I feel my rewatching of Haibane Renmei requires a brief word. Yes, I was one of the poor simple fools that discarded it after the first four episodes (DVD volume one), but I’m willing to reassess such misdirected dismissal when enough people shit their pants about a show.
Told Ya So. Haibane Renmei is the greatest anime series ever produced. Or among the greatest, at least.
Reki is perhaps one of the best-realised characters I’ve yet to see in an anime. I’m talking Misato levels of accomplishment here. [] I loved how understated the show was in making Reki its true protagonist, that it was really her story we were following. Rakka was our vehicle of experience but Reki was the heart and soul, the real weight and depth of the show. Not to devalue Rakka’s importance, though – her existential crisis down the well stands out as my favourite episode and one that concerns itself almost solely with her.
I'm sure if this technique was used before, but the only other example I can remember readily is Manabi Straight, told essentially through the eyes of Mikan. And yes, Reki and Rakka.
The one big shame about Haibane was its second-rate animation quality. Yoshitoshi ABe’s artwork deserves nothing less than reverential respect — especially when the material is so personal — and bar the final episode Haibane’s visuals didn’t do him, or his vision, enough justice. It was adequate, but could’ve been something truly special with a bigger budget.
I was wondering about this. There's some evidence that directors are not always capable to cope with a big budget, channel it appropriately. If I were the king, I would prevent hiring the subcontractor for the Reki's angry visit to the temple, but perhaps not change much more (replace the 3D wind turbines perhaps). I like the visuals. Implementation was shaky though.