Is there an afterlife? What happens at the end of the road? These are questions that have troubled philosophers since the dawn of mankind, and Haibane Renmei offers no real answers. Developed by Radix, this strange anime blends slice of life, mystery, and drama to create a one-of-a-kind experience that deals with spirituality and mortality. Serving as an example of how to properly establish a fantastical world, Haibane Renmei is a slow-paced character study that continues to stand the test of time. Great philosophical anime are hard to come by; yet this Fall, we have been blessed with two series that fit the bill.
Our two featured anime today are Shoujo Shuumatsu Ryokou and Kino no Tabi: The Beautiful World - The Animated Series. Since neither deal with the afterlife, they might seem like odd recommendations for fans of Haibane Renmei. That might be true, but we are here to prove that Shoujo Shuumatsu Ryokou and Kino no Tabi are not only two of the better shows of the season, but they share many similarities with Haibane Renmei. Time to do some soul-searching with three shows that are not afraid to ask the difficult questions.
About Haibane Renmei
- Episodes: 13
- Aired: Oct 10, 2002 – Dec 19, 2002
Based on Yoshitoshi Abe’s short doujinshi series entitled Old Home no Haibane-tachi, Haibane Renmei centers around a young girl named Rakka who is reborn in the strange village of Old Home. With no memories of her past life, Rakka learns that she is now a Haibane, a non-human with a halo and wings. Accompanied by a few other girls of a similar age, Rakka struggles to accept her new life when strange incidents start to occur. Haibane Renmei is a relatively slow-paced anime, as the focus is primarily on Rakka’s day-to-day life. The entire cast is allocated time to develop, as the viewers slowly become accustomed to the village of Old Home. While there is a sense of darkness lurking beneath the surface, the lethargic pacing makes Haibane Renmei a rather relaxing experience.
Haibane Renmei, Shoujo Shuumatsu Ryokou, and Kino no Tabi: The Beautiful World – The Animated Series dare the viewer to think. They bring up topics like death, politics, and murder without offering a clear answer. In terms of animation, they are visually pleasing and often gorgeous. For those who love to explore new worlds with relatable characters, we recommend trying out Girls" Last Tour and Kino no Tabi. We hope you enjoyed reading this article and please let us know if you’ve seen either one of these series. Don’t forget to check Honey’s Anime for more articles offering great recommendations!
Born and raised on a small island in the Mediterranean, my life goal is to experience as many different ways of life as possible. Since time and money are in short supply, anime and film provide the best opportunity to experience far away cultures and worlds. When I"m not watching the latest episode of Gintama, or wondering what series to watch next, you can find me in the corner of the closest coffee shop; writing away on my aging laptop.
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