Review of Haibane Renmei: Vol. 4

Introduction

Yoshitoshi Abe has completely freaked me out with his mind-bending, genre defying anime - and possibly turned in a work even more compelling than `Serial Experiments Lain`. This really is curious addition to the glut of anime flooding the market. It has a strange atmosphere and pace all of its own that really sets it apart from the flock. If there was a long yardstick against which you could place anime then this would sit firmly atone end while `Streetfighter` and `Fist of the North Star` would sit at the other. No violence, no sex, and …well, a very slow pace of action. Deliberately different and almost dreamlike.

By now you know the score. The `Haibane` of the title are `angel-like` females (with halos and charcoal coloured wings) who fall from the sky (possibly after dying?) and land gracefully at an old `school-house` where they take up residence. They are literally walled off from the surrounding town.

The final episodes move on from Rakka`s journey of self-discovery to the darker journey faced by the enigmatic Reki. We are reminded that it was Reki who helped Rakka when she first arrived alone and, now that she finds herself alone, facing the grim prospect of an eternity of isolation, it is Rakka who comes to her aid.

I don`t want to spoil the end of this brilliant series for those who have come this far so have provided oblique summaries of the episodes as a teaser only!

11: `Parting / Darkness of the Heart / Irreplaceable Thing`

We learn that if Reki doesn`t achieve her Day of Flight by the end of the current winter, then she`ll have to live out the rest of her days as an outcast.

12: `Bell Nuts / Passing of the Year Festival / Reconciliation`

As the Passing of the Year Festival approaches, both the Haibane and the standard residents of Glie buy `bell nuts` from markets to give to others by way of thanks. Reki surprisingly gives one to Hyouko a week before the festival, cryptically saying that she doesn`t have much time.


13: `Reki`s World / Prayer / Epilogue`
The day after the festival, Reki quietly says goodbye to the other Haibane as they sleep in the old home. Rakka awakes and goes to Reki`s rescue…

Video

Haibane Renmei is presented in its original aspect ratio of 1.78:1 and encoded for anamorphic playback. It`s a very nice digital transfer that has retained the clarity of the original animation, as well as its attractive hues and colouring. Very satisfying viewing.

Audio

Whilst original Japanese dialogue and English sub-titles is an option, I viewed this in its English dubbed incarnation. Choice of voice was nigh on perfect - with Rakka portrayed as a breathy innocent, whilst selection of voices for her winged cohorts also perfectly cast. It`s a big, solid sound (stereo) with good quality dialogue really cutting through the dreamy incidental music, which includes the haunting title theme featuring a mix of acoustic guitar and strings.

Features

There are a few extras on this final disc which are worthy of note. First is the `Special Ending` which is nothing more than an extended credits sequence.
There`s a selection of artwork (40 pages worth) for those with an interest in the basic line development of the piece. There`s also a curious addition in the form of a `script cover gallery` with some 13 `doodles` by the production team on original script covers. There`s also a nice 11-minute interview with the youthful series producer (replete in shades) and the series creator, Yoshitoshi Abe. This gives some real insight into the freedom that was given to Abe to realise his vision, free from studio or backer interference. The final inclusion is the standard trailer offerings for other MVM releases.

Conclusion

Produced as a manga follow-up to `Serial Experiments Lain`, `Haibane Renmei` was never intended to become an anime, though enthusiasm for LAIN (in the West particularly) encouraged its production.
Originally airing in 2002, just two episodes of the original manga were complete when production began, and apparently Abe busked the rest of the tale as he went along, preferring an almost experimental approach.

The results are very fine indeed, and whilst this is no white-knuckle ride (don`t expect `Fist of the North Star`!) it has a soporiphic, dreamlike atmosphere that makes for some very satisfying viewing.

It`s also full of fascinating sub-plots that are thinly disguised `coming of age` scenarios as the young female `Haibane` seek to discover their role and purpose in a confusing world. There`s definitely some existential rumination afoot with the series as well though Abe doesn`t place great emphasis on this in his interview on the disc.

The final episodes provide, as I had hoped, an extremely satisfying conclusion to a brilliant series.

If you`re becoming jaded by the sudden glut of sub-standard, barely comprehensible anime flooding the market, then `Haibane` could be the perfect antidote.