 | Haibane Renmei (2002) is a 13 episode series written by Yoshitoshi ABe. Previously ABe worked on character design for Serial Experiments Lain and NieA_7. During this time he produced a self-published manga (dōjinshi) about a group of angel like youths with wings and halos. After some revisions this short manga was retooled into an anime. Haibane Renmei has all the emotions of a fully lived life in microcosm. It can make you feel sadness and joy simultaneously in a tightly wrapped bundle. |
The story starts with the arrival of Rakka. She emerges from a mysterious cocoon appearing as a normal teenage girl and has no prior memories other than a dream of falling from the sky accompanied by a crow. Rakka awakens being cared for by several young people with gray feathered wings and wearing halos calling themselves Haibane (literally "Charcoal Feathers"). They tell her she is one of them and has come into this world just as they did. They ask about her dream in the cocoon.
 | Haibane Renmei (2002) is a 13 episode series written by Yoshitoshi ABe. Previously ABe worked on character design for Serial Experiments Lain and NieA_7. During this time he produced a self-published manga (dōjinshi) about a group of angel like youths with wings and halos. After some revisions this short manga was retooled into an anime. Haibane Renmei has all the emotions of a fully lived life in microcosm. It can make you feel sadness and joy simultaneously in a tightly wrapped bundle. |
Haibane Renmei (2002) is a 13 episode series written by Yoshitoshi ABe. Previously ABe worked on character design for Serial Experiments Lain and NieA_7. During this time he produced a self-published manga (dōjinshi) about a group of angel like youths with wings and halos. After some revisions this short manga was retooled into an anime. Haibane Renmei has all the emotions of a fully lived life in microcosm. It can make you feel sadness and joy simultaneously in a tightly wrapped bundle. The story starts with the arrival of Rakka. She emerges from a mysterious cocoon appearing as a normal teenage girl and has no prior memories other than a dream of falling from the sky accompanied by a crow. Rakka awakens being cared for by several young people with gray feathered wings and wearing halos calling themselves Haibane (literally "Charcoal Feathers"). They tell her she is one of them and has come into this world just as they did. They ask about her dream in the cocoon. One of the older Haibane, Reki, names the newly arrived girl Rakka (falling) after her cocoon dream. The first half of the series follows Rakka as she is mentored by Reki. Eventually Rakka overcomes her loneliness by finding joy in her role as a Heibane.
They live in an abandoned school named Old Home near the village of Glie populated by apparently normal humans. Glie and a large area around it is surrounded by a high wall. No one leaves this land governed by a silent caste called the Haibane Renmei ("Charcoal Feather Federation"). As Rakka bonds with the villagers, Reki and the other Haibane, she learns that the ultimate fate of all Haibane is to prepare for the Day of Flight. A time when each Haibane ascends unseen from the land. This eventually occurs to one of the cast. (I'm not saying which.) Rakka and the other Haibane are deeply saddened by their friend's departure, but in the end they have faith every departed Haibane has met a joyous destiny. Except for Reki. Her mood turns darker. Rakka discovers Reki has a troubled past in Old Home that could lead to ultimate despair. Rakka is desperate to help Reki find redemption. But what can Rakka do if Reki does not want it? Haibane Renmei is a heartfelt series encompassing a large setting with a satisfying conclusion. The cast of characters all share a feeling of warmth that makes viewing this series worthwhile. The entire series is available free from Funimation on youTube.
 | Sean "Cosmic Duck" Robertson has....look. Just look at the picture. Thats all you really need to know. Seriously. They say a picture is worth a thousand words....and this is that picture. Needless to say, Sean is awesome. |
