Toon Zone Talkback - "Madlax" Vol. 1 Tries to Confuse (and Succeeds!)

[Duke]

This is the talkback thread for "Madlax" Vol. 1 Tries to Confuse (and Succeeds!) (http://news.toonzone.net/article.php?ID=3293).

If only the ammo box came with real ammo...

[GWOtaku]

Sounds like yet another "acquired taste" show.

I've thought about giving Madlax a try. I think I'll wait until more volumes are released so I can get a better impression of the show. If I know things get at least somewhat cohesive by the 2nd or 3rd volume, then its probably worth it.

Is the atmosphere and "feel" of Madlax similar to Noir? Because I didn't like it. I got volume 1 of Noir way back when it was a new release and I didn't much care for the "oh I can't feel. oh its our destiny to kill, oh feel sorry for us" attitude that was going on. The mysterious element I like, the melodramatic one I do not. Any further commentary on that?

[Karl Olson]

Sounds like yet another "acquired taste" show.

I've thought about giving Madlax a try. I think I'll wait until more volumes are released so I can get a better impression of the show. If I know things get at least somewhat cohesive by the 2nd or 3rd volume, then its probably worth it.

Is the atmosphere and "feel" of Madlax similar to Noir? Because I didn't like it. I got volume 1 of Noir way back when it was a new release and I didn't much care for the "oh I can't feel. oh its our destiny to kill, oh feel sorry for us" attitude that was going on. The mysterious element I like, the melodramatic one I do not. Any further commentary on that?

It doesn't that "destiny to kill type stuff" but it has ansty-psuedo cryptic cut aways to mysterious children in an unknown war zone that may or may not have some relation to our heroines. Personally, I just think there is little excuse for Madlax to be layed out the way it is. It's taking what would other be an enjoyable espionage/secret-past show, but making it's layout so convoluted that rather than keeping you watching because it's genuinely compelling, it's keeping you watching because you're trying to figure what the story is. I enjoy that when it's done right. Boogiepop Phantom pulls that off brillantly for example. Madlax just doesn't sell that, atleast to me.

[Weatherman]

Shouldn't be a suprise that Madlax feels like Noir, they're from the same creative team over at Bee Train productions. I saw an ep or two of this a few months back as fully unimpressed as well. Nice animation, but the story's both needlessly obtuse and rather inane.

[FlyByNite77]

I like Madlax much more than Noir, I feel more connected to some of the secondary characters in Madlax as it progresses than I ever did with Noir.

The main problem with Madlax and Noir and pretty much any Bee Train anime I've ever seen still remains.

They always seem to be much more style than substance.

[Nobuyuki sama]

They always seem to be much more style than substance. They're not quite as bad about it as some companies, though.*cough*Gonzo*cough*

I'm holding off until the eventual "Collection" release.

[Weatherman]

Avenger's got some substabce to back itself up. It's probably their most acessible, as well as least known, show. Shame too. On the plus side, 30 bucks for the whole thing.:D

[Nobuyuki sama]

Avenger's got some substabce to back itself up. It's probably their most acessible, as well as least known, show. Shame too. Really? Because the Court of Internet Opinion has already strapped it to the chair and thrown the switch. :p (No, I haven't seen it)


On the plus side, 30 bucks for the whole thing.:D Yeah, I can't resist either. :anime:

[Dark Fact]

I hope you're not jumping to conclusions about the whole show just simply from the first volume, Karl. It is pretty convoluted but it should gradually explain itself as it goes along.

I was drawn in from the first episode because it gives that nice "sexy action" kind of feel! :cool:

[Weatherman]

Really? Because the Court of Internet Opinion has already strapped it to the chair and thrown the switch. :p (No, I haven't seen it)

Yeah, I can't resist either. :anime:
Well, Iliked it anyway.

[raykremer]

I've only seen two episodes of Madlax, so all I know is that at that point it's completely not clear what the overall plot is. I absolutely loved Noir.

Avenger was horrible though. My favorite part was at the end when they explained to Layla what the real plot of the anime was, not her vendetta against that guy but instead the whole thing with Nei being the last child born on Mars, and Layla just laughed really hard and walked off because she couldn't stand the stupidity of the show she just participated in.

[Artimus Gigan]

Honestly I thought the name Madlax was an industrial strength laxitive. I saw rows of the boxset in stores but I didn't pick it up. Mainly bacause I remembered reading on the iffy content of the overall series.

Prehaps if it's a Dai-Guard situation I will, but other than that, I have to conserve resources for other series I already started and the unexpected finds that may come up.

[Dark Fact]

Honestly I thought the name Madlax was an industrial strength laxitive. I saw rows of the boxset in stores but I didn't pick it up. Mainly bacause I remembered reading on the iffy content of the overall series.
Madlax should not be confused with Exlax, Artimus! ;)

[Kouji Tamino]

They're not quite as bad about it as some companies, though.*cough*Gonzo*cough*

Actually, I prefer Gonzo. I don't know why, but there's this aura around Bee Train series that annoys me. And they seem alot more obvious in the 'style over substance' department.

But I saw the first episode of Madlax on Anime Network, and I liked it. It was odd... The way she was talking about having pasta...

[zmanjz]

They've got Episode 1 on Anime Network On Demand.


It's.... meh. Whole lot of questions, and absurdly perfect pistol shooting (even when not looking... Personally, I find that part a little lame. I mean it's one thing to not look and make an amazing shot when you have to. But to do it so casually kinda kills the effect.)

Episode 1: 1/2 action + 1/2 angst = no clue what's going on yet.

[Juu-kuchi]

I've seen the first three episodes of this, and it's just Bee Train's attempt to follow up to Noir's success by retooling some elements into this show. Nothing really all too special. That and Yuki Kajiura's songs are overdone and try too hard to emit personality or atmosphere.

Only worth I found of it was really the opening theme. Sad because this is coming from a guy who LIKED Noir.

[Artimus Gigan]

Madlax should not be confused with Exlax, Artimus! ;)I'm just saying it sounds like an extreme sports-esque Exlax...

like the laxitive equivelent to mountain dew...