Search - Noir - Terminal Velocity (Vol. 5) on DVD

"The two rails don't always end together"

Marc Ruby? | Warren, MI USA | 08/29/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Four the previous four volimes (thru episode 16) the story has revolved around the waif-like Kirika and Mirielle a professional assassin of unquestioned skill and beauty. Mirielle's story was definitely the real focus, if for no other reason than Kirika's past was a blank slate. As their adventures progressed, they ran afoul of Les Soldats - an ancient criminal organization. Apparently this was due to Mirielle's choice of an operating name (Noir) and the links between Les Soldats and her Corsican family.Episode 17, 'Return to Corsica,' brings and end to this phase as Mirielle returns to her ruined ancestral home and is forced to face the truth about her history. But the real shock is Chloe's revelation about the reality of Noir and the relationship between her and Kirika. Mirielle return to France finally understanding that she has become the third wheel in a deadly company.Unable to deal with this Mirielle rejects Kirika and a new phase begins as we finally are treated to some clues about who and what Kirika is. Warring factions of Les Soldats are fighting for control of the true Noir or, in the absence of that, the death of these young female killers. Kirika has always been the deadlier of the pair, despite her lost child appearance, and now she must look into her heart to discover her true nature. Without that knowledge, she and her friend are lost.Intensity builds as the story becomes increasingly dark. In the midst of the interplay between the three women and Les Soldats death is a constant companion. And deadly traps are a way of life. In the episode 18, 'The Darkess within Me,' Kirika must make a decision that raises as many questions as it answers. In the next episode more of the truth surfaces, as Kirika and Mirielle draw closer to a book containing the old texts of Les Soldats. But this triggers another round of deadly deception.The artwork for this series, which has always been of an extraordinarily high level deepens in color to match the mood, shifting from bright sunlight to evening tones. And what started as the story of two killers, has become a major tale of suspense. In the end, Kirika is terrified at what the return of her memories might bring to her, unsure of what will become of her relationship with Mirielle."