Haibane Theories

[Haibane Shadsie]

Well, thanks to my boyfriend's Christmas prezzing.... I have gotten to see up through episode 10 of the 13 episode series "Haibane Renmei". (Though, I know the ending roughly, as I've read episode summaries to spoil myself for this anime long ago). I'm more obessed than ever! Anyway...

Those who have seen it know what I am talking about when I say that the anime is overall very mysterious. There are a lot of things unexplained in it, and these things are and never were meant to be explained fully. We are, for instance, never meant to know what's beyond that wall... or even exactly what the Haibane are...

That leaves lots of room open for theories. Post theories, any theories! They can be serious, they can be funny! Whatever!

Mine, for now, are serious theories.

I think the Haibane are quite possibly dead people. I think they may be people who have died young and who are reincarnated as Haibane into the town of Glie. Of course, that doesn't explain the regular humans in the town, nor the animals... my thoughts on that are that... the world is a special limbo-esque place created by God for the Haibane into which he has placed normal living humans and animals, living a first life rather than a temporary reincarnation.

Also, while watching the middle episodes today... and learning about how Rakka and Reki feel about themselves and Rakka's musings on what she thinks she was like before she became a Haibane... I wonder if the Haibane are all suicide victims... who have been given a second chance, of sorts, to be redeemed by realizing the great truth of love - that they are loved, and should love others...or...something like that. How do I explain the children/Young Feathers in this situation as many little children are not suicidal? Well, maybe the Haibane were suicide victims of all ages, but when they were reincarnated into their world they were given random youth ages, including children-ages.

[SwordSkill]

I think the town is a hybridization of the Catholic purgatory and the Buddhist idea of reincarnation. But it's a bit puzzling as to what the Haibanes are actually supposed to do there to "redeem" themselves and transcend the Wall into a higher mode of existence. It's a bit vague; all the anime hinted was the Kuu had felt the Wall calling her and she had been thinking of other-wordly things.

There's also the business of the Black Seals. Would the Black Seals have a more difficult time in redeeming themselves since they are "sinners" who have "sinned more" than the others, since their wings are tainted black as opposed to the clear ash-gray wings of the other Haibanes?

Which leads us to a matter of moral and cosmic value: is it fair? Is it fair that some Haibanes would be "naturally inclined" to "sin" more that the other Haibanes, even though it was never their choice to be so? Were they just "born" that way? Born to be more evil than others?

Lol. One day I'd like to do a reading of Haibane Renmei by juxtaposing it alongside the Christian beliefs and ramifications of sin and redemption. It would prove to be a very intriguing study, I'd think. THe main difference, however, would be that in Haibane, the Haibanes redeem themselves through their own efforts, as opposed to the Christian belief of being redeemed by the grace of God or of a higher, cosmic being.

And there's the matter of transcending the Wall. What I loved about the symbolism of the Wall is that while it signifies death, it does not signify death as an annihilation into non-existence. Instead, the Wall - or death - is simply a passage to a better, higher mode of existence. But what is even more fascinating about it is how no one has the right to scale or even touch the Wall by him/herself. In that way, while death is a way to a better life, no one has the right to draw death to oneself. It's wonderful how the show subtly condemns suicide that way. Beautiful.

Hey...I hope the fact that the thread is three months old and I'm the only one who responded doesn't mean there's no one to discuss with about this sort of thing. ^^;; I had been hoping for a long time that I could discuss the significance of Haibane as compared to Christianity with other fellow Christians.

[Kokhiri Sojourn]

I wanted to post on this the first time I saw the thread about a month ago, but I had only seen the first two, and therefore didn't have any idea how Shadsie got to her conclusions she did. Now that I have the third one, I guess I can do so, but I've only seen it once, and couldn't give my full attention to it at the time. Regardless of all that, here's my take:

I think that both of you have said that syncretism is a big factor in Haibane's religion. There are definite Christian elements, as well as a meld of many other religions present. The first episode that was explicit was the fifth episode, in the Library, with Rakka and Namu's take on creation. Some Christian elements, but twisted around in many ways.

One thing that interests me greatly is the "once you realize your sin, you are sinless" (paraphrased) thing. In some ways, it is agreeable, because many are completely blind to their sins. Reki is a good example of that, because she is unwilling to accept that Namu just cares about her so much that she can't go without her going, and leaves it in another "I've ruined the world - I'm all alone" stance that she dwells in. However, Rakka was extremely vague about her sin, and was doing it, in my opinion, just to be safe. However, it just wasn't that easy, or I think that Reki would have realized it long ago. At the same time, without repentance, or Christ, there is no pardon of sin, but at the same time, I could draw something out of it, just for my own sake.

As to where it's going for the fourth DVD, I don't know at all. Day of Flight could go any way imaginable, and I think with their ending, the purpose will be much more apparent, but as of right now, I think you both have shed some wonderful light on the series for me. I don't think I'll go into everything else about the series now, due to length. What a series!

[Haibane Shadsie]

Though I've read episodes summaries.. and know roughly where the last epsidoes go.. I don't remember everything I read... I refuse to read episode summaries for the "Day of Flight" episodes now, as I kinda want to be surprised... since I just don't remember all that I read in summaries... would like to see it. People who have seen it tell me that the ending is great and that I'll love it.

Maybe after I see the last episodes... I can imagine myself making a little HR webshrine. (I've seen a few around...websites).. and... having this whole page of my own theories.. our disscussion of theories... comparasions to Chrsitianity (the series itself isn't "Christian". It's not out to promote any religion or set of beliefs... it's more of a psycholotgical/philosophical series about personal growth and stuff).. but, being a fan who happens to be a Christian, and seeing as the series uses religious (particularly Christian) imagrey... I bet I could come up with a very intelligent rant.

Yes... waiting for the last DVD to come out. I want it. My precious... my pressssciousssssssss! (Sorry, just slipped into LoTR mode there).

Thanks for ressurecting my old topic that I thought had died at birth!

[Da Rabid Duckie]

You know, one of the things that I liked the most about Haibane Renmei is that for all the attempts it could have done to make a religion, it didn't. It merely presented pieces here and there consisting of universal occurences between most religions (being those of God, creation, and sin) and it left the viewer with what to decide happened. Perhaps this is why I safely say that I really enjoyed Haibane Renmei when people around me know that I'm almost fanatical in my disliking of Ah! My Goddess and similar series. There was just something safe about it, that I could allow myself to be pulled into the story and not have to worry about my Christian faith being compromised.

Concerning Nemu and Rakka's creation story, I found it to be rather interesting because it mentioned that God separated light from the Mu. The Land of Mu, according to legend, is a land of sanctuary that is supposed to appear in the future during a time of trouble. Could it be that the town that the Haibanes lived in was the result of God's raising up that island of Mu from the sin that the world had lived in? I think I could preach a sermon on that one. ^_^

[Kite]

Hey I know you! M.r Duck. Man Im I gonna have to see you everywhere?

[Da Rabid Duckie]

Hey I know you! M.r Duck. Man Im I gonna have to see you everywhere?

Yes yes, and as a representative of G2G I'm expecting you to act like it... so keep it on topic *stuffs Kite in a bag and throws him to The Duck's welcoming thread*. ^_^

Aaaanywho... I forgot to mention earlier, I'm pretty sure that it's spelled Nemu, as it means "sleep" in Japanese, though I've heard of it also meaning dreaming. It fits her perfectly really...

[Yamato145]

you know i never actually thought about it before ... but now that you guys mention it glie would work well as a type of purgatory.
Long ago before having ever watched it but seeing pictures i thought maybe you know like angels who during lucifers rebellion against God were on neither side and were sent to a whole other world neither being heaven hell or earth.

[Kenchii]

I am a little confused. I am getting interested now in to Haibane Renmei. I have never seen the series, but today I passed by it at a local videostore and checked it out. I read the back cover, and thats about it. How is it? can you compare it too another anime? Thanks,

[Technomancer]

I don't think all of the Haibane are suicides, although I do believe that Rakka is. I do have to agree though that the city does to my mind seem to be a kind of purgatory, although rather distinct from the Catholic belief. I have no doubt that it also draws inspiration from other belief systems, and I have no problem with this. Come to think of it, Kenji Miyazawa's "Night on the Galactic Railroad" does as well, although its ultimate intent was more clearly Buddhist.

[Kokhiri Sojourn]

Kenchii, I don't know that I could compare it to other anime, because I'm not as learned in the anime world, but I do have all the DVD's. It is a drama about Haibane, angels with charcoal wings, and they don't know why they are where they are, or what their purpose is being there. The series basically deals with these questions, and in the end is about the possibility of redemption, or salvation. Of course, you can't really expect the series to be Christian in it's beliefs (if it was, I bet you everyone here would be watching it), but there are some Christian elements in it. It is a drama, and has basically no action at all. Most of the storyline centers around character development and answering the afforementioned questions. Hope that helps in some way.

[Kenchii]

Kenchii, I don't know that I could compare it to other anime, because I'm not as learned in the anime world, but I do have all the DVD's. It is a drama about Haibane, angels with charcoal wings, and they don't know why they are where they are, or what their purpose is being there. The series basically deals with these questions, and in the end is about the possibility of redemption, or salvation. Of course, you can't really expect the series to be Christian in it's beliefs (if it was, I bet you everyone here would be watching it), but there are some Christian elements in it. It is a drama, and has basically no action at all. Most of the storyline centers around character development and answering the afforementioned questions. Hope that helps in some way.

Thanks for the fine details! I might want to check it out! *goes over to see websites about it and willing to buy the first DVD*

[PotBelliedCow]

*spoilers*, just to be sure
yah don't think all the haibane are suicides--from the episode vibes it seems that the sinbound people are suicides (Reki getting hit by a train, and Rakka falling), while the rest of the haibane simply died when they were children. The dreams that they have must be the method in which they died. Kana must have drowned, Nemu perhaps died in her sleep, but I don't know about Hikari or Kuu..any ideas?

I agree too, that Glie is a sort of purgatory...I suppose the purpose of the town is to shelter the children that died at an early age and were never able to actually "live" in the real world. I don't know about the humans in Glie, though.

What I find odd is Rakka. All of the haibane came to Glie at early ages, around the age of 12 and under. Even the oldest Haibane, Reki and Nemu (I luv Nemu haha) were hatched when they were around their preteens. Rakka, on the other hand, looks about 15 in the first episode, which would make her the oldest Haibane to be hatched.

End of rant.

[Haibane Shadsie]

I just got the last DVD in the mail and watched it tonight!

And it was GOOOOOOOOD!

Anyway... great ideas PotBelliedCow! I really like that idea that their cocoon dreams are their deaths...

But what about Shorta? (That little kid Haibane who likes shortcake)... Did he choke on shortcake? Or Hana ("Flower")... um... maybe she died in a garden?

Um.... I have thoughts on something I saw in the last episodes.

[spoiler=names]When Washi gives Rakka her true name and asks her to give Reki the tag with her true name... It probably has nothing to do with it, but I was vaugely reminded of something I remember reading in the Book of Revelation. I think I remember something about believers each recieving a white stone with a name given to them by God that only each person knows. That true name thing with the Haibane kind of reminded me of that, though the name was engraved on little black tags that appeared to be made of metal. I don't know if the creators had any idea of that thing with names in the Book of Revelation, but it kind of reminded me of that. [/spoiler]


Hmmmm... As far as another theory to posit: I think Washi was a sinbound Haibane who was never able to take his Day of Flight. I think his wings fell off and he became... well, Washi, always hiding behind that mask of his. The poor guy seems pretty lonely, and he just... seems like it, like he knows quite a bit about the sin-binding. I think I might write a fanfiction about that.

[PotBelliedCow]

But what about Shorta? (That little kid Haibane who likes shortcake)... Did he choke on shortcake? Or Hana ("Flower")... um... maybe she died in a garden?

I remember in one of the episodes in the first DVD one of the older haibane (I think it was Rakka, not sure) mentioning the dreams of the young feathers as "dreams for the future." Perhaps that the younger children haibane were simply too young to remember how they died, so instead they had these dreams that had to do with something else, maybe who the people they were supposed to grow up to be? I don't know about shortcake though...maybe Shorta was supposed to grow up to be a pastry chef? Is shortcake a pastry? Haha...

See you later good friends...

[Haibane Shadsie]

I wrote a fanfiction based on your theory today. Well, that, and, when reasearching the Haibanes' names, I came across a website with Theories and read pretty much your theory posted on the website (I assume by someone else. I don't know if it was the webmaster's theory or a contribution).

Anyway, I just posted said fanfiction over in Writing. (A link to it, actually). Tell me what you think.

I even came up with something for Shota... NO, he does NOT choke on shortcake. I'm actually very happy with the idea that came to me for him. I thank God for that idea... it just was so neat to get, and so neat to write.

I'm excited, because I just finished writing a fanfic, so go read now!

Sorry... *Flies off*

[PotBelliedCow]

Hey Haibane Shadsie,
I read ur fic. my review's in ur story thread.

Have a happy day!

-Potbelliedcow