Haibane Renmei
By Civet

In a town surrounded by walls live the Haibane. They are also called the “Charcoal Feathers,” or the “Ashwings.” They are strange, winged people, who wear halos above their heads and emerge from cocoons fully grown, their only memory the dream that they had while sleeping in the cocoon. No one, not even the Haibane themselves, know what they are, or where they have come from.

The Haibane build their identities upon their dreams, choosing to name themselves after these dreams. They are protected under the mysterious organization known as the “Haibane Renmei,” the “Charcoal Feather Federation,” and seem to exist somewhat tenuously alongside the human residents of the town. We are introduced to the world of the Haibane through the eyes of a “new feather” called Rakka (meaning “to fall”), a young Haibane girl who dreamt of falling through the sky.

No one knows what lies beyond the walls of the town, but they do seem to hold a mysterious power over the Haibane. This is just one of the many mysteries that arise in the series, and questions like these are what keep the viewer wondering, and wanting to know more. Watching Haibane Renmei is a slow process- gently scraping away layers to reveal many answers, and many, many more questions.
   It is difficult to describe this series without giving too much away. It has to be experienced, rather than described. “Haibane Renmei” is more than just another anime. It is a zen-like exploration of the lives of characters formed by pasts which they can not remember. The town, the world in which the Haibane live, is the canvas upon which their dreams are painted, dreams which are pleasant, and dreams which are nightmares.

This slow, contemplative series first appears only to function as a realistic depiction of the everyday life of a Haibane. As the series progresses, it seems to meander without purpose or intent, but slowly builds up substance, and reveals the deeper (and often darker) meanings hidden beneath the surface of the calm and quiet lives of the Haibane.    Those who have seen “Serial Experiments Lain,” and “Niea_7” will recognize the soft, somber style of the character designer, Yoshitoshi Abe.

While he only did the character design work for the other series, “Haibane Renmei” is a series of his own creation. With great attention to both the personality of the characters and the atmosphere of the town, Abe immerses the viewer in a world completely separate from their own. He places us in another time and place, surrounding us with people and places we do not yet know, but soon become familiar with, developing ties which draw us further into the story, and raising just enough questions to keep us wondering. Ingeniously, he channels the viewer through the character of Rakka, also a newcomer to this world, and it is through her that we learn of the Haibane, their world, and its secrets.

The soft, subtle colors, and beautifully designed characters and landscapes easily take on a life of their own. It is clear to any viewer that Abe does not consider his work to be merely animation, but a piece of art, which just happens to communicate its message through motion and sound.

The musical score assists in this immersal, with its quiet and underplayed tones, only becoming emotional when the tension rises, catering to every mood within the series, and remaining in the background when necessary. It does not distract, but draws us further into the world of the Haibane. With absolutely no “action” to speak of, this series is not for everyone.

For those looking for a philosophical, existentialist journey into another world that will cause them, ultimately, to examine their own lives in a similar manner, “Haibane Renmei” is a must see.

Rating: 9.5/10