Review of Haibane Renmei
Haibane Renmei provides an account of the mystery of the "Haibane" that are born from eggs at various ages into colonies of other Haibane at an unknown, sealed location. The Haibane are born with virtually no memories except for their dream that is often remembered from the "incubation" period. The series follows one particular individual who is named Rakka at birth as she attempts to uncover her past life of which she vaguely recalls. The series explores the mystery of the lives of the Haibane as well as the association which governs their lives. It details the attempts to discover one's as well as one'sto cope with loss and reconcile with one's mistakes while accepting their consequences. The series teaches the viewer how to honestly accept one's failures and misdeeds and to seek help outside of the self. It is both a story of redemption as well as self-discovery.
The beauty of the series lies in its presentation. Granted, this is also the main flaw in the series. Information about the world is very slowly developed through demonstration as the characters have limited knowledge about their world just as does the viewer. In this sense, the series evokes a realistic presentation, which is simultaneously unsettling due to the nature of the circumstances. The viewer finds it difficult to trust any of the information or characters being presented in a similar manner to how every individual must choose to trust the information being presented. The tone of the series provides a sense of something sinister being masked with a gentle smile that is slowly creeping up on you. And it does this through the use of innocent beauty. Beauty that is mysterious, foreign, and seemingly tranquil. The show accomplishes an eerie feel, but only does so through its slow pacing and failure to provide any third-person information to the viewer. This accomplishes something remarkable from a story-telling standpoint, but it also risks boring and off-putting many traditional viewers. In this sense, Haibane Renmei's strength is also its greatest flaw. It demands attention, care, and pateince from the viewer in order for the 13 episode experience to be truly profound and personal.
The actual Haibane Renmei organization which supports the Haibane's way of life operates almost entirely from the shadows only rarely providing a spokesperson from which the viewer can obtain information about the world and the fate of the characters. This is the aspect of the plot which requires the most careful scrutiny because not only is scarce information provided, but it is also somewhat cryptic. In fact, there is no possible definitive conclusion about the circumstances of the organization and the Haibane (the writer stated that the series has no incorrect interpretation) although it becomes quite apparent what is really going on if you really think about all the details it for a while (pm me if you want to talk theories).
In a more general sense, Haibane Renmei is a story about death and beauty, love and forgiveness, and ultimately redemption and salvation. The most grave of topics, boiled and condensed into a presentation with tranquil scenes of children playing in nature with classical music in accompaniment as a troubled Rakka has her heart set at ease, smiling upon them. It teaches us that no amount of worry or grief will enable us to overcome our obstacles and that true beauty lies in surrender and immersion into the unknowable, that we can only truly find ourselves when we look outside to others, and that finding peace with the universe is an individual journey which cannot be imparted to another.
I may have a person tendency towards philosophy, and this series certainly contains much to contemplate, but the more average viewer will find an emotional journey met with tragedy and struggle. The series will be able to meet you where you are at because it only provides you with the observation and leaves all implication to the viewer.
A subtle yet raw beauty.
93/100