Search - Noir - End of the Matter (Vol. 7) on DVD

TO THE DEATH

Sesho | Pasadena, TX USA | 07/29/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"To me, Volume 6 of Noir was probably the most powerful installment of the series, so Volume 7 comes almost as an anti-climax. I had read reviews and heard rumors that this final Noir ended depressingly, but to me, it had a happy ending for some of the characters.

After learning, or rather remembering, that she killed Mireille's parents years before, Kirika seems to finally accept her fate that she is the true Noir, along with Chloe, and accompanies her to the Manor where the mysterious Altena is trying to purify the Soldats and bring them back to their original purpose. She seems to think that reviving Noir will have a rejuvenating effect on the Soldats, who she sees as having strayed from their original purpose of protecting the weak and oppressed. Ironically, the Soldats are now the tyrants of the world.

Meanwhile, Mireille, who also was a candidate for Noir, tries to get on with her life without Kirika. She is contacted by another faction of the Soldats. A faction that is against Altena. They want her to throw a wrench in the system. They want her to become half of Noir by killing one of the other two girls and becoming their agent, and maybe kill Altena in the mix. So Mireille, wanting to finally rid herself of the past, and also, in part because she cares for Kirika, also travels to the Manor. Who knows who will be standing at the end of Volume 7? You'll just have to buy and watch!

Well, I know it's a bad joke, but the series does end on quite a bang. Actually, this volume was a little slow-moving. I especially thought the character of Chloe was not allowed to develop much from a bloodthirsty grinning killer. Kirika really shined in the last couple of volumes. As always, the action sequences are very fine, with the usual shooting Noir theme playing in the background. Highly recommended.

"

Simply The Best

Sesho | 01/14/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I would consider this a must have for any serious anime fan. The storytelling rivals, and actually surpasses, most other anime I've seen. The soundtrack is outstanding and character and plot development, combined with the other elements, is handled with an expert touch. This volume confronts some of the deeper issues only hinted at earlier in the series. Here we learn some of the deepest secrets of the past of Kirika, Mirielle, Chloe and Altena. I will never forget the words of Mirielle's mother to a young Kirika, just starting on her path of death: "It is true that sometimes love can kill. But hate can never save you..."Definitely in my top 3 of all time; may not be for everyone if you like mindless explosions from beginning to end, but everyone else should love this one."