Haibane-Renmei - Complete Series (DVD, 2005, 4-Disc Boxed Set)

I was just getting into Anime when a friend who was hugely into Anime highly recommended this to me as being her FAVORITE. She knew I had seen Akira and Ninja Scrolls and recommened this to broaden my view of Anime types. It kept my attention with the complex touching story instead of the graphic voilence and fight seens we've all come to love. If you are looking for super action, this is not the movie for you.

One thing that got me into Anime to begin with besides the art, was how complex and philosophical the stories are for a cartoon or how deep a child-look can be so fitting for an adult's mind. This story is very unique and one that you will take with you afterwards. It is about a new 'being' called 'grey feathers' coming into a isolated, walled town, in which she and her other fellow 'grey feathers' are not permitted to leave.

Even though it is predominatly about a child trying to understand the way her small town works - whether is getting a job, understanding conflict, learning the rules, and that rules have consquences, there is a much greater underlining story that I think only an adult or someone with such experience (wouldn't want to give what experiences) would be able to understand this subtle story of life that we ALL can relate to and appreciate.

All in all, it is a great story, not for action goers that will leave your heart pumping and hopefully your eyes watering with a great appreciation for what we all have in life. I would recommend this for any one (into anime or not) who has some time to appreciate the subtlies of this story. There are so many movies that only entertian us visually today, its nice to watch something that makes us think and touches our hearts and souls.

First off, beware of anything that is not Geneon and Pioneer, and is less than 4 discs. They are bootlegs if this is not the case. This anime is very well made, but the story is very lacking in my opinion. It is extremely unconventional, so research and see if it is the kind of thing you will want to watch. It did not pull on my heart strings like I was told it would do. The best thing about this show is the drawings and actual animation, it is awesome!

I've seen this show already, something like 3 1/2 years ago. I do recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good story. However, I ordered it from grandbanananinja, and never received it. The money was transacted, but the seller never sent out the item. I did get my money back after filing a complaint, but I think it's pretty bad that for someone who sells a lot of items on half.com to not even come through on a deal. If you're going to get this dvd set, get it from someone else.

"Haibane-Renmei" is a strange and strangely beautiful anime that isn't for everyone, but a treasure for those who can enjoy its slow pace and mysterious atmosphere. Although secrets abound, the story's focus is on love, friendship and personal redemption, not on neat resolution of background issues. It may be reaching to liken anime to Magical Realist literature, but the dreamlike acceptance of oddity is perfectly reminiscent of Borges, et al (I highly recommend Borges' "Ficciones" btw). The "angelic" designs aside, the characters act and react like real girls, and the art is, needless to say, gorgeous. Some titles with similar atmospheres and/or character development: Kino's Journey, Gunslinger Girl, Mushi-shi (and, in lesser fashion, "Saikano" and "Paranoia Agent"). "Serial Experiments Lain" is a sister production by ABe, excellent in its own way, but the humanity of Haibane's characters makes this series considerably more engaging.

I had originally bought this anime as separate discs. I am a shitajiki collector (and a big fan of box sets), so I leapt at the chance to get this set with the limited pencil boards. They will be a treasured part of my collection.

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