I watched this anime series after first seeing a couple other series with a similar theme (death and afterlife), namely Anohana and Angel Beats. While I enjoyed those, this series was far and away more captivating by every measure -- story telling, pacing, art work, dialog, drama and mystery.
The story begins with a girl (later named Rakka) plummeting to earth in a strange land wherein there is one large village and countryside, but all surrounded by impenetrable walls. She lands as a seedling in a place inhabited by angelic-looking creatures known as the Haibane, and grows into a cocoon and soon hatches among them. She is looked after by Reki, a girl who has been among the Haibane for several years. We come to understand that this place is a kind of purgatory for angels, where the dead find themselves when they need time to resolve shame over some sin of their former lives. Rakka, in particular, is having trouble resolving her past, and later we discover that Reki too has even more troubling issues of sin to resolve. The story is complex and moves slowly, but answers to various mysteries are resolved at regular intervals. There are mysterious Shamen known as Renmei, who occasionally appear and guide the young Haibane, correcting them if they go astray during their stay in purgatory. In the end, there is a final resolution coupled with heart-wrenching loss, but not before deep issues around shame and forgiveness are explored with a very thoughtful, drama-filled story line.
The dialog is excellent and the storytelling is consistent at all times with the rules of the world. The artwork is so realistic you forget you are watching an anime. Top notch in every way. 10/10 in all categories for me.
