REVIEW: ‘Noblesse’ Episode 11 – “Lord/Lost Child”

Tensions are beginning to run high as Noblesse Episode 11 begins to set up the season’s final confrontation. Along with episode 6, this is one of the best episodes so far for the anime. The Crunchyroll Original from Production I.G. follows Raizel, the Noblesse, as he attempts a normal high school life after centuries of slumber. The anime is based on the webtoon of the same name, Noblesse.

Frankenstein, Regis, and Raizel have successfully infiltrated their former home of Lukedonia via crashing their private plane. They also discover that the previous Lord has left behind his sword in Raizel’s old mansion. Meanwhile, Seira and Gejutel have been locked away in prison for defying the Lord. It turns out that Raskreia (the current Lord) is the daughter of the previous Lord. She truly believes Raizel to be a traitor and the killer of her father, hence her hatred for those taking his side regardless of his status as the Noblesse. The insight into her background provides a much-needed context for her efforts to capture Raizel.

As for the rest of the group, Frankenstein has left the modified human trio behind with a safeguard in case the Union attacks. It is a pill he has developed to enhance their abilities, per their request last episode. Frankenstein assures them that this pill is different from the drug the Union gave them, however. It seemed odd that they would willingly stay behind, and sure enough, they don’t, and instead, comically stow away on the crashing plane. They promptly run into Regis, who has begun fighting off a patrol looking for the intruders.

This scene is by far the strongest in the Noblesse Episode 11, and possibly the best fight scene in the entire anime. The animation is fantastic, and one has been wanting from the show since the beginning. As a noble, Regis gracefully backflips front flips and dodges in attempts to evade the guards. Trying not to kill them makes the fight more challenging, and requires the animation to include much more choreography than if Regis went all out. The music matches the mood as well and provides an equally satisfying moment when M-24, Takeo, and Tao join in. It is satisfying and fun to watch, something that has been missing often from Noblesse.

The teamwork overall is the show finally putting its “found family” aspect to use. While the development has been far from perfect, the idea was at least there. What payoff can be taken is presented in Noblesse Episode 11. Raizel plainly lays out to the rest of the group that he is considered a criminal in the eyes of the nobles. The characters are aware that this isn’t necessarily a fight for “good.” It is a fight for their friends and their way of life. There is a selfish aspect that makes it compelling. We know that Raizel wasn’t happy in Lukedonia, but aside from Frankenstein the rest of the team doesn’t. They make their decisions anyway. That is what makes this work.

All in all, Noblesse Episode 11 is one of the best episodes in the anime. Flashbacks that provide important context, as well as an incredibly well-animated fight scene, give audiences what they have been craving all Fall from this show at long last.

Noblesse is available for streaming on Crunchyroll.