Anime Noir

Noir - best new series of 2001?

Has anybody else here seen Noir? I've seen the first three episodes and I think it totally rocks! It just oozes style while having a strong story. It seems to me that the two main characters are voiced by the same actresses as Lain and Misato Katsuragi.

It started showing on TV Tokyo about a month ago, like April 4th; like Love Hina, the fansubs are already circulating.

My personal opinion at this point is that the US anime studios should be knocking off each others representatives to get Noir as soon as the bidding starts.

---------------
Come with me on a pilgrimage to the past.

 

Not that anyone else here knows... but I should correct that sig.
'Make a pilgramage for the past with me.'

YES! Noir is frickin' cool! I have 5 eps residing on my hard drive and I'm trying to stop myself from watching them all right now. I, like Kinura, have watched 3 episodes, I'm trying to drag out the newness as long as possible.

-JavaLamp
----------
'now THIS is the start of something beautiful'
-Javalamp, thoughts on seeing Noir the first time

 

Thanks for the correction. I haven't watched it as many times as the first episode of Angelic Layer (tied for Best New Series of 2001?)

---------------
Pranksters like you will endure the penalty game....

 

that sig will get earn you...
'Living octopus in the pants!'

But back on topic, Noir. Ahhh.....
Anybody who's seen this series, write in to say what you like about it!

-Javalamp
----------
'umm... did she have a line-up for that shot? it doesn't look like she could have one.'
'Oh, you missed it, it was *2* shots, so close together that it's hard to distinguish the difference.'

 

So, has anyone watched this? If so, put your comments down. In my opinion it is a different kind but very good anime. At first I thought this anime was for girls because the main characters are all females, (Kirika Yuumura and Merielle Bouquet) but it isn't really and besides they are assassins. The graphics are excellent (as always). The music in my opinion is interesting and well put together by Kajiura Yuki. It's one of the best sets of music in anime (in my opinion) especially Sava Nos and Canta Per Me.
The action is generally decent although its sometimes too quick and everyone gets killed before you know it. One thing it was lacking was blood.
I recommend this anime to everyone, and it's quite new (I think made in 2001) so some of you probably havn't heard it before.

 

An english version of Newtype magazine is beginning to be published in the United States, and an issue came with the first episode of Noir, dubbed. The first thing that I noticed about it was the music - I like it!! There are some not-so-great tracks, but overall I like the opening, ending, and various BGM throughout the couple episodes that I've seen.

But I haven't seen enough to give a real good opinion on the series. I did notice that there were times where it tries to be *too* serious, and with improper placement of music the scenes become laughable ("Hi, I just killed your father, but I'm going to pick up the orange you dropped, place it in your bag, you'll smile, and unfitting music will play!"). I think that it's definitely worth checking out - give the first couple eps a good watch through. If my local anime club actually starts to regularly show it, I can give a more solid opinion on it!
-Odin

 

Remember Shen, never judge an anime by the sex of the main characters or the blood level!!!

 

Well, I've seen it through now, and I like it quite well. Like many 26-episode series, it starts out feeling quite episodic before it segues into focusing more on the main story. I thought the main story was brilliantly done, though there are some logistical and motivation issues that still confuse me some. This anime got my group quite divided, as UK almost flaunted the fact that he hated it, and I was almost violent in expressing that I liked it. MamiyaOtaru tried to stay in middle ground. Anyway, if a series DOESN'T have a good heroine, I'm not likely to be interested (over the course of the series, Kirika's the best).

Having blood splash all over the place isn't the point, I think - the concept of them being able to mow down wave after wave of attackers is enough.

I also agree about the music. The soundtrack is excellent. I've also enjoyed Kaijura's work on .hack//SIGN and 'Inspired by Boogiepop and Others'.

 

It was true I was slightly hesitant by the main characters being female but not the blood content, I really didn't mind it, It was actually kinda better without the blood because you don't pay as much attention to how the blood pours out or watever. Instead you are compensated with thrilling action and stunts by the two girls. Well, it's a brilliant series

 

You should watch the subbed version, as the music is never misplaced and excellently composed by Kajiura Yuki....'Canta per me' and 'Salva Nos' are probably the most noticeble soundtrack as it is delicately mixed with flashy themes to create an ultimate chanting/opera/latin spoken soundtrack.

Dubbed version usually put some soundtracks of their own which may seem weird. I watched Gundam Wing Endless Waltz in Subbed and Dubbed, and the dubbed version had some 'dodgey' music. Thus you miss Misuishi Kontono, one of the best Seiyuus (character voices) she also played 'Misato' in Evangelion and many other roles in the world of anime.

 

I'm with UK on this, I hate Noir. Well, maybe that's a bit extreme, I just don't like it much. It's just that everyone else saying how much they like it annoys me. I thought the plot was terrible, it was horribly horribly paced, the music isn't all that good, and it had bad characters. That last point hits especialy hard considering for the first 3/4s of the series there are pretty much only 2 characters in it that survive for longer than 15 minutes. I could go on, but I really don't want to. Time is awasting.
These are only my personal oppinions, but I say look elsewhere.

 

I don't blame you if you don't like it. Nothing is perfectly likeable by everyone in this planet...So I understand *clenching fist in the background* (jokes). I have to say that I disagree with your criticism about the music and the characters though...I reckon the characters were thoughtfully developed though I personally prefer Chloe, and the music.... I need not to repeat myself.

 

I love how graceful they look when they're killing people. Not to sound like i'm obsessed with death! k?

 

I bought that issue of Newtype,and I must say that Noir has some potential.Of course,it's impossible to judge a series on just one episode(the contents of the DVD).The first time I saw the first episode of Cowboy Bebop,I didn't care for it much.Now,I think it's one of the greatest things ever created by man.Oh yeah,and did anyone else's Noir demo DVD have that annoying "for promotional use only.Not for sale"thing keep popping up throughout the episode.That almost ruined the show for me.We get the point,guys!

 

Yeah, that little not for sale text popped up too. I bet it's just another way to "protect" the disk from people who like to copy DVDs.
-Odin

 

/me enjoyed Noir immensly.

The orange scene (after she killed the girls dad) was meant to show the clash between their assassin life and their 'real' life. It was very sad. You people.

I liked it very much

I may get killed for this, but, Noir, in a way reminds me of Cowboy Bebop, except the fact that everyone I've talked to LOVES Cowboy Bebop and you either love or hate Noir (no gray area). It's just, the music is so characteristic of that particular anime....I don't know another that has music like Cowboy Bebop's, or like Noir's. If ya don't think it's good, you have to at least admit it's unique.

 

Nice to see so many people who appreciate Noir and finds it good. It is truely a rewarded anime