Topic: Bee-Train's "girl-with-guns third one"

[MartAnimE]

So, I'm sure many of you have heard about this already, but for those who haven't... it has been rumoured that Bee-Train's director Koichi Mashimo has his mind on making a third "girl-with-guns" anime series, that would complete the trilogy along with Noir and MADLAX!!!

 So far all we have is a fragment of an interview contained on this Bee-Train related article on Newtype's March 2005 issue which says:

"Mashimo tells us that though the titles aren't directly related, he's always envisioned Noir and MADLAX as part of a trilogy of works featuring pistol-packing babes. He tells us that he already has a successor to MADLAX in mind. (Though judging by the double takes all around the table, it has yet to be confirmed -- you heard it here first...)"

 And this one hint on ADV's MADLAX site: http://www.advfilms.com/titles/madlax/

"The potential exists that Noir and MADLAX may have closer ties, further observation will be necessary"

 It has also been speculated that, since Noir premiered on spring 2001, and MADLAX premiered on spring 2004, this "third" series would supposedely be out around spring 2007, following the three year gap logic... this is only fan speculation and nowhere near official though... ^^;

 So, what do you all think of this? Heard of any more rumours? Any ideas you wanna share? Post it all here!

[USMC2Hard4U]

As weird as it would be, I would like to see kinda a crossover. Noir left me thinking their could be alot more to the story, and I have not seen Past DVD 4 of MADLAX yet, But I immagine that it will be the same.

[Ross]

I wouldn't think an actual "crossover" as much as just a third, separate, series along similar lines.  The prospects are probably good for it to be made, as long as it makes money the studio would be interested.  Since Noir and Madlax have probably been commercially successful enough, they'd be willing to go with it.  So I wouldn't see any problems in getting studio support.

I think the main thing would be the actual story.  You don't want to get to the point of just wearing out the same old story.  Noir and Madlax are sufficiently similar and different at the same time, so a third would have to pull off the same "similar, yet different" to be successful.

I'm sure it could be pulled off quite well though, given the quality of the two existing shows.

[Wainwright Arkadios III]

Third, separate series? To be honest, that's precisely what I'm worried about. I know it's irrational, but... with MADLAX, I essentially felt like Bee Train had raped Noir, plundered it for all they could get out of it and used it to build something new-but-the-same without caring for the energies, the love that people had invested into the original characters. Stories aren't just about the format, they're about the people; Mashimo wanted us to "fall in love with" Mireille and Kirika, yet as soon as we do they're ripped from us and we're expected to blindly fall in love with the next set of individuals who come along. Sequels like that don't work for me; either do something completely different, or keep the same people. I'm sure other people see it differently, but that's just my emotional reaction to it.

As a result, I'd be happy-though-wary if they crossed over Noir, and if they brought out a third unrelated series I probably wouldn't even watch the first episode. Even if the third series sucked to all heaven, the fact that they still cared about Noir enough to bring them back would be gratification enough for me; I'd love it even if I hated it.

[Ombrenuit]

Personally, I loved MADLAX, and I loved Noir, but as separate series. I always dislike sequels because most of the time they are extending stories that the script writer didn't have in mind to extend the first time around, and this usually leads to a disappointing series. Over the years, I've personally grown to love the originals better then the sequels, and plus sequels almost never tell a good story left untold, they merely just ride out the original series popular success.

So, in my opinion they should start from scratch and go for something unique, not trying to make a sequel or worse, combine two stories that weren't meant to be combined when the writer began MADLAX, at least. I think if anything, this move would be worse then a sequel itself. I think they should explore their genre a little more, and go for something fresh and new with the girls with guns theme, exploring new philosophical questions, and the morality of our violent world.

[Fellini 8.5]

I hadn't seen anything, rumor or otherwise, about a "crossover" for the mythical "3rd Series".

Besides, it's been done (AVI, 48MB) already*...  

I, for one, am firmly in the "I want a new, original series" camp.  I mean, yeah, I've got ideas for what would be a cool, authentic "Noir" sequel (based on some of the clues that were dropped in the last 7 or so episodes), but I seriously would rather see the fruits of whatever great idea leaps into Mashimo & Co's heads when they're out drinking after a hard day of churning out the kid-show cels that pay the bills.

...speaking of which, from that same NewType article:

The trick, he says, is to go out drinking and shoot the breeze. "After all the meetings and serious discussions, just put it out of your mind. A little drunkenness and small talk brings out incredible ideas -- just in the course of normal conversation -- and they aren't the kind of ideas you get by planning or thinking logically."

Heh.  Explains a lot.  Including the fact that the man is now my hero!  

Anyway, aside from all the other things that are my favorite aspects of both shows, my favorite aspect of both shows is that they're both original creations.  They're not based on manga.  Not based on a game.  Not based on a novel, or even so much as a pamphlet.  Yeah, there's plenty of derivative ideas, homages, and whatnot, but on the whole, these two shows are originals.

And I want more.  More please!


*(no that's not mine, it's this guy's -- I'm just mirroring it for him because it made me laugh!  If anyone's got AMVs they need a host/mirror for, I've got some space & bw for 'em!)

[Fellini 8.5]

From the other thread:

I heard about a possible Noir - Madlax crossover when I attended the Anime Expo in Anaheim, CA earlier this year.  I was fortunate enough to get the chance to get Monica Rial's autograph and asked her why she had no involvement with Madlax.  She told me they did not want any of the main voice actors in Noir to be in Madlax due to the rumors of the cross over show. She wasn't quite sure how it would be done since Madlax was primarily set in a fictitious region, but was looking forward to returning to the role of Kirika.  I don't know if it could live up to the expectations of Noir and Madlax fans, but any chance to see Kirika and Mireille in action once again plus seeing where their relationship is would be worth it.

Hrm.  Seeing as there's actually VA-crossover in the original Japanese, that one has me a bit suspicious.  This is a rumor that has me all uncomfortable and fidgety because I really don't think I like the idea...

The ficticious "Nafrece" vs. Paris doesn't hold up for me either.  Yeah, "Noir" had two fictional countries, so it wasn't totally devoid of that sort of thing, but that would be the sticking point.

Mind you, I'm not doubting what you're reporting.  And I'm kind of surprised this "talking point" hasn't leaked out more if that's what Ms. Rial is saying... which would also hint that ADV might be involved in the pre-production.  Or it just might mean that ADV is trying to pitch that concept.



Crackpot Theory (TM):
It's going to be some kind of insane "Tsubasa-Chronicle"-like alternate universe with ".hack" characters and Layla Ashley, with Ludwig & Orpheus as the mysterious "anti-Noir".  In fact, that might be what the rumored ".hack" movie is going to be...



(You heard it here first!  :wink: )

[MartAnimE]

Crackpot Theory (TM):
It's going to be some kind of insane "Tsubasa-Chronicle"-like alternate universe with ".hack" characters and Layla Ashley, with Ludwig & Orpheus as the mysterious "anti-Noir".  In fact, that might be what the rumored ".hack" movie is going to be...

 What the...!!! :? heh now you've really done it! ^^; but you know what?

Spoiler: show

HELL NO!!! :shock:

[Kirika&Mireilleareich]

I understand the doubt, but that's what Monica told me.  She may have based her comments on the same speculation being shared in this forum.  After all, she is the American actress for the english translation of a Japanese anime show so I'm not sure she would have much greater insight.  I would still welcome the crossover show even though I'm sure it could not live up to the expectations of Noir and Madlax fans.  I simply would like to see where Kirika and Mireille are at in their relationship and  if they are still in the assassin for hire business.  I have not seen all of Madlax yet so I can't comment on their partnership.

[trfanatic]

I would still welcome the crossover show even though I'm sure it could not live up to the expectations of Noir and Madlax fans.  I simply would like to see where Kirika and Mireille are at in their relationship and  if they are still in the assassin for hire business.  I have not seen all of Madlax yet so I can't comment on their partnership.

*nods in agreement*

[MartAnimE]

After a bit of speculation over the two previous ones (Noir and Madlax), I came across some theories that could very well aplly as constant rules to be featured on a potential third series:

 1) Two female protagonists. Obviously there has to be two girl main characters! One long haired and taller blonde girl, and a shorter and younger looking one with short brown hair!

2) Location must be of european setting. Though actually, Madlax was kinda 50/50 regarding european location setting... anyway, something remotely resembling Paris (or the actual one in noir's case) featuring something remotely resembling the Eiffel Tower (or the actual one in noir's case) is bond to appear somewhere in the third series aswell!

3) This one is actually not as obvious! You see in noir we have a character named Mireille Bouquet, and in Madlax we have a character named Margaret Burton! MB inicials = another constant rule for one of the main characters name it seems! Also notice the fact both characters were orphaned at an young age and both are from an aristocratic family! It's just too much of a coincidence! Such a character is likely to be featured in a possible third series!

4) The all powerful criminal organization operating through the entire world, manipualting all kinds of information. Must be featured and must have a french name of course!

5) Well... GUNS!!! :roll:

 I'm sure there are more. But I'll just mention these for now since these are the most constant and coherent ones I can find so far...

[Ombrenuit]

Very interesting MartAnime. Based on those assumptions, maybe we could speculate what the next series might have in store?:

I think that this next one, because Noir focused on Europe, Madlax half and half Asia and Europe, that the setting should focus on Asia this time.

Also, as both criminal organizations with french names are given "orders" persay, the name should reflect the mentality that they cannot think for themselves. (While it is the protagonists that are independant in thought and action)

As for the guns, Noir used a Beretta, a P99, and Madlax a Sig (I believe--I can never remember). Perhaps this new series should experiment with focusing on another pistol entirely from a new manufacturer (such as Heckler & Koch) or a glock?

Noir focused on two assassins, while Madlax focused on one (well, an agent). Perhaps the next should focus on two ordinary girls (like Margalet) somehow thrown into a world where they must use guns, but also learn to think for themselves and overcome the controlling world ahead.

[Section_8]

Two Colombians in Antarctica with slingshots pursued by agents of, uh, Labatts.

[MartAnimE]

and Madlax a Sig (I believe--I can never remember)

 Madlax's gun is a Sig indeed! Sig P-210 to be exact!

Spoiler: show

[Koveras]

And to continue the development, I think there would have to be a total of 2 to 4 major male characters (0 in Noir, 1 in Madlax (2, if you consider Mr. Monday major), 2 (4) in the subj).

Besides, it's been done (AVI, 48MB) already*...   

Oh my, that's too hillarious. %) "She knows how to have fun".