Definitely not for everyone. I am one of those that wanted action and laughter. This was too slow for me and I ended up forcing myself to finish watching it. I wanted to see if it got better and I wasn't impressed. The art was good, it's what drew me to the anime. Character development was great....

Haibane Renmei has been one of the only series that has made me cry long after I've finished it. The nostalgic touch in HR rivals that in Azumanga, while they're in completely different dimensions. When I listen to the OP Free Bird I feel as if I'm reminded of a passed away relative, almost like ...

Haibane Renmei delivers an emotionally devastating experience that lingers long after viewing, with its nostalgic atmosphere and the OP "Free Bird" creating a profound sense of loss and longing. The characters become like best friends, sharing problems and sadness through complex development in a...

Note. I watched Haibane Renmei as part of a tiny anime watching "club" with my real life friends. Someone chooses an anime every month. Everyone watches it and does a review. May was this. I watched the last 4 episodes (10-13) in one sitting, and found myself getting genuinely angry with how the ...

Haibane Renmei presents a dreamlike atmosphere with dulcet music and pretty visuals that initially captivates, but ultimately delivers nothing new in its philosophical exploration of existentialism. The characters remain trapped as undeveloped archetypes serving only to advance the plot around Ra...

The watercolor art and dreamy atmosphere create a visually stunning experience, while Reki's emotionally resonant character arc about self-hatred and human connection stands out as genuinely touching. However, the heavy-handed religious symbolism and derivative themes feel preachy and unoriginal,...

First off, the short review: Story - 6: Already done before, troublesome religious element (see full review for an explanation of this), but still very solidly constructed, and touching at times. Art - 8: Pretty fantastic use of watercolor. Not technically amazing, but artistically it's pretty da...

Haibane Renmai Review Small village, encased by huge walls... oh and with angels... Biblical reference much? The Haibane are people who are born from a cocoon and grow wings. This is all set inside a rather large village surrounded by a great wall. Only the birds can leave the city, everyone else...

Haibane Renmei delivers a touching and relaxing story about redemption and overcoming guilt that most viewers can relate to, with fitting music and memorable main characters in Rakka and Reki. While the 13-episode runtime limits development of the supporting cast and the animation is merely servi...

Episode for episode, this is probably the best anime I've ever seen. Premise: Girl, Rakka, wakes up, hatches from cocoon in other world. No memories of past. People around her, called Haibane, have wings and halos. She is Haibane too. She receives name Rakka based on her cocoon dream in which she...

Haibane Renmei stands as possibly the best anime I've ever seen episode for episode, with its surreal afterlife-ish world, unmatched Yoshitoshi ABe artwork, and emotionally devastating musical pieces like "Blight" creating an immersive Gothic atmosphere. While few characters beyond Rakka and Reki...

Haibane Renmei is a profound masterpiece that delivers phenomenal character development, stunning art and music, and extraordinary philosophical depth through its exploration of life, redemption, and human existence. While its quiet, mature appearance might initially deter viewers seeking action-...

This masterpiece delivers the most emotionally powerful ending in anime, with characters you intimately love and a unique pastel art style accompanied by an unforgettable soundtrack. While the first 8 episodes move slowly, they're essential buildup for the devastating emotional payoff. This is an...

This is by far my favorite anime of all time. Nothing short of an absolute masterpiece. It starts out slow, developing the characters in a typical slice-of-life style. They also slowly build the eeriness and intrigue with this strange world the Haibanes have woken up into. Half way through the se...

Haibane Renmei, an anime greatly praised by critics yet un-watched by the majority of people due to it's quiet, boring, and old appearance. But you know what they say, "Don't judge a book by it's cover." I decided to give Haibane Renmei a try because I heard that it was rather deep and touching, ...

Haibane Renmei delivers an emotionally devastating experience through subtle symbolism and thought-provoking themes that can be life-changing, with beautiful earthy artwork and a god-tier soundtrack that perfectly complements its mysterious slice-of-life narrative. While it suffers from minimal r...

It's a cute little anime, not unenjoyable, but slow and kinda boring. It has a cool storyline that takes forever to pick up, and then the anime ends just as it seems like it's about to get into the interesting stuff. This world, this story, it has so much potential (potential that is perhaps expl...

We walked with empty smiles plastered on our faces... As Haibane Renmei touched me in private places... It finished its job without any traces... The transition from casual to elitist tastes. Now that my poem is out of the way... Haibane Renmei! When describing this series, thought provoking is q...

It's a cute little anime, not unenjoyable, but slow and kinda boring. It has a cool storyline that takes forever to pick up, and then the anime ends just as it seems like it's about to get into the interesting stuff. This world, this story, it has so much potential (potential that is perhaps expl...

Haibane Renmei stands as a once-in-a-lifetime masterpiece that redefines angel mythology through its unique slice-of-life approach to themes of sin and redemption, featuring believable multifaceted characters and an absolutely genius classical soundtrack by Kow Otani. While the animation shows it...