Watch Haibane Renmei

TV-PG
2002
1 Season
8.0 (3,872)

Haibane Renmei is a thirteen-episode anime series that aired on Fuji TV in 2002. The show was produced by the studio Radix and directed by Tomokazu Tokoro. It is based on a doujinshi by Yoshitoshi ABe, who also created the shows Serial Experiments Lain and Texhnolyze. The anime has gained a cult following over the years and is often cited as one of the best examples of the slice-of-life genre. The story of Haibane Renmei is set in a mysterious town called Glie, which is surrounded by large walls. The town is inhabited by two groups of people: the humans and the Haibane. The Haibane are people with halos on their heads and wings on their backs, but they do not remember anything from before they became Haibane. They live in a dormitory called Old Home and are taken care of by an older Haibane named Reki. The main character of the show is a Haibane named Rakka. She is the newest member of Old Home, having just hatched from a cocoon. She is confused and disoriented at first but soon becomes friends with the other Haibane, including Kana, Hikari, and Nemu. Rakka discovers that the Haibane are not allowed to leave the town and must follow certain rules, such as not using money or owning anything of value. As the series progresses, Rakka begins to have strange dreams and visions that hint at a mysterious past. She also learns about the Wall, which separates the town from the outside world. Some of the Haibane believe that the Wall is a symbol of oppression, while others think it is a necessary barrier for their safety. Rakka begins to question her own existence and identity as a Haibane, and the show explores themes of isolation, self-discovery, and acceptance. One of the standout features of Haibane Renmei is its art style. The show is known for its soft, muted colors and detailed backgrounds. The character designs are also unique, with the Haibane having a distinct look that sets them apart from the humans. The show also uses symbolism to convey its themes, such as the halos representing purity and the wings representing freedom. The music of Haibane Renmei is another highlight, with a haunting and ethereal score composed by Kou Otani. The opening theme, "Free Bird," by Kou Otani and the vocal duo The Yosuke Yamashita Trio, perfectly sets the tone for the show with its melancholic melody and lyrics about longing for freedom. Overall, Haibane Renmei is a thought-provoking and emotional anime that explores complex themes in a unique and captivating way. The show is beautifully crafted and well worth a watch for fans of slice-of-life, mystery, and fantasy genres.

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Seasons

13. Reki's World / Prayer / Final Chapter

December 18, 2002

Reki steals away in the night, but Rakka tracks her down, determined to save her tortured friend. An outburst of hurtful words from Reki brings tears to Rakka eyes, but will they be enough to make her give up hope?

12. Well Built / Year Passing Festival / Reconcilliation

December 18, 2002

The Passing of the Year Festival has arrived, and time is running out for Reki. Making peace with the dwellers of Abandoned Factory may be her only hope for finding the forgiveness she desperately seeks.

11. Parting / Darkness of the Heart / Precious Things

December 11, 2002

Rakka learns more about Reki's past during a visit to Abandoned Factory, the co-ed living quarters for wayward Haibane. Later, a disturbing revelation from the Communicator causes Rakka to fear the worst for her friend.

10. Kuramori / Haibane of the Abandoned Factory / Rakka's Job

December 11, 2002

Bits and pieces of Reki's tragic past are revealed in a flashback, and Rakka visits the Communicator to return his staff and accept her unusual punishment for touching the wall.

9. Well / Rebirth / Riddle

December 4, 2002

After Togas rescue Rakka from the well, she is drawn to the city walls by the phantom sound of Kuu's voice. Her decision to touch the forbidden barriers leads to an encounter with the Communicator.

8. Birds

December 4, 2002

Rakka's fragile emotional state and blackening wings drive the young Haibane to follow a crow deep into the Western Woods, where she discovers the secrets of her cocoon dream.

7. Scar / Illness / The Arrival of Winter

November 27, 2002

Rakka - still mourning the loss of Kuu - is distraught to discover black spots spreading across her wings. Ashamed, she obsessively cuts off the diseased feathers until Reki puts an end to her self-mutilation.

6. The End of Summer / Rain / Loss

November 27, 2002

With winter approaching, Rakka begins looking for a room of her very own. Kuu is quick to offer assistance, but her flickering halo and sudden disappearance raises concern among the other Haibane.

5. Library / The Abandoned Factory / The Beginning of the World

November 20, 2002

A day spent working at the library leads Rakka to search for the long lost secret behind the beginning of the world. Meanwhile, out in the street, Reki is harassed by a cruel male Haibane.

4. Trash Day / The Clock Tower / The Birds Exceeding the Wall

November 13, 2002

Rakka continues her search for the perfect job by hauling trash and fixing broken timepieces with Kana, an opportunity which affords her a rare look at the city walls from a lofty vantage.

3. The Temple / Washi / Pancakes

November 6, 2002

Hikari and Rakka journey to the temple of the Haibane-Renmei, where Rakka's new life is issued to her in the form of a notebook. Later, an outburst from the Young Feathers leads to a quest for pancakes.

2. The City and the Wall / Touga / Haibane Renmei

October 23, 2002

Rakka begins to explore her surroundings: an abandoned dormitory called Old Home. As she grows stronger, her new friends slowly introduce her to the rules and regulations of a Haibane's second-hand existence.

1. Cocoon / Dream of Falling From the Sky / Old Home

October 9, 2002

A young girl dreams of falling endlessly, only to awaken inside a giant cocoon. Upon her hatching, mysterious beings known as Haibane seek to ease her transition into this strange new world.

Description

The story of Haibane Renmei is set in a mysterious town called Glie, which is surrounded by large walls. The town is inhabited by two groups of people: the humans and the Haibane. The Haibane are people with halos on their heads and wings on their backs, but they do not remember anything from before they became Haibane. They live in a dormitory called Old Home and are taken care of by an older Haibane named Reki.

The main character of the show is a Haibane named Rakka. She is the newest member of Old Home, having just hatched from a cocoon. She is confused and disoriented at first but soon becomes friends with the other Haibane, including Kana, Hikari, and Nemu. Rakka discovers that the Haibane are not allowed to leave the town and must follow certain rules, such as not using money or owning anything of value.

As the series progresses, Rakka begins to have strange dreams and visions that hint at a mysterious past. She also learns about the Wall, which separates the town from the outside world. Some of the Haibane believe that the Wall is a symbol of oppression, while others think it is a necessary barrier for their safety. Rakka begins to question her own existence and identity as a Haibane, and the show explores themes of isolation, self-discovery, and acceptance.

One of the standout features of Haibane Renmei is its art style. The show is known for its soft, muted colors and detailed backgrounds. The character designs are also unique, with the Haibane having a distinct look that sets them apart from the humans. The show also uses symbolism to convey its themes, such as the halos representing purity and the wings representing freedom.

The music of Haibane Renmei is another highlight, with a haunting and ethereal score composed by Kou Otani. The opening theme, "Free Bird," by Kou Otani and the vocal duo The Yosuke Yamashita Trio, perfectly sets the tone for the show with its melancholic melody and lyrics about longing for freedom.

Overall, Haibane Renmei is a thought-provoking and emotional anime that explores complex themes in a unique and captivating way. The show is beautifully crafted and well worth a watch for fans of slice-of-life, mystery, and fantasy genres.

Haibane Renmei is a series that is currently running and has 1 seasons (13 episodes). The series first aired on October 9, 2002.

Where to Watch Haibane Renmei

Haibane Renmei is available for streaming on the Fuji TV website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Haibane Renmei on demand at Apple TV and Crunchyroll.