Customer Reviews

Haibane-Renmei: Complete Vols. 1-4

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When you watch the first episode or two, you might think that you are in store for a light-hearted comedy like Azumanga Daioh... all the usual cute anime kids are there. But this is not a comedy. It gets deeper and darker, and you'll probably find yourself crying by the end. Although the AnimeNfo description makes it sound like some kind of a Matrix-style science fiction mystery, it really isn't. There's no Shyamalan-esque twist at the end with some dime-store revelation. It is much more of a spiritual and emotional journey that artfully plays on timeless themes of salvation, meaning, purpose, love, loss, and trust. In many ways it is a metaphor for our own experience: We come into this world from some unknown place, and try to figure out why we're here. Along the way, we have to say goodbye to people we love, knowing not where they are going, but certain that soon enough we ourselves will be following them, and having never really understood what anything was all about. And yet, we somehow find a meaning in all the confusion and sadness. I think that's what this series is about. And it's both saddening and uplifting, because that's what life is like.

I'm a minister, and enjoy seeing thought-provoking presentations of theological ideas in mainstream culture.

This anime is all about one girl's experiences learning what makes someone a complete and mature and helpful person.

She is reborn as a somewhat-angel-like creature with very little memory of her past life, in a community with others like her. We follow her experiences as she wonders what she is, where she is, and how she fits in.

Although she is a fairly good and kind person, she has a few small vices which get her in trouble. Notably, after a friend departs she is burdened until she learns how to cope. Then it is her turn to help someone else with their coping issues.

The presentation is slow-paced but impeccably done. I couldn't ask for anything to be improved.

Don't read any spoilers! Let the story guide you the first time you watch it. Afterwards, the Wikipedia page on this series is well written and might be of help in processing thoughts.

SERIES REVIEW:

What a divine series this is - in every aspect of the word. I finished watching Haibane Renmei I began enthusiastically recommending it to my friends. When one asked "So what makes it good?", funny thing was, I couldn't really answer it. There's almost no conflict or action in the series. There's no traditional good guys VS bad guys, no spellbinding magic, no science fiction - not a trace of computers, aliens or mecha. There are fantasy elements, but they're kept to such a small, human level that you can't really call this series a fantasy in the traditional sense. So what is Haibane Renmei?

It tells the story of a group of angel-like beings called Haibane. They're born from cocoons, grow wings, given halos, and have no memories of their past other than the dream each has in the cocoon. They all live in a protected city called Glie, where nobody is allowed to go beyond the walls. The Haibane are watched over and protected by a group called the Haibane Renmei. Haibane must each work to support themselves, and do their best to be a "good Haibane". It tells the story of one such Haibane - Rakka - coming into the world, and learning how to live in it. The supporting cast of Old Home (where they live) is equally essential. Towards the finale, much of the focus shifts from Rakka to Reki - one of the elder Haibane, who is a mother figure to those in Old Home. Then there's Kuu, Kana, Hikari, and Nemu whom all have very different, but likable personalities.

Haibane Renmei moves at life's pace. Slow and deliberately it moves through its stages - dealing with many humanistic themes along the way. Moving through seasons and emotions with dignity and grace. It would be very easy for fans of traditional anime to consider this series "boring", as it's certainly not exciting in any traditional sense. You really have to be in a certain mood to appreciate Haibane Renmei's charm.

Yoshitoshi ABe (Original Story, Character Designs) said when he began Haibane Renmei that he had no set idea where he was going with it all, creating the story in the moment. In this light, Haibane Renmei becomes like a stream of conscious meditation on life. He also said that while Haibane Renmei has a religious feel, it is not about any particular religion. It is really a type of spiritual and emotional journey. There are anime series that that are very much allegorical. Haibane Renmei works more like CS Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia in that it deals more in allusions than strict allegory. This means its more open to personal interpretations - and all the better because of it.

In a way, this series reminds me of the anime equivalent of Yasujiro Ozu's films. Ozu is a director who focused on regular people in everyday life confronting life's small, but meaningful moments. His films, like Haibane Renmei, rarely have any big emotion or big drama. It's all about calm reflection as we move through life. The viewer is never forced into the story or the characters. Rather, we're given time to relate these characters to our own life. Their moments of sorrow and pain, as well as joy and triumph has been our own. Their search for meaning has been our own. It's through this very human level that we're able to connect with the Haibane and share in their emotions. This makes moments like Rakka's monologue inside Kuu's room profoundly moving.

The animation is superb. It's easy to miss in such a quiet setting, but almost every frame reveals subtleties of the Haibane's world. They use a wealth of Earth hues - wonderful greens and browns - that provide a very warm and inviting tone. The animation itself is beautifully fluid as well. But it's probably the town itself that's best rendered. The world of Glie is so well conceived and drawn, giving a real sense of a heartwarming environment. The skies, for example, are almost always drawn like beautiful paintings - often reflecting the seasons. Beyond the animation, the direction and cinematography is superb as well. The ease at which the viewer can get lost in this beautiful world is astounding. ABe mentioned that previous to working on anime he was a Japanese style artist, and his works show it. I think more than anyone currently working in anime, ABe understands what a visually powerful medium anime can be. The music is equally as accomplished; consisting of mostly simple, elegant orchestral pieces. The infusion of music in the series is adeptly applied as well - entering at all the right times and evoking all the right moods.

If there are flaws in the series, they are almost too insignificant to mention. The voice acting is not the best (sub or dub), but the cringe worthy moments are kept to a minimum. The finale perhaps comes too suddenly, making it perhaps less dramatic than it should have been. I also felt some of the characters could've been better developed, and a bit more history and background given about them. I especially wish they would've slowly developed Reki's history, instead of saving it for the end. But all of these are minor grievances, and really not worth even subtracting a single star for.

I've seen Haibane Renmei three times, and each time I'm extremely saddened by the end. Not because the story is sad, but because theirs is a world I'd never want to leave. This series has a great, meditative "zen" like quality, and for those in the right frame of mind, you will become thoroughly engrossed in both the lives of its characters and the world in which they exist. You'll smile at their joys and triumphs, and you'll cry at their losses and sorrows. In the end you will be left with a wonderful feeling akin to a spiritual cleansing. The result is nothing short of divine.

DVD REVIEW:

This box set is nice, if unspectacular. The box has a sturdy feel, and the drawings of the characters are very nice. The DVDs themselves come in 4 regular cases, with a collector's book in case one, detailing much of the Haibane's world including characters. There's 3 episodes per disc except for disc 1 that has 4. This low episode per disc allows for a high quality transfer, which is a good thing for my money. The presentation is in 16:9, anamorphic widescreen, but stereo only. The extras are nice but scarce. Including original drawings and an interview with the creator and producer on the last episode. Overall a nice set, but perhaps a bit pricey.

UPDATE ON AVAILABILITY:

In the past few years since I wrote this review, Haibane Renmei has gone Out of Print in the US because of the folding of its distributor. However, there is hope: This set is available at Amazon.UK. But, be warned, these discs are Region 2. For those with region-free DVD players (or for those who have made their player region free) this won't be a problem. For those who don't have a region-free DVD player it's often possible to play region-locked DVDs on your PC. You should certainly check before buying, but this is a series that deserves to be seen without paying the high prices asked by sellers.

This anime is a very original one in all aspects. It introduces you to a strange old-fashioned society where there are two kinds of people. The two are Humans and Haibane. The Haibane are people with wings and halos that they are supposed to wear to help them stand out.

The characters are very similar looking because of the style in which this anime is drawn but they all have their own flare that sets them apart from the others. The environment and setting are warm and charming. But above all else this movie is sad. Although you watch it and know that you should be sad for certain people you still are. It shows real life emotions very accuratly, in that they are confusing and sometimes come all at once.

In the end it is a very enjoyable anime, It is worth watching more than once, and is good enough that you can get people that "don't like anime" to watch and enjoy.

Another MUST HAVE anime.

This is probably my favorite anime ever. I am not a fan of the entire genre (Mostly a Hayao Miyazaki fan) and this is one of the few that matches the quality and compassion inherent in Studio Ghibli films. It is refreshing to see an anime based on religious implications that is not caught up in loud rock music, giant robots and the like. I went into seeing this anime more out of curiosity from a friend but it quickly became a great source of inspiration and strengthened my spiritual understanding. This is one of the greatest television shows ever and is an overlooked, underappreciated classic. Compassion is a major theme of this work and in appropriately capturing the emotion it's hard not to appreciate this. It is definitely worth it's high purchase price, because it is so good as to be sentimental and something I am waiting to show friends and my possible children in the future. This story is another reason to trust and believe in God and a just universe.

This series is one of the best investments I have made in anime. This is a very emotional film. I have watched this whole season twice in the first week of purchase, and plan on watching it again next week.
I suggest turning on the subtitles when you are watching it English because they translate some of the Japanese writing on the signs you otherwise will be missing.

I don't usually do reviews, but this series is worth it. This is my favorite series of all time. The animation is artistic and well-drawn, the characters are compelling, and the story draws you in like no other anime or movie I've ever watched. It is rather symbolic and takes its time developing the story, so if you're just up for a fast action or crazy romance anime, this series may not be for you. It is thought-provoking and continually interesting throughout, and the ending is the most fantastic and satisfying I have ever experienced in an anime series. I'm not going to give anything away (and don't let anyone else either!), but Haibane Renmei, I suspect, has a slightly different meaning for everyone who watches it.
In short, an underrated and terrific show. I highly, highly recommend it.

I hoped to spend a lot more time with this amazing group of Hibane, but even with 13 episodes I felt as if I were with the group for a lot longer. You can read any of the previous reviews for a breakdown of the story, but let me tell you: you cannot be prepared for what takes place during this story. I do not give away spoilers, but let us say that by episode 10 you think everything is going somewhat well until the final 2 episodes basically slap you senseless.

This is a series that may be viewed by all ages, but to really watch and understand, a more worldly view is required. The story never really tells what the Haibane really are and why they are in this limbo-like city and who the outsiders are. The viewer is encouraged to come to their own conclusions.

The story is beautifully written, characters are masterfully portrayed, and even the English dub is excellent. Artwork is some of the best Japan has produced to date. What I love about this anime is that even with the sadness, the viewer tends to 'feel good', it is almost inexplicable. You will find tears in your eyes, yet have a big smile on your face!

Also of note: Please visit wikipedia and check out the Haibane Renmei section, AFTER you watch the series, it might help clear a few questions; then re-watch!

Viewing preference: English dubbed.

Pros: Everything from the art to the acting, characterizations, what is not to love about this story?
Cons: Too short!!!

I detest spoilers in reviews, and it's difficult to tell someone why this series is so wonderful without offering spoilers or, at the very least, remarks that might color someone's own interpretation of the series.

As someone else mentioned, if you like giant magic pan-dimensional robots blowing each other to bits, this won't be your cup of tea. Or, perhaps, it won't be your cup of tea if you don't like virtually the opposite of that genre. While it's not at all what we'd normally label as a "chick flick," this is still not something a male viewer will be able to fully enjoy unless he's really open to his own emotions, because the emotional nature of this piece is probably its defining feature. Sorry, guys, I know it goes against The Training, but if you're able to get past that, a master work like this will make it worth the effort. If you can't get past that, this will be lost on you, and that's a genuine shame.

I really don't want to say more about the actual content. If you do watch this series through to the end, you should then take note of the interview with the creators. It's quite fascinating and adds something to the experience. They don't necessarily add anything to the story itself, but they explain some of their goals and why certain things were done certain ways, which really puts a nice finish on the whole thing.

This is not a series to watch if you're interested in action or something to cure your bordom. This is a extremely touching story that you will instantly relate to if you've ever lost anyone or anything you held dear at a time. It will touch you in a way you thought forgotten when you lost that someone or something you once held dear. Emotions will resurface that reminds you of what it means to love and to have lost. You will fall in love with the characters as they are rich and deep in personality. This is my favorite anime among other animes I enjoy like Ninja Scroll.

If you have any hesitations about this, you will not regret watching it (if you watch the entire series).