Madlax Vol. 4: Elda Taluta 2004   ADV Films Official US Website Buy It Now Official Japanese Site

I've been hearing every so often Madlax being labeled as the "sequel to Noir." This isn't a sequel, it isn't a flow up, and though it visually looks the same and started with an identical air about it, every volume of Madlax has pushed the series into territory that Noir never managed to tread. Two little words come up in the series once again in the fourth volume, and "Elda Taluta" seems to hold a great deal of power.

Little by little, we are seeing how everything in Madlax ties together, however not completely. There are still many mysteries that need to be revealed, but those little things hat bring the story into a brighter light are found in each episode in this volume. Margaret's book, Secondari, has become a big part of the series, and Carrossea Doon wants to get his hands on it, but not outright steal it. Instead he befriends Margaret, but she's still not willing to hand it over. He's even told her that there is someone out to steal it, but it isn't necessarily him. Nakhl, who has a direct connection to Lady Quanzitta, has been keeping an eye on Margaret. Elenore however is also keeping a watchful and protective eye on Margaret, but there is much more to this tale.

The missing page happens to be in Madlax's possession, but she doesn't remember too much. This lack of past memories is one of the first things that ties both Margaret and Madlax together, and Doon claims to have a missing past as well. Madlax we discover isn't Madlax at all, and it's just a word that she remembers. Her real purpose has been to find her father, but she has little to go on. The computer that she and Vanessa have stolen though seems to offer some clues, though opening the data brings that faithful phrase back into the mix; Elda Taluta. This pushes Madlax into a much different state, though the Enfant trap is only temporary. The data doesn't just help to reveal bits of her past, but the truth of the war. Enfant has been funding both sides in Gazth-Sonika for over a decade, and since they control all media channels, getting the truth out won't be easy.

There is quite a bit more that it becoming very common in the series. That strange, war torn area that has been seen time and time again seems to hold a great significance for Madlax and Margaret as well as Friday Monday who seems to be orchestrating quite a bit of the mystery. What exactly this is though has yet to be revealed, though Madlax does find herself on what appears to be a replica of the dreamlike world. There are also references to her, Magaret, and even Doon having "the Gift," and of the Essence. What are these? That's yet another mystery that Madlax has brought into the story to keep you watching. Action isn't necessarily the only purpose of the series anymore, and instead you will find that a perplexing puzzle is really what driving force in the series.

The additional material found on this volume is very much the same as what has been seen with the past three releases. You have the clean versions of the opening and closing animations, but these are both very well done and are a joy to watch. The creative team behind Madlax as well as Noir just has a visual style that is unrivaled. There is also a collection of design sketches and Japanese promotional spots for both the soundtrack and DVD releases. The Conversations with SSS segment is just the English voice cast having some fun with their own dubbing, and at times this can be funny. The DVD insert has a text interview with Satsuki Yukino, the seiyuu who portrays Vanessa in the original version of the series.

Madlax really is removing itself from any similarities that fans of Noir might find it to contain. Although the series started out in such a way that comparisons could be drawn, that isn't the case as the story has moved on. Madlax has action, but it's relying on it less and less, instead allowing intrigue and mystery to set the tone. The story is becoming one that is a bit complex, but that's part of the beauty of Madlax; it's what will hook you even more and have you wanting to see what happens next, but it's that same complexity that will also have you trying to second guess what might happen next. That's the sign of a fantastic series, and Madlax is just that.

Episode 13 - Cry of Awakening

Carrossea Doon meets with Margaret and convinces her to allow him to see the book that she's been keeping with her. In Gazth-Sonika, Madlax and Vanessa get to know one another a bit better and when Vanessa tries to open the files on the stolen computer, Enfants trap is sprung.

Episode 14 - Forgotten Thoughts

Suddenly, Madlax isn't herself. It seems that seeing the computer screen has changed her and any trace of her being an assassin seems to be gone. Doon confronts Margaret and Elenore about the book, stating that someone is trying to steal it. Later, Doon meets with Nakhl, the one he alleges is after the book while Madlax and Vanessa have an unexpected encounter with Limelda.

Episode 15 - False War

Elenore is keeping a closer eye of Margaret now that they are aware who is trying to steal the book. Vanessa's connection to Madlax has been made known to Enfant while Madlax herself decides to try and use the stolen computer once again to unlock secrets of her past.

Episode 16 - The Timbre of Gunshots

Vanessa and Madlax have determined that the war in Gazth-Sonkia has been perpetuated by Enfant for the last 12 years and prepare to make the information public. However, the man they are to hand it over to is working for Enfant himself and the two soon find themselves confronted by Friday Monday.

-mike-