Rating: 
Summary: The Sin Within The Sin
Review: When a series is progressing predictably, one of the things a director must struggle with is finding new ways to bring about a satisfactory conclusion. We have known all along that a strong inner conflict was developing between the three 'saplings of the Soldats - Kirika, Mirielle, and Chloe. Nor is it any surprise that it would come to a head violently. Yet withing this thematic architecture there is quite a lot of room for plot manipulations and character development, and director Kouichi Mashimo seizes the opportunity to leave not stone unturned.Kirika has returned to the spiritual home of the Soldats, coupled with Chloe for the final rituals that will refine them into Noir, the deadly assassin sisterhood of the Soldats, Cloaked as if they were nuns, Altena and her consorts prepare the final tests. The goal in hand is the return of the Soldats to their original character as truthseekers who follow the deadliest path. Altena's opponents are the new Soldats, who prefer the status quo of ruling a vast financial empire. The conflicts are inevitable, and all revolve about the three women. Almost as an afterthought Mirielle, who was left behind at the end of the last DVD, reappears. But this is no afterthought, but the completion of the circle. Only two can survive the tests, the other must die as a sacrifice. Will it be Kirika, who has come to be repelled by what she has done. Or Chloe, who suddenly shows a surprisingly delicate human side, couched in the frame of the deadliest of killers. Or perhaps the victim will be Mirielle, abandoned by the Soldats, left behind by Kirika, and fiercely loyal to her truest friend. The theme for these last episodes is 'if love can kill then hate can save,' a question which receives many answers. Even at the end, we are left to answer this for ourselves. The series reaches a point where an exquisitely open-ended conclusion is possible and the last dialog leaves the viewer wondering, with Kirika, "What are we going to do now?" And the only answer is "Go back to Paris and have a hot cup of tea.'
Rating:
Summary: The Sin Within The Sin
Review: When a series is progressing predictably, one of the things a director must struggle with is finding new ways to bring about a satisfactory conclusion. We have known all along that a strong inner conflict was developing between the three 'saplings of the Soldats - Kirika, Mirielle, and Chloe. Nor is it any surprise that it would come to a head violently. Yet withing this thematic architecture there is quite a lot of room for plot manipulations and character development, and director Kouichi Mashimo seizes the opportunity to leave not stone unturned. Kirika has returned to the spiritual home of the Soldats, coupled with Chloe for the final rituals that will refine them into Noir, the deadly assassin sisterhood of the Soldats, Cloaked as if they were nuns, Altena and her consorts prepare the final tests. The goal in hand is the return of the Soldats to their original character as truthseekers who follow the deadliest path. Altena's opponents are the new Soldats, who prefer the status quo of ruling a vast financial empire. The conflicts are inevitable, and all revolve about the three women. Almost as an afterthought Mirielle, who was left behind at the end of the last DVD, reappears. But this is no afterthought, but the completion of the circle. Only two can survive the tests, the other must die as a sacrifice. Will it be Kirika, who has come to be repelled by what she has done. Or Chloe, who suddenly shows a surprisingly delicate human side, couched in the frame of the deadliest of killers. Or perhaps the victim will be Mirielle, abandoned by the Soldats, left behind by Kirika, and fiercely loyal to her truest friend. The theme for these last episodes is 'if love can kill then hate can save,' a question which receives many answers. Even at the end, we are left to answer this for ourselves. The series reaches a point where an exquisitely open-ended conclusion is possible and the last dialog leaves the viewer wondering, with Kirika, "What are we going to do now?" And the only answer is "Go back to Paris and have a hot cup of tea.'
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