Hey, do you all remember when I decided to do a countdown of my top ten anime episodes of all time? WAY BACK IN 2007? And how I did every single one EXCEPT FOR MY #1 EPISODE?
Well, you probably don't. But I do!
Unbeknownst to you all, I did do a write up, but I was not able to finish it and then I kind of left it to moulder. But now it is done, and now I can share it.
But before I do, here are some links for those who would refresh their memories on my other 9 top episode choices:
Countdown... 10 to 7.
10. Hikaru no Go, episode 60, Farewell Hikaru
09. Honey and Clover II, episode 12, "...I'm here"
08. Rozen Maiden Ouverture, episode 2, Vanity
07. Mushishi episode 20, The Sea of Brushes
6 to 5
06. Ghost in the Shell, Standalone Complex, episode 25, Smoke of Gunpowder, Hail of Bullets
05. Digimon 02, episode 8, Ken's Secret
4
04. Neon Genesis Evangelion, episode 22, Don't Be
3
03. .hack//Sign, episode 19, Recollection
2
02. Hikaru no Go, episode 75, That Same Old Smile
... and now. Finally. Finally.
At last, here it is: my number one most absolute favourite anime episode of all time!
01. Haibane Renmei, episode 13, Reki's World/A Prayer/Epilogue
![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
nymeria, you called it, and I suspect it will not come as a surprise to anyone who knows me even a little. However, despite my deep love of Haibane Renmei, I do not recall ever making a very detailed post explaining exactly what it is about the series that moves me. I hope this corrects that.
To the people who have not seen this series (*), I strongly recommend that you not read this summary, and go watch Haibane Renmei instead. Really. It's only 13 episodes. The pacing is kind of slow and dreamy, especially at first, and initially there is a sort of otherworldly slice-of-life feel that might not appeal to everyone. But the payout at the end, as I am about to describe, is simply one of the most lovely things I have ever seen. Not just in anime, not just in art: in my lifetime.
Obviously, this series will not affect everyone as strongly as it has me. That's okay, because Haibane Renmei has sacrificed universal appeal in order to capture a more specific audience. I don't think it was created for people who think they are better than everyone else, nor do I think that liking this anime series is a sign of higher taste or a more evolved soul. It's just... well, you know how Michaelangelo's art has a sort of universal appeal, but Picasso's is more divisive? Haibane Renmei risks boring and alienating some in the hopes of burrowing more deeply into the hearts of those who appreciate it. By courting a minority audience, it aspires to be a life-changing art; for me, it succeeds.
So: before clicking on the cut, consider yourself and whether you think your taste might be similar to mine. If there is any chance you might fall in love with this series, do not read what I have to say about it until you have seen it through to the end.
Really, think about it!
That said, here it is:
( Reki's World/A Prayer/Epilogue )
(*) exceptinganax, who could not get beyond four episodes and refuses to watch any more on the principle that HR is "so not my thing" (and he's right, it's not).
Well, you probably don't. But I do!
Unbeknownst to you all, I did do a write up, but I was not able to finish it and then I kind of left it to moulder. But now it is done, and now I can share it.
But before I do, here are some links for those who would refresh their memories on my other 9 top episode choices:
Countdown... 10 to 7.
10. Hikaru no Go, episode 60, Farewell Hikaru
09. Honey and Clover II, episode 12, "...I'm here"
08. Rozen Maiden Ouverture, episode 2, Vanity
07. Mushishi episode 20, The Sea of Brushes
6 to 5
06. Ghost in the Shell, Standalone Complex, episode 25, Smoke of Gunpowder, Hail of Bullets
05. Digimon 02, episode 8, Ken's Secret
4
04. Neon Genesis Evangelion, episode 22, Don't Be
3
03. .hack//Sign, episode 19, Recollection
2
02. Hikaru no Go, episode 75, That Same Old Smile
... and now. Finally. Finally.
At last, here it is: my number one most absolute favourite anime episode of all time!
01. Haibane Renmei, episode 13, Reki's World/A Prayer/Epilogue
nymeria, you called it, and I suspect it will not come as a surprise to anyone who knows me even a little. However, despite my deep love of Haibane Renmei, I do not recall ever making a very detailed post explaining exactly what it is about the series that moves me. I hope this corrects that. To the people who have not seen this series (*), I strongly recommend that you not read this summary, and go watch Haibane Renmei instead. Really. It's only 13 episodes. The pacing is kind of slow and dreamy, especially at first, and initially there is a sort of otherworldly slice-of-life feel that might not appeal to everyone. But the payout at the end, as I am about to describe, is simply one of the most lovely things I have ever seen. Not just in anime, not just in art: in my lifetime.
Obviously, this series will not affect everyone as strongly as it has me. That's okay, because Haibane Renmei has sacrificed universal appeal in order to capture a more specific audience. I don't think it was created for people who think they are better than everyone else, nor do I think that liking this anime series is a sign of higher taste or a more evolved soul. It's just... well, you know how Michaelangelo's art has a sort of universal appeal, but Picasso's is more divisive? Haibane Renmei risks boring and alienating some in the hopes of burrowing more deeply into the hearts of those who appreciate it. By courting a minority audience, it aspires to be a life-changing art; for me, it succeeds.
So: before clicking on the cut, consider yourself and whether you think your taste might be similar to mine. If there is any chance you might fall in love with this series, do not read what I have to say about it until you have seen it through to the end.
Really, think about it!
That said, here it is:
( Reki's World/A Prayer/Epilogue )
(*) excepting
anax, who could not get beyond four episodes and refuses to watch any more on the principle that HR is "so not my thing" (and he's right, it's not).
