How do we know that this world is a reality? What are "dreams"? What is life? Who am I? Does God exist?
Haibane Renmei has answers to several of these questions which linger beneath the outer skin of the show. The show is a wondrous journey through many themes of life, love, redemption, repent upon sins, acceptance, dreams, conquering fears, realizing forgiveness, and death.
There are approximately 140 million people born every year; innocent and pure babies who don't realize the evils and dangers that await them in reality. As these babies grow up into kids, they start to vaguely understand that where are beauties and happiness in this world, but at the same time there are horrors, and suffering; but they tend to turn a blind eye to it because they don't fully understand. As these kids mature into adults, that's when they acknowledge all the things that reality throws at us. During adulthood, people live their lives the way they want to, according to their own philosophies. When these adults grow older into the elderly, they often reflect upon their lives, finally having their own answers to the questions of reality. But what does this have to do with Haibane Renmei?
The city of Glie is a bustling settlement that resides in a place beyond the reach and the comprehension of mankind. Its residents, the Haibane, a population of "people" with an appearance like an angel. The Haibane live a simple existence, working for other who seek/need their assistance. From the moment a Haibane awakens/is born, he/she must determine their purpose in life and determine what ties them to the city of Glie. Those who manage to attain these answers are given their Day of Flight: a day where a Haibane is allowed to soar beyond the walls of Glie to the outside world beyond confinement.
The story revolves around a newborn Haibane, Rakka (Named after the word "falling", because the opening scene of the anime is of a young girl falling through the sky, head downward alongside a crow, who just so happens to be Rakka). The first half of the anime is a splice of life style, with Rakka adjusting with her repetitive daily life, meeting new people and creating friendships with other Haibane. All the meanwhile, subtle hints towards the greater plot in the second half of the show are placed carefully and deliberately amidst Rakka’s quiet experiences. All seems soothing and peaceful at first, but then come around episode 6, and the entire mood and pacing of the anime changes. When Rakka's friend, Kuu goes on her Day of Flight, Rakka falls into distress and begins to question everything related to life; her friends, her city, reality, etc... Deeply depressed and confused, Rakka later runs away from Old Home in despair, and follows the crows into the forbidden Western Woods; there, her fate will be sealed, and she will follow her destiny.
The entire story of Haibane Renmei is a metaphor for our own human existence. Glie is a microscopic simulation of the real world, surrounded by impassable walls. And although people know that they are alive, their name, and what they're going to do in life. In a very real sense, we humans don't understand much of why we are who we are (what's our real identity), and we have only the slightest notions of what waits beyond the walls of our own mortal existence, beyond the atmosphere of earth. At the end of the day, Haibane Renmei may look like a story about angels, but it's honestly a story about human beings.
The character development was phenomenal. Each character are trying to find answers to questions of identity and life. The friendship/family bondship developed between the Haibane, betrayals, forgiveness are all essential factors that Haibane Renmei masterfully weaves into the deeper themes of the plot. Haibane Renmei shines in representing what true friendship really means. The two main characters, Rakka and Reki are both Haibane who struggle in life, filled with much sorrow and pain. The way the story portrays how they overcome their obstacles is phenomenal. Really, all the characters have normal/realistic personalities and act in believable ways, making them very easy to relate to. I know for sure that I cared, and connected with more than one character.
The art and soundtrack of the anime were stunning. The portrayal of the Haibane was mystical; the halos, wings, and character's faces were outstanding. The realism that the art gives to the entire anime is magical. The soothing, masterful music (piano) in Haibane Renmei added so much feeling to the anime, and they were a delight to listen to. The voicing of the characters, wondrous. *Round of applause for the voice actors*.
There were tons of symbolic and metaphoric objects in Haibane Renmei. For example, the untouchable walls that bind the Haibane inside the city of Glie are the representation of temptation. The Cocoons of which the Haibane are born from - A symbol of death and rebirth. Crows, eastern religions in particular seem to view crows as a symbol of love and creation, but in almost all mythologies, crow are the carrion eaters associated with death and life. The shape of a halo is that of a "miragical" circle. This is associated with eternity, a never ending existence, which fits the eastern concepts of reincarnation. This is an extremely old symbol associated with divinity. Wings - This ties in with the freedom associations of flight tied to birds. They are also associated with the immortality of the soul. Black or white, but also grey? This possibly ties in with the concept of yin and yang. The balance, the concept of constant change, all are reflected in the Haibane's wings. Also, the Riddle of the "Circle of Sin" is extraordinarily profound. The answer to the riddle is: anyone can damn them-self, but no one can save them-self. Anyone can decide they are unworthy of salvation, but having done so, they can only then be saved if someone else believes that they deserve salvation. The solution is not to be free of sin, but rather to be forgiven for your sins. Then it doesn't matter if you are a sinner or not, and the paradox collapses because it becomes moot. But that forgiveness can only come from outside, and only if you accept it from outside. That is why Reki becomes trapped; she won't accept forgiveness, thinking that nobody truly knows who she really is. Clearly, lots of things to watch out for.
Whether you like that it is, or dislike that it's all theological and philosophical, Haibane Renmei is a true masterpiece that's very rare to come by. Haibane Renmei is, without a doubt, one of the most incredible and deep animated series I have ever seen. Its combination of charming characters, fantastic storytelling, and lurking themes of reality create a memorable, to say the least experience that nobody should miss out on. In a short span of 13 episodes - around 4 hours of anime, Haibane Renmei changed my life, and I'm sure it'll do the same for you if you just pay attention. Please do yourself a favor and watch it.
