Madlax Vol. 5: Convergence 2004   ADV Films Official US Website Buy It Now Official Japanese Site

The mysteries and plaguing questions that Madlax has been bringing into the forefront are slowly beginning to become clear. If anything, Madlax has done an outstanding job at teasing just enough to make sure that you have no reason to stop watching. Though the recent episodes have been a drastic step away from watching the action and gunplay, the fifth volume, "Convergence," lets the bullets fly once again, and starts to provide answers.

Enfant now has been revealed as being the biggest threat, and Madlax and Vanessa are about to find out just how devious the organization can be. The two unlikely friends have now found themselves the targets of a manhunt. The crime; the assassination of one of Gazth-Sonika's royal family, a crime they had no part in. The news has traveled beyond the war torn country and Margaret has decided that she needs to go and locate her friend. Elenore will be accompanying her as will Carrossea, though as he claims, it is "just coincidence."

By sheer luck, Margaret finds Vanessa, but only after coming face to face with Madlax as well as Nakhl. Margaret wants answers to exactly what the strange book is that she has, and she'll soon get them. The book that Margaret has we all know is Secondari and it is revealed that Lady Quanzitta is in possession of one; Thirstari. Friday Monday has yet another, Firstari, and when the three books are together, they will open a door that will reveal the truth, but only those with "the gift" are do this. That happens to be Margaret, and obviously Carrossea knows this. This involvement with Enfant was merely to further his own agenda, and even Madlax has been drawn into this by chance. In a moment that is very much like something from Noir, we see for a brief moment just how Madlax and Margaret have crossed paths long ago, but there still is much more to the story that has been revealed.

Madlax has also found the opportunity to provide Limelda with the computer data, and now that she knows the truth, she's ready to stop her involvement in this war with no meaning. This doesn't mean however that Limelda is giving up her goal of trying to kill Madlax. Instead, it all leads up to a confrontation between the two of them that has plenty of action and intense emotion. Even Vanessa decides to take up a weapon, though she's going to need a little training from Madlax, but that's not nearly enough to make her an expert killing machine.

Madlax doesn't reveal all its secrets in this volume though, and even though there are some answers, there are still plenty of unanswered questions. It is very apparent that the writers are going to string viewers along until the very end, though I would assume that there might still be some lingering quandaries as the series concludes. There are also a number of surreal moments found in these episodes, both in that strange, dreamlike place that likes beyond "the door" and in Gazth-Sonika itself.

Most you have been following the series already know what to expect as far as additional features, but there are a few things that haven't been seen with the other releases. Again you will find clean versions of the series opening and closing animations, the English cast playing with the dialog in the Conversations with SSS segment, design sketches, and a small set of Japanese television spots, but there is a little more. There is a character profile included with this volume that focuses on Limelda. There is also a promotional music video for the song "Nowhere" comprised of animation from the series. The same video is also offered in a karaoke version. The insert booklet contains more comments from the Japanese voice cast, this time Ai Uchikawa (Elenore Baker) and two more very interesting entries from Aya Hisakawa (Limelda Jorg) and Tomoko Kaneda (Laetittia.)

Madlax is truly breaking the rules for what is generally found in an action series, but in a very good way. The action itself is fantastic, but the other part of the story line, the mysterious side of Madlax, is profound. Forget about predictability and anything else that you might think you know about this series, Madlax continues to throw in interesting story elements in each episode, and shouldn't just be written off as being "just another Noir" like some have wanted to do.

Episode 17- Killing Moment

Enfant has set up Vanessa and Madlax to appear to be assassins of Gazth-Sonika royalty and now the two are on the run. Hearing the news, Margaret has decided to go to the country, Elenore is accompanying her, and coincidentally, Carrossea is making the same trip.

Episode 18 - Two Separated

Limelda has learned the truth about the war and decides to "resign" her post. Madlax continues to locate what she can on the mysterious book but must contend with Nakhl while Margaret and Elenore continue to look for Vanessa.

Episode 19 - Targeted Book

Margaret has been reunited with Vanessa, but now in order to get more answers, they must travel with Madlax into the heart of the war zone. A faithful meeting with Nakhl will take them one step closer as the truth of the books is revealed, but Carrossea is looking to get them as well.

Episode 20 - Searching for the Truth

Madlax approaches Lady Quanzitta hoping to get more answers about her past and although she may not have "the gift," she is also tangled in the inescapable web. Limedla, who has been lying in wait, finally picks the time to strike back at her enemy while Carrossea finally locates Margaret, convincing her to help him open the door and guide him.

-mike-