Thanks so much to PotBelliedCow for writing this up for us! Much appreciated - I know many people have been curious about the series for a while. Sorry it took so long to get posted!:sweat:
http://www.christiananime.net/reviews.php?display=98
Also, thank you ClosetOtaku and Kentetsu for writing HR reviews as well, but PotBelliedCow's was submitted first. Thanks!
Haibane Renmei
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Haibane Renmei
||Skipping Tomorrows Webmanga||
"A ship in harbor is safe but that is not what ships are built for." - John A. Shedd
"A ship in harbor is safe but that is not what ships are built for." - John A. Shedd
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Gypsy - Posts: 4056
- Joined: Tue May 27, 2003 12:00 pm
- Location: Hyrule
Very detailed and informative review, and that is from a big fan of the series. I do think that there is a bit of religious content included, a sort of mish mash of beliefs from all over the place, but then again, that is pretty well all up to interpretation, I guess, as it is a confusing and symbolic series. Great job, PotBelliedCow!! 
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Kokhiri Sojourn - Posts: 1215
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Shao Feng-Li - Posts: 5187
- Joined: Sun Oct 12, 2003 12:00 pm
- Location: Idaho
I, too, want to echo praise for PotBelliedCow's review. Very positive and accurate description of the series.
I highly recommend Haibane Renmei as a thought-provoking and spiritually deep anime. It is probably one of the "cleanest" animes out there (allowing for a little artistic freedom).
A quick note on the doujinshi: there are four doujinshi, all of which are still available in Japan at anime/manga stores like Mandarake. They are nicely illustrated, but a bit pricey, so probably best for die-hard fans only. There is also an artbook (more accessible, there were many for sale at Otakon), and ABe is producing another artbook in the near future.
I highly recommend Haibane Renmei as a thought-provoking and spiritually deep anime. It is probably one of the "cleanest" animes out there (allowing for a little artistic freedom).
A quick note on the doujinshi: there are four doujinshi, all of which are still available in Japan at anime/manga stores like Mandarake. They are nicely illustrated, but a bit pricey, so probably best for die-hard fans only. There is also an artbook (more accessible, there were many for sale at Otakon), and ABe is producing another artbook in the near future.
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ClosetOtaku - Posts: 927
- Joined: Tue Jul 06, 2004 3:12 am
- Location: Alexandria, VA
Yay!!! 
Finally a review for one of the best animes I've seen in a long time! Still need to finish seeing the rest of it. But it's good to see a review of Haibane Renmei here at CAA finally!
Finally a review for one of the best animes I've seen in a long time! Still need to finish seeing the rest of it. But it's good to see a review of Haibane Renmei here at CAA finally! "We join the "Christian" club and separate ourselves from the world, and the world still sits on the outside, dying for someone to demonstrate what it means to believe." - Matthew Paul Turner
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Benu - Posts: 279
- Joined: Mon Jun 30, 2003 8:04 pm
- Location: Pomona, California
Just how slow is this anime? I picked it up and came SO close to buying the first two volumes. But I mean, I don't want to if it's super boring. (And how many volumes are there?)
Every year in Uganda, innumerable children simply. . . disappear. These children all stolen under the cover of darkness from their homes and impressed into the guerilla armies of the LRA [Lord's Resistance Army]. In the deserts of Uganda, they are forced to witness the mindless slaughter of other children until they themselves can do nothing but kill. Kill. These children, generally ranging from ages 5-12, are brainwashed into murdering in the name of the resistance and into stealing other children from their beds to suffer the same fate.
Because of this genocide of innocence, hundred and hundreds of children live every night sleeping in public places miles from their homes, because they know that if the do not-- they will disappear. They will become just another number in this genocide to which the international community has chosen to turn a blind eye. They will become, in affect, invisible-- Invisible Children.
But there are those who are trying to fight against this slaughter of Uganda's children. They fight to protect these "invisible children." Please, help them help a country full of children who know nothing by fear. Help save the innocence. For more information concerning how you can help and how you can get an incredible video about this horrific reality, visit the Invisible Children home page.
Because of this genocide of innocence, hundred and hundreds of children live every night sleeping in public places miles from their homes, because they know that if the do not-- they will disappear. They will become just another number in this genocide to which the international community has chosen to turn a blind eye. They will become, in affect, invisible-- Invisible Children.
But there are those who are trying to fight against this slaughter of Uganda's children. They fight to protect these "invisible children." Please, help them help a country full of children who know nothing by fear. Help save the innocence. For more information concerning how you can help and how you can get an incredible video about this horrific reality, visit the Invisible Children home page.
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Mangafanatic - Posts: 4918
- Joined: Tue Mar 16, 2004 5:00 am
- Location: In La-La land.
You won't regret it if you watch the whole thing. I didn't think it was painstakingly slow, but I watched all the episodes pretty much at the same time. If you want a reason to get it, the last few episodes are good enough to make up for any slowness in the series.
I cried... I cried so hard at the end TT_TT
I cried... I cried so hard at the end TT_TT
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Kawaiikneko - Posts: 1404
- Joined: Wed Jun 02, 2004 2:47 pm
- Location: I live in a house in a state in a country
Mangafanatic wrote:Just how slow is this anime? I picked it up and came SO close to buying the first two volumes. But I mean, I don't want to if it's super boring. (And how many volumes are there?)
It is not super-boring. Watch carefully during the first five episodes. There are a lot of clues as to what is happening, buried in what appear to be almost routine conversations.
Anyways, there are four DVDs, a total of 13 episodes. Don't "marathon" it. I'd suggest: Watch Eps 1-3, then 4-6, then 7-10, and then to the end. Those seem to be pretty natural breaks.
And, do yourself a favor: DON'T read the DVD back covers, they have spoilers. Just watch and enjoy.
My two cents.
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ClosetOtaku - Posts: 927
- Joined: Tue Jul 06, 2004 3:12 am
- Location: Alexandria, VA
Very good review on Haibane Renmei.
However, I do have one nitpick... why did you say that there were sexual overtones at the end of the series? I understand that you are trying to tell prospective viewers about the shoujo-ai fans, but I distinctly don't recall anything that really resembled anything beyond friendship.
I'm sorry if I sound rude, but I was just wondering if you thought that the series actually implied romance between close friends (like Rakka and Reki) or if it was just the fans that liked to put them in romantic situations.
Other than that, good review... Haibane Renmei is definitely a great show, and for one that has an all-female cast, it thankfully avoids shower scenes, fanservice, and revealing clothing. Yoshitoshi Abe is a great artist & manga creator ^__^
However, I do have one nitpick... why did you say that there were sexual overtones at the end of the series? I understand that you are trying to tell prospective viewers about the shoujo-ai fans, but I distinctly don't recall anything that really resembled anything beyond friendship.
I'm sorry if I sound rude, but I was just wondering if you thought that the series actually implied romance between close friends (like Rakka and Reki) or if it was just the fans that liked to put them in romantic situations.
Other than that, good review... Haibane Renmei is definitely a great show, and for one that has an all-female cast, it thankfully avoids shower scenes, fanservice, and revealing clothing. Yoshitoshi Abe is a great artist & manga creator ^__^
~Life is the art of drawing without an eraser~
Lady Arianrod, lover of nature and fire.
Hello there! I'm back after a long break! I started watching anime again in 2016. I still check the forum too!
"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33
Lady Arianrod, lover of nature and fire.
Hello there! I'm back after a long break! I started watching anime again in 2016. I still check the forum too!
"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33
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Lady Arianrod - Posts: 651
- Joined: Mon May 31, 2004 9:11 am
- Location: The Wood Between the Worlds
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