3. Haibane Renmei (2002, Various Directors)

This is Reki, a Newborn Haibane, why is she here?

This is Rakka, a Newborn Haibane, why is she here?

Rakka is a Haibane, a creature resembling an angel, who recently hatched from a giant cocoon. She has had a life before this one, and so all the Haibane, but they never remember anything, not even their names. Inside the cocoon, before hatching, the Haibane have a dream, if they remember it, they will be named after it. For example, Rakka dreamt about falling through the sky, so she was named 礫 (rakka; falling). Reki lives in a home for the Haibane named “Old Home”, where they take care of the little Haibane kids. They can only wear used clothes and buy old things, due to their condition. They also can’t go out from the town of Glie, nor touch the walls that sorround the city.

The other Haibane at Old Home: (clockwise, from left to right) Reki, Hikari, Kana, Kuu and Nemu.

This 13-episode anime series has many undertones and questions that are never answered. Why are the Haibane in this town? What is their purpouse? What happened with the Sin-Bound Haibane (like Reki) in their early life? The anime itself has great script and manages to convey a sense of place, even claustrophobical due to the walls sorrounding the town, but more of a inside realm or sense that this town is, maybe, out of our world, where the dead get to rest. That’s only a theory, but you must see it for yourself so you can make your own ideas.

Reki and Rakka share a common grudge, burden and destiny

This is, by far, one of the best one season anime that have ever existed. The mystery, the characters and the plot draws you in a world of despair, love and friendship. A good choice for a weekend view.

The official website is here (in japanese). The opening and ending of the series is embeded down here, the music is one of the highlights of the series: