Haibane-Renmei proves that an anime mystery can be entertaining and thought provoking at the same time.

Haibane-Renmei. V.1, New Feathers. V.2, Wings of Sorrow. V.3, Free Bird. V.4, Day of Flight.
TV series (13 episodes), 2002. Director: Tomokazu Tomoro. V.1, four episodes/100 minutes, V.2-4, three episodes/75 minutes. Price & format: DVD bilingual $29.98. Distributor: Geneon/Pioneer Entertainment.

Haibane-Renmei is a must-see for the discerning animation fan or student. This 13-episode TV series (October 10, 2002 — December 12, 2002; animated by the Radix studio) demonstrates that mysteries can be successful in which not everything is neatly explained; in which explanations could even heavy-handedly crush an ethereal charm. The DVD box art showing literally angelic children in an idyllic European rural setting, reinforced by the decorative title logo which includes a “translation” of the title as une fille qui a des ailes grises (a young girl with gray wings), sets an immediate atmosphere of innocence and peace.

A girl falls slowly from the sky toward a large building reminiscent of an old monastery or college in a bucolic countryside. The inhabitants, from children to older adolescents and all with halos and large wings, prepare to greet the “new feather.” The girl awakens with total amnesia except for a vague memory that this is nothing like her home, and that people do not normally have wings and halos. The five in the welcoming committee, from barely adolescent Kuu to older adolescent Reki, initiate her into their community; naming her (Rakka), easing the trauma of her growing wings, and introducing her to their small world.

A huge wall encloses a valley maybe 20 or 30 miles across, with farms and a small town reminiscent of early 20th century France. Most inhabitants are normal humans. The winged Haibane, who appear unexpectedly, are treated with mild condescension. They are allowed to live in their own communities in abandoned buildings. They are given castoff clothing to wear and are expected to take menial jobs to justify their upkeep. But it is all done with a friendly patronization, as though the Haibane are considered children rather than a persecuted minority. Nobody, humans or Haibane, knows what is beyond the wall, and everyone calmly accepts the rule that they cannot try to leave.

The initial episodes follow Rakka as she learns the conventions of the Haibane and of her new home. She makes friends; the personalities of her new companions are established. Then Kuu vanishes, and Rakka learns that the life of Haibane lasts for only a few years before they disappear as mysteriously as they arrived. This “Day of Flight” (also referred to as “going over the Wall”) is thought to be an evolution into a better life, and most Haibane look forward to it. But Rakka notices that Reki, their “older sister,” is terrified of this unknown fate. Reki chain-smokes to project a “bad girl” image so she will not be worthy of moving on. Rakka must develop the maturity to help Reki as well as herself come to terms with the inevitability of life.

Haibane-Renmei seems less religious than a gentle metaphor for facing the necessity of leaving the sheltered life of childhood and accepting the responsibilities of adult life. The concept/art design/screenplay by yoshitoshi ABe (that is the creator’s preferred Westernized spelling of his name) and music by Kou Ootani are beautiful. The animation seems fuller than in most TV anime productions, though this may be thanks to the leisurely plot that requires little action. This production proves that animation can be intellectual and philosophical as well as dramatic or comedic.