If I could sum up Haibane Renmei in a few words it would be: vanilla ice cream. Why vanilla ice cream? I would say that, though the short series was a pleasant distraction and a nice change of pace from the action and blood packed series I’m used to, it was a little bland and not very thrilling. So, while I like ice cream a great deal, vanilla is not something you write home about and Haibane Renmei is not a series I would own.
The first few episodes were underwhelming but they established a sketchy background of the main characters; semi-angelic creatures that live on earth and interact with humans just as humans do among themselves. They are called Haibane, meaning charcoal feather and they do indeed have tiny charcoal colored wings and a nifty lil’ halo.
None of the Haibane knows or should I say remembers who they are, since they are “born†from a cocoon with no knowledge of their previous lives. They are bound to the city they’re born; a town with no name and a tall forbidding wall surrounding it. The Haibane rely on the townsfolk to feed and clothe them, although they are not helpless creatures. All Haibane follow a strict set of rules that dictate what they can and cannot do, like buying new clothes, which is a no-no. Only items that humans no longer have a use for can Haibane own.
The story is essentially about Rakka and Reki two Haibane who find their paths intertwined through chance and Reki’s need for redemption. I won’t say any more on the plot, but there are some religious and moral undertones to this tale. You will definitely recognize themes from a certain religion that rhymes with matholic.
Habaine Renmei doesn’t shove ideas down you’re throat nor does it preach in ANY way. It simply tells a tale that happens to relate to a state of being or what some people might consider a place. I hope that doesn’t ruin it for those who hate preachy anime, but it does not preach at all, at least not on the religious front. Not one bit. It does, however, teach us about forgiveness and letting go.
The series was very sweet without being too sugary and had some nice concepts; nothing earth shattering nor terribly significant, but still unique in its way. I would recommend Haibane Renmei to people whom like emo anime or who like a story with a moral and a lesson to learn.
Rating
Haibane Renmei gets 2.5 outta 4 Hammies!