View source for Madlax

{{Short description|2004 Japanese anime television series}}
{{Infobox animanga/Header
| name            = Madlax
| image           = Madlax.jpg
| caption         = The central characters of the series
| ja_kanji        = マドラックス
| ja_romaji       = Madorakkusu
| genre           = [[Girls with guns]],<ref name="ANN_V1_rev"/> [[Mystery fiction|mystery]], [[supernatural fiction|supernatural]]<ref name="ANN_2009_rev"/><!-- Note: Use and cite reliable sources to identify genre/s, not personal interpretation. Please don't include more than three genres (per [[MOS:A&M]]). -->
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Video
| type            = tv series
| director        = [[Kōichi Mashimo]]
| producer        = [[Shigeru Kitayama]]<br/>Tatsuya Hamamoto
| writer          = [[Yōsuke Kuroda]]
| music           = [[Yuki Kajiura]]
| studio          = [[Bee Train]]
| licensee        = {{English anime licensee
  | AUS = [[Madman Entertainment]]
  | NA  = [[Section23 Films#AEsir Holdings|AEsir Holdings]]
}}
| network         = [[TV Tokyo]]
| network_en      = {{English anime network
  | US  = [[Anime Network]]
}}
| first           = 5 April 2004
| last            = 27 September 2004
| episodes        = 26
| episode_list    = List of Madlax episodes
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Print
| type        = light novel
| title       = Tabi Suru Shoujo to Shakunetsu no Kuni
| author      = Seiya Fujiwara
| illustrator = Shunsuke Tagami
| publisher   = [[Hobby Japan]]
| imprint     = [[HJ Bunko]]
| published   = 1 June 2011
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Footer}}

{{nihongo |'''''Madlax''''' |マドラックス |Madorakkusu}} is a 26-episode Japanese [[anime]] television series produced in 2004 by the [[Bee Train]] animation studio. [[Kōichi Mashimo]] directed ''Madlax'' and the soundtrack was composed by [[Yuki Kajiura]]. The DVD version was released by [[ADV Films]] in North America and the United Kingdom and by [[Madman Entertainment]] in Australia and New Zealand.

The story revolves around the two young women Margaret and Madlax, who seemingly have little in common and do not know of the other's existence at the beginning. Madlax is a legendary mercenary and assassin in the fictional [[civil war]]-torn country of Gazth-Sonika, who cannot remember her past or indeed her real name before twelve years ago, when the war started. The other main character is Margaret Burton, the sole heir of a wealthy aristocratic family in the peaceful European country Nafrece. Twelve years before the story begins, an airliner Margaret and her mother were on crashed over Gazth-Sonika, and its passengers, as well as Margaret's father who led the rescuers, have been missing ever since. Margaret, however, mysteriously traveled back to Nafrece on her own, [[retrograde amnesia|losing her memories]] prior to her return; the only thing she recalls is a single word, "Madlax". With this thread linking the two girls, they both independently start investigating the powerful crime syndicate Enfant after its enigmatic mastermind shows interest in both of them.

''Madlax'' was produced as a [[spiritual successor]] to the studio's earlier project, ''[[Noir (anime)|Noir]]'', and together with ''[[El Cazador de la Bruja]]'', these series constitute a [[trilogy]] exploring the "[[girls with guns|girls-with-guns]]" genre. The production of ''Madlax'' began in 2002 but it wasn't until [[Yōsuke Kuroda]] joined the project that the series took its final form. While the critics noted the resulting similarities between ''Noir'' and ''Madlax'', they also acknowledged the differences, such as the latter's less episodic and more plot-driven style and, in particular contrast to the predominantly [[realism (arts)|realistic]] ''Noir'', incorporation of many supernatural elements, which the audience must often interpret without further explanation.

==Plot==
{{see also|List of Madlax characters}}
The first half of the series alternates between the two leads. [[Madlax (character)|Madlax]] is one of the most efficient [[special forces|special ops]] agents for hire in the war-torn Gazth-Sonika,<ref name="ep1_agnt">'''Galza Lieutenant:''' "What'll be a big deal is when THAT one shows up.&nbsp;... A super-skilled agent named Ma&nbsp;..." {{cite episode|title=Gun Dance ~dance~|series=Madlax|network=[[TV Tokyo]]|airdate=2004-04-05|number=1|minutes=3:23}}</ref> while [[Margaret Burton (Madlax)|Margaret Burton]] is a sleepy, clumsy [[amnesia]]c living in Nafrece, a country styled after France.<ref name="AJ_V1_rev">{{cite web |url=http://www.animejump.com/index.php?module=prodreviews&func=showcontent&id=662 |title=''Madlax'' DVD #1 review |access-date=2006-11-08 |author=Carter, Jason |date=2005-07-20 |publisher=AnimeJump.com| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060510033429/http://www.animejump.com/index.php?module=prodreviews&func=showcontent&id=662| archive-date = May 10, 2006}}</ref> When a "picture book", presumably given to Margaret by her late father, attracts the attention of international criminal network Enfant, she discovers that the origins of the book lie in Gazth-Sonika. Enfant's top operative, [[Carrossea Doon]], tracks Margaret down but tips off his superiors in the wrong direction, towards Madlax, who has been causing Enfant trouble for some time. Meanwhile, [[Vanessa Rene]], Margaret's former tutor whose parents died because of Gazth-Sonikan war,<ref name="ep13_VPar">'''Vanessa:''' "My father was a diplomat in Nafrece, you see, and at the time that the threat of civil war here was coming to a peak, he was in charge of relations with Gazth-Sonika. Then the civil war broke out, and my parents were detained by the Gazth-Sonika army under suspicion of inciting the war". {{cite episode|title=Awakening Sound ~awake~|series=Madlax|network=[[TV Tokyo]]|airdate=2004-06-28|number=13|minutes=8:21}}</ref> discovers that her current employer, Bookwald Industries, covertly supports the war by supplying both sides with firearms and starts investigating its true cause. Her investigation brings her to Gazth-Sonika, where Madlax is hired as her [[bodyguard]], and together, they uncover data that proves Enfant orchestrated the entire conflict. Enfant eventually intercepts them and they are forced into hiding. Back in Nafrece, Margaret decides to help Vanessa and travels to Gazth-Sonika, accompanied by her devoted and sometimes overprotective [[maid]] [[Elenore Baker]] and Carrossea Doon.

Eventually, Madlax and Margaret meet and embark on a search for [[List of Madlax characters#Quanzitta Marison|Quanzitta Marison]], a Gazth-Sonikan mystic who supposedly knows about Margaret's book, Enfant's involvement with it, and Enfant itself. Lady Quanzitta does indeed tell them about Enfant and its plans to plunge the entire world into a total war, starting with Gazth-Sonika. She reveals that Enfant's leader [[Friday Monday]] possesses [[supernatural]] powers connected to the three ancient books, one of which belongs to Margaret. Margaret uses her own supernatural abilities and that of her book to return her lost memories. Carrossea, who has been aiding Margaret, requests that his memories be restored as well despite warnings not to do so; he discovers that he, in fact, died 12 years ago and held on to life only by sheer force of will to protect Margaret. Carrossea disappears, and Margaret is captured by Monday who intends to use her abilities to advance his own plans.

[[File:Laetitia, Margaret and Madlax.jpg|thumb|Unable to shoot her father in self-defence, Margaret expelled her wish to survive from herself, creating Madlax, who pulled the trigger for her. Laetitia (originally her doll) was created to seal off the memory of this event, preventing the two from merging.<ref name="ep25_personae">{{cite episode|title=Holy Blood ~saint~|series=Madlax|network=[[TV Tokyo]]|airdate=2004-09-20|number=25|minutes=14:36}}</ref>]]

While Margaret and Carrossea perform the ritual, Madlax is attacked by Limelda Jorg, a Gazth-Sonikan [[sniper]] who holds a grudge against Madlax ever since she failed to stop an assassination by Madlax earlier in the show. Limelda kills Vanessa while targeting Madlax, sending the latter into [[clinical depression]]. Elenore and Lady Quanzitta's servant [[List of Madlax characters#Nakhl|Nakhl]] manage to restore Madlax's will to live and persuade her to save Margaret, and the three storm Enfant's headquarters together. During the assault, Elenore is killed and Margaret, now under Monday's control, shoots Madlax.

Believing Madlax to be dead, Monday commences a ritual to unleash people's inhibitions and trigger worldwide anarchy; but Margaret's memories return and she snaps out of his [[Brainwashing|mind control]]. Only now does the audience learn the [[back-story]]: back in 1999, Monday drove Margaret's father insane with his powers and she was forced to kill her own father. To escape the horrible truth of her [[patricide]], Margaret split herself into [[hypostasis (philosophy)|three personae]]: the "memory keeper" [[List of Madlax characters#Laetitia|Laetitia]], the sinful Madlax, and the innocent Margaret herself. Margaret then fuses her three personae back together to undo the ritual she previously performed with Monday, saving the world from insanity. Madlax, who should no longer exist after the fusion, appears and guns down Monday. It becomes apparent that Margaret has once again split herself into three, judging that after twelve years, she no longer has the right to make decisions for her other personae.

When everything is said and done, Margaret fully releases Madlax so she can live her life freely and also adopts Laetitia as her younger sister so she won't be alone. Madlax ultimately makes peace with Limelda and they travel together.

==Themes==
''Madlax'' is set against the backdrop of Gazth-Sonikan [[war]] and the first episodes contrast the tranquil Nafrece with the war-torn Gazth-Sonika;<ref name="DV_V1_rev">{{cite web |url=http://www.dvdverdict.com/reviews/madlaxvol1.php |title=''Madlax'' DVD #1 review |access-date=2006-11-08 |author=Hattaway, Mitchell |date=2005-04-28 |publisher=DVDVerdict.com}}</ref> later, the story moves completely to the combat zone, focusing on the central characters, such as [[Limelda Jorg]], and their suffering.<ref name="Mania_V5_rev">{{cite web |url=http://www.mania.com/madlax-vol-5_article_77768.html |title=''Madlax'' DVD #5 review |access-date=2008-09-22 |author=Beveridge, Chris |date=2005-12-22 |publisher=Mania.com |quote=[Limelda's] decision&nbsp;... sets her on a path that isn't quite easy to understand but makes a twisted sort of sense. The kind of sense that someone who's grown up in a country torn apart by civil war and bloodshed might be able to come up with. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140313064546/http://www.mania.com/madlax-vol-5_article_77768.html |archive-date=2014-03-13}}</ref> In an interview, the director Mashimo stated that "[t]he story is about portraying inner struggles of people, while showing what life is like in this place of madness and this other place of peace".<ref name="Wong">{{cite journal|last=Wong|first=Amos|title=Inside Bee Train|journal=[[Newtype USA]]|pages=8–15|date=March 2005}}</ref> Accordingly, the series' title is a [[portmanteau]] of two English words, "[[wiktionary:mad|mad]]" and "[[wiktionary:relax|re''lax''ed]]", mirroring the authors' intention to portray the two extremes of human being.<ref name="Wong" /><ref name="DVDTalk_rev">{{cite web |url=http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/read.php?ID=29311 |title=Review: ''Madlax'': Complete Collection |author=Houston, Don |date=2007-07-17 |access-date=2007-12-31 |publisher=[[DVD Talk]] |quote=The title of the show was a combination of two English words (mad and relaxed) that director/writer Kouichi{{sic}} Mashimo used to portray the duality of human nature he was going for with the themes of the show.&nbsp;... Looking past the metaphysical pondering that was the main way in which this show deviated from ''Noir'', there was a tightly scripted story that took a lengthy time getting to where it was going but it did so in such a satisfying manner that I honestly can't imagine anyone interested in the genre finding fault with it. |archive-date=2010-10-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101008150001/http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/read.php?ID=29311 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

''Madlax'' also plays as the story of Margaret Burton's search for her [[psychological identity]].<ref name="ST5">{{cite AV media notes |title=Madlax Volume 3: The In-Between |orig-year=2004 |others=[[Kōichi Mashimo]] |type=insert leaflet ''Staff Talk #5 (Yuki Kajiura)'' |publisher=[[ADV Films]] |location=[[Houston, Texas|Houston]], [[Texas]] |id=DMAD/003 |year=2005}}</ref> Based on the Mashimo Menu theme titles available to her, Yuki Kajiura has suggested an interpretation that while searching for her memories, Margaret meets the other characters ("Gatekeepers") one after another and learns about the lifestyles ("Gates") they represent. In the end, she finds her own "Gate", which is the new identity that finally replaces the one she lost twelve years ago.<ref name="ST5" /><!-- This entire paragraph was extracted from the DVD insert. -->{{Clear}}

==Production==

===Writing===
According to the director Kōichi Mashimo, he envisioned ''Noir'' and ''Madlax'' as part of a trilogy exploring the [[girls with guns|girls-with-guns]] genre, and soon after the release of the latter, he confirmed having plans to produce the third installment,<ref name="Wong" /> which would later become ''[[El Cazador de la Bruja]]''.<ref name="NTUSA_Apr07">{{cite journal |title=El Cazador<!-- Kōichi Mashimo directed ''[[.hack//Roots]]'' ('''6''' (4): pp. 34–37) so get this right. --> |journal=Newtype USA |volume=6 |issue=4 |pages=54–55 |date=April 2007 |issn=1541-4817 |quote=During an interview, I accidentally blurted out something about [''Noir'' and ''Madlax'' being part of] a 'trilogy', which forced me to follow through and actually make a third installment! }}</ref> In late 2002, Mashimo invited [[Shigeru Kitayama]], the producer of ''Noir'' who once came up with its original idea, to discuss a new series entitled ''Madlax''. Kitayama greatly expanded Mashimo's original [[screenplay]] plan, but it was not until [[Yōsuke Kuroda]] was put in charge of the script that the series took its final appearance. It took Kuroda around one year to finish the screenplays for all 26 episodes, during which he was constantly encouraged by Mashimo to add his own original ideas to their initial plan. Kuroda has admitted that at the time he received Mashimo's invitation, he felt frustrated after his first project has been canceled by the publisher, so he decided to make ''Madlax'' "really extravagant", blending as many genres at once as he could. Kōichi Mashimo, furthermore, admitted that the most unusual [[plot twist]]s, like Margaret and Madlax's connection to each other, were invented by Kuroda and him while drunk.<ref name="Wong" />

===Character design===
By comparison with ''Noir'', ''Madlax'' features a much larger primary cast, including multiple recurring male [[character (arts)|characters]], an element nearly absent in the former. It was not so in the original screenplay draft written by Mashimo and Kitayama: for example, "Madlax" was Margaret's own nickname and [[List of Madlax characters#Charlie|Charlie]] (Vanessa's colleague at Bookwald Industries) had one of the central roles similar to Speedy's in ''[[Avenger (anime)|Avenger]]''. Only the "draft" characters' names remained of them when Kuroda has rewritten the script. A total of three character designers collaborated on ''Madlax'' cast: Satoshi Ohsawa (who also worked on ''Noir'' cast) created the central heroines Margaret and Madlax; [[Minako Shiba]] drew Friday Monday and Carrossea Doon; and Satoko Miyachi was entrusted with the "mysterious" characters, Laetitia and Poupee.<ref name="ST12">{{cite AV media notes |title=Madlax Volume 1: Connections |orig-year=2004 |others=[[Kōichi Mashimo]] |type=insert leaflets ''Staff Talk #1 (Shigeru Kitayama)'' and ''#2 (Yosuke{{sic}} Kuroda)'' |publisher=[[ADV Films]] |location=[[Houston, Texas|Houston]], [[Texas]] |id=DMAD/001 |year=2005}}</ref><ref name="ST4">{{cite AV media notes |title=Madlax Volume 2: The Red Book |orig-year=2004 |others=[[Kōichi Mashimo]] |type=insert leaflet ''Staff Talk #4 (Minako Shiba and Satoko Miyachi)'' |publisher=[[ADV Films]] |location=[[Houston, Texas|Houston]], [[Texas]] |id=DMAD/002 |year=2005}}</ref><!-- This entire subsection was extracted from the DVD inserts. -->

===Music===
As with many of studio Bee Train's other works, the entire ''Madlax'' soundtrack was composed by the acclaimed Yuki Kajiura, making it her and Kōichi Mashimo's fifth project together.<ref name = "OST1_int"/> In an interview Kajiura recalls having written the score in a hotel high-rise to save studio costs, and that this change in location helped her to explore different styles of music.<ref name="OST1_int">{{cite AV media notes |title=Madlax OST I |others=[[Yuki Kajiura]] |chapter=Yuki Kajiura's interview with Keiichi Nozaki and Satoko Miyachi |type=CD booklet |publisher=[[Geneon]] |id=VICL-61319 }}</ref>

Kajiura and [[Yuuka Nanri]]'s duo [[FictionJunction Yuuka]] recorded the series' opening and ending themes, {{nihongo |"Fragments of an Eye" |瞳の欠片 |Hitomi no Kakera}} and "Inside Your Heart", respectively, as well as two insert songs: "nowhere" and "I'm here". Aside from the opening sequence, "Fragments of an Eye" is featured in the series itself: at the end of episode 18 and in the episode 24, when Margaret is humming its tune to herself in the flower field.

In the insert song "nowhere", there is a frequently repeated background [[refrain]] {{nihongo |"Yanmaani" |ヤンマーニ |Yanmāni}}. It doesn't have any particular meaning but since the song usually plays when Madlax is fighting, "Yanmaani" has become something of a joke to Japanese fans, claiming that it apparently gives her [[superpower (ability)|superpowers]].<ref name="ST3">{{cite AV media notes |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090829234726/http://www.advfilms.com/product.aspx?ProductId=19299 | archive-date=2009-08-29 | url-status =dead | url=http://www.advfilms.com/product.aspx?ProductId=19299 | title=Madlax Volume 2: The Red Book |orig-year=2004 |others=[[Kōichi Mashimo]] |type=insert leaflet ''Staff Talk #3 (Satoshi Osawa{{sic}})'' |publisher=[[ADV Films]] |location=[[Houston, Texas|Houston]], [[Texas]] |id=DMAD/002 |year=2005}}</ref>

==Media==

===Television series===
{{main|List of Madlax episodes}}
Originally, ''Madlax'' was broadcast in Japan by [[TV Tokyo]] from 5 April to 27 September 2004, from 1:30 to 2:00&nbsp;a.m. every Tuesday (formally, Monday night).<ref name="TVT_lineup">{{cite web |url=http://www.c-direct.ne.jp/tvtokyo/eng/pg_lineup/pdf/2004_april.pdf |title=Program lineup |access-date=2006-10-29 |date=April 2004 |publisher=[[TV Tokyo]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080229065609/http://www.c-direct.ne.jp/tvtokyo/eng/pg_lineup/pdf/2004_april.pdf | archive-date=February 29, 2008}}</ref> Shortly before the series finished airing, it has been licensed in North America and Europe by ADV Films, which has previously acquired distribution rights for ''Noir'' and has long had plans to license its successor, as well.<ref name="Ac_ann">{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071224154723/http://anime.about.com/od/animenews/a/aa093004.htm |archive-date=December 24, 2007 |url=http://anime.about.com/od/animenews/a/aa093004.htm |title=ADV Announces ''MADLAX'' |access-date=2007-03-14 |last=Luther |first=Katherine |publisher=[[About.com]] |date=2004-10-02 |quote='We've been waiting for this show ever since ''Noir'' ended,' co-founder [[Matt Greenfield]] said.}}</ref> The official English [[dubbing (filmmaking)|dub]] has been released in the United States under the trademark ''MADLAX'' on a total of seven DVDs from 12 April 2005 to 28 March 2006. A complete collection was released by ADV on 17 July 2007.<ref name="Mania_CC_rev">{{cite web |url=http://www.mania.com/madlax-complete-collection-thinpak_article_79417.html |title=''Madlax'' Complete Collection (Thinpack) review |publisher=Mania.com |access-date=2008-09-22 |date=2007-11-29 |author=Coulter, Bryce |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030200522/http://www.mania.com/madlax-complete-collection-thinpak_article_79417.html |archive-date=2014-10-30}}</ref> ''Madlax'' has become the first series on which ADV Films' director and producer [[David Williams (producer)|David Williams]] tested the technology of distributing [[promotion (marketing)|promotional]] materials via [[Peer-to-peer|P2P network]] [[BitTorrent (protocol)|BitTorrent]].<ref name="BT-promo">{{cite web |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2005-07-14/adv-bittorrent-test |title=''ADV Bittorrent Test'' |access-date=2006-10-29 |date=2005-07-14 |publisher=[[Anime News Network]]}}</ref> As of September 1, 2009, all the titles from ADV's catalog, including Madlax, were transferred to [[Section23 Films#AEsir Holdings|AEsir Holdings]], with distribution from [[Section23 Films]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-09-01/adv-films-shuts-down-transfers-assets-to-other-companies|title=ADV Films Shuts Down, Transfers Assets To Other Companies|publisher=Anime News Network|date=2009-09-01|access-date=2010-05-14}}</ref>

The North-American DVD release contains extras available in English only, such the controversial [[self-parody]] ''Conversations with SSS''<ref name="DV_V1_rev" /><ref name="DV_V7_rev">{{cite web |url=http://www.dvdverdict.com/reviews/madlaxvol7.php |title=''Madlax'' DVD #7 review |access-date=2006-11-08 |author=Hattaway, Mitchell |date=2006-04-20 |publisher=DVDVerdict.com}}</ref><ref name="Mania_V7_rev">{{cite web |url=http://www.mania.com/madlax-vol-7_article_78027.html |title=''Madlax'' DVD #7 review |access-date=2008-09-22 |author=Beveridge, Chris |date=2006-04-13 |publisher=Mania.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415194001/http://www.mania.com/madlax-vol-7_article_78027.html |archive-date=2015-04-15}}</ref> and ''Sock Puppet Theater'', an [[Easter egg (media)|Easter egg]] [[live action]] about Madlax going after [[Chris Patton]], [[List of Madlax characters#Badgis|Badgis]]' voice actor and an annoying womanizer.<ref name="ANN_V67_rev">{{cite web |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/madlax/dvds-6-7 |title=''Madlax'' DVD #6 and #7 review |access-date=2006-11-08 |author=Martin, Theron |date=2006-04-05 |publisher=[[Anime News Network]]}}</ref>

On 7 February 2006, the first episode of ''Madlax'' aired on Anime Network (which was, like ADV Films, a subsidiary of [[A.D. Vision]] at the time).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.warcry.com/news/view/51063-ADV-Announces-February-7-Releases|title=ADV Announces February 7 Releases|work=www.warcry.com|date=2005-12-20|access-date=2015-06-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304110547/http://www.warcry.com/news/view/51063-ADV-Announces-February-7-Releases|archive-date=2016-03-04|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 4&nbsp;April, shortly after the last DVD volume has been released, the consequent broadcast was put on halt and until 27 June, only the first 8&nbsp;episodes were repeated. Since then, the series has been relaunched multiple times.<ref name="AN-air">[[Anime Network]] program lineup for [https://web.archive.org/web/20060623194119/http://www.theanimenetwork.com/testsched_GEH.php?schedday=2006-06-27 27 June], and
[https://web.archive.org/web/20061119201747/http://www.theanimenetwork.com/testsched_GEH.php?schedday=2006-11-07 7 November] 2006, retrieved on 2015-06-01.</ref> [[Madman Entertainment]], who previously licensed ''Noir'' in its region, has acquired rights for distribution of ''Madlax'' in Australia and New Zealand and released it on seven DVD volumes between 20 July 2005 and 26 July 2006.<ref name="ME_off">{{cite web |url=http://www.madman.com.au/madlax/index2.html |title=''Madlax'' |publisher=[[Madman Entertainment]] |access-date=2008-01-21}}</ref> A complete collection was released on 4&nbsp;April 2007.<ref name="ME_off" />

===Soundtrack===
{{main|List of Madlax albums}}
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Madlax OST I cover.jpg|thumb|The cover of the first ''Madlax'' soundtrack album{{deletable image-caption|Tuesday, 2 April 2019|PROD}}]] -->
The series' [[original soundtrack]] was released on two albums on 21 July<ref name="OST1">{{cite web|url=http://www.jvcmusic.co.jp/-/Discography/A016061/VICL-61319.html|title=''MADLAX'' O.S.T.|publisher=[[Victor Entertainment]]|access-date=2008-07-06|language=ja}}</ref> and 22 September 2004<ref name="OST2">{{cite web|url=http://www.jvcmusic.co.jp/-/Discography/A016061/VICL-61320.html|title=''MADLAX'' O.S.T.2|publisher=[[Victor Entertainment]]|access-date=2008-07-06|language=ja}}</ref> by [[Victor Entertainment]]. Two singles, ''[[Hitomi no Kakera]]''<ref name="HnK">{{cite web|url=http://www.jvcmusic.co.jp/-/Discography/A018153/VICL-35627.html|title=''Hitomi no Kakera''|publisher=[[Victor Entertainment]]|access-date=2008-07-06|language=ja}}</ref> and ''[[Inside Your Heart]]'',<ref name="iyh">{{cite web|url=http://www.jvcmusic.co.jp/-/Discography/A018153/VICL-35646.html|title=''Inside Your Heart''|publisher=[[Victor Entertainment]]|access-date=2008-07-06|language=ja|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140824142051/http://www.jvcmusic.co.jp/-/Discography/A018153/VICL-35646.html|archive-date=2014-08-24}}</ref> were published in the same year by FictionJunction Yuuka, each containing an opening/ending theme and one insert song, as well as their respective [[karaoke]] versions.

===Artbook===
''MADLAX the Bible'' is a 95-page [[artbook]] that was published in Japan on 21 May 2005 by [[Hobby Japan]].<ref name="HLJ_book">{{cite web|url=http://www.hlj.com/product/HBJ25375|title=''MADLAX the Bible''|publisher=HobbyLink Japan|access-date=2008-07-07}}</ref> Aside from illustrations and artworks for the series, it contains interviews with its authors and voice actors, as well as diverse additional information about the show in Japanese.<ref name="MtB">{{cite web |url=http://www.hobbyjapan.co.jp/madlax/ |title=''Madlax the Bible'' |access-date=2006-10-29 |publisher=[[Hobby Japan]] |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110520060314/http://www.hobbyjapan.co.jp/madlax/ |archive-date=2011-05-20 }}</ref> The artbook has never been published outside Japan. Since the word "[[Bible]]" is derived from {{langx|grc|τὰ βιβλία τὰ ἅγια}}, meaning "holy books", it is likely that the artbook's title is a reference to the Holy Books that play an important role in the series' plot.

===Merchandise===
A [[resin]] [[model kit]] known as "Madlax with Guns" has been produced, featuring a [[figurine]] of Madlax [[dual wield]]ing her signature [[SIG P210]]s.<ref name="MwG">{{cite web |url=http://www.homemedia4u.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1716 |title=''Madlax with Guns'' |access-date=2007-02-11 |publisher=HomeMedia4U.com |date=2006-08-19}}</ref> A [[polystone]] figurine entitled simply "Madlax", was launched in August 2007.<ref name="HLJ_figure">{{cite web |url=http://www.hlj.com/product/CADGK-04 |title=''Madlax'' |access-date=2007-12-05 |publisher=HobbyLink Japan}}</ref> In Japan, a [[T-shirt]] with ''Madlax'' logo has been added to the limited edition of the first DVD volume,<ref name="AmJp_V1">{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B0002AP27O/ |title=''Madlax'' DVD #1 with series box and T-shirt |access-date=2007-02-11 |publisher=[[Amazon.co.jp]] |date=2004-07-21 |language=ja}}</ref> and the "first press" of the OST albums came with logotype [[mousepad]]s.<ref name="CDJ_OST1">{{cite web |url=http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=VICL-61319 |title=''Madlax OST I'' |access-date=2007-02-20 |publisher=CDJapan.co.jp |date=2004-07-21}}</ref>

===Light novel===
A [[light novel]] spin-off of the series, titled {{nihongo|''A Traveling Girl and the Land of Ignorance''|旅する少女と灼熱の国|Tabi Suru Shoujo to Shakunetsu no Kuni}}, has been published on 1&nbsp;June 2011 by [[Hobby Japan]]. Written by Seiya Fujiwara and illustrated by Shunsuke Tagami (neither of whom had been involved in the production of the original TV series), the book focuses on Elenore Baker as the main character in a [[Setting (narrative)|setting]] somewhat different from that of the anime. In this [[Continuity (fiction)|continuity]], Elenore is a combat-trained maid traveling across the war-torn Gazth-Sonika, looking for the lost Margaret and, along the way, helping the weary locals with their struggles.<ref name="ranobe">{{cite web|url=https://hobbyjapan.co.jp/hjbunko/series/68/|title=旅する少女と灼熱の国 HJ文庫公式Webサイト|publisher=[[Hobby Japan]]|language=ja|access-date=28 February 2018}}</ref>
{{Clear}}

==Reception==
''Madlax'' was often accused of being secondary and reusing ''[[Noir (anime)|Noir]]''{{'s}} stylistic solutions,<ref>Jonathan Clements, Helen McCarthy. ''[[The Anime Encyclopedia: A Guide to Japanese Animation Since 1917]]. Revised and Expanded Edition.'' — Berkeley, CA: Stone Bridge Press, 2006. — P. 388. — {{ISBN|978-1-933330-10-5}}</ref> such as the story [[premise (film)|premise]], the two heroines' appearance, and the musical style.<ref name="ANN_V1_rev">{{cite web |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/madlax/dvd-1 |title=''Madlax'' DVD #1 review |access-date=2006-11-08 |author=Martin, Theron |date=2005-05-06 |publisher=[[Anime News Network]]}}</ref> Nevertheless, some sources praised the story for being more monolithic and consequent than its predecessor's, owing to all its episodes and [[subplot]]s being tightly intertwined and held together by the [[A-Plot|primary plot]].<ref name="Mania_V7_rev" /><ref name="DV_V2_rev">{{cite web |url=http://www.dvdverdict.com/reviews/madlaxvol2.php |title=''Madlax'' DVD #2 review |access-date=2006-11-08 |author=Hattaway, Mitchell |date=2005-09-01 |publisher=DVDVerdict.com |quote=...&nbsp;every new twist only strengthens the plot. Yes, the story is quite complex, but it doesn't appear to be complex just for the sake of being complex. The plot is a big puzzle, but I have a feeling all of the pieces will eventually fall into place.}}</ref>

The majority of reviewers perceived the early episodes of ''Madlax'' as boring and too slow-paced,<ref name="AJ_V1_rev" /> but some of the same critics later remarked that the prolonged [[exposition (literary technique)|exposition]] is crucial to the unusual [[Series finale|finale]] of the series, which fully establishes the series' own identity and sets it apart from other works.<ref name="DVDTalk_rev" /><ref name="Mania_V7_rev" /><ref name="ANN_V67_rev" /><ref name="DV_V6_rev">{{cite web |url=http://www.dvdverdict.com/reviews/madlaxvol6.php |title=''Madlax'' DVD #6 review |access-date=2006-11-08 |author=Hattaway, Mitchell |date=2006-02-07 |publisher=DVDVerdict.com |quote=Sure, at first glance ''Madlax'' appears to be nothing more than another run-of-the-mill girls-with-guns anime, but this series goes a long way to proving that the devil's in the details.&nbsp;... Unless they really blow things at the end, this will go down as one terrific series.}}</ref> According to them, after the initial volume, the story gets better and better with every new episode,<ref name="Mania_V4_rev">{{cite web |url=http://www.mania.com/madlax-vol-4_article_78358.html |title=''Madlax'' DVD #4 review |access-date=2008-09-22 |author=Morton, Bryan |date=2006-09-28 |publisher=Mania.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821150931/http://www.mania.com/madlax-vol-4_article_78358.html |archive-date=2014-08-21}}</ref><ref name="DV_V3_rev">{{cite web |url=http://www.dvdverdict.com/reviews/madlaxvol3.php |title=''Madlax'' DVD #3 review |access-date=2006-11-08 |author=Hattaway, Mitchell |date=2005-09-15 |publisher=DVDVerdict.com |quote=This series keeps getting better and better.&nbsp;... I keep waiting for ''Madlax'' to implode, but it somehow manages to keep on chugging along.}}</ref> though some have been dissatisfied with its "pseudo-[[existentialism|existentialistic]]" ending.<ref name="DV_V7_rev" /> Erica Friedman, the president of [[Yuricon]], highly praised Kuroda's script, naming it "the best writing that Bee Train has done".<ref name="EF_V7_rev">{{cite web |url=http://okazu.yuricon.com/2006/07/03/yuri-anime-madlax-volume-7/ |title=''Madlax'' DVD #7 review |access-date=2007-10-25 |author=Friedman, Erica |date=2007-07-03 |quote=It's a magic with no roots in our world, so we have to take everything we're given at face value,&nbsp;... I still maintain that ''Madlax'' is the best writing that Bee Train has done. It has the mystery of the ''.hack'' series, without the endless meaningless chatter that goes nowhere, the yuri and violence of ''Noir'', the despair and love of ''Avenger'' and a story that resolves, unlike all of them.}}</ref> Professional reviewers welcomed the increased number of sympathetic characters,<ref name="Mania_V6_rev">{{cite web |url=http://www.mania.com/madlax-vol-6_article_77932.html |title=''Madlax'' DVD #6 review |access-date=2008-09-22 |author=Beveridge, Chris |date=2006-01-26 |publisher=Mania.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150325075015/http://www.mania.com/madlax-vol-6_article_77932.html |archive-date=2015-03-25}}</ref> especially the distinguishable male ones (Friday, Carrossea, Colonel Burton), as opposed to stormtrooper-like operatives of Soldats in ''Noir'',<ref name="AJ_V1_rev" /> but the female character designs were still said to be much more detailed (to the point of [[fanservice]] in the case of Madlax) than the more generic male characters.<ref name="ANN_V67_rev" />

The high quality of the [[animation]] in ''Madlax'' was generally acknowledged.<ref name="Mania_V7_rev" /><ref name="ANN_V1_rev" /> On the negative side, the episodes that involve [[computer]] use and [[computer crime|hacking]] received criticism for their lack of realism.<ref name="Mania_V3_rev">{{cite web |url=http://www.mania.com/madlax-vol-3_article_78350.html |title=''Madlax'' DVD #3 review |access-date=2008-09-22 |author=Morton, Bryan |date=2006-07-24 |publisher=Mania.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120916210755/http://www.mania.com/madlax-vol-3_article_78350.html |archive-date=2012-09-16}}</ref> In terms of soundtrack, ''Madlax'' has not become as innovative as ''Noir'',<ref name="AA_OST1_rev">{{cite web |url=http://www.activeanime.com/pn/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=2343 |title=''Madlax OST I'' review |access-date=2007-07-27 |author=Salandanan, Rommel |date=2005-11-14 |publisher=ActiveAnime.com|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070927193022/http://www.activeanime.com/pn/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=2343 |archive-date = September 27, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> with critics suggesting its OST to be a blend of ''Noir'' and ''[[.hack//Sign]]'' styles.<ref name="ANN_V2_rev">{{cite web |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/madlax/dvd-2 |title=''Madlax'' DVD #2 review |access-date=2006-11-08 |author=Martin, Theron |date=2005-06-28 |publisher=[[Anime News Network]] |quote=The musical scoring, which sounds like a mix of ''Noir'' and ''.hack//SIGN''{{sic}},..}}</ref> Nevertheless, the reviewers acknowledged its superiority over the majority of contemporary works.<ref name="AJ_V1_rev" /><ref name="ANN_V1_rev" /> The English translation released by ADV Films was praised for preserving most of the series' original stylistic aspects and inviting veteran voice actors for the dub.<ref name="Mania_V4_rev" /> Reviewers went as far as to suggest that several English voices (especially [[Mike Kleinhenz]]'s) match the characters better than the Japanese ones.<ref name="ANN_V67_rev" /> Others, however, criticized the dub, e.g. Carl Kimlinger of [[Anime News Network]] in his 2009 review of the series rated the performance as "wildly uneven, ranging from good&nbsp;... to plain amateurish", citing "delivery issues" as main problem of the dub.<ref name="ANN_2009_rev">{{cite web |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/madlax/dvd-complete-collection |title=''Madlax'' Complete Series 2009 review|access-date=2009-12-29|author=Kimlinger, Carl|date=2009-08-22|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]}}</ref>

The initial slow pacing, especially compared to the first episodes of ''Noir'',<ref name="ANN_V1_rev" /> became a main reason why the audience often dropped watching ''Madlax'' before it could present its later story turns which eventually resulted in the moderate success of the series.<ref name="ANN_V1_rev" /> Among other suggested reasons behind the mediocre popularity of the show were: the [[market saturation]], which resulted from other anime series attempting to repeat the success of ''Noir'' since 2001; the expectable disinterest against a "''Noir'' [[remake]]", found among the fans of the first series;<ref name="AJ_V1_rev" /> the over-the-top action scenes that some felt to be ridiculous;<ref name="THEM_rev">{{cite web |url=http://www.themanime.org/viewreview.php?id=817 |title=''Madlax'' (first two episodes) review |access-date=2007-01-10 |author=Ross, Carlos |publisher=[[THEM Anime Reviews|T.H.E.M. Anime Reviews]] |quote=Usually, a show like this is saved by its dramatic themes and its action sequences. Noir was. Madlax is not&nbsp;... The "action" is so over-the-top as to cross the line between cool and stupid&nbsp;... Maybe future episodes will prove me wrong, but for now, ''Madlax'' is frustratingly mediocre and extremely difficult to find the motivation to continue.}}</ref> and its unconventional genre, which straddled ''Madlax'' uncomfortably between fans of mystical [[science fiction]] and those who prefer ''Noir''{{'s}} strict realism.<ref name="Mania_V6_rev" />

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{wikiquote}}
* [http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/madlax/ Official TV Tokyo ''Madlax'' website] {{in lang|ja}}
* [http://www.jvcmusic.co.jp/flyingdog/madlax/ Official JVC ''Madlax'' website] {{in lang|ja}}
* [http://www.madman.com.au/madlax/index2.html Official Madman Entertain ''Madlax'' website]
* {{anime News Network|anime|3714}}
* {{IMDb title|0465339|Madlax}}
{{Madlax}}
{{Bee Train}}

[[Category:Madlax| ]]
[[Category:2004 anime television series debuts]]
[[Category:2011 Japanese novels]]
[[Category:Action anime and manga]]
[[Category:ADV Films]]
[[Category:Anime composed by Yuki Kajiura]]
[[Category:Anime with original screenplays]]
[[Category:Bee Train Production]]
[[Category:Girls with guns anime and manga]]
[[Category:HJ Bunko]]
[[Category:Light novels]]
[[Category:Mystery anime and manga]]
[[Category:Television shows written by Yōsuke Kuroda]]
[[Category:Supernatural anime and manga]]