Chatty AF 178: Haibane Renmei Retrospective – Episodes 8-13 (WITH TRANSCRIPT)
Chiaki, Vrai, and Cy return with the second half of Haibane Renmei to discuss its thematic inspirations, depictions of suicide in anime, and the impactful finale.
Haibane Renmei Tag
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Chatty AF 177: Haibane Renmei Retrospective – Episodes 1-7 (WITH TRANSCRIPT)
Chiaki leads Vrai and Cy on a look back at the first half of Abe Yoshitoshi’s third series, Haibane Renmei!
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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.
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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.
