Haibane Renmei: A deep review of the fascinating story and characters

"Haibane Renmei" - A beautiful story of a grey world and girls with wings

Haibane Renmei is a 13-episode anime series that aired in 2002 and is based on the manga by Yoshitoshi Abe. It was directed by Tokoro Tomokazu, produced by Radix, and aired on Fuji TV. It tells a beautiful story of growth and friendship among girls with grey wings in a strange world.

story

The story of Haibane Renmei begins with the main character, Rakka, having a dream where she falls from the sky. She wakes up in a place called "Old Home" and learns that she is a "Haibane." Haibane are mysterious beings who have a human-like appearance but are born from cocoons and have gray wings on their backs. Rakka lives with the other Haibane in the town of Guri and sets out on a journey to discover who she is and uncover the secrets of this world.

The story follows Rakka as she meets new friends and grows through various experiences. The girls are curious about the world beyond the walls of the city of Guri, and sometimes even take risks to unravel the mysteries. As the story progresses, the pasts of the Haibane girls, the worries they face, and the deepening bonds between them are revealed, drawing viewers in.

character

The appeal of "Haibane Renmei" lies in its unique characters. The main characters are introduced below.

Raqqa (Fall)

Rakka is a newborn in her first year of the Haibane calendar who woke up in Old Home. She is a timid and quiet girl, and was born with a tendency to be susceptible to static electricity, which causes her hair to fly up as if it is being pulled by a halo. While she is protected by those around her, she gradually becomes accustomed to the Haibane world. Her name comes from the word "fall," referring to a dream in which she falls from the sky.

Reki (pebbles)

Reki is a 7th year Haibane girl who lives in Old Home and is the leader of the older group. She also looks after the younger group and is knowledgeable about the legends of the town of Guri and the Haibane customs. She originally shared a room with Nemu, but later moved to a room on her own and likes drawing. Her name comes from a dream in which she was walking down a pebble road, meaning "pebbles."

Kana (river fish)

Kana is a third-year Haibane calendar girl who lives in Old Home and works at a watch shop. She is uncooperative and often speaks harshly, but while she is competitive and often says things that sound confident, she is actually a kind person at heart. Her name comes from "river fish" (kawa-uo) after a dream in which she was swimming like a fish.

Kuu (sky)

Kuu is a second-year Haibane calendar girl who used to live in Old Home and has since left the nest. She is cheerful, innocent, and loves animals. She gets along well with the people in the town and often wears a strange hat. Her name comes from the word "sky" (sky) as she dreams of flying in the sky.

Hikari (Light)

Hikari is a fourth-year Haibane calendar girl who lives in Old Home and works at a bakery. She has a serious and kind personality, but is a bit of a fool, so she often makes insignificant mistakes. Her name comes from a dream in which she saw a light above her head, which means "light."

Nemu (Sleep)

Nemu is a 9-year-old Haibane girl who lives in Old Home, and is the oldest Haibane. The Haibanes are all born from their cocoons at different ages, so we don't know her actual age, but she is probably the same age as Reki. She has a gentle personality and does things at her own pace. Her name comes from the fact that she dreams of sleeping, which means "sleep."

Kuramori

Kuramori is a Haibane who used to live in Old Home but has since left the nest, and is an unforgettable senior to Nemu and Reki. She is a wonderful Haibane who is kind, warm, and responsible, but her only flaw is that she is physically weak. She sometimes collapses when trying to get medicine to help the black-winged Reki.

Hyoko

Hyoko is a boy who lives in an abandoned factory and is nicknamed Hyoko. He once tried to go through the wall with Reki, and he hides the fact that he is a Haibane by covering his halo with a hat. He also has a kind side, as he listens to Reki's problems and gives Rakka a gift as an apology.

Midori

Midori is a female Haibane who lives in an abandoned factory and is a leader. She is at an age where she is interested in Hyoko, but Hyoko still can't seem to forget about Reki. When Reki lived in the abandoned factory for a while, she was loved like a little sister, so she has a complicated maiden's heart.

Thailand

Dai is a boy who lives in Old Home. He originally comes from an abandoned factory, but is sent to Old Home because it would interfere with his early childhood education. He was named Dai because he wanted to be a carpenter, but he became obsessed with skateboarding and is starting to forget his dream.

Sumika

Sumika is a married woman living in Guri. She used to work at the library where Nemu works, but retired to get married. She is very curious, and when she was young, she desperately wanted to know what was outside the city of Guri. She and Nemu researched things outside this world at the library, and they became good friends. She is also a kind older sister to Rakka.

master

The master is a watchmaker who lives in Guri. Although his name is not known, he is called the master. He is not only skilled, but also has the ability to make people cry. His concern for Kana shows his sense of responsibility as a master.

Speaker

The Speaker is a member of the Haibane Federation who lives in the temple. He speaks with Toga in a sign-like language and manages trade in the town. He spends a lot of time at the temple and is always dedicated to making sure the Haibane grow up safely. He enjoys preaching and asking riddles, and carries a wand, but cannot use magic.

toga

Toga is a foreigner with unknown address, age, and background, who is visiting the town of Guri on business. In the town, he is only allowed to communicate with the speaker and sign language. He once served as a stepping stone for Rakka, who said, "Surpass me!", but he may be a surprisingly passionate man. No one knows who he is.

Worldview and setting

The setting of "Haibane Renmei" is the walled town of Guri. In this town, normal humans and Haibane live together. There are various theories about the origin of Guri Town, but it is sometimes called "Guri Guri" because the area is shaped like a pot. Guri Town appears in the ancient book "The Beginning of the World", but it is old and decayed, so deciphering and research has come to a halt.

Haibane are mysterious beings who, while looking like humans, are born from a cocoon, given a halo, and then sprout wings. They live in the walled town of Guri, where they are protected by the Haibane Federation. The Haibane Federation is an organization that supports the lives of the Haibane, providing them with jobs and issuing notebooks. These notebooks are necessary for survival in Guri, and can also be considered proof that they are Haibane.

There are various places in the town of Guri, such as Old Homes, Abandoned Factories, Temples, and Libraries. Old Homes are disused buildings like schools and dormitories on the outskirts of town, where the Haibane are born and live in facilities abandoned by humans. Abandoned Factories are abandoned factories, where the Haibane who live there have their own culture. The Temple is where Storytellers live, and they provide spiritual support for the Haibane. The Library is where Nemu and Sumika work, where they research things outside of this world.

Items and accessories

In "Haibane Renmei", various items and props appear that add color to the story. The main ones are introduced below.

Bell's Fruit

Bell berries are rattling nuts needed for Passover. By mixing verdigris into the soil, you can create different colored berries, each with a different message, making them difficult for beginners.

Protective clothing

The protective suit is worn to protect oneself from the power of the wall when entering it. There are many dangers lurking inside the wall, so it is frightening to imagine what would happen if this suit was not worn. It is said that it would be strange for a storyteller to wear it, but the scene where he actually wears it is impressive.

The Beginning of the World

"The Beginning of the World" is a story about the beginning of the world that Nemu and Sumika thought up, and was bound to celebrate Sumika's retirement. The climax was written jointly by Rakka, who came up with the idea.

Naruko

Naruko is a tool that is attached to a feather to answer yes or no, because Haibane are usually not allowed to talk when entering a temple. The questions are predicted by the storyteller, and most can be answered with either one of two options. Be careful, because if you get it wrong three times, you will be forced to undergo training in the waterfall.

medicine

The medicine is a dye extracted from the bark of the "Old Man's Tree," originally used for purification and said to have the effect of blinding evil spirits. Officially called Yukiurinoki, it is harvested from a tree that grows only near walls. It is dangerous for the Haibane to collect it, requiring advanced techniques.

Frog

The frog is a frog doll that is a souvenir from an unknown country, but it came into the limelight when Kuu used it to create a diorama of Old Home's friends. Some people may be outraged at being compared to a frog, but there are no such narrow-minded people in Old Home.

Haibane Notebook

The Haibane Diary is a necessary notebook for survival in the town of Guri, and can be considered proof of being a Haibane. It is issued by the Haibane Federation and is paid according to labor. Since you must find work before your notebook runs out, some Haibane may be anxious because they can't find work even though their unemployment benefits are about to run out.

gondola

The gondola is a vehicle that travels along the waterways inside the wall, and it moves freely with just a light paddle. It is said to be powered by Funky Drag Hyper Technology, which even Mickey Yoshino would be amazed by. It is said that it can fade into a giant robot inside the wall, but the secret has not yet been revealed.

subtitle

The subtitles for each episode of "Haibane Renmei" symbolize the growth and events of the Haibane characters as the story progresses. Below are the subtitles for all episodes.

• Episode 1: Cocoon, Dream of Falling in the Sky, Old Home
• Episode 2: The City and the Walls Toga Haibane Renmei
• Episode 3: The Temple, the Storyteller, and the Pancakes
• Episode 4: Garbage Day, Clock Tower, Birds Over the Wall
• Episode 5: The Library, the Abandoned Factory, the Beginning of the World
• Episode 6: End of Summer, Rain, Loss
• Episode 7: Scars, Sickness, Winter Coming
• Episode 8: Birds
• Episode 9: Well Regeneration Riddle
• Episode 10: Kuramori: The Haibanes of the Abandoned Factory - Rakka's Job
• Episode 11: Separation, darkness in the heart, irreplaceable things
• Story 12: Bell Fruit, Passover, Reconciliation
• Episode 13: Reki's World: Prayer - Final Chapter

Theme songs and music

The theme songs and music of "Haibane Renmei" are important elements that enhance the atmosphere of the story. Below are the theme songs and ending themes.

Opening Theme

"Free Bird ~To the Midday Moon~"

• Lyricist: Aki Hata
• Composer: Otani Sachi
• Vocals: Masumi Ito, Yoko Ueno

Ending Theme

"Blue Flow"

• Lyricist: Aki Hata
• Composer: Masumi Ito
• Sung by: Heart of Air

Ratings and Recommendations

"Haibane Renmei" has captivated many fans with its beautiful visuals and deep story. In particular, the growth and friendship of the Haibane characters, as well as the process of unraveling the mystery of the town of Guri, move viewers. In addition, the portrayal of the unique characters is also appealing, allowing viewers to empathize with their worries and joys.

This work is a perfect blend of fantasy and reality with elements of human drama, and can be recommended to a wide range of audiences. It is especially a must-see for those who want to enjoy beautiful animation and music, and those who want to follow a deep story and character development. It is also recommended for those who are interested in the lives and culture of the Haibane.

"Haibane Renmei" is a work that provides viewers with many moving and surprising experiences, and no matter how many times you watch it, you will always find something new in its beauty and depth. Please do experience this story of a grey world and girls with wings.