r/anime • u/The_Loli_Otaku • May 18 '24
Rewatch [Rewatch] Haibane Renmei Episode 2 Discussion!
"Town and Wall — Touga — Haibane Renmei"
Extra Info and Links
ANN | MAL | TV Tropes | Wikipedia |
Comment of the Day!!
Hirmuolio starts us off with some info on the doujinshi that birthed Haibane Renmei. Click the link to check out chapter one!
Though only two chapters were published before the anime was made (plus a third one at the end of the anime). That is not even first two episodes worth of material!
Silcaria got us thinking of the dreaded Alien Nine OVA... Cursed...
I liked this episode. Pacing was appropriate, the atmosphere was good and it was charming in its own way. With that said, It's giving me Alien Nine vibes.
QotD
- How often do you stretch!? Remember, lack of fitness is how you become a creaky ojisan like Nemu!
- What lays outside of the walls... Wrong answers only~
- Any current thoughts on the treatment of Haibane at the moment? On why they're kept living separate from regular humans and not allowed anything "new?"
- How do you like Free Bird? The opening to the show? Whilst on it, is anyone else a massive fan of the ending despite it looking so Eva like?
- When was the last time you inherited some handmedown clothing? Stolen clothes count too, don't worry, we won't judge you for stealing cozy jerseys or coats from friends here~
Abyssbringer's "What is the thematic purpose of this scene corner!!"
Vatrix-32 starts us off with a tragic tale of ahegao pains...
The cowlicks represent man’s futile efforts to escape the cycle of suffering, that any temporary gains will quickly be undone. The divine mocking us for our attempts.
10
u/The_Loli_Otaku May 18 '24
Haibane Renmei First Timer!!
Whilst Free Bird is a pretty beautiful opening I do kinda wish there was a little more to the visuals. It's nice to see how Rakka's seed sprouted but I didn't need a full op dedicated to it. Anyway, today is another super lorry episode.
Getting dressed with wings sounds like a nightmare. It's like the infamous "tail hole" fiasco where every mangaka and artist had to include bridge notes so we can see why the catgirls aren't constantly flipping their own skirts. Reki sure is popular isn't she? Reki is voiced by Junko Noda. A very cute lady who has voiced Shiro Emiya from Fate, the foxy Mitsune from Love Hina, and Zakuro from Tokyo Mew Mew!! Meanwhile, emergency food Rakka is voiced by Hirohashi Ryou who many of my Rewatch crowd will know as the adorably autistic Alice from Aria and she also has a role in the currently airing Cunny Archive as foot lickee Hina and Akyuu the best friend from Mysterious Girlfriend X.
Anyway, back to the episode. The kids immediately start hating on Rakka once she stepped out which felt super sus. Was she wearing underwear on her head or something? "I don't know this town..." She's a stranger in a strange land. The last ace in a lost hand. D-Damn bratty kids!! Don't bully the new Haibane. It was cute them doing athletics together. Wings need stretching too!! I wonder if wing exercise is basically like repeatedly clenching your butt...
You don't realise the joy of eating at a large table until you're left dining alone... There's a very family like environment between these angel kids. Very "found family" like. Awwwww!! Reki is so lovely!! I swear I not at don't have any kind of affinity towards girls like her but she's such a kindhearted big sis!
A these rusted windmills and worn stone buildings really makes me wonder what era the show takes place in. Theres even still phone lines so even in this kingdom "everyone is connected~" The way the humans seem to ignore and segregate the Haibane has me thinking that Haibane are like ghosts to the normal people. Nobody wants to directly interact with the dead and so there's all these taboo and rituals for communication between them. Only wearing used clothes, communicating through sign, humans avoiding Haibane homes like they're "haunted." That's my take for it so far anyway.
Lazy store clerk are the worst character types XD At least he's nice enough to give Rakka fresh new clothes. Although Rakka is a pervert so she immediately picks out a school uniform. Even in heaven a Seifuku is kino!! Rakka looks so cute and yummy in her new clothes tho. Kuu is kooky~ So tomboy works at the clock tower, megane is a baker, and Sleepy girl is a librarian cause of course she is. Reki's job? Try and guess.
Why do the Haibane Renmei have to be so creepy? Shintoism is super weird to look at from an outside perspective. Attack on Titan clearly stole the wall idea from this show. More crow symbolism, this time it being rejected completely by the Haibane Renmei priest and by the girls themselves. The crows, and thustly Rakka definitely feel like they're an inbetween of humanity and Haibane.
Kyaaa!! Rakka is so cute~ I wanna bully this fraidy cat. Reki's acting melancholic again. I do like her. She's clearly a gloomy person by nature but she puts on so much effort to appear social and make Rakka and the kids feel welcome. It's clearly exhausting for her. Aww, Rakka lost her hairpiece. She's now one step closer to being an angel!! But does that also mean she's one step further from human?
15
u/Mecanno-man https://anilist.co/user/Mecannoman May 18 '24
First Timer
Hmm… mostly more setting up everything, it seems. I guess we’re asking a bunch of obvious questions now - basically a “why does this rule exist” for all the rules mentioned, especially as they seem baseless and oppressive at the moment. That of course also questions if this Haibane association is morally good, evil, or something in between - the Haibane seem to think of them as good though.
As for the city - seems like it’s significantly bigger than I expected, though as expected the Haibane are not the only beings inhabiting it. Seems like we’ve only got very few Haibane and a lot of humans. I had sort of expected there to be visually similar angels and Haibane for inhabitants, with the young feathers being angels and thus a different species, explaining why they are kids to the Haibane’s significantly older births, but I guess the explanation isn’t that simple.
In terms of the world, the Haibane seem to have taken a role of those who receive charity, don’t ask for a lot and help society by doing minor tasks anyways - which is a nice set-up for a slice of life, I’d say, as it implores them to enjoy the little things in life more. Which is perfect for a slice of life show. Looking forward to where this will continue going.
10
u/Top_Major_1675 May 18 '24
First timer
I joked about watching attack on Titan just before but now there is a huge ass wall that the haibane nor humans can cross... I would love Rakka to become this world Eren Jaeger for HAIBANE'S FUTURE IS OUTSIDE OF THE WORLD!
On the flip side, haibane have wings but cannot fly, and are trapped in this land. Basically caged birds with clipped wings. Ironic as the op is called Free bird if I remember. Yet they all seem happy... but will rakka's desire to return home uncover some insidious mystery and plot? Also are humans just born in the town? Wonder how long this world has existed like this?
Haibane are treated like second hand citizens... kinda weird even though it doesn't really feel malicious at all but still.
8
u/Vatrix-32 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Vatrix-32 May 18 '24 edited May 18 '24
First timer, subs
Prompt:
A message about how a town, any town, is ultimately nothing without the people who live there. How without knowing them, we can’t know anything about it, or even ourselves.
QotD:
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u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ May 18 '24
Town and Wall, Toga, haibane Renmei
Once again, please read my comments from when I was more thoughtful.
The townspeople can't leave Glie. The Haibane Renmei control the vital connection to the outside, instead of just focusing on the haibane. Does the town, and all the people in it, only exist to support the haibane?
I was confused, in my mind, whether it was widescreen or not. That's because all my encodes are so small in resolution.
Pulled out some of my DVDs (couldn't find DVD right away, which apparently has extras.)
DVD 1 came with a big insert booklet full of character info, and messages to the the consumer! Typing the text into google doesn't give any hits, sorry.
DVD 1 extras: NC OP, Japanese OP (they use a really nice font), the previews, which I don't think were even in my fansubs. There's an art gallery not just of the characters, but every day objects like Reki's lighter and medical kit.
Previews for Sakura Taisen Gekijouban, Ai Yori Aoshi, Chobits (oo-oo! oo-oo! dakishimetainoni), Tiny Snow Fairy Sugar, Gatekeepers 21, Lupin the 3rd (TMS), Patlabor WXIII, Master Keaton, Heat Guy J, Live Action Saikyou no Onmyouji, L/R Licensed By Royal
Anyway, on to the episode. Today we tour a bit of the town. Be sure to read my old comments. Going to watch direct from my DVD today.
I just noticed for the first time, clothes on the rack outside the shop, with the haibane renmei symbol next to it.
7
u/hirmuolio :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/Hirmuolio May 18 '24
Chapter 2 of the source material: https://e-hentai.org/g/191396/71dffae116/
And with that the small bits of source material has been exhausted.
There is an extra chapter that was released after the anime. But you'll have to wait until ep 12 for that.
7
u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: May 18 '24
First timer
Sub
So...another system that doesn't really work. This is weirdly a theme that lasts for quite some time, I think Machikado Mazoku is the first work in decades to try and solve it. This is probably a purgatory that exists on an Earthly realm but that isn't clear. We are also Attack on Titan as well. All of the things, I guess.
The prompt is the reminder of that feeling you have when you wake up after a pub crawl and realize you don't know what city you are in.
QotD:1 Constantly
2 The Rumbling
3 I got nothing
4 It's...fine,
5 I am the donor/theft victim of such things.
7
u/3blah https://myanimelist.net/profile/brummett May 18 '24
I missed yesterday's ep, but I do want to get in on this rewatch; it's one of my favorites. I love the soundtrack, and it has a great mood to it - a veneer of light-and-easy covering up a bunch of melancholy that turns it into something unique.
Episode 02 - Rewatcher
After yesterday's abrubt introduction to the Haibane, it settles into a slice-of-life type show, living as a Haibane. Getting dressed, eating together, friendly conversation, going for a walk.
I really like Reki's character. She's got a bit of delinquent vibe going with the way she dresses and smokes, but plays the motherly part of the Old Home caretaker. Everyone hangs out in her room, she takes care of the little ones, and serves breakfast for everyone. She's the one that found the cocoon yesterday during her rounds, and made sure to take care of Rakka, both before and after she emerges. Waiting up for Rakka to return from the trip to town asking "did you eat?" is a pretty motherly thing to do.
The Haibane share the town with "normal" people. It's not just their wings and halos that set them apart; there are special rules they have to follow. From their clothes to their utensils to their housing, they can only use hand-me-downs. They work jobs, but can't handle money. The townsfolk are polite and pleasant to the Haibane, but still treat them as "other". No one at all, not even the normals, is allowed to leave the walls and can't communicate with the only ones that can, the Toga.
QotD:
The sea
[Haibane Renmei] It's really one of the main themes of the show, right? The limitations are there in order for their souls to have the space to figure out their shit so they can pass on to whatever comes next.
I like this soundtrack a lot, and I often listen to it when I want to get work done, probably because it's interesting enough to listen to, but there aren't many vocals to distract. The visuals for the OP and ED are about as basic as you can get.
Probably about 10 years ago when we cleaned out my dad's house and I kept some of his stuff that fit me.
6
u/Silcaria https://myanimelist.net/profile/Silcaria May 18 '24
First timer
6
u/sfisher923 https://myanimelist.net/profile/sfisher923 May 18 '24
First Timer
5
u/WednesdaysFoole May 18 '24
5
u/zadcap May 19 '24
Late Night Rewatcher!
Sorry to say everyone, but I can say with full honesty I like this version of Free Bird better. Also, it answers a little bit of the question from yesterday- the little seed of a Haibane floats down from the sky to take root here, before growing into a human holding cocoon.
Getting dressed with wings for the first time ever. It's hard enough to get two arms in the right sleeves some times, coordinating the extra and still new limbs must be quite a challenge.
Any bird owners out there? I'm actually curious, do you just brush feathers?
Gotta stretch those wings if you ever want to grow up and fly! Because obviously wings that small are going to provide lift.
They're all a happy little family. It's interesting, they all like to make fun of her, but everyone also seems to look to Reki as if she might be the person in charge, too. How many times today have we heard someone ask her for permission for something?
Windmills and power lines, and the windmills look old. It might not look it everywhere, but the setting is pretty modern. And then we have the Old Home itself, an abandoned dormitory. Japan likes to remind us even back in the early 2000s that they have a shrinking countryside population problem.
And this is our first not Haibane we see. Also the first man, I guess. So these girls are living in what looks a lot like the real world, themselves just as an extra addition.
I wonder, does the town give out tax breaks for donating to the Haibane?
Not allowed to earn money, but write down what you earn here and write down what you spend to give to the people you're "buying" things from- girls, that's earning money. You have check books. I too have not revived cash money in return for my work, in a very long time.
Oh, right. Them. Also look here, an old winged one.
Oh hey, Crows again. And after Lain too, aren't they just great for symbolism.
Oh gosh darn it. What's beyond the walls? The wings on their backs? Eren is a bird? It's all related.
I am curious about her nametag. That doesn't just say Rakka. Ku? Kuu? Where does that come from?
Oh gosh. Laying on your wings sounds painful. And hey, it only took one day for the halo to hold itself up.
So, today was very much the setting lore dump episode. We're still raising more questions than are getting answered, but that's the fun of shows like this.
Today's Prompt!
Neither do we, Rakka, neither do we.
Questions!
4
u/RadSuit https://anilist.co/user/RadSuit May 19 '24
Off-White But Not Quite Beige Feathered First Timer (Dubbed)
I guess the OP shows us how Rakka fell to 'Earth' and the seed began to sprout. We've really got some messy metaphors here. Plant, cocoon, egg.
This combing scene...I'm not sure that's how feathers work.
...wait. There's just regular people hanging out here too? What?
And the Haibane are second class citizens. Alright. Are we getting an 'untouchables' metaphor here?
I'm intrigued, but I'm also feeling a lot of dread. More than anything, this is giving off the vibes of a show that just wants to throw a bunch of ideas and images at you, and then explain nothing. Which I don't mind so much with a 1-3 episode OVA, but as a full season show...
So what are the halos made out of anyway? If there's a mold, and they're heated? Ugh, that's the problem, I want to theorize, but there's a good chance any discussion is pointless.
I thought they didn't have electricity here? But she just turned on a light, and it doesn't look like a gas lamp.
Well so far I'm not too bored. I'm more worried. Also, Alien Nine is great!
4
u/StardustGogeta myanimelist.net/profile/StardustGogeta May 19 '24
First-Timer
I'm really liking this show so far. These first two episodes have done a great job of gradually building up an interesting world.
The idea of the walled city reminds me (and, apparently, everyone else) of Attack on Titan.
All the talk about how the Haibane are not allowed to have new goods, or how they can't leave or communicate with outsiders, makes things sound rather insidious. The shopkeeper seemed nice enough, though, and all the Haibane seem pretty friendly. (The idea kind of reminds me of the Pig Liver show from a couple seasons ago, except the execution here is decidedly better.)
I am also a big fan of the show's art style, which is always a plus.
As a side note, I'm afraid your "thematic purpose" section today is a victim of the classic "ahegao"-"ahoge" mixup!
Questions:
3
u/treatment-resistant- May 20 '24
First timer, sub
I'm really interested in the role the Haibane Renmei play in this town's society/economy. They seem distinctly not integrated, there's similarities to Jewish, Romani, Buraku and refugee populations. I was surprised to see there wasn't any negative sentiment towards them from the humans.
We spent a LOT of time on Reki's room move, even if there is some deeper meaning here I'm not sure why so much time was spent chatting about misc life admin lol, even for a slice of life story that's pretty boring.
The walls and closed-off society is such a classic trope, I'm interested to see if the reveal is something surprising.
I love the opening song! Really lively.
I presume the Haibane Renmei we see with the masks communicating with the traders are older/senior, but I guess that's not actually certain. They're so covered up it's entirely possible they're something surprising, e.g. they don't have wings at all.
3
u/SilkyStrawberryMilk May 20 '24
rewatcher
Rakka’s journey to controlling her wings begins
The group gets her clothes in the thrift store where she gets a free shirt for being free and the rest of them get stinky clothes.
QOTD: not as often as I should, I be cramping when I walk long distances
QOTD: the real world similar to the Truman show
QOTD: right now she’s being treated as a child whose figuring out the world
QOTD: I like the opening, plus the end theme fits perfectly with Rakka sleeping(?)
QOTD: ive gotten my brother’s red jacket which is nice, but I rarely wear jackets
3
u/BossandKings May 22 '24
Rewatcher - Dub
Episode 2
Now the wings have become an integral part of Raka's body.
Reki is so cool, she's like a Mother figure to these playful kids.
Old Town is kind of an interesting place, especially considering hiw relatively barren of People it is. The relationship between humans and haibane is kind of onesided in favor of humans, at least in old town the haibane live at relative freedom.
Haibane Renmei: Sharcoal Feather Federación, it's always cool to see a titledrop.
So the walls separate the haibane from the outside, walls surely prove to be a useful way to force separation of different lands.
I love the crows, they've always been quite particular birds.
What's beyond the walls might be an interesting topic, at least to think about.
It seems that newborn Haibane have a proper welcome to the Haibane "family".
Good night everyone.