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	JACKSON ANIME AND MANGA SOCIETY -HAIBANE RENMEI-

A beautifully done series from the creator of Serial Experiments Lain. Now saying that previous statement might scare some of you away, thinking it will be another mind-frag like Lain was, but it is quite down to earth compared to Lain.

The series starts off with the birth of the Haibane Rakka (the main female lead in the series). The Haibane are creatures much like humans, with the exception of angel like wings sprouting from their backs. Being hatched from cocoons and named after the dream they have while inside, they are a race that is protected by the Haibane Renmei (Charcoal Feather Federation).  They live in large abandoned places they like to call nests in a walled city alongside humans. The wall encompasses the main city, the Haibane Renmei headquarters, a good sized forest, lots of open land, and the “Old Home” a Haibane nest where the main characters live.  No one is allowed outside the wall except for a small sect of priests called the Toga (Who seem to have some roots in the Haibane Renmei, but it is left unconfirmed) and the birds, who fly over the wall frequently. The Haibane are forbidden to leave the city walls, and the humans who choose to leave can never return again. Not only are the Haibane forbidden to leave the walled city, but are also forbidden to even touch the wall (as it has ill effects on them). When the Haibane are born, it seems like they can remember things, almost like from a past life, but they cant grasp any of the memories (although some experience deja-vu when doing or experiencing something that might have been done in these so called “past lives”). The Haibane Renmei also impose strict laws upon the Haibane, such as being unable to wear anything new and not being allowed to have money (their earnings are noted in Federation issued notebooks, and deducted from them when buying things).

This anime is more of a day to day life thing with little action and some humor. If you don’t like anything without action, this anime is probably not for you. On my rating scale, I give it an 8 (out of ten)

When I first started watching, I could see Abe’s style not only in some of the characters, but also in the crows (they look identical to the one in the Lain opening). I also had a feeling that the Haibane were humans who had died, but near the end of the series I was starting to doubt it. The ending to this short series (13 episodes) left me desiring more then what Abe gave us from it. It left me feeling good, but empty (but then again things dealing with life and death often leave me feeling empty and depressed). This series has yet to reach American soil, but I hope it will someday (and hopefully remain unbutchered).

Special thanks to Kevin for downloading this excellent series for us.