Haibane Renmei - New Feathers

The Haibane, who look like angels with halos and small wings, share a walled town with humans. Both groups are forbidden to leave. Rakka awakens from a portentious dream when she emerges from a huge cocoon as Haibane. She was apparently human once, but can only remember fragments of that existence. She quickly settles into Old Home, a former dormitory where the Haibane live when they're not working. With the help of some fellow Haibane, Rakka learns about the enclosed world in a succession of brief vignettes. Unfortunately, life at Old Home is about as exciting as a visit to Ozzie and Harriet. These mini-episodes are cute, wistful, and dull, with passive, uninteresting characters. Rekka's curiosity about what lies beyond the walls will undoubtedly lead her to violate the Haibane's most sacred law in a later episode. (Rated 13 and older: brief nudity, minor profanity, tobacco use) --Charles Solomon Amazon.com

Charles Solomon's cynicism is getting old

Haibane Renmei taps directly into questions of suicide, the right to die, and redemption by forgiveness. What Charles Solomon sees as weak characters and a slow storyline is for others a well-paced introduction to a world in which such important questions can be faced. Rakka, the main character, is passive because that is how the plot works best: initially she reacts rather than acts on her own, which makes for a surprising change when she begins responding to her feelings for the new friends she makes in Old Home. At only thirteen episodes, the series covers a lot of character development in a short space -- in fact, the story is almost completely character development.

Mr. Solomon, your reviews of anime are frustrating to read, mostly because all you ever do is criticize. In my opinion, your role as Amazon.com's anime reviewer should be to set out the plot, the details of the particular DVD release (any extras included on the disc or with the disc), and what sort of audiences would appreciate it. It shouldn't be to say, review after review, that it was boring and cliched. Clearly you have a particular idea of what good anime is, and that's fine -- for your own collection. For helping others purchase anime that they might enjoy, you should tone down the cynicism. Phrases like, "Unfortunately, life at Old Home is about as exciting as a visit to Ozzie and Harriet" while snappy prose, are not at all helpful to prospective buyers. Additionally, you should see the entire show before reviewing. I doubt you'll ever read this, though.

I give Haibane Renmei (as a complete story, not just the first four episodes) four stars out of five because while it's a good story, there are elements that are predictable. It left me satisfied with what it covered, but not as fulfilled or impressed as some other shows have. Not perfect, but worth owning. October 27, 2008

Frustrating

Haibane Renmei is, to me, a very frustrating series.

First of all I will say that the first episode here was excellent. In fact it may be one of the best opening episodes of any anime's iv'e seen. The scene in which Raka grows her wings is not only heart wrenching but is so well concieved you can practically feel the pain with her. I also, might add, that it does a good job introducing what would be an incredibly interesting plotline.
However, what annoy's me is that after an amazing begining the show basically goes nowhere with these begining episodes. The concept is so interesting and potentially amazing, but in the end it all falls flat. This is what I mean by frustrating, I wanted so much to really love this title but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. Not to say that I dislike it but I certainly think it could be worlds better. The main problem lies in how harmless it is. Look, this is just me, if you love harmless anime then be my guest, but its just way too uninvolving. For a plot like this to soar there has to be some kind of conflict. I'm not necessarilly saying it has to be a whole bad guys vs. good guys senario but I would like some sort of conflict present, and i'm talking about more than just trying to reseolve the fact that the haibane children won't eat their vegetables.
The main problem with the disc I will say, which mainly cocenrs what's said above, is episodes three and four. Epsiode two was at least interesting and provided some plot points to look foward to. But it's episode three where everything turns stale. And when I say stale I mean exactly that. After Raka is established in the community as a Haibane everything just basicaly loosens into her trying to find her place in their world by getting a job. This could very easily open the door for some kind of compelling story or situation to arise, but ultimately it fails by dropping its viewer into a neverending string of boring, uneventful, to artsy for its own good, situations. Theres nothing intersting present,and its way too artsy, everything just drones along, with characters who are, in my opinion sometimes are way too overly happy.

Aside from that however in general the characters are fairly likeable. Raka is actualy a very likeable lead, not being your typical, run of the mill girl character. But best of all is Reki who is acually extremely likeable, and once again not the typical run of the mill girl characters. Everybody else is alright not giving into many of the anime achetypes so often seen, but yet alot of them are just too overly enthusiastic, no one has any kind of edge to them, which can be a litle grating.

Th animation in the show is absolutely stunning I will say. the color scheme fits the overall feel of the show very well, and the character design is also comendable as well as diverse. The backrounds as well are very detailed and well done. Visually this show is top notch.

The music is also very good, although very subtle. Don't expect any heavy meatl or rock here.

The dubbing here should also be recognized. This show was extremely well cast providing not so run of the mill voices for it's characters. Everyone is, for the most part, either normal pitched or mellow, which is exactly perfect for the show's mood. The standout performance here is Reki's voice over. It captured the character perfectly and was also extrmely well acted. Kudos to the dub.

This is a tough title for me, and maybe it is slighty unfair for me to complain about the show's lack of conflict. Its possible that that's what Abe had intended; just a mellow, kind spirited series. But I guess what I'm trying to do is warn people who don't want that kind of show, and are looking for something more edgy. However I will commend Haibane for being very different, its it's own show which in it's own way makes it deserve alot of merit, and even though I usually go for that type of anime, this just wasn't for me. However not all hope is lost, I actually picked up volumes 1 and 2 at a convention for five bucks a piece, and despite having problems with volume 1 I will be watching the second one, basiclaly out of curiosity. I still want desparately want to like this series and I'm not about to give up yet. I guess I'll see what happens.


July 25, 2006

Bar none excellence.

This series simply put belongs on every anime shelf in every anime buffs home. The series is nothing short of moveing. You will find yourself emotionally swept up into the lives of the characters. The character developement is wonderful. The animation, and music are done flawlessly. The story is most definately a cut above the rest.

This is a anime for the more mature anime viewer. Not for the person who needs buckets of blood and sex. This is a story about people trying to find salvation, and make their way in the world. With rich philisophical, religious, and psychological overtones most adults should be able to revel in that sad, but hopeful little series. April 24, 2006

My favorite anime

First, let me say that this series is not for everyone. The pacing is slow, the dialogue is quiet and sparse, and anyone expecting typical anime fare will be disappointed.

This isn't typical anime fare. It's the Hemmingway of anime. It deals with the everyday life of a group of women, albeit a slightly unusual group of women, but everything in the series contributes in some way to the development of the plot and characters. The art is calm and beautiful.

For anyone who likes this anime, I would also recommend Serial Experiments Lain (which is considerably darker, and probably more for people who are interested in technology), NIEA_7 (a beautiful comedy about a girl living with an lower class alien), and Mushishi (not out in America, but a very nice series about spirits). November 27, 2005

Just an FYI

This series was in fact done by the same director as Serial Experiments Lain, thus the two series' look very much alike. I ordered this series from Ebay today, and I havent watched it, but from everything I've read about it, it seems like an enthralling anime. July 11, 2005

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