anime: Haibane Renmei eps 1-4

[meganbmoore]

A young woman dreams of endlessly falling through the sky. A crow tries to stop her fall by grabbing her dress with its claws but the girl, seeing it only causes the bird strain, tells it to let go, and she continues to fall. When she wakes up, she finds herself in a cocoon. Freeing herself from the cocoon, she finds herself in a storeroom, surrounded by several young women, each with a halo and small, grey wings. They tell the girl that she, like them, is a haibane, and that she will soon grow wings of her own. None of the girls have any memories of their lives from before the cocoon, though they all know they had lives. Each had a dream while in the cocoon, though, and they are named after the dream. Because the girl dreamed of falling, she is named Rakka.

The haibane live in Old Home, a place that used to be a dormitory or something (they aren’t sure) but that was turned over to the haibane to be a home when the cocoons started growing there, and the town seems to have assigned a keeper to Old Home to take care of the haibane, especially the small children. In town, the haibane must work, and are only allowed to work at certain places. In addition, everything they buy must be used (except the food, of course) and they are not allowed to have money, but instead must keep track of their earning and spending in a notebook. Despite the fact that this seems to relegate them to the status of second class citizens, the town seems to be extremely protective of the haibane, and their jobs to be token things where they aren’t expected to do much, but are made to feel useful, so they don’t think they’re a drain on the town. For example, one haibane, Hikaru, isn’t expected to do anything at the bakery she works at but carry the bread, and is allowed to experiment in the kitchen. Another, Kanna, works for a clockmaker, and is assigned the “task” of fixing up Old Home’s clock tower, which was already her pet project in her free time.

The town is closed off from the outside world by a wall that surrounds it. The only ones allowed to come and go at will are the crows, and the Toga, a seemingly nomadic people who come to town from time to time, with a market gathering near the gate when they do. The rulers of the town (as near as I can tell) are the Haibane Renmei. The Haibane Renmei are the only ones who can communicate with the Toga, and are also in charge of the haibane, including their money. While the Haibane Renmei can talk to the haibane, the haibane can only communicate with them by making bells they carry jingle. Both the Haibane Renmei and the Toga wear masks. The Haibane Renmei’s masks resemble keyholes. The Togas’ masks also reminded me of something, but I forgot to note what. Gates, perhaps?

The anime is very sedate and paced, with a strong feeling of whimsy, and definitely lives up to the Kino’s Journey comparisons. The characters-haibane and otherwise-are drawn to look much more “normal” than most anime characters. Aside from the wings and the elaborate costume of the Toga and the Haibane Renmei, none of the characters have dramatic designs, and even most of the clothing is normal clothing, and the art is extremely detailed and in watercolor earthtones. 

My personal theory for what the haibane are is that they’re women who either committed suicide or were murdered (the town seems to be a safe haven for them, where they can feel safe and comfortable and useful) though I wonder what that would make all the children. Their children, perhaps? Or maybe abandoned children? 

rachelmanija's spoiler-free review.

Comments

[telophase.livejournal.com]

Have you seen Niea_7?

[meganbmoore.livejournal.com]

never heard of it, actually...

[telophase.livejournal.com]

It's been years since I watched it, but it's a light, sweet anime about friendship. It's a version of our world where there are aliens - distinguished from humans by the presence of an antenna on their head. Mayuko is a poor student who lives above a bathhouse, and NieA is an alien who lives in her closet and eats her food. The title is apparentlyu pronounced "Niea Under Seven".

The art style is similar to Haiban Renmei, from what I've seen of HB.

[retsuko.livejournal.com]

I never thought of the Haibane like that... it's an interesting theory. I always figured the town was some kind of purgatory where they had to sort earthly conflicts out with all the distractions of their lives.

[meganbmoore.livejournal.com]

Well, I'm still only the 4 eps in, but the town seems designed to give them a feeling of purpose and usefulness, while still leaving them free. Amnesia, having wo work, not being allowed any possessions save castoffs, etc, can be seen as a penance, but at the same time, it gives them a very simple life. If they're there because of something from their past life thatwas too much forthem (the impression I get) then it makes sense, in a way.

[rosehiptea.livejournal.com]

Haibane Renmei is one of my favorite anime. It does have a somewhat slow pace but the characterization is very rich and it's just very beautiful. I hope you enjoy it.

[meganbmoore.livejournal.com]

Slow pace is just fine with me.