NOIR – Volume 2: The Hit List

Story of deadly duo continues. In this second volume, we are enjoy in random, unconnected diary of NOIR’s ‘jobs’. Virtually no progress in solving the mysteries of Kirika’s identity and relation between Le Soldats and Mireille.

Uninspiring episodes, with plots sometimes really over the top, would do nothing to entertain you the way “Shades Of Darkness” did. Amazing gun battles are still here, but intrigue and mystique that was trademark of NOIR 1 is minimised to relation between girls. The best ingredients have been removed, leaving us with ‘diet’ version of previous volume. In “Lost Kitten”, episode 1, Kirika’s first ‘solo act’ is nicely done, with all her doubts and insecure approach – NOIR we enjoyed – but the story of ‘target’… too much. That trend continues through “The Black Thread of Fate” . The only notable highlight is Mirielle’s doubts when cornered with wounded Kirika. The rest – forgettable. It seems that most of screenwriter’s attention has been invested in girls’ relation. Rightfully so, since that is holding the story, but more sophisticated ‘sets’ and sub-plots would greatly increase the overall quality.
Most evident example are episodes “Intoccabile 1 and 2”, where story is really overdone, and flow ruined by one and the same flashback repeated over and over… tiring. Completely killed even that little of fun left from previous stories.

Strangely, all the best from volume one has been removed. I don’t see the point of creating episodes just about girls’ ‘adventures’ while there are so many questions unanswered. The essence of NOIR is that mystery. None of it is revealed in these new four episodes.