Pet peeve of a wonderful video: Nihilism is used far too liberally in criticism. The themes aren't "nihilistic"; nihilism is the philosophical position that there is no meaning in life and nothing matters. Self-harm, depression, and suicide aren't nihilistic themes, they're dark topics. Haibane Renmei is very much NOT nihilistic and in fact affirms that there is meaning to life and our choices matter. The opposite. TL;DR: Topics aren't themes, nihilism isn't a theme of the show at all, and this video was fantastic, keep it up.

This anime was a masterpiece dont let people forget its existence

Never watched the show, 2 minutes into this video i paused, and binged Haibane Renmei, great show, great essay.

"Not being about starting a new life, it's about letting your old one go." You really managed to put it succinctly in just one single phrase, perfect. Yes, it's exactly this. Even if you want to start again, just change, the difficult part is abandoning a part of yourself.

I am always ecstatic seeing more people talk about this amazing series. It is without a doubt, my favorite anime of all time.

One of the main reasons I found the show originally was how, underneath all the nice looking visuals and the pretty characters, everything seemed to have a somber feeling that the characters were trying to supress and not think about.

Always love to see my favorite anime series get some well-deserved recognition. It's also a show that has stuck with me over the years, and I always try to make time for at least one viewing each year. For me, Reki was one of the most relatable characters I've ever encountered in any artistic medium. Asking for help, and recognizing that it's OK to ask for help in the first place, is something we can all struggle with. She embodied that struggle beautifully.

The first time I watched this, it was just 'good'. Now that I'm older, an obvious masterpiece. It's a perfect rustic world to hang out in, and as you said, the characters hit so close to home. Reki's dialogue with Rakka near the end is like a personal gut punch, and has stayed with me for years. So much emotional weight for a show that at first glance seems like just a SoL.

It is rare to see people talking about this show. Thank you for the great video. It is one of my favorite shows and I feel it is underlooked by many.

This show is so good. I accidentally found it years ago and it has stuck with me since then.

This Anime reminds me of my sister who left me too soon. When she passed away and I watched this and it made me feel far better.

Well done, Joe O’Connell! Below is just one man’s interpretation. The entire “Haibane Renmei” is an allegory of Christianity in Japan. It’s more of a microcosm than the often-cited purgatory of Japan and it’s perspectives of Christian communities. It’s also a commentary on Japan’s high suicide rates (through Reki and Raka’s journeys) and contrast that to the role of Christianity (which is finding an identity through Christianity than having “none” like how Spirited Away handled later). (1) The Haibanes (angle beings) constitute roughly ~1% of the town of Glie. Christianity in Japan is roughly ~1%. (2) The walls represent death (as stated by Reki in the last episode in her literal “microcosm” room). The outside of the walls is heaven and hell (or the unknown). (3) Birds are the only creatures that can fly over the wall. The Haibanes have wings but cannot fly. The paraphrase tagline to the series is often “why have wings when you cannot fly.” The Haibanes await their “Day of Flight” where they transcend into a beam of light to the heavens and “fly over” the wall. (4) The color white in Japanese culture means death, so when Raka is falling in her dream (episode 1), she is falling from the sky (i.e. grace) and is wearing all white. The Black Crow is the only creature in her dream that helps her, but she rejects its help since she does not know what the Black Crow is at that point. (5) Episode 8 is the main religion episode titled “The Bird.” Crows are the only creatures depicted in the series that can fly in the series and over the wall. After Raka is talking to herself about extreme depression and suicide (she says “it’s better for her not to exist at all”), she sees an empty well and decides to go down it (gotta love anime plot). At the bottom of the empty well is the skeleton remains of a Black Crow and black feathers. She states she doesn’t know the black crow, but it was someone important in another life. She then starts to bury the black crow remains and realizes that the Black Crow flew over the wall (over heaven and hell) to let her know that she was never alone. This is literally the Christ figure of the series since in Christianity New Testament, Christ came down to live a human life to show humans they were never alone to God. This brings up the main point that ABe is trying to convey through Haibane Renmei: You can accept the kingdom of God without knowing who Christ truly is, and Christians do struggle with normal life stuff as well as understanding Christ’s role. The Toga also mentioned that “The Bird” was the one who took Raka out of being sinbound (the circle of sin) by removing Raka’s sin from her self-hating circle (episode ~9). (6) The charcoal gray wings (neither pure white or pure black) represent the soul. So when Reki shows Raka that she dyes her wings white, it is really just masking the sin without dealing with the sin. (7) The placement of halos is baptism. (8) The true names of Raka and Reki at the last episode comes from Revelations 2:17, “To the one who conquers . . . I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.” (9) Toga (pastors/priests of the series) wear masks and fake wings because it’s a commentary on how pastors/priests hide behind their roles (hiding behind their masks is a common literature symbol). Even the main Toga told Reki in episode 9 that after Raka touched the wall (i.e. Raka was touching death or really thinking about committing suicide), the Toga couldn’t do much for Raka but the Haibane community can do more. It’s a commentary on the importance of a strong Christian community (especially where Christianity is ~1% of the entire population like in Japan) compared to the extremely few Christian figures (e.g. pastors/priests) establishing Christianity in Japan. (10) There are no “true” adults in the Haibane community (I’ll argue that Reki and her mentor are older teenagers) as similar to: “Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” (Mark 10:15, ESV) (11) The Haibanes are literally reborn in the world (aka born again Christians). They start off as small as a mustard seed… “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his garden, and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.” (Luke 13:18-19 (12) The dreams of the series represent your insecurities or what you are (or want to be) when becoming a Haibane/Christian. (13) ABe stated that he wrote each episode from his heart before he had to do that episode. It is clear that the ending of Haibane Renmei and beginning of Serial Experiments Lain that ABe is “fascinated” with a person committing suicide by train. In ABe’s interviews, he states that something huge happened to a friend when he was 10 or 12 years old… Also, for those that also say ABe stated that Haibane Renmei is not religious, he stated that where the producer (the guy monitoring his interviews, aka the handler holding his leash during public appearances) was there. ABe also knows that if he stated that this is Christianity, then that would automatically shut off people from experiencing what he wanted to show to Japan and a wider audience. Haibane Renmei should be treated like “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” where you can enjoy the content for what it is and just know there is more to it if you want to explore. (14) Reki states in the last episode that maybe if Reki helps Raka become a good Haibane/Christian, then God would finally come down and forgive her. Raka would later realize that Reki needs to be saved and says a line similar in Japanese and English, "I have to be the one that saves Reki, just like how the Bird saved me." This comes back to how "The Bird" is the Black Crow and the Christ figure of the series. Those are just my thoughts anyway. I was going to make a video on them, but I am an attorney and following Proverbs 31:8-9: 8 Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy. [ESV] Hope you enjoy them.

Please, make a video about mushishi, it's my favourite anime. Stuck with me for years. It's nice to hear thoughts of other people, in some way. I smiled throughout the whole video. Thank you for what you're doing!

As a former lost soul myself, this show meant a lot for me. Not feeling like the puzzle piece you should be in society really hurts you, slowly, day by day. And just like Reki, I only felt released from this burden once I acknoledged myself. Yoshitoshi Abe is a master mind, every single of his works have left a deep scar in me. S scar that may hurt but always makes me remember the true meaning.

A really wonderful video. This show hit home for me in a lot of really personal ways, making it one of those "favorites I can't actually rewatch lightly because it's too emotionally resonant and I'm a working adult who can't afford three straight days of melancholic introspection". I'm glad to see a concise but thorough review of its themes and appeal like this!

When I watched this, I always had a weird feeling, asking why the Haibane accepted their fates and didn't rebel against the arbitrary rules they had to live under or question why they all eventually had to abandon each other. Realizing it was more of a metaphor for the relationship between life and death took time.

After watching this video, I'm realizing that Haibane Renmei is pretty similar to Neon Genesis Evangelion. Not just the fact they they both have angels and religious iconography, but they both involve stories with various mysteries and plot points that aren't entirely resolved in the end because that's not what they're is really about. They're both about deeply philosophical struggles with loneliness, purpose, and acceptance. This was another fantastic video, and I'm so glad you turned me on to Haibane Renmei

Shout outs to the incredible Kō Ōtani soundtrack

I never thought you would talk about Haibane Renmei one day... It has been among my favourites for years and it made me cry a lot... Mostly Kuu. Thank you for talking about this jewell I can never forget.

My favorite show, the atmosphere is just incredible and the message and themes, it's just really great, a masterpiece for me

Haibabe Remnei, Texhonolyse and Golden Boy are my top most underrated anime ever.

I watch Haibane Renmei every New Year's Eve and have done for many years now. It is my favorite series. Thanks for spreading the word. I'd be curious to hear your thoughts on the experimental series "Mo No No Ke" if you ever get around to it.

I have the series from when it came out originally in the U.S.! Still, one of my favorite series and I will put it up there with those titles many know! AB did a fantastic job seeing our inner selves while also balancing both light and dark within.

I remember when I was a kid during summer, I always watched one episode before going to bed. That anime had such a peaceful mood it was perfect to relax before sleep. Good times.

Stoked to see someone like you talk about this. I feel like this show has fallen from the consciousness of anime watchers because of its age and obscurity relative to other more prominent shows of its time. I hope it inspires more people to check out this lovely piece of art.

The tune from this show has stayed with me for years. I randomly wake up with it in my head. This show was so integral to my life.

I've been coming back to this video randomly since you released it. It's somehow as haunting as the show!

When I first found your channel I devoured its entirety of content. From the soothing tones of your voice, to the highest quality of your videos, I've found so many wonderful anime to enjoy. I'm eternally grateful for what you're creating. Thank you.

I always come back to this video. It's one of the most beautiful videos I've ever watched in my life and HR broke me. Everyone should watch it someday, it's too important not to be seen.

Great video, I very much enjoyed watching it. I love the fact that Abe would say the wings are just aesthetic without religious meaning. Meanwhile he tells a parable in the second half which sounds almost as if it was written by apostle Paul himself.

このアニメは、もっと世界的に知られるべきもの。 とても良質なアニメです。 長年アニメを観てきた私の中でも上位のお薦め作品です

I will never cease to be amazed at how well your videos are put together.

Thank you for doing a video for this show.

I’m so SO happy that you’re talking about this sweet little show!

The series was inspired by Haruki Murakami's "Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World". It's really good, so check it out.

This was a wonderful video that gave a deep look into my favorite anime series of all times. Well done.

Well done. Haibane is possibly the best work of art I have ever come across. My biggest complaint is how seemingly impossible it is to recommend it without giving away some of the big reveals that want people to experience themselves. 20 years after I've still not found a good way to stir interest in others without massive spoilers. The few times I tried people didn't last till midway when the shows really kicks off.

This remains one of my all-time favourite anime. Such a compelling video, but I'm conflicted about using it to convince new viewers. I don't want to deny them the journey I enjoyed so much. The words "Just trust me" carry a lot of weight here.

Thanks you I wanted to watch a video about Haibane Renmei for so long.

always super hyped when beyond ghibli uploads. he has never put out a bad video

Thank you for covering this amazing series. I never gets enough love.

I love the way you explain everything and approach the shows, its so interesting and time passes quickly yet slowly while watching you. The way you talk is amazing and this video made me cry, im absolutely going to watch this show.

This video is everything. This is amazing and perfectly described. This series really hit home with me, and it seems like a lot of other people, and learning, describing, and experiencing the world for the first time is something I will probably cherish forever. The questions the series poses are incredibly complex and can only be explained so much with the rest being up to you to decipher. Amazing series and my favorite show of all time.

I just watched this entire series this morning, and I have to say, your videos have introduced me to several anime which I've come to greatly appreciate, but this one might mean the most. My heart aches a little now finishing it. Thank you for what you do.

Thank you, My favorite anime ever!! I hope this will help more people find it.

thank you for your Videos. I would never have found this anime without you

a beautiful video about my favorite anime, thank you for making this, it's perfect

Thank you so much for making this video! Haibane Renmei has always held a special place in my heart. And I'm so glad that other people like you genuinely appreciate this show. Instant sub.

By far my favorite anime. The perfect anime I would call it. Found it right after my grandmother died and it literally saved me.

_This particular video really has me feeling some type of way._

It's heartwarming to see this anime gets the love and attention it deserves, well done sir.

I have been aware of several titles thanks to this channel. And I was left with a very satisfactory feeling after I had a bite at them. Thanks for another review of what looks to be a classic in a world of fiction.

Thank you for making this video. It was pleasure to watch

Finishing an anime and then coming back on KZfaq to find out that Beyond Ghibli has made a video about it is the absolute best feeling!!

Such a wonderful look at a classic series. I always considered Haibane Renmei one of my favourite anime & this video reminded me exactly why. Thank you!

amazing video. amazing editing. as per usual!

Wonderfully directed, As always.

Superb video. Your melancholic writing just fit perfectly Yoshitoshi Abe's work. It is impressive, how these subtlety of Haibane are present in a more sci-fi forms in Texhnolyze and Lain. It is as if... Abe wanted to creat something more "refined ?" of his past works. I thought for a longed time that this and Tex were a "beautiful" side of nihilism. That, it was not about giving up on the world, but the fact that we could wan't to give up. Not a nihilist work, but a work about nihilism. But even then, in nihilism, everything just don't have any meaning, which is not the case here. This work show us characters that lost their meaning, having to choose it from a past dream, but no aspect of these work are without meaning. The music by Kou Otani just fit perfectly. It is about searching things that are lost, new, or that we thought we had which was never the case. There is nothing about absence here. This is a side of "nihilism" if a could say it like this, that I only found in japanese artists, like Haruki Murakami or even Yoko Taro.

One of the most impactful pieces of art in my life. It's criminally underrated and unrecognized, yet so beautiful and touching. I've watched it for the first time about 5-6 years ago, and still my thoughts often drift to the town of Glie, to Rakka, to Reki. It gives me hope in dark, dark times.

This is the first anime analysis that actually makes me cry. Thank you for such beautiful video on Haibane Renmei :') ❤️

Oh joy, oh joy, an upload, an upload. I am content for the entire week now.

Thank you so much for creating this video. You were able to say articularly what I felt after watching this masterpiece. ❤

You put the majority of my feelings about the show, and some other ones into very beautiful words, great video essay :)

I love this anime so much! Can't believe you covered it... Thank you! :)

Thanks for your sincere and insightful essay and upload. I thought I was one of a very few who appreciated Haibane Renmei. No epic battles, no sex, but it still makes me ponder life question more than a decade after I first saw it. You are absolutely correct, anime is one of the few genre that can creatively deal with themes like this in thirteen episodes. I particularly like the sparse yet touching score throughout.

One of my favourite animes described with such subtlety and nuance of what watching the show is like. No one I know knows of this show, so thank you for allowing me to fan over it too (with someone who can describe it much better than me)!

I always look forward when your videos come out

Thank you. I don't remember anything about this show, and now I absolutely have to revisit it. I believe all of it's themes will resonate so much better now than they did before.

Thank youuuu for making a vid about this anime it's one my favourite show

Thank you so much for making this video. Haibane Renmei is one of the most striking anime I have ever seen. I hope this video convinces some people who haven't seen the show to check it out. The thing that stuck out the most to me was the atmosphere. Even in the lighthearted segments, there's this undercurrent of almost existential dread. This sense that there's something deeper than what you're seeing. No other show I've seen has had such a striking atmosphere for the entire length of it's run the way Haibane Renmei has.

Joe, thank you for yet another eloquent submission, on what is a very under appreciated show. I saw that you had posted this a few days ago, but I didn’t have the opportunity to watch until thumbing across my Haibane DVD’s tonight and remembering that it was here... I felt strangely emotional watching this; especially hearing the signature score by Kow Otani play in the background which warmed my heart. I’ve been in an incredibly uncertain and lonely place in my life recently... and despite the many big unanswered questions that I have, the reminder that I’m not alone was heard tonight. I’m trying so hard to learn the message of meaning, and it feels bleak and it hurts a lot, but hopeful too. So, thanks for making this, it helps me process and put things in perspective. Blessings.

Love your videos man! amazing work

Welp, saw this video before work, came back from work and watched the whole series. It's 3:35 AM, and the anime was definitely worth it, thanks again for another solid review/recommendation

I've been looking for this anime for years. Am glad this was recommended to me

HaiRen may just be my most beloved series. You've done justice by it; thank you.

Your use of music and editing is OTHERWORLDLY BOSS!

I didn't really care too much for this anime myself. I watched it and found it on the dull side. I didn't look too deep at it because I could get invested enough in anything. This video on the other hand I adore. The use of music and pauses in the narration and the creative use of expression in the writing are always a treat. I'm so glad I found this channel as it has quickly become one of my favorites on KZfaq!

Thank you so so.... so much for this video. It's really a special anime in a special place in my heart. Great video with greatly voice too :)

another piece of art, thanks for share!

this series left me with a lot of wonder and puzzlement when I first watched it years ago. I rewatched it pretty recently. I still found some of that feeling was there, since I remembered so little. I found a bit of it to still leave me a little confused, and a few people's videos like this one have helped me to fill in at least one meaning of the series. But I want to bring up another scene that sort of clicked with me. Almost halfway through the series, Rakka is approached by Nemu, I think, who works in the library. She wants to give a gift to her coworker, who is going on leave for pregnancy. She decides to give her a book, a sort of picture book that begins with a tale that sounds like it could relate to the world itself. And when you think about it, the story seems to line up perfectly, about God coming to the world, making earth and then creating a whole other secluded world in the clouds to keep an eye on. "Well obviously that's the origin of this world", You could say. And maybe it's not unrelated to Abe's interest or intentions with christianity, as I;m seeing in the comments. But it almost feels like this is too clean a story. It's possible to accept if someone really wanted to, but in reality it doesn't matter where the town is. What mattered in that episode was the act of Nemu and Rakka making this book, restoring it and giving it to the woman as a sign of their wishes for her health. Because she found meaning in the book.

Another great vid. Can't wait for the next one.

Thank you for reminding me I need to finish this beautiful, melancholic show. I've been spacing it out to savour it but the gaps have become too large. Time for a complete rewatch this week.

Fuck, this anime hit me hard. I had a heavy wave of depression that eventually lead to me improving myself. All my thanks for Yoshitoshi ABe for bringing it into my life, and for you to reminding what made it so special for me.

I literally just finished watching this show! WoW! Oh WoW!! What a complete & total DELIGHT! What an absolute TREAT! I am SO GRATEFUL that BG decided to cover this incredibly beautiful & heartwrenching/warming show! I actually came to BG looking for a good anime movie recommendation a couple weeks back, when I saw your posting for this show on my feed & thought it was rare to see BG cover a show, instead of a movie, so I'd check it out! I am so glad I did! The art style, the characters, the story, the underlying , unanswered questions. It's one of my favorite shows now. I found the entire thing very relaxing, but never boring. It helped me wind down after a long day at work, while making me think at the same time. The art work, the pacing, & the music somehow work together to make something unique & strange, but comfortable. It doesn't matter that so many questions are left unanswered, or that it does feel like we are dropped in the middle of a story with very few clues about what came before or after. This might sound weird, but I didn't find myself wondering about what would happen next in the story or even about any of the things I'd already seen. I had peace the story would turn out the way it should & that what I had already experienced was complete in itself & didn't need my imaginings to "increase" the story or try to figure any thing out in it. To risk sounding corny, it was like a "religious" experience for me. And I'm really kinda sad that the experience is over, even though it was complete. But that is exactly how I want my life to go like. When it's my Day of Flight, I hope that I'm sad that my life is over, but that it was complete & finished, with nothing left undone or left to be desired. Thanks again, Mr. O'Connell, for taking the time to share this masterwork! I'm also glad that just to see a series or a movie covered by BG is like the Good Housekeeping Seal of good anime & that it's going to be the Best of the Best! Your video summed up Haibane Renmei as well & as beautifully as anybody ever could. It's like trying to fit a storm in a tea cup! Keep up the great work & I can't wait to see what's next & to go exploring the works you've already covered. Mother's Basement may deservedly be called the Anime Pope, but you are the Anime da Vinci!

"You must endeavor to make your wings a fully functional part of your body." I remind myself of this whenever I have to learn new software. Kuu's farewell speech and Raka and Nemu's the creation story are also my favorites. To tell the truth, I never saw past the story line to realize that they might be talking about suicide. Kuu's speech should have been a clue, but sometimes when things don't fit the normal mold, you don't recognize the normal signs. Thanks for taking the time to make this video. Haibane Renmei is very obscure. You rarely hear anyone talking about it, but it has a philosophical depth that you rarely find.

Joe, I LOVED the editing for the sketch section that was a really great way to show ABe's work. This isn't actually an anime I'd heard of before so you've definitely made me want to watch it - beautiful work!

Thanks for this.

Loved Your video Joe Thank You ❤

Holly....freaking...cow....how.....how Im call myself a fan of LAIN and I have NEVER SEEN IN MY LIFE THIS SHOW....I have seen artworks but I didn't even knew about its existence until today....I defined watching this, thanks for make another wonderful video like this one.

Dude Your videos Just clap clap clap I've discovered so many new movies to watch, thank you! And your narration is awesome! Cheers!

Great video, Joe. I've had the second stanza of Free Bird as my ringtone for years, it was often mentioned, favourably, by my workmates (when I had them). I have loved this anime since I purchased it, having been fascinated by the "life sized" cardboard cutout of Rakka advertising it. Advertising does work!

One of my all time favorite shows. Love it

I watched this a couple of years ago and I recall a fascinating series of slice-of-life moments - but a trial at the bottom of the well with the remains of a dead bird in it was a detail that resonated with me and my own life and regrets. I should watch it again, to glean new messages.

You made my day

Thoroughly delightful review. "You are not alone" was worth waiting for.

Loved this show. One of the few series I own. This and Wolf’s Rain (that would be a good video too just saying). Thank you for exposing more people to this series through your beautifully produced video

Probably the only anime I would call perfect.

This is my favorite show and I watch it every New Year's Eve. Not perfect, but as close to it as can realistically be expected.

I am so glad you chose to include this in your Beyond Ghibli essays. Beautifully done, and one of the very, very few discussions of the show I might recommend to someone who has never seen it, because you are so respectful of its secrets. One of HR's glories is the way ABe constructs his story, asking his questions, shallow and deep, then allowing us careful glimpses of the answers. Your recommendation of multiple viewings is key--there are things you will simply pass over, unnoticed, on first viewing, that glow with meaning, foreboding, and promise on second or third viewings. One thing about the muted color palette: In an interview, ABe has said that if everything is brightly colored, you don't know what to look at. ABe takes that distraction away, making us, letting us see what is important. I'll also suggest to first time viewers that they watch the dub first. It's not at all bad, and allows you to watch the show. Then, the necessary second time, knowing what to expect, go with the sub, and savor the emotional juices of the original performances.

This looks incredible