Edition 13: MADLAX
Female gun-for-hire Madlax lives as a secret agent, while Margaret, a rich orphan in high school, lives almost a world away in a nother country. Both of these women live completely different lives but share a strange similarity–they have no recollection of their past. Is there a connection between these two beautiful strangers? Do they have anything to do with the mysterious intermnational criminal organization and intelligence network known only as “Enfant?” Meanwhile, darkness lurks in the shadows and nothing or no one is what they seem.
http://www.advfilms.com/titles/madlax/ - U.S. Official Site
http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/madlax/ - Japanese Official Site
U.S. Release: April 2005
Distributed by ADV Films
Rating: TV14
Running Time: N/A
Director: Koichi Mashimo
Music: Yuki Kajiura
Character Design:
Minako Shiba
Satoko Miyachi
Satoshi Ohsawa
Art director: Yoshimi Umino
Mechanical design: Kenji Teraoka
Director of Photography:
Hitoshi Saito
Kouji Aoki
Assistant producer: Hiroshi Yoshida
Character Animation Director: Satoshi Ohsawa
Color Coordination: Makiko Kojima
Editing: Seiji Morita
Mecha Animation Director: Yasuhiro Saiki
Music producer: Keiichi Nozaki
Planning: Shiro Sasaki
Producer:
Shigeru Kitayama
Tatsuya Hamamoto
Series Composition: Yousuke Kuroda
Special Effects: Masahiro Murakami
Credit to ANN for the staff list.
Thoughts:
Dark Wind:From the creators of Noir comes Madlax, essentially the same thing with a different setting, characters, and plot. Ok, so it really isn’t the same as Noir beyond the girls and the guns, and for that I’m thankful, since I really didn’t enjoy Noir that much. The best thing Noir had going for it was the music, done by the wonderful Yuki Kajiura, and she’s also doing the music for Madlax, which is a great plus. My main problems with Noir; the very boring, slow, filler-ish plot and dull, lifeless characters, seems to be rectified here. This is promising because I had no problems with the techinical merits of Noir. The direction was stylish and the action kick ass, and I’m hoping to expect more of the same in this spiritual successor. The story seems intriguiing at least, about an assassin in the middle of a civil war and a civilian from another country who for one reason or another, are tied together by a holy book. It’s different in the fact that it’s a modern fantasy-military drama, which isn’t seen to much in anime (I can only think of Saikano). Should be good, and it at least looks promising.
Kythlyn:
Madlax looks like a serious type of anime, comparable to Ghost in the Shell and obviously Noir. Expect a very deep storyline and don’t be surprised if you find yourself watching it more than once to help understand the intricacies of the plot. On the other hand, that complexity might be too much for some viewers. Madlax also has some intense and well animated action, so fans looking for something exciting will not be disappointed if they have the patience to sit through and enjoy the story. On the other hand, if you’re looking for something comedic, look elsewhere (perhaps Maburaho!).
Piro^kun:
Madlax looks to be another amazing anime from the creators of Noir. From the screenshots that I’ve seen, it looks to be amazingly well animated, with the same flair and style that Bee Train is known for. If you’re looking for enough action to keep you on the edge of your seat, Madlax look to be the choice for you. In fact, I’ve even heard rumors of Noir and Madlax being part of a trilogy, so that definitely makes it a must see!
Alpha:
What are all these things I am hearing pertaining to Madlax? From the title I imagined that it was another one of those macho gory anime series, but after viewing the screener, there is nothing gory or bloody with this anime. As a matter of fact, it is actually quite entertaining with as much as I have seen. So Madlax, a female mercenary or an ‘invincible agent’ according to the synopsis is another hot anime babe ready to pull the trigger at any give moment. First Noir, then Najica and now Madlax. ADV Films seem to dig these gun toting ladies. I have to say, this is much better than Noir. Madlax grips you, whereas, Noir is floating around the pool waiting for someone to save it. The concept of Noir and Madlax are quite similar. Two young ladies trying to find themselves, but the attractive meter just blows Noir out of the scenery. Madlax is a title to look forward to. If you do not believe me, then you shall miss out on this exciting new series from ADV Films. That is all, ja ne.
MADLAX Pictures:
