Haibane Renmei - Complete Series on DVD

Just another occasional reviewer from London, UK , 21/10/2006

It says it all. It moves slowly, but is beatifully made. OK, the animation isn't of the Studio Ghibli quality but this is television. But beautiful TV. The story unfolds slowly, allowing time for characters to reveal themselves. Judging from this first volume it respects the audience, not flash cutting or giving unnecessary information as if we were unable to keep more than one thought in our mind.

It simply hits the right tone, without ever lacking in humour - though the humour is never childish, as can sometimes be the case. It's thoughtful and graceful, whilst not melencholic or wistful.

I suspect this will appeal to a smaller group than most anime but those who like it will love it. Probably a must for those who like Miyazaki or Serial Experiments Lain.

  5 out of 5 people found this review helpful

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A customer from Wales , 09/06/2005

This is an excellent anime series, well written, imaginative, lovely story. No guns, no excessive 'action', but extremely thought-provoking and very moving. Not a series for those who only like non-stop action, but anyone with who likes to THINK will love it. Reminds me a bit of Miyazaki's 'gentler' works (Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle, etc) but is, dare I say it, even better than those. Excellent.

  5 out of 5 people found this review helpful

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A customer from Dorset, England , 12/04/2007

At first glance this series seems stupid and boring, with little to do with anything, just a peaceful slice-of-life series with a slight fantasy twist where a bunch of winged girls with halos live in a house and do... stuff. But beneath the surface this series is much more satisfying as a mysterious and sinister story unfolds.

It's certainly not the most amazing thing I've ever seen and yet I found myself gripped, wondering what might happen. The story eventually settles onto two characters, Rakka and Reki, who are both not exactly care-free Haibane as the others seem to be. Problems and darkness seem to haunt them endlessly in a series of twisting events that keeps you gripped until the very climax which left me breathless, shaken and slightly disappointed. I would highly recommend this series, you find yourself really interested in what's going on and while the end episode didn't answer all the questions I had, it left me suitably thoughtful as a mystery truly should. Rent this series and keep going, Volume 1 is a little off-putting but it's worth sticking it out to the last volume so hang in there. I loved the last volume especially.

  2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

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K.J. from cardiff , 29/05/2005

Highly enjoyable fairytale in the mold of Spirited Away.

Cannot wait to watch vol2 to see how the story developes.

  1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

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A customer from Wales , 09/06/2005

This is an excellent anime series, well written, imaginative, lovely story. No guns, no excessive 'action', but extremely thought-provoking and very moving. Not a series for those who only like non-stop action, but anyone with who likes to THINK will love it. Reminds me a bit of Miyazaki's 'gentler' works (Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle, etc) but is, dare I say it, even better than those. Excellent.

  5 out of 5 people found this review helpful

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K.J. from cardiff , 29/05/2005

Highly enjoyable fairytale in the mold of Spirited Away.

Cannot wait to watch vol2 to see how the story developes.

  1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

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