Madlax Volume 4 'Elda Taluta', is an astonishing feat in animation and gripping storytelling. This fourth volume marks the halfway point in the seven volume series from ADV Films, and it is a series that keeps getting better and better. For example, here are only some of the words watching Madlax evokes: riveting, phenomenal, astounding, edge-of-your-seat suspense, sensational, heart pounding, mysterious, compelling, one of the coolest anime ever, awesome, beautiful, tragic, addictive anime at its best.
In Madlax volume 4 the strings of fate tighten ever more, revealing links between are group of characters from near and far; Vanessa, Madlax, Doon, Margaret,...the list goes on. And somehow it's all tied into the mysterious events that happened 12 years ago that caused the senseless civil war in Gazth-Sonika to begin. The underground criminal group Enfant seems heavily invested in continuing the war and obtaining Margaret's blood stained book. But the reasons behind their aims remain a mystery. What few people who work for Enfant mostly end up violently killed with their dying words being the ineffable phrase "Elda taluta." These words are from the same mysterious language that is in the stained pages of Margaret's book. As enemies slowly reveal their true allegiances and new, unlikely alliances form, some answers are given while even more questions are raised. What are the characters true agendas? What does Enfant hope to achieve? Who are the strange children in the fantasy like nightmarish land only those gifted seem to be able to travel to? What is Margaret's connection to Madlax? Who is Vanessa really? What happened 12 years ago? To find out, we have to keep watching. The body count is rising and climatic confrontations are coming. Who will survive in the end? Watch Madlax to find out!
Superb animation, fantastic soundtrack, and outstanding story telling make this one of the best series of the year. From the creators of the critical hit Noir, an anime about female assassins and a shared violent destiny, I must confess that as incredible as Noir is, Madlax is even better. More tight and complicated story telling, layered subplots well told, unpredictable and mesmerizing, Madlax holds strong at 9/10 well deserved kendo swords.
Rating:
Madlax is rated 14 and up for violence.
Extras:
Bonus DVD features on this volume include clean opening and closing animation, a new part of Conversations with SSS, production sketches, design sketches, and ADV previews.
Release Information:
Madlax Volume 4 'Elda Taluta', volume 4 of 7 containing episodes 13 to 16, is available now.
