Its now two and a half years since i was introduced to Haibane Renmei by a friend on another internet board who said a race i developed for my fantasy writing was like the Haibane (they weren't really, just humans with wings really!) But it has taken these two and a half years until today until i have finally been able to see all 13 episdoes. I had been a little worried, after having read the basic outlines, that seeing the visual aspect after well of a year of contemplating may have been a disapointment...
But as it turned out, i needen't of worried. Haibane Renmei is stunning in every possible way. The Story is probably the most origional i have ever seen in Anime (next to Serial Experiments Lain, and thats by the same guy!) But there are lots of great stories around, it is the presentation that gives this series its edge for me. Especially important is how dark the story actually is overall. Its dark, depressing, often upsetting, but despite that, you never once feel like that. This is because i have never watched a series which has ballanced the Darkness and the Lightheartness in such a way that it spoils a series story (FMA hold up your hands!)
Despite having no action, and a pedestrian pace, it never once seemed to drag, and even better for me who likes strong story arcs, Haibane seems rather like a 6 hour film than a series of episodes.
I am Immencely impressed, and with an ending that answers as many questions as the series seems to create, Yoshitoshi ABe has just risen above Miyazaki in my Anime writer's stakes. And that takes some beating!
Great stuff!!! 8)
But as it turned out, i needen't of worried. Haibane Renmei is stunning in every possible way. The Story is probably the most origional i have ever seen in Anime (next to Serial Experiments Lain, and thats by the same guy!) But there are lots of great stories around, it is the presentation that gives this series its edge for me. Especially important is how dark the story actually is overall. Its dark, depressing, often upsetting, but despite that, you never once feel like that. This is because i have never watched a series which has ballanced the Darkness and the Lightheartness in such a way that it spoils a series story (FMA hold up your hands!)
Despite having no action, and a pedestrian pace, it never once seemed to drag, and even better for me who likes strong story arcs, Haibane seems rather like a 6 hour film than a series of episodes.
I am Immencely impressed, and with an ending that answers as many questions as the series seems to create, Yoshitoshi ABe has just risen above Miyazaki in my Anime writer's stakes. And that takes some beating!
Great stuff!!! 8)