion, all the strands of the story just weren't tied together very well. But maybee I'm biased because I thought Kirika Yumura's young counterpart was very very irritating (I hope you read this Hannah). In all honesty, I must say, both the main characters were very cute and the older one was just plain sexy.
Rating: 
Summary: interesting series
Review: I watched a part of Noir and I can easily say that it is not the best series out there. You will probably watch the first episode and say "Wow this rocks! This fight scene is pretty damn cool, the girls are hot and the music rocks too!" Then you will watch the second episode and say "This fight scene is cool, the girls are hot and the music rocks too!". Then the third episode will come around and you will say "....wait, didnt this happen in the last episode?"
Well at least thats how it was for me. After the first few episodes the show just seemed to get repetitive. Nothing was really happening with the plot, and the fights were getting to be same old. I had heard from a friend that alot later in the series it starts to pick up again, but do you really want to wait like 13 episodes for something to happen? I sure as hel dont.
If you still arent sure then go ahead and buy the first DVD and find out for yourself if you like it or not.
Rating:
Summary: BEST SERIES, A MUST BUY
Review: I'm going to make this short. This is the best series I have ever seen. I watched the japanese version and it was truly amazing. I have high hopes for this release and would urge any anime fan to buy it.
Rating:
Summary: Noir - AIC's Latest and Greatest
Review: The people who brought you Bubblegum Crisis, Tenchi Muyo, El Hazard, Dual, and Photon are back, and this time they've created something truly spectacular. Although the character designs for this series are somewhat derivitive (Mirelle looks like a blonde Sylia/Ifurita/Mitski Rara) the animation itself is crisp, fluid, and beautiful all around. The settings are stunning; be it Paris, Corsica, or a little town on the French/Spanish border the settings are vivid, capturing all the flare of a European city. The background music for Noir is a brilliant mixture of 'local sound' and fast paced J-Pop. Several of the songs are sung in latin, a language with plot-related significance to the series. And, although I have not yet heard the English dub, the Japanese voice acting is superb. But, above all of that stands the most sterling, indepth plot AIC has ever given us. Even the classics like Gall Force, El Hazard, and Bubblegum Crisis have to stand aside. Noir features the story of two assassins, one seeking vengence for her family's murder and the other searching for her lost identity. The pair, Mirelle and Kirika (respectively) team up to form a team called 'Noir'. However, by doing so they attract the attention of a powerful, mysterious group. And, as if that wasn't enough, they must also contend with a mysterious woman who claims to be the 'True Noir'. Mirelle and Kirika must go on a 'pilgrimage to the past', each coming to terms with the half-forgotten events of ten years previous. Beyond the mind-bending mystery, the plot also focuses on the relationship between the two women. Though they begin their partnership with some degree of reluctance, the pair soon grow on one another. How their friendship stands the test of time, however... Although this series is about a pair of assassins, there is almost no blood shown at any time. The high body-count of each episode would quickly desensitize the viewer to the site of blood. Instead, it is only featured when one of the two main characters is injured, and even then it is reserved for only a few special scenes. This is purely artistic, and greatly enhances the experience of the story. If, however, you're looking for lots of gore, this series probably isn't for you. Beautiful animation, wonderful music, and a brilliant, gripping plotline make Noir one of the best animated television series ever made. It is a shimmering gem atop many other greats by AIC, and can stand beside Neon Genesis Evangelion, Akira, and Revolutionary Girl Utena as one of the best Anime has to offer. I highly recomend Noir if you've enjoyed any of the aforementioned series, and still recomend it otherwise. Cheers!
Rating: 
Summary: Great Anime
Review: This is a beautiful anime with absolutely gorgeous animation and beautiful music. The plot is rich and original that keeps you on the edge of your seat and keeps you wanting more. You just have to know who the Soldats are and the little twist of fantasy (the legend behind Noir) makes it even more interesting. My only complaint is way too many flashbacks! They flashback to scenes in the last episode or even the same episode. After awhile, the flashbacks begin to get on your nerves. Overall, this is a wonderful anime and I strongly recomend it.
Rating:
Summary: A promising start.
Review: Summary: an asassin for hire Mirielle Bouquet recieves an email from a sullen japanese girl with amnesia. The girls pasts are tied together and so they form an alliance to unravell the mysteries of their pasts. The animation is gorgeous, the japanese voice acting is great, the amercan dubbing isn't so great. Overall a slow but interesting begining. EP
Rating: 
Summary: Pointless
Review: I'm really confused why so many people give this such a high ranking. I have never reviewed anything or any anime in particular but this anime is asking for a bad review. It takes a lot for me to really hate something but, yeah, Noir did that. There is absolutely no suspense through any of these first episodes and all you see are the main characters staring and staring and staring and staring. Each episode they get a new job to kill some guys. They kill the guys, girl with short hair looks all *sad*, girl with long hair looks *fine*....they go on with their life. Then, next episode, they do the same thing. Over and over and over. The repetition is so awful, I just don't understand how the people who came up with "Noir" thought this was a great idea that people would love. The only thing that redeems this anime at all is it's wonderful music- but even that becomes annoying because they repeat the same "Salva Nos" song over and over and over again, along with the few other good songs that comprise the anime. Along with the song repetition, all the episodes contain flashbacks to events the viewers already seen, over and over and over. The plot essentially is dusty and dead. Nothing progesses, the characters are pathetically developed, and the animators do their best to reuse old animations and use as much still frames as humanly possible. I just wonder at productions like this and why people like them. Do they feel that any little tad of animation that gets an American English release deserves attention- and MUST be good? Think for yourself and don't just like something for the sake that there are *26 episodes*- so it MUST be great to have that many......lol. I find myself almost being irate and I'm the kind of person who typically hates people who talk like I'm talking right now, but the pure stupidity of Noir warrants this behavior, I think. Anyways, don't waste your money on it. You won't be satisfied, unless you're a fake kind of person who likes anything they watch. Go buy Lain or something.
Rating:
Summary: Not a great ending
Review: No Story Line Reveled.
I have watched the entire series and like most TV series some episodes are better then others.
I think the character and plot development throughout the series is great. We learn a little bit more about the characters as time progresses and the plot keeps you guessing up until the end. Which brings me to my one complaint about the series, the ending. I will not tell you how it ends but I was disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Highly imaginative !
Review: Violent , yet the plot of this anime goes hand-in-hand with what it really represents . Assasins of great prowess and inhuman capabilities ... the creators try to portray the characters as the legend of all assasins and I might admit that they succeded on that feat .
This volume of Noir pretty much starts with a japanese schoolgirl ( Kirika Yuumura ) contacting a French Assasin ( Mireille Boquette ) . Kirika invited Mireille to a pilgrimage with her to the past to try and see what it held for both of them . The only clue that they have to base everything is a musical pocket watch that has a picture of two maidens holding a sword on its cover face . Mireille realizing that the watch is the one her father used to have and the music that resonates from it reminded her of her childhood when she found her parents and brother murdered . Mireille's curiousity was piqued and decided to team up with Kirika and both gathers clues that can tell them of the past and while doing so a lot of people die along the way ...
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