The classic guns with girls series by Koichi Mashimo has been released to Blu-Ray in America. Seen as one of the pioneers in its genre, Noir explores the story of two female assassin’s one woman named Mireille Bouquet and a young girl Kirika Yuumara as they attempt to unlock the mysteries of their past and the connection they share between each other
Noir is an 2001 girls with guns anime series, it is produced by Studio Bee, and licensed by Funimation. It is currently available on DVD and Blu-Ray.
The watch that connects Mireille and Kirika.
Mireille Bouquet, and Kirika Yuumura are two mysteries young women who seem to have a connection with each other and the Noir. Both being skilled assassins, they travel together alongside Chloe to piece together their pasts, while understanding the mysteries of the Soldats.
Mireille as she appears in Noir.
THE GOOD: Noir’s animation and amazing OST are the most charming elements of the series. Composer Yuki Kajiura is able to capture the feeling of each scene with when he music is attached The action is reminiscent of other classic anime titles such as Cowboy Bebop, though you could tell that the animation was somewhat dated in certain action scenes.
Kirika preparing her weapon.
THE BAD: Fans of Mashimo’s previous series Madiax and El Cazador de la Bruja may not enjoy the more realistic tone of Noir. And it won’t be for more modern anime fans, nor those who aren’t into series like Gunslinger Girl.
Chloe, Mireille, and Kirika.
OVERALL THOUGHTS: Mashimoto’s Noir while similar to his previous two series in the ‘girls with guns’ trilogy is also quite different due mostly to the fact that this series has a more realistic based story, whereas the previous two were more supernatural. The OST fits and helps flesh out the story of Noir perfectly. Fans of Madiax and El Cazador de la Bruja may not appreciate the more realistic tone of Noir however. However, the charming animation, OST, and overall presentation of Noir makes it a series every girls with guns fan should have in his or her anime collection. Otaku Dome gives Noir an 83 out of 100.
Easily one of the most overlooked anime of all time. The girls with guns theme was unlike any other anime of the time, especially in an era of Pokemon, One Piece and InuYasha. Yeah, it does get a little slow early in the series, but it picks up later on.