Ask John: What is Mireille and Kirika’s Relationship?

Question:
Are Mireille Bouquet and Kirika Yumura from Noir a romantic couple, or are they simply best friends, or is their relationship more of a sisterly nature? It seems like every time I go to a Noir fan site everyone has a different opinion, so it got me to wondering just what is the real deal with those two.

Answer:
It’s been several years since I watched the Noir TV series, so I’ll have to provide my perspective on the relationship between Mireille and Kirika based on my recollection. Anime fans around the world are prone to vividly imagining relationships between anime characters, so it’s no surprise that there are numerous interpretations of Mireille and Kirika relationship. My own opinion is that Mireille’s opinion of Kirika evolves as the series unfolds, and the relationship between these women is not a romantic one, a close friendship, or a conventional sisterly affection. Rather, I think that these two women develop an intimate bond that can only be described as camaraderie.

When Mireille first meets Kirika, she’s very antagonistic and mistrustful of the younger girl. She’s threatened and intimidated by Kirika’s impressive skills and her enigmatic intentions. In fact, Mireille even threatens to kill Kirika. However, as the pair endure life threatening situations, help each other, and get to know each other’s personalities, Mireille begins to sympathize and empathize with Kirika. Mireille comes to realize that Kirika has suffered a tragic and lonely existance as well, which gives the two women something more in common than merely their profession. Mireille also comes to sympathize for Kirika, like an older sister, or even more like a mother that doesn’t want to see a child in emotional pain.

Like soldiers that fight beside each other on a battlefield, Mireille and Kirika form a bond built upon shared experience. They share the same sense of anxiety and uncertainty; they’ve both come close to death; they’ve felt the same pulse racing tension and excitement. By the end of the series, these two women are prepared to die for each other, but not because of a sense of love or devotion, but rather because of a feeling of loyalty. After sharing such intense experiences and feelings, Mireille and Kirika become virtually a united, single entity. They are partners interwoven by respect, integrity, and a friendship with stronger ties than casual best friends, lovers, or even family. Best friend, family, and even romantic relationships can be broken, or have distances within in. But Mireille and Kirika’s relationship becomes a deep and trusting camaraderie, not so much like sisters that care for each other, but more like blood brothers with an unbreakable and unwavering devotion to each other.