We Without Wings: Under the Innocent Sky (2011) User Reviews

We, Without Wings - under the innocent sky

[Tweekums · 5/10 · 15 November 2013]

This anime series follows protagonists Takashi Haneda, Shusuke Chitose, Hayato Narita and Yōji Haneda that doesn't sound too confusing but it is as they are the same person or at least they are personalities that share the same body! The early episodes don't explain this and we see each of the various personalities interacting with different people and behaving in very different ways; the only hint that something strange is going on is when one breaks the fourth wall and tells us he isn't from this world. Eventually we see what they each do when they aren't occupying the body; they are indeed on another world; a world rather reminiscent of various fantasy series or games. On Earth the various personalities start interacting with the same people which leads to them being a bit confused although as time passes they realise they are dealing with more than one personality.

If that sounds a bit confusing that is because it is; I confess I had no idea what was going on during the early episodes; even once I knew I was unsure at times! This confusion is of course deliberate but I think it went a bit too far at times. The character designs and animation were good enough; in the style of many recent series. There is a fair amount of fan service in the series (heavily censored in the version I saw); much of it totally gratuitous this served as a distraction more than anything else. Overall this wasn't a terrible series but it was a bit too confusing; I wouldn't go out of my way to watch it but if you've nothing else to watch it is okay and at the time of writing can be watched free and legally on Crunchroll.

These comments are based on watching the series in Japanese with English subtitles.

Here me out. You wench!

[you-ha-shock55 · 9/10 · 24 October 2022]

I first discovered "We Without Wings" back in 2013. At that point in time, I was going through some difficulty with certain things and people. I discovered this show by complete chance, being an anime viewer and NOT the harem type, I decided to give it a shot. I'll start by saying that the first episode, as strange and purposefully convoluted as it seemed as first, made me feel something I hadn't felt before.

The anime successfully gives off a surreal feel, as if there were greater things lingering amongst all the banter, as if you've immersed yourself in a world where reality and fantasy are one in the same and you've only scratched the surface. Somber, ambiance, and melancholy, yet, the presentation disguises itself as a mere comedy. Although if all you want is the laughs, this show shall oblige. One thing, however is the fact that the series uses a very unconventional form of storytelling, refuses to hold your hand, and takes you on a journey with all these characters, living seemingly different and mildly interesting lives. That is, until the fifth episode where about 75 percent of the show's true narrative is revealed to the viewers.

A fair bit of spoilers onward. Three very different individuals (or perhaps, four?) live out their day to day lives while trying to help a mutual friend or partner succeed and make it through his life, all the while shielding him from any negative forms of influence, betrayal, and/or abuse. The touching and more surreal aspects of the story is how connected these characters truly are and how they effect all the people they had come into contact with during their journey. Another big thing that touched me on a personal level had been the existence of themes relating to abuse and mental health. I have yet to see an anime series that truly approaches the subject matter in such a positive and unique way, while still addressing some of the things that need to be addressed. Many of the perverted scenes shown in the show are, at least how I interpreted, shown in a way to tell the viewer that this is bad. I am unable to truly explain how everything that happens in this show is for a good reason. Even the very malancholic, somber, ambiant, and surreal title, "We Without Wings: Under the Innocent Sky" sets the real tone for what really is and conveys to the viewer how they'll eventually feel (or should feel) about "saying good bye" and "moving on". The last thing I say is that the series uses (extremely) unreliable narrators to tell it's story.

This will never be a show that I recommend people, but I really think that people should give this one a try all the way through. If you've made it this far in my review, thank you.