Noir (anime)

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Noir
ノワール (Noir)
Genre	Mystery, Action, Heroic bloodshed, Adventure, Drama
TV anime
Directed by	Koichi Mashimo
Studio	Bee Train
Network	TV Tokyo, Bandai Channel Anime Network, ADV Films Canal+ La sexta VIVA
Original run	April 06, 2001 – September 27, 2001
No. of episodes	26

Noir (ノワール, Nowāru^?), is a 26-episode anime television series produced in 2001 by the Bee Train animation studio and was licensed for American distribution by ADV Films. In Japan, Noir was broadcast on TV Tokyo, which is known for strict guidelines, including not allowing blood to be shown. Noir circumvented this rule by stylizing the gunfights.

The series follows the story of two young female assassins who embark together on a personal journey to seek answers about mysteries from their past. While at first they seem to be only vaguely related to each other, there are clues and hints given throughout the series that there are more than meets their eyes. During the course of the series, they are lured into more and more traps by a secret organization named Les Soldats ("The Soldiers" in French). The anime draws inspirations and influences from two prominent films by French director Luc Besson, Léon and Nikita. The amnesia suffered by one of the main characters resembles the story of the protagonist from Robert Ludlum's novel The Bourne Identity. Also, the acrobatic scenes of gun-battle also have clear allusions to the Heroic bloodshed films of John Woo.

Noir is also the French word for "black", and noir is a genre of film. Noir takes its title from both of these; it mostly takes place in France and is a fairly serious, dark and violent anime. It is worth to note that the production team stated that their goal with Noir was to make it as realistic as possible. Noir has almost no funny or comic relief scenes, save for some sarcastic remarks. No character is ever animated with super deformed or over-exaggerated style. Despite the presence of attractive female lead characters, Noir features almost no fanservice (compare this to Najica Blitz Tactics). In Noir, characters' non-verbal expressions play such a significant role that it is quite difficult to come to a common understanding of the show.

Outside Japan, Noir has been well-received, due to its unusual plots and stories which have a strong European style and flavor. It has been broadcasted in France (by Canal+), Germany (by VIVA Television), Latin America (by Animax) and Spain (by La Sexta), dubbed in French, German and Spanish respectively.

A particular aspect of Noir which warrants attention is the painstaking effort taken by the production crew to realistically portray and describe the real world. In animated filmwork, realistic portrayal of the real world is something very difficult to achieve. Noir production crew successfully achieved this feat: the sightings, sceneries, landscapes and landmarks of Paris and other places around the world (Corsica, Sicily, New York, Middle East, Taiwan), various models of firearms and the sounds of them being fired, facial and non-verbal expressions of the characters, background music, dress and costumes, and many more. Some fans have remarked that transforming Noir into life-action filmwork is almost straightforward, as Noir has already succeeded in portraying real life-action world.

Contents 1 The series 2 Characters 2.1 Les Soldats 3 Episode list 4 Music 5 Track list for official soundtrack 6 External links

[edit] The series

Noir begins as a fairly generic action anime, but later (with the appearance of Chloe) becomes more psychological. The series has a very small recurring cast, all women. It has been interpreted as having been influenced by the novel Foucault's Pendulum, but it is unknown if this was intentional on the part of the series creators.

In the beginning of each episode, after the opening, a short sequence appears, where Kirika reads a prayer-like poem:

Noir… it is the name of an ancient fate

Two maidens who govern death

The peace of the newly born their black hands protect

The original promotions and DVD covers of the anime has this poem written in French

Le noir, ce mot désigne depuis une époque lointaine le nom du destin

Les deux vierges régnent sur la mort

Les mains noires protègent la paix des nouveaux-nés

In some of the later episodes slightly different versions of this poem are read by each of the other protagonists. Mireille and Chloe each have their own version of it.

Mireille's version:

Noir… it is the name of an ancient fate

Two maidens who govern death

To ward the darkness from the nursing babes their black robes serve as shields

Chloe's version:

Noir… it is the name of an ancient fate

Two maidens who govern death

To the depths of hell's fire their black souls lure the lost children

In the last episode though, the first poem is recited by two of the main characters, signifying the phrase Two maidens who govern death.

Despite the gunplay and a sizeable body count, Noir features no gore and very little blood. Originally a simple consideration for network TV, the DVD release remained bloodless, intriguing fans. It is said this makes the death of many suited agents less troubling, becoming faceless "stormtroopers", popularly termed 'mooks'. However, in limited instances, main characters such as Kirika display blood, perhaps to show their humanity.

The plot unfolds in an almost organic way, with different storylines interweaving much as does the botanical imagery which pervades the series. These horticultural subtexts develop throughout the series to match the sparse script's intriguing references to 'saplings,' 'seedlings' and to cultivation in general.

[edit] Characters

Kirika Yuumura (夕叢霧香, Yūmura Kirika^?) is a schoolgirl who has lost all memories of her past, knowing only that her true name is Noir. It is not known whether her real name is Kirika Yuumura, as the only thing that links her to this name is a student ID card with her photo and that name on it. She meets up with Mireille in the first episode with an offer to make a pilgrimage to the past. Ironically, it becomes clear as the series progresses that, when Kirika was a young child, it was she who killed Mireille's family. Before dying, Mireille's mother asked Kirika to take care of Mireille. She is an excellent markswoman and uses a Beretta M1934, but can also use a great variety of mundane objects as well. Kirika's theme music is 'Canta Per Me', Italian for 'Sing for Me'.
Voiced by: Houko Kuwashima (Japanese), Monica Rial (English)

Mireille Bouquet (ミレイユ・ブーケ, Mireiyu Būke^?) is a Corsican woman born into a powerful crime family, Mireille and her uncle are the sole survivors of a brutal attack on her family. The reason behind the murder of her family was that her parents refused to have Mireille raised by the Soldats to become Noir. After her family's murder, she would later be trained by her uncle to become an assassin. Already a well-established assassin, she receives an email from Kirika with an attachment of a familiar melody. She agrees to work with Kirika because of a watch that Kirika has which is identical to one her father had. However, she tells Kirika that once the truth is revealed, she would kill Kirika. Ironically, the codename Mireille chooses to work under, after teaming up with Kirika, is Noir, assuming the role that her parents wished for Mireille not to have. Mireille uses a Walther P99, a modern firearm developed in the 1990s. Mireille's theme music is 'Corsican Corridor' and 'Salva Nos'.
Voiced by: Kotono Mitsuishi (Japanese), Shelley Calene-Black (English)

Chloe (クロエ, Kuroe^?) is a mysterious figure that appears about halfway through the series, she claims to be the True Noir (her name may be significant, given the similarity in pronunciation between "Chloe" and "Kuroi", the Japanese word for black.) Though she is about Kirika's age, she is extremely skilled as an assassin, a quite remarkable fact since she uses throwing knives instead of using guns. Chloe is very faithful to Altena and works for the Soldats, enjoying a position of considerable authority. She was witness to the murder of the Bouquet family by Kirika, an event which caused her to look up to Kirika. There are also strong suggestions later in the series that Chloe's feelings for Kirika are actually romantic. Chloe's theme music is 'Secret Game' (in addition to the instrumental song 'Chloe').
Voiced by: Aya Hisakawa (Japanese), Hilary Haag (English)

Altena (アルテナ, Arutena^?) is a motherly figure who is high-ranking in Soldats, who seems to be working for "Le Grand Retour" (The Great Return). She resides in a place called "The Manor" which is a vineyard run with medieval technology. The Manor is between the border of France and Spain, and is a "forgotten place" to the world. (This is possibly inspired by the microstate Andorra.) She was orphaned during a war and was raped by a soldier. This trauma led her to believe that if excessive love could destroy, excessive hate could perhaps save. Altena's theme music is 'Lullaby'.
Voiced by: TARAKO (Japanese), Tiffany Grant (English)

It is interesting to note that the three female assassin characters in Noir are not quite like stereotypical femme fatales from other shows or anime, say Faye Valentine (Cowboy Bebop) or Fujiko Mine (Lupin the Third). They don't really have cunning personalities or act on the motive of revenge or social injustice toward women. Rather, they are truly professional assassins who are extremely proficient in carrying out their missions, thus similar to the characters in Luc Besson's Léon and Nikita. Despite the popularity of the show among shoujo-ai/yuri fandom, the production staffs themselves do not officially state that Noir is such kind of show. They do, however, admit that there are enough elements in the show which are quite suggestive and they leave it to fans to interpret those elements the way fans would like to do.

[edit] Les Soldats

Les Soldats (French for "The Soldiers") are an organisation which has a central role in the story. According to Altena, "Les Soldats" was founded by a group of people for about a thousand years ago. They had survived a great war between humans which had caused the lives of numerous people. The first members of "Les Soldats" swore to protect the innocent and defeat evil. Both Altena and Chloe are members of this organisation

It is revealed in the anime that "Les Soldats" was responsible for the killing of Mireille's family, and also for the chase attempting to kill Mireille and Kirika during their quest. It proves out that the organisation is striving for a event known as the "Grand Retour" ("The Great Return"), however, a conflict has arisen between Altena and the very core of "Les Soldats", apparently about how to initiate the plan of realising the "Grand Retour". Altena states that "Les Soldats" has been consumed by the very greed they once swore to undo, and her goal apparently is to revert this situation.

[edit] Episode list

Screenshot	Title	Original air date	E#
	"Maidens with Black Hands" (黒き手の処女たち)	04/06/2001	01
	The assassin Mireille Bouquet is contacted by the young girl Kirika Yuumura to "make a pilgrimage for the past". When they meet they are attacked by several men in black suits, whom are quickly killed by the two young women. Both of them decide afterwards to uncover the secrets of their past. They start to work under the name "Noir".
	"Daily Bread" (日々の糧)	04/13/2001	02
	Mireille and Kirika now live in Paris where they are contacted for their first job. They are ordered to assassinate two high ranking but corrupt men who are behind a terrorist bombing. When the two men find out that they are hunted by Noir, they are shocked since a group named Noir was also working in the 1970's.
	"The Assassination Play" (暗殺遊戯)	04/20/2001	03
	Following the suspicious death of a young corporate president, the grieving widow of the slain company leader places a contract on the head of Albert Dux- a shady businessman with a nefarious reputation in the big business world. Noir accepts the assignment and proceeds to a hotel undergoing renovation to attend to the assassination request. In reality, however, the assignment is a feint to lure the unsuspecting Noir in to a carefully laid ambush.
	"The Sound of Waves" (波の音)	04/27/2001	04
	Now more mindful of the peril in which they face, Kirika and Mireille travel to Ulgia to assassinate ranking conspirators preparing for an elaborate coup d'état within the exotic country. Shortly thereafter, the president of the powerful corporation who was backing the takeover arrives in country to push forward the plan despite its setback. The president's daughter soon arrives from New York to spend time with her father on her birthday, but receives a bitter reception. That night, Kirika reflects upon the girl’s appearance, as well as her own sketchy past.
	"Les Soldats" (レ・ソルダ)	05/04/2001	05
	Still bothered by the events which transpired during the Albert Dux incident, Mireille asks a trusted friend to look in to who was pulling the strings behind the surprise attack. Arriving to collect the results of the investigation, Mireille discovers that her friend and his family had all been murdered. Troubled that the information was damaging enough to get her friend killed, Mireille seeks out answers to unlock the identity of their shadowy opponent.
	"Lost Kitten" (迷い猫)	05/11/2001	06
	Traveling to Russia, Noir is tasked with the assassination of Yuri Nazarov, a former KGB Agent who oversaw the systematic extermination of the Tashkil ethnic group during the days of the former Soviet Union. Upon the completion of his grim task, Nazarov resigned his commission with the KGB and now wanders the streets like a Saint; making penance for his past crimes by helping refugees. Kirika struggles internally with the notion of carrying out her mission after seeing how much the kindly old man means to the refugees he helps.
	"The Black Thread of Fate" (運命の黒い糸)	05/18/2001	07
	On an assignment in the Middle East to assassinate a Revolutionary leader, Kirika is seriously wounded and loses her cherished Student I.D. card. A hindrance to Mireille in her present condition, she considers killing Kirika in order to escape the country alive and make the scheduled rendezvous with the awaiting helicopter. While Mireille is out purchasing supplies and attempting to arrange for their extraction, a heavily-armed band of militants raid the hotel where Kirika and Mireille are currently staying at and capture the wounded Kirika.
	"Intoccabile Act 1" (イントッカービレ acte I)	05/25/2001	08
	Traveling to America, Kirika and Mireille assassinate a powerful Sicilian Mafia Don. In response to this, the Don’s father, Don Salvatore, summons his granddaughter Silvana (known as Intoccabile) to America from her place of exile in Sicily. Mireille learns of Intoccabile’s arrival and becomes greatly disturbed; recounting her unpleasant childhood encounter with the most brutal princess in the world. Upon assuming control of the Cosa Nostra, Intoccabile purges out the traitorous elements within her organization that were responsible for hiring Noir to murder Don Greone.
	"Intoccabile Act 2" (イントッカービレ acte II)	06/01/2001	09
	Returning to Sicily, Lady Silvana researches the contract which Noir seeks to obtain. Intoccabile learns that the document establishes that the Greone family is one of the oldest Mafia families in Sicily, but Noir’s motive for seeking it remain elusive to the brutal princess. Following her to Sicily, Mireille continues to be haunted by memories of her childhood encounter with Silvana. As fate would have it, Silvana seeks out the shaken Mireille as she reflects upon those days. Much to Mireille’s horror, Silvana, too, remembers their previous encounter and with the kiss of death, she challenges the frightened Mireille to a duel.
	"The True Noir" (真のノワール)	06/08/2001	10
	Noir’s services have been solicited to eliminate a corrupt police officer, as well as the crooked judge who assisted the dirty cop in getting away with his illicit activates. Arriving at the courthouse to carry out their task, Kirika and Mireille are shocked to find that someone has beaten Noir to the punch. Is it a mere coincidence? Or is there something more at work here? While Kirika and Mireille remain bewildered by the officer’s murder, the shady Judge receives warning from the mystery assassin that Noir is preparing to kill him.
	"Moonlit Tea Party" (月下之茶宴)	06/15/2001	11
	Reflecting upon their encounter with the mysterious Chloe, Kirika and Mireille receive a strange invitation to meet with a representative of the equally-mysterious Soldats. Embracing Soldats’ offer, Kirika and Mireille travel to the designated meeting place while trying to piece together what few pieces they have. As the Soldats’ operative departs, Kirika and Mireille give chase, but it is to no avail. Altena disapproves of Kirika and Mireille being informed of the mysteries surrounding Soldats’ function and identity, and orders Chloe to put a stop to the disclosure.
	"Assassination Mission" (刺客行)	06/22/2001	12
	Altena dispatches Chloe to Switzerland to assassinate retired General Dieter Reimann, who was formally affiliated with Soldats during the Cold War era. Upon Chloe’s arrival, to her surprise, the General invites Chloe to join him on his afternoon hike though the Swiss Alps- knowing full well of her intentions to kill him. Chloe is not the only one after General Reimann’s life however. His arch nemesis, a former East German Intelligence chief turned drug lord by the name of Zellner has also dispatched a sweeper team to assassinate his former Cold War rival.
	"Season of Hell" (地獄の季節)	06/29/2001	13
	"A Bouquet of Flowers for Mireille" (ミレイユに花束を)	07/05/2001	14
	"The Cold-Blooded Killer Act 1" (冷眼殺手 acte I)	07/12/2001	15
	"The Cold-Blooded Killer Act 2" (冷眼殺手 acte II)	07/19/2001	16
	"Return to Corsica" (コルシカに還る)	07/26/2001	17
	"The Darkness Within Me" (私の闇)	08/02/2001	18
	"Two Hands of the Soldats" (ソルダの両手)	08/09/2001	19
	"The Sin Within the Sin" (罪の中の罪)	08/16/2001	20
	"Morning Without Dawn" (無明の朝)	08/23/2001	21
	"Journey's End" (旅路の果て)	08/30/2001	22
	"Sentiments for the Remaining Flower" (残花有情)	09/06/2001	23
	"Dark Return" (暗黒回帰)	09/13/2001	24
	"The Depth of Hell's Fire" (業火の淵)	09/20/2001	25
	"Birth" (誕生)	09/27/2001	26

[edit] Music

The music in Noir is often the most commonly commended aspect of the series, praised for its uniqueness and creativity by mixing a blend of techno, opera, and French-flaired music. It has also been noted as having influenced viewer perceptions on analysis of the series. The battle scenes are intensified by the powerful music which accompanies them. Memorable tracks include "Salva Nos" and "Canta Per Me", which are played in almost every episode.

The series composer for all music except the opening and end themes is Yuki Kajiura, who is accompanied by primary vocalist Yuriko Kaida, secondary vocalist Yuri Kasahara, and Yuki's band See-Saw. Yuki Kajiura is also the composer for several other anime series (including Bee Train Productions of .hack//Sign and Madlax) and videogames (Xenosaga Episode II and Xenosaga Episode III), which have a similar musical style. The opening song, "Kopperia no Hitsugi" (Coppélia's Coffin), is written and performed by Ali Project, and the ending song, "Kirei na Kanjou" ("Beautiful Emotions", along with its piano-only BGM version), is by Akino Arai.

[edit] Track list for official soundtrack

OST I

1. Kopperia no Hitsugi /Ali Project
2. les soldats
3. snow
4. canta per me
5. Corsican corridor
6. ode to power
7. solitude by the window
8. romance
9. silent pain
10. lullaby
11. mélodie
12. chloe
13. whispering hills
14. zero hour
15. liar you lie
16. sorrow
17. salva nos
18. Kirei na Kanjou /Akino Arai

OST II

1. le grand retour
2. secret game
3. fake garden
4. les soldats II
5. in memory of you
6. colosseum
7. salva nos II
8. maze
9. in peace
10. despair
11. power-hungry
12. black is black
13. canta per me II
14. at dusk
15. premonition
16. killing
17. a farewell song
18. Kirei na Kanjou - piano ver.
19. indio

blanc dans NOIR ~Kuro no Naka no Shiro~

Disc 1

1. Aka to Kuro
2. prelude
3. canta per me - Japanese ver.
4. lullaby - Japanese ver.
5. Aime moi
6. Himitsu
7. salva nos - dialogie remix ver.
8. love
9. Gensou Rakuen

Disc 2

1. guests B
2. melody - "salva nos" ver.
3. jealousy
4. at dawn
5. black society
6. family affection
7. church
8. at ease

[edit] External links

• ADV's Official Noir Site
• AniDB.net Noir Entry
• Innocent Crusader, a Chloe fansite
• Victor Entertainment's Official Noir Site
• Pike's Noir Fansite
• Review in EX anime e-zine
• Review in THEM anime
• (French) Noir.japanimascope.net, a Fansite
• (French) Anime Noir, a Fansite
• (French) A comprehensive review of Noir at dvdanime.net

v • d • e Anime series and OVAs animated by studio Bee Train
Girls-with-guns:	El Cazador | Madlax | Noir
Other original works:	Avenger
.hack franchise:	Gift | Legend of the Twilight | Liminality | Roots | Sign
Other video games:	Arc the Lad | Medabots | Meine Liebe | PoPoLoCrois | Wild Arms
Manga and literature:	Spider Riders | Tsubasa Chronicle