One of the most deep and intricate anime ever created. In ways, like "Cowboy Bebop," but with dark and mysterious undertones. "NOIR" follows two assassins, Mirielle Bouquet and Kirika Yuumara. The two are drawn into a complex web that enshrouds their past and will reveal their destiny. The Soldats, an enigmatic organization, seeks to destroy them and forever banish the shadow of Noir from the land. Whether or not, they succeed, I shall leave to you to find out.

I have to say that "Noir" is one of my favourite animes of all time. Why?

First of all, its storyline. It is a mix of angst, drama, bits of wry humour and plenty of action. "Noir" covers a wide range of genres and the fact that the storyline that can evoke powerful reactions is what makes it such a good anime.

And of course, the main protagonists are female. Now how many animes can say *that* and not be shoujo anime? Mireille Bouquet and Kirika Yuumura are so different and yet so alike that they might as well share a brain. The connection between them isn't those clichéd "pre-destined" things. It's progressive, it grows with time and has that realistic quality to it.

The tragedy that is at the core of the story ties in very well with all of the characters involved. All of them are ultimately touched and trapped by this tragedy and the violence that surrounds it. Cue angst.

You can't forget the action. It's fast-paced and not excessively bloody. Guns, swords, knives, poison, it's all there. Some of the gymnastic feats are really not to be tried with a weapon or at home. The gun fights seem surrealistic, but at the same time it looks, sounds and feels amazingly real.

Overall, it's an amazing anime with a very conclusive ending and I recommend it to anyone and virtually everyone. It's not cutesy shoujo or macho shounen, but a balanced mix of both that really pulls off a stunning effect. Anime doesn't get better than this.