Forum SettingsEpisode Information
Forums
New
What did you think of this episode?
DO NOT discuss the source material beyond this episode. If you want to discuss future events or theories, please use separate threads.
DO NOT ask where to watch/download this episode or give links to copyrighted, non-fair use material.
DO NOT troll/bait/harass/abuse other users for liking or disliking the series/characters.
DO read the Anime Discussion Rules and Site & Forum Guidelines.
Pages (2) « 1 [2]
Jan 19, 2019 2:25 AM
The Shrike

Offline
Nov 2009
11580
I really enjoyed this despite the slow start. I liked the characters, good at creating atmosphere, the animation, though not top notch and low budget was fairly consistent. And the OST was just to die for!
"Perhaps there is a universal, absolute truth. Perhaps it justifies every question. But that's beyond the reach of these small hands." Mamoru Oshii

There is a cult of ignorance (...) nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that “my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.” Isaac Asimov

Feb 9, 2019 9:16 PM
Offline
Feb 2019
2
I watch it in a span of about 3 months (the end of november till yesterday) and i was kinda flabbergasted to see all of those assassination lead to where Soldats is. And for Kirika.. i mean, her past is indeed not very clear.. and why is she looking for Mireille in the first place instead of Chloe? They are the Noir Candidates right? And the braindwashed Kirika is a bit confusing but i guess they just leave it like that for us to speculating things.
And the last 2 gunshots, i agreed to the comments before this, that it was their gunshots sound, leaving their past behind. I really need a follow up episodes but it's an old anime😟

There is 2 girls with guns anime more right? Madlax and one with spanish title😀
I hope it's good~
Feb 9, 2019 10:01 PM

Offline
Dec 2015
6478
@kaerukyuubi How would she get the idea of searching for someone she doesn't remember?
(Mireille was a candidate too by the way.)

Note: watching the three series in a row might be indigestible.



@Playcool Those good old days of Bee Train exploiting Kajiura's music to support entirely their creations were so long ago. I'm not a fan of the cell/digital transition period but I still miss it for those series.
Any opinion on "Canta per me" in japanese?

I also thing the 26eps structure, no matter how boring it might seem for today's audience (especially in a series with such a thin intrigue), is important. People might not "care", but those non-personal episodes give a certain rythm, make the audience grow accustomed to the characters and the "missions", before inserting more and more intrigue and personal related elements before the midsries turn-about.
Sure, the same story could be told by keeping only the double episodes at the beginning, the middle and the end (and some scenes peppered in others) but it wouldn't have the same effect.
Rei_IIIMar 30, 2022 2:19 AM
Feb 9, 2019 10:32 PM
Offline
Feb 2019
2
@
Rei366 said:
@kaerukyuubi How would she get the idea of searching for someone she doesn't remember?
(Mireille was a candidate too by the way.)

Note: watching the three series in a row might be indigestible.



Yep Mireille is the candidate as well. But now come to think of it if Kirika get to Chloe first then this anime wouldn't have 26 eps😅

And BTW i watched the Madlax eps 1 just now.. got to say it is promising but as you said i might can't fully 'devoted' to Madlax right now since i just finished Noir😭 i missed their actions already
Feb 28, 2019 12:25 AM
Offline
Sep 2015
1
I have a hard time believing the two main characters killed each other or themselves at the end. Why talk about going to the light, or making tea at home again if they had no intention of living? It would be very Of Mice and Men, but it would make even less sense... Why even bother saving Kirika and crying about almost losing her over the fire pit if she was just going to kill her minutes later? Kirika showed over and over she did not want to kill Mireille, so even if Mireille shot her, I doubt she would shoot her back. If it was something as emotional as killing themselves/each other, why not show that instead of showing them walking into the blackness?

I'm leaning more toward they were shooting at other Saldats members who finished killing the villagers. It makes more sense why they would not show us those gunfights if they were something that insignificant. I don't think the senior Soldats members would shoot them either, as they seemed to need to approval from all the others before doing anything, and they hardly seemed the types to get their own hands dirty, anyway.

I think Kirika's memory loss has more to do with brainwashing and hypnosis than amnesia. When Chloe shoots her, she says something about accepting regaining her memories or something, making me think she had something to do with it, or used some trigger words along with shooting her as a catalyst. That would also kind of explain how she would know Mireille was a trustworthy assassin for hire, even though she would have no knowledge of other names, people, or even herself. Just muscle memory and a few incantations she remembered while Chloe chanted them.

One of my favorite things about Noir is that the characters use silence and body language to communicate in a way not many other anime do. I like the music and the art as well, especially the painted backgrounds. Overall, it's in my top 10 favorites.

I went into Madlax thinking it would be like Noir but I was very disappointed. It was much more fanservice-y. They plot was just bad, and I could not stand watching something so desperately try to be like Noir while failing so pathetically at it.
Apr 11, 2019 12:42 AM

Offline
Sep 2017
16
this series was way better than I thought that it was going to be. The only thing that I wish was different was that they would kill the heads of soldats when they came out of the building.
May 11, 2019 7:37 PM

Offline
May 2010
1453
Okay, but seriously, a god damned lava pit, are you kidding me???
“Money can't buy dere”
Mar 3, 2020 4:48 AM
Offline
Dec 2014
780
EricaN said:
Altena is straight up batshit crazy, so don't expect her grand master plan to be all that logical. What is important is that she believes in the end goal with an almost religious fervor, and is willing to sacrifice anything, even herself, in order to achieve it.


Altena spent too much time in the darkness and never experienced the light. She is a tragic villain.

In fact the entire cast was in much need of a hug. I am glad Mireille and Kirika found eachother.
Aug 30, 2020 2:00 AM

Offline
Jul 2013
1255
I liked the first nine episodes but then the show starts focus on the main plot which is isn't interesting at all.The action scenes also start to get really dumb and instead being atmospheric the show just start's to drone on.
Sep 11, 2020 5:49 AM
Offline
Sep 2020
1
Everybody keeps talking about Kirika past but the reason Altena saved her because she was her daughter remember she was rape when she was younger
Feb 19, 2021 7:36 PM
Offline
Dec 2017
2
Are they both dead? Because before the ending song two gunshots were heard, they were killed by the soldats??
WATASHI KININARIMASU!!!!
Jul 27, 2021 1:49 PM
Offline
Dec 2011
10235
loved the epsiode and the ending
Sep 28, 2021 9:55 PM

Online
Jun 2016
3018
I've just finished rewatching Noir for the 2nd time, exactly 20 years after it originally aired. This is one of few anime I'd give an 11/10 if I could, I loved everything about it: the soundtrack, the art (especially the painted backgrounds), the story/lore, the characters and their development throughout the anime.
Oct 30, 2021 6:32 PM
Offline
Nov 2020
269
Unfortunately, this show fell short of my expectations. Evidently this was due to a combination of factors of which elaboration here would be superfluous. However, I want to add that the backgrounds with inconsistent perspectives and rough and unimaginative colors were really irritating, since they always looked somehow 'off'. In addition, while it was initially mesmerizing, I got tired of the soundtrack as the show went on, partially because it was repeated a lot. The other work I've watched that reuses its soundtrack to a significant degree (and even more so than Noir) is Conquer (2003), and I liked it (a lot) better since it explored the power of ambition and values and the effects of failure in a more defined fashion.

Well, I have perhaps spent too much time needlessly criticizing this show. I'll end by just mentioning that I definitely respect the work that has been done on this show with the given circumstances. As such, I deem it above average: 6 / 10.
ilalocheziaOct 30, 2021 6:36 PM
Feb 21, 2022 8:42 PM
Offline
Dec 2015
403
Not a bad ending at all, enjoyed it more than I expected. Music really carried the show though
Mar 5, 2022 5:07 AM

Offline
Jul 2021
8288
ALTENA WAS A SITH LORD ALL ALONG!

I can't be the only one who had Return of the Jedi flashbacks while watching the ending.
Cucumber ice cream is the best!
Mar 28, 2022 4:21 PM
Supreme Tsundere

Offline
Nov 2012
4244
Thank god the ending didnt suck, OH MY GOD, like it was legit good, surely I wanted a few more scenes on an epilogue, but so many anime end up with endings that just feel like an after though...
OST carrying this anime to its end, not a bad thing when you have a soundtrack this good, but really, that OP and ED where trash, the show deserve something much more fitting, I m glad I skipped 90% of the episodes OP/ED.

Over 26 episodes I have grown fond of Noir's duo, especially Kirika, but I m proud that for Mireille, in the end she managed to live to Noir's legacy.
Definitly memorable ending, this episode had some good action (ep25 Kirika vs Miraille eclipsed it whoever).
The message from Miraille mother to Kirika, how she learns from that and gathers her resolution becoming more humane, and how at the end did not gave up on life, and took Miraille's hand, when the later told her not to give up... I really enjoyed the overall message this conclusion gives.

A classic that deserves to be recognize as such even 21 years later, and so in the far future.

(I forgot to comment between ep17 and this, might go back to do so on one or two eps)

Kimura said:
Nephtys said:
Anyways, it's a great show but i'm kinda miss one basic thing. Why the hell Kirika lost her memories?
I think they didn't mention it in the show why she lost her memories. Maybe they brainwashed her i guess.
Not only that, but they don't tell us why she regained them by being "shot" by Chloe in episode 20. Maybe I'm missing something...?

Anyway, I enjoyed the show overall, even if the first half was a bit slow.

7/10


First half sucked so much, had maybe 2-3 good episodes, but also delivered episode 6 which was my favorite moment in the series, got me crying like a baby.

GlennMagusHarvey said:
I think that's the one plot hole that they didn't plug--Kirika's identity and memories.

You meant how she lost them right? You are right, but surprisingly I m not that bothered by it as I could.
I just imagine something drastic happened and she lost them... uh, Yeah...


Wilio said:
GlennMagusHarvey said:
I think that's the one plot hole that they didn't plug--Kirika's identity and memories.


They actually covered that in the anime.
Nah, read the above, it was not explained, how she lost them.

little_raven said:
Confucius said:


The two gunshots probably meant they were killed off. No mafia organization would let them go like that, they simply know too much.


I thought that at first too - but after a second watch I realized the 2 gun shot sound different and may be a symbolism - along with the broken pocket watch - that they remained being assassins but not Noir. I find this interpretation more romantic too, in a way.

8/10 for me too - not complaining about the lack on info on Kirika, but man that first part was surely slow as hell...

YES, I cant not think otherwise, because if they really are killed like that, would leave a rather nasty taste, after how well this anime, surprisingly, managed to end.

Them remaining assassins, you really have to ignore morals, because when you think seriously about it, they are still killing people, not the most honest profession IMO.
Dutchpanther said:


The only thing i didnt really get where the endless spawn of cloister mades with golden guns real james bond like killers (yea a place forgotten by time alright...) which died like chickens.

The overhelming number of nuns on ambush jumping to the scene with a gun and shotting, then dropping like flies had me dying xD
So silly but funny.


Deserada said:
The last two gunshots were the sounds of Kirika's and Mirelle's pistols.

Double suicide.

BEGONE, EVIL SPIRIT!

Red_Keys said:
There's a lot I have to say about this show, but I can't really muster the effort to write it all down.

It would have been a lot better if this were a 11-13 episode anime. It was too long and really repetitive, and then left a lot of things vague and unexplained.

6/10

Completely disagree, it started lacking but the number of episodes actually lead to some lengtly exposition to all the topics and the duo, which by the second half finally had me opening more to the characters.
Thankgod this was 26 episodes.

bmoore07 said:
Woah... the whole series was beautiful from start to finish.

Sure, it left things unexplained.
Sure, it doesn't look too great.

Still, it's great anime like Noir that inspires me to watch and review anime.

Thanks for the memories!
8/10

The anime is from early 2000s for christ sake, besides, I watched this on 1080p release, far from ugly IMO.

Rei_III said:
@Yiuumii Sure, you can't have an epilogue for this series. (a second series would have probably be extremely stretched out)
But on the other hand, you can get "more of the same" through Madlax and El Cazadore de la bruja (same recipe, with a slight change in ingredients proportions here and there, with a lot of shared staff members).

Noir and Cajador where among the first Yuki Kaijura OSTs I heard, when I found her in 2013-2014, they are so fucking amazing, and the reason I always wanted to watch Noir, guess I will be going with Cajador really soon (Forest track is so beautifull too).

Noir anime really ended up making great usage of its OST, specially Canta Per Me, was used a lot but was the effect was real, in the end I really feel it helped me immerse more in the scenes and get psyched, made the different from many scenes, which is why I would rate this series higher than the 6 or low 7 I wanted to give it early on.

Signifie said:
Not a bad ending, however Altena's plan felt anti-climactic considering how it was being built up throughout the series which made this episode pretty lacklustre for me, not to mention the extremely out of place lava pit. The action in this show wasn't that exciting since 90% of the enemies were horribly incompetent and were just used to show Kirika doing some completely inexplicable shit. One thing Noir excels at, especially in the first half, is building great settings and vivid locations which kept the assassination of the week format fresh.

The soundtrack was lovely, as expected of Yuki Kajiura, but a few tracks didn't fit well with the scenes they were playing in which made the tone feel slightly disjointed. Another thing to note about Noir is how little dialogue is used in crucial scenes, with the director instead choosing to use a lot of still shots to keep the character's feelings more clouded. Most anime that share similar themes with this show wouldn't utilise this so I'm not used to it, but I'd say it was done effectively although somewhat overused.

As for the two gunshots and the broken watch at the end, I'd say that's purely symbolical of the pair severing their link with the past, and a bit of a farewell to the viewers.


I think episode 25's Chloe death felt more anticlimatic, like you could see that coming and I was disappointed they dared to do so. Altina was herself to the end, there was no changing her.
The action had its moments, on the second half the duo MC looks way more like true top Assassins, specially Kirika, she is badass, a survivor when cornered, but Mireille early on hate lots of ass, she was a poor excuse for an assassin, but definitly improved in the 2nd half.
I would say 5-7 episodes are scenes with really good action, not saying you can compare to Ghost in the Shell or other well animated action anime from the time, but I was not disappointed, when it mattered Noir delivered exciting action, but again, TBH, the OST carried most of it, making far more exciting than it would have otherwise.

Dont feel the OST was overused though, I liked Canta per me that much.

I think you are right about the final scene with the gunshot, makes sense and doesnt fuck up the conclusion.

EricaN said:
Altena is straight up batshit crazy, so don't expect her grand master plan to be all that logical. What is important is that she believes in the end goal with an almost religious fervor, and is willing to sacrifice anything, even herself, in order to achieve it.

I think her words had some merit, but she was seeing the world from a twisted perspective, and some flashbacks from her childhood were soon over the 2nd half so I actually appreciate how Altina was handled as a villain, like you said, even in death, she embraced it.
I dont think she was the ultimate baddy for the MCs to conquer, but rather a product of this beautiful yet terryfying world, but rather a stepping stone, after the resolution with Altina, Noir can finally move on truly in heart and mind, in a sick way, Altina was guiding them all along.

Feniksrises said:
EricaN said:
Altena is straight up batshit crazy, so don't expect her grand master plan to be all that logical. What is important is that she believes in the end goal with an almost religious fervor, and is willing to sacrifice anything, even herself, in order to achieve it.


Altena spent too much time in the darkness and never experienced the light. She is a tragic villain.

In fact the entire cast was in much need of a hug. I am glad Mireille and Kirika found eachother.

You deserve a hug too, feel your comment a lot. The show in a sense feels very grounded, I m glad it wasnt over the top crazy silly shit, but took itself seriously, plain and simple in the end.

Lost_Viking said:
I've just finished rewatching Noir for the 2nd time, exactly 20 years after it originally aired. This is one of few anime I'd give an 11/10 if I could, I loved everything about it: the soundtrack, the art (especially the painted backgrounds), the story/lore, the characters and their development throughout the anime.

I think this series is far from a 10/10, but considering my early views on the anime, it improved a lot, and I can definitly call it a classic now, and I understand why others could be giving it a 10/10.

This anime is so old, yet the feeling you get even for first viewers 21 years later is that you still dont see something like this often, it had its premise and took itself seriously to the end and the ending fits the show and gives me after taste that I quite like.
I dont really feel wine that much, but that you gotta make the comparison, has it aged, it did so as fine wine, compare Noir with the most of the stuff you get nowadays, it still feels unique, has its place and I think I will keep on appreciating what it did by the end, 10-20 years in the future, unlike most anime.

8.4/10 = 8

The highest 8 I can give, I cant forget the underwhelming first half (with an amazing very memorable episode 6), there are some plotholes, characters could be better, lots of scenes could have been better executed, characters lacked so much in the first half, it took too long for me to start caring, when Chloe arrives, the quality of the anime got better overall IMO.

Noir ended up reedeming itself in the long run, I m glad by initial disappointment with the show has turned into, this show is memorable to the point I will never forget some of these scenes, and the lovely start of Yuki Kaijura greatness as a composer.
Mar 28, 2022 8:18 PM

Offline
May 2009
8137
@Playcool

Glad you appreciated the show as well.

And like you, I love "Canta per me". I remark that every time that song plays, the wheels of history turn.

As for those last two gunshots, I remember inrepreting them as symbolizing the two lead characters, rather than implying that they did a double suicide. That said, the show seems to deliberately leave their fates vague.
Avatar character is Gabriel from Gabriel DropOut.
Apr 5, 2022 6:23 AM
Supreme Tsundere

Offline
Nov 2012
4244
Rei_III said:
@Playcool Those good old days of Bee Train exploiting Kajiura's music to support entirely their creations were so long ago. I'm not a fan of the cell/digital transition period but I still miss it for those series.
Any opinion on "Canta per me" in japanese?

I also thing the 26eps structure, no matter how boring it might seem for today's audience (especially in a series with such a thin intrigue), is important. People might not "care", but those non-personal episodes give a certain rythm, make the audience grow accustomed to the characters and the "missions", before inserting more and more intrigue and personal related elements before the midsries turn-about.
Sure, the same story could be told by keeping only the double episodes at the beginning, the middle and the end (and some scenes peppered in others) but it wouldn't have the same effect.


I don't think we ever heard the Japanese version of Canta per Me in the anime, but yes of course I have listened to both, since both were released in the OST, I like the english release more, but the Japanese also adds a good spin to it, so I keep both.

For me it is like on Nier Automata and Fire Emblems Fates and Echoes, if the songs in other language can add something to it, I always keep them.

Yes, even if the first half was really boring, for most of the episodes, in the end, it doesn't feel like content that should have been skipped, helped you familiarize with the cast.
Jun 30, 2022 7:26 AM
Offline
Apr 2022
5
Definifely an iconic anime. The proof is the fact that I am here...commenting on 2022 for a 2001-2 anime. The plot, characters, and soundtracks are superb. I can't believe it was this old. Literally, I was only one yr old baby when this anime aired yet I can compare the effect it gave me with the animes of 2022. Its one of the many classic and superb animes that I wished have a reboot or something because clearly they don't animate these kind of animes nowadays.
Jul 4, 2022 3:23 AM
Offline
Aug 2007
15
MaidenShogun07 said:
Definifely an iconic anime. The proof is the fact that I am here...commenting on 2022 for a 2001-2 anime. The plot, characters, and soundtracks are superb. I can't believe it was this old. Literally, I was only one yr old baby when this anime aired yet I can compare the effect it gave me with the animes of 2022. Its one of the many classic and superb animes that I wished have a reboot or something because clearly they don't animate these kind of animes nowadays.


Noir is one of those animes that is unafraid to be itself and live to it's own artistic values even if it isn't for everyone.
Jul 30, 2022 4:25 PM
Offline
Aug 2020
183
I really need to watch this anime again. It was my first back then and I still have the special edition dvd and the East on my shelf. There are so many wonderful individual episodes. The ambience is dreamy. Mireille Bouquet is clearly my favourite character. According to Soldat's rules, she actually won the whole thing.
Unfortunately, the finale is really not the anime's strong point. But even after all these years, it's really cinematic.
Nov 22, 2022 10:01 AM
Offline
Nov 2022
3
Noirlax said:
MaidenShogun07 said:
Definifely an iconic anime. The proof is the fact that I am here...commenting on 2022 for a 2001-2 anime. The plot, characters, and soundtracks are superb. I can't believe it was this old. Literally, I was only one yr old baby when this anime aired yet I can compare the effect it gave me with the animes of 2022. Its one of the many classic and superb animes that I wished have a reboot or something because clearly they don't animate these kind of animes nowadays.


Noir is one of those animes that is unafraid to be itself and live to it's own artistic values even if it isn't for everyone.

yes, actually noir is the one which got me so much into anime. Though I just started under a year ago or less maybe.
Feb 27, 2023 2:35 AM

Offline
Dec 2015
196
I really hope those two gunshots at the end don't mean that they got killed by the Soldats at the car... but I cannot shake off the feeling that that's what happened :(

That aside though, really solid anime. It had some great moments, some weird moments and some tragic ones too. I'm really happy that I stumbled upon this gem from the past :)
Mar 17, 2023 6:10 PM
Offline
May 2019
2
:) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Jan 22, 2:41 AM
Offline
Feb 2023
1
One of the best anime sadly its only anime original no game or manga or anything else but it deserved literally 10 scores and great villain
Jul 24, 12:53 PM
Offline
Jun 2016
139
I finished this show with my mother last night and we both thought it was great. The mystery, the intrigue, the plot, the build-up, the very memorable and original soundtrack, the action, the ending and the on the edge of your seat scenes in the last two episodes were so good. I definitely think this Anime deserves higher than a 7.3 rating. A truly underrated gem of a show that I'm glad I took the time to watch.

9/10
Aug 22, 5:32 AM
Offline
Jan 2024
20
Reply to eclipsesonic
I finished this show with my mother last night and we both thought it was great. The mystery, the intrigue, the plot, the build-up, the very memorable and original soundtrack, the action, the ending and the on the edge of your seat scenes in the last two episodes were so good. I definitely think this Anime deserves higher than a 7.3 rating. A truly underrated gem of a show that I'm glad I took the time to watch.

9/10
@eclipsesonic Glad you enjoyed it. Both the anime itself and the soundtrack are one of a kind. Very special. It's sad there's nothing that comes close to it
Pages (2) « 1 [2]

More topics from this board

Poll: » Noir Episode 6 Discussion

Ston3_FreeN7 - Apr 19, 2010

32 by KEGN »»
Jul 15, 8:23 PM

» What kind of music is used in Noir?

LadyMal - Nov 15, 2020

8 by MisaoAino »»
Jun 7, 2:07 PM

Poll: » Noir Episode 25 Discussion

barelyalive - Sep 25, 2011

17 by Iron_Leopard »»
May 21, 4:41 PM

Poll: » Noir Episode 13 Discussion

ApolloFC - Apr 8, 2010

21 by DINGO_SCUM »»
Apr 7, 2:01 PM

Poll: » Noir Episode 20 Discussion

barelyalive - Sep 11, 2011

15 by wildhood »»
Mar 31, 4:02 PM
It’s time to ditch the text file.
Keep track of your anime easily by creating your own list.
Sign Up Login