Chatty AF 177: Haibane Renmei Retrospective – Episodes 1-7

By: Anime Feminist January 22, 20230 Comments

Chiaki leads Vrai and Cy on a look back at the first half of Abe Yoshitoshi’s third series, Haibane Renmei!

Note: This episode was recorded before Cy came out; the info and transcript will reflect their proper name.

Episode Information

Date Recorded: October 23, 2022
Hosts: Chiaki, Vrai, Cy

Episode Breakdown

0:00:00 Intros
0:02:46 Production info and Abe
0:07:28 Personal histories
0:12:07 What we expected vs what we got
0:16:56 The haibane
0:24:44 The Town
0:30:27 The wing scene
0:33:16 Reki
0:37:35 Trans readings
0:42:30 The day of flight
0:51:27 Rakka’s reaction
0:55:12 Predictions
0:58:52 Outro

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The trans resonance of Haibane Renmei

The series’ use of transformation and body horror resonate with the physical experiences of dysphoria and transitioning; its depictions of mental health struggles, particularly self-harm and suicide, may find special meaning with trans audiences; it thematically explores names as potential sources of both trauma and self-actualization; and the characters of Haibane Renmei strive to build a safe community that promotes healing and growth. Yet I have never seen this two-decade-old series discussed through a trans lens, despite the wealth of potential it has to offer. That ends today.

Searching for Neurodivergent Role Models in Anime

I love many things about being a geek: reading or watching different media, researching their histories, and talking to others about it. These activities are viewed as essential to being a geek. But replace the word ‘“geek” with the word “autistic,” and suddenly all the traits that were so readily accepted get read as strange and negative.

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