“Noir” is a captivating 26-episode Japanese anime television series that masterfully blends adventure, girls with guns, and mystery into a compelling narrative1. The story is set in the near future, where a rise in criminal activity has led the Japanese government to allow citizens to possess firearms and establish the Recently Armed Police of Tokyo (RAPT)1.
The series follows the story of two young female assassins, Mireille Bouquet and Kirika Yuumura, who embark together on a personal journey to seek answers about mysteries concerning their past1. At first, they seem to be only vaguely related to each other, but there are clues and hints given throughout the series that there is more going on behind the scenes than at first glance1.
Mireille Bouquet is an assassin-for-hire based in Paris2. One day, she receives a strange email from Kirika Yuumura, a young student from Japan, inviting her to “make a pilgrimage to the past” together2. This email begins playing a song that Mireille recognizes from her youth2, which prompts her to meet Kirika2.
Kirika Yuumura is an amnesiac who is incredibly efficient at killing3. Despite her proficiency at killing, Kirika laments her inability to feel remorse for her victims2. In addition, Kirika apparently has no memory of how she came to acquire the skills she possesses or even of her real identity2.
In their journey to learn more about Kirika’s lost memories and her connection to Mireille, the two form an alliance and begin performing assassinations under the code name “Noir”12. During the course of the series, they are lured into more and more traps by a secret organization named Les Soldats (“The Soldiers” in French)1.
In conclusion, “Noir” is a unique anime that offers an insightful look into the human psyche while delivering an engaging narrative filled with action and mystery. Whether you’re a fan of psychological thrillers or action-packed adventures, this anime is sure to captivate you with its compelling characters and intriguing plot twists.