(July 31st, 2025 Edit: It seems a few users on Twitter/X misinterpreted key points of my post, criticizing that I presented a 'Google translated' email that has no proof of existence, that is possibly photoshopped, and that I stated in my post that the show did made its protagonists romantic, claiming that is why I was 'mad'. I apologize if the tone came across as upset; that was not my intention. My argument is not emotional or agenda-driven, but a meticulous, evidence-driven analysis based entirely on direct quotes from Tsukimura's email reply after I contacted him regarding his 2019 blog post. I never claimed the show itself was romantic; in fact, I stated the exact opposite. I specifically clarified that the anime's director-driven ambiguity is what allows for romantic interpretations, a portrayal Tsukimura himself confirmed was a result of his 'soulmates' vision being misunderstood. My purpose was to establish that Tsukimura's intended canon for Mireille and Kirika is a non-romantic 'soulmate' bond, a conclusion that follows directly from Tsukimura's words that he replied to me, not from a personal agenda.
To be clear, I had no intention of making this post prior to contacting him directly, after I discovered his 2019 blog post. I was simply curious about his comments from his 2019 blog post regarding the mentioned 'soulmates', how "it wasn't understood", and "tremendous hardship" he faced. His comprehensive reply included information I was not expecting at all, and became the sole basis for my analysis.
Regarding the claims that there is 'no proof', and that the email is 'unverified' or possibly photoshopped, I understand why some users may be skeptical of them. Specifically, in the screenshots of the email recipts I included, the "From," "Mailed-by," and "Signed-by" fields all display hotmail.co.jp, which confirms the email's origin from Tsukimura's address. It even displays his email address, that aligns with the one provided on his Blog Post. As for the English translation of Tsukimura's email response to me that I provided on this MAL post, along with the original un-translated Japanese screenshots, I clearly stated that I used Grok for its accuracy with Japanese text translation, after noting that Google Translate was unreliable for that, especially on it's inaccuracies on the 2019 blog post translation; I did not claim that the provided English translation of his email response for this MAL post was Google translated.
Additionally, I have provided extra recipts to show that the email from Tsukimura, that he replied to me, is in fact legitimate, it is not faked nor photoshopped:
https://imgur.com/a/jdtgOH2
Thank you, and please carry on with the post.)
Noir's Creator, Ryoe Tsukimura, Confirms a Non-Romantic, Comrades-in-Arms-like Bond for Mireille and Kirika, Attributing the Anime's Ambiguity to the Director's Misunderstanding.
Back in June, I discovered a 2019 blog post by Ryoe Tsukimura, the original creator and writer of Noir:
https://ryoue.hatenablog.com/entry/2019/06/20/232543
In that blog post, Tsukimura revealed that from the very first page of Noir's initial proposal, he made it unmistakably clear that Mireille and Kirika would ultimately become 'soulmates'. Despite this explicit intent, he recounted that his vision for their 'soulmate' bond was not understood during production, forcing him to endure 'tremendous hardship'. (For the most accurate translation from Japanese, I highly recommend using an AI chatbot, as Google Translate has historically shown inaccuracies with such texts, especially Japanese, and completely messed up with the blog post translation. After testing out different AI chatbots, Grok has given the most accurate translation.)
After reading that 2019 blog post, I was intrigued and curious. Since his email address was included in the post, I decided to reach out to him directly. I asked him for more details regarding his 'soulmate' concept, how it "wasn't understood," and the "tremendous hardship".
A few days later, he did end up emailing me back with a comprehensive reply, that changed everything. (translated to English, using Grok again, based on its accuracy of it's blog post translation. I understand that other ai chatbots or translator tools may word it differently.)
Here is what Tsukimura replied with: "To answer your question concisely, I did not write this work with the perspective of whether Kirika and Mireille’s relationship is platonic or not. The two pursue the mystery of their origins through a “pilgrimage,” ultimately building an irreplaceable partnership that transcends enmity. This bond is stronger than friendship or romance, which I described as a “soulmate” connection. The director, during production, boldly stated, “I don’t understand this work, and neither does anyone on the staff.” Although the story and dialogue followed the script, the confusing direction and depictions arose from this lack of understanding. (Additionally, to meet their demands stemming from this misunderstanding, I had to alter the structure of the second half, but I believe I still managed to complete it to my satisfaction. The “Dear Mireille” letter is as per the script and should be interpreted as written, without needing to tie it to romance.) However, the final episode deviated significantly from the script, and I will likely never watch it in my lifetime."
Email reply recipts: https://imgur.com/a/BD2ahCc
In fact, when I translated his email reply with Google Translate at first, this translated part caught my eye: "Although the story and dialogue were exactly as scripted, the confusing direction and depictions were misleading to the audience."
I know every translator is different, but the fact that it picked up on the "misleading to the audience." might say something. It may or may not be accurate, but Google Translate was absolutely janky at translating the blog post due to shortened nicknames included there, so take it with a grain of salt. Google Translate is simply not reliable for Japanese translation. Buckle up, because this is going to be quite long.
Tsukimura's Core Vision: A Transcendent "Soulmate" Connection
Tsukimura explicitly laid out his vision in the email reply:
"I did not write this work with the perspective of whether Kirika and Mireille’s relationship is platonic or not. The two pursue the mystery of their origins through a “pilgrimage,” ultimately building an irreplaceable partnership that transcends enmity. This bond is stronger than friendship or romance, which I described as a “soulmate” connection. The 'Dear Mireille' letter is as per the script and should be interpreted as written, without needing to tie it to romance."
Let's break down the profound implications of these statements:
• Explicit Rejection of the "Romance" Category:
Tsukimura's statement: "I did not write this work with the perspective of whether Kirika and Mireille’s relationship is platonic or not." This is crucial. While seemingly awkward in phrasing to some, it means he specifically chose not to categorize their bond using common labels like "friendship" (platonic) or "romance/sexuality." He wasn't thinking, "Is it one or the other?" Instead, he conceived of it as something that fundamentally exists outside of and transcends these predefined categories. This directly refutes the idea that he left it ambiguous for romantic interpretation. If he meant "more intense romance," he would necessarily be thinking within the "romantic perspective." His statement directly contradicts this.
• "Stronger Than Romance" - Defining a Distinct Category, Not a Higher Degree of Romance:
He further clarifies: "This bond is stronger than friendship or romance, which I described as a “soulmate” connection." When something is "stronger than X," it means it surpasses or is different in kind from X, existing on another level. It doesn't mean it's just "X, but more so." For instance, if you say "a diamond is stronger than a piece of glass or a piece of wood," you don't mean it's a more intense piece of glass or wood. You mean it's a fundamentally different material with superior properties. Similarly, Tsukimura is positioning the "soulmate" bond as fundamentally different from, and superior to, both friendship and romance. His intent was to define a unique, unparalleled bond of destiny and soul-level connection that was neither conventional friendship nor conventional romance, but something that stood apart from both. It was not meant to be a more intense version of romance. He explicitly places the "soulmate" bond outside the categories of "friendship" and "romance" altogether.
• The "Comrades-in-Arms" Fit:
While Tsukimura didn't use the term "Comrades-in-arms," it is an excellent and highly fitting description for a significant practical aspect of Mireille and Kirika's bond. Their relationship is forged in the crucible of constant danger, shared missions, mutual reliance, and absolute trust born from life-or-death situations. Their "pilgrimage" is literally their "campaign" together. This practical, functional, and deeply loyal dimension perfectly underpins the deeper, more spiritual "soulmate" connection Tsukimura envisioned. It's how their profound spiritual link manifests in their dangerous world. (There has also been viewers who saw Mireille and Kirika as Comrades-in-arms many years back):
https://www.beetrainfan.org/forum/index.php/topic,280.45.html
(In fact, in this 2008 article from John, his input in their bond aligns closely to this as well. It supports what Tsukimura said, with John describing a “camaraderie” like “soldiers"):
https://www.animenation.net/blog/ask-john-what-is-mireille-and-kirikas-relationship/
John may have been the closest one onto something.
The Source of Ambiguity: Direction vs. Intention
Tsukimura's email also sheds light on why Noir might have given rise to ambiguous interpretations:
"The director [Koichi Mashimo], during production, boldly stated, 'I don’t understand this work, and neither does anyone on the staff.' Although the story and dialogue followed the script, the confusing direction and depictions arose from this lack of understanding. Additionally, to meet their demands stemming from this misunderstanding, I had to alter the structure of the second half, but I believe I still managed to complete it to my satisfaction."
This segment is crucial, particularly in light of the "intense romance" argument:
• "Misunderstanding" Reinforces Divergence: His expression of "tremendous hardship" and feeling that director Mashimo "misunderstood" his "soulmate concept" is further evidence. His frustration was precisely because the intended non-romantic nature of the bond was perceived as ambiguous or even romantic by others during the anime's production. If he had intended an "intense romance," there would have been no misunderstanding on that front; he would have simply meant it was an incredibly deep romantic connection. Tsukimura's complaint wasn't that the anime simply failed to portray romance well, but that the nature of the bond itself was "misunderstood." This implies a fundamental discrepancy between what he envisioned (a unique, non-romantic, non-sexual "soulmate" connection) and how it was ultimately depicted and perceived (ambiguously, allowing for romantic or sexual readings, in which Tsukimura labeled it as "confusing direction and depictions" outside of his writing). The 'misunderstanding' was about the category of their bond, not merely its intensity within a romantic framework.
• Directional vs. Scripted Ambiguity: Tsukimura explicitly states that his script (story and dialogue) was followed, but the visual and directorial execution became "confusing" specifically because of this fundamental "lack of understanding" from the director and staff. Mashimo's extensive credits, not only as Director but also for storyboards, sound direction, and music direction, mean he had direct control over nearly every element that could subtly shape viewer perception, including visual framing, emotional pacing, and aural cues, making it exceptionally difficult to refute that any such subtext originated from his execution rather than Tsukimura's writing. This aligns with Mashimo's known directorial style, which often features subtle romantic undertones and ambiguity in other works (like Madlax and El Cazador de la Bruja). Mashimo's signature "confusing directions" introduced subtle subtext (specifically outside the script, such as via storyboards, visual framing, tonal cues, music) that inadvertently, or perhaps intentionally for "yuri baiting," led to the ambiguous presentation. This also most likely explains why Noir stands out as the least overtly "yuri" (or most platonic, from a conventional perspective) among Mashimo's "girls with guns" trilogy, which includes Madlax and El Cazador de la Bruja. Considering each of these works had different primary creators and writers with each directed by Mashimo, it highlights a significant influence from Tsukimura's distinct vision in Noir. It is very likely that Mashimo and Tsukimura had creative disagreements during Noir's production. Essentially, if Noir had featured a different director who did not share Mashimo's tendency for subtle subtext, there probably wouldn't have been any such "yuri tease/bait" between Mireille and Kirika. Conversely, if Noir had a different writer and creator who did not share Tsukimura's specific "soulmate" vision, the relationship might have been portrayed with more explicit ambiguity or romantic undertones, akin to the other two anime in the trilogy.
• Creative Hardship and Perseverance: Tsukimura's admission of having to "alter the structure of the second half" to meet "demands" stemming from this misunderstanding highlights the "tremendous hardship" he faced in trying to preserve his vision. His belief that he still managed to complete it "to my satisfaction" suggests he believes his core "soulmate" vision ultimately shone through despite these pressures. This demonstrates that Tsukimura's 'satisfaction' was born not from compromise on the bond's fundamental nature, but from his successful, even if arduous, defense of its explicitly non-romantic, transcendent design against external pressures. This success is evidenced by the fact that despite the anime's subtle romantic subtext and the viewers' romantic interpretations, there were still other viewers who did not interpret any romance between Mireille and Kirika's bond, and a few only finding out about the subtext after discovering online debates surrounding it, as shown in the two links provided on the "The "Comrades-in-Arms" Fit:" section. This powerfully underscores how the creator's intended non-romantic vision managed to permeate the final product, thereby affirming its canonical authority against interpretations based solely on directorial ambiguity
• The Final Episode's Profound Deviation: The ultimate statement, "However, the final episode deviated significantly from the script, and I will likely never watch it in my lifetime," signifies a rupture far deeper than merely ambiguous undertones. While the series as a whole might have 'suffered' from "confusing direction" that allowed for romantic subtext, this particular statement about the finale suggests a fundamental alteration of the narrative, thematic resolution, or character fates in the ending that was so egregious and contrary to his intended conclusion that he emotionally disavows it. This goes beyond just romantic suggestions; it implies a core plot or thematic outcome that he simply cannot accept as part of his story.
Final Definitive Instruction on Interpretation:
Finally, on the "Dear Mireille" letter, Tsukimura provides a direct, explicit instruction from himself, against romantic interpretation for a key scene. It's the definitive nail in the coffin for the "intense romance" argument for their relationship as a whole. He most definitely intended the letter to express Kirika’s profound gratitude and loyalty within their ‘comrades in arms’ like partnership, before knowing Mashimo would misunderstand his vision and infuse the anime's visual presentation with unintended romantic ambiguity. The contradiction is irrefutable, you cannot simultaneously intend for a relationship to be "a more intense version of romance" and then instruct the audience not to interpret a key scene romantically. Those two intentions are mutually exclusive. His second statement directly clarifies and restricts the meaning of the first, making the "intense romance" interpretation untenable, along with any romance at all. Tsukimura's words, taken as a whole, firmly establish that he conceived of their bond as non-romantic and non-sexual, a unique "soulmate" connection that transcends and is distinct from romance, not a more intense version of it.
The Creator's Authority and Hypothetical Future Works
This clear stance from Tsukimura underscores the weight of authorial intent in defining a work's canon. If Director Mashimo were to hypothetically make his own sequel of Noir that included Mireille and Kirika confessing romantic feelings for each other, and perhaps even sharing a kiss, Tsukimura would most definitely become very upset. This would directly contradict his fundamental creative vision for the characters, violate his artistic integrity as the originator of Noir, and actively undermine the profound, non-romantic "soulmate" concept he fought to convey. It would be a profound act of disrespect for his authorship and a direct reinterpretation of the very essence of the bond he poured tremendous effort into defining, turning his nuanced, transcendent vision into something he explicitly stated it was not. Their relationship, as Tsukimura described it, is a unique connection that is stronger (or 'superior') to romance, so a romantic sequel would not be an evolution of their bond, but a 'downgrade' to a category their relationship has already been established to transcend. While fans are always free to explore alternative narratives through works of fanfiction, such a hypothetical romantic sequel would unequivocally stand as a non-canonical departure from Tsukimura's definitive vision for Mireille and Kirika.
Conclusion: Authorial Intent as Canon
Since Ryoe Tsukimura is the creator and writer of Noir, his stated intent holds the ultimate authority on the canonical nature of Mireille and Kirika's relationship. His comprehensive statements leave no room for ambiguity regarding his original vision: Mireille and Kirika share an unbreakable, unique, and profoundly non-romantic "soulmate" partnership. Any perceived romantic subtext or ambiguity in the anime's presentation is confirmed to be a result of the director's interpretation and execution, stemming from a confessed "lack of understanding" of the creator's precise vision. |
