Haibane Renmei

Haibane Renmei was the first anime I ever watched with my first boyfriend. Up until that point, I had really only experienced the more popular, boisterous animes like Sailor Moon and Outlaw Star. Haibane Renmei was something new for me. As I snuggled underneath a shared blanket leaning against his shoulder, this gentle, serene story seemed like what anime was meant to be. I still think it's an excellent example for the best type of fabric animated mediums can weave.

I've recently re-watched it since that time, and it's still so dear to me. It's a bit lacking in clarity, but it makes up for it in heart and intention. It's well-animated and poses interesting questions about the nature of life, death, and forgiveness (of self and of others). I highly recommend it. Serve with cocoa and youthful optimism.

Haibane Renmei is an anime that is simultaneously similar to and very different from its creator's most famous work, Serial Experiments Lain. Lain's focus on the relationship between man (or woman) and machine left me a little cold, so I was initially hesitant about Haibane Renmei.

To my surprise and delight, Haibane Renmei turned out to be an all-around solid work. In particular, I was impressed with Abe's ability to exhibit the scenery of the Haibane's world, while also expressing a range of philosophy and emotional connection between characters. The characters' relationships are very real and dynamic; the characters all seem very human, but they also share a non-human fate, and must deal with their feelings of separation from human beings and the mystery of their own future.

In short, if you are looking for an anime that deeply explores relationships, as well as touches on some interesting philosophical issues regarding the nature of fate and how people should deal with the unknown, I would very highly recommend Haibane Renmei.