1 .: Cocoon/The Dream of Falling From the Sky/Old Home
After falling swiftly through the sky, a girl awakes within a warm cocoon filled with liquid. Once it hatches, the girl is met by several other girls (Reki, Nemu, Hikari, Kana, and Kuu), all of whom have halos and small ash-grey wings. With no memory of her previous self or surroundings, Rakka (as she comes to be named) is slowly introduced to the world of Old Home and life as a Haibane by Reki, the group's unofficial leader.
2 .: The City and the Wall/Touga/Haibane Renmei
Having recovered from the trauma of growing her wings, Rakka begins to explore Old Home and the nearby town. Enclosed within a massive wall, the townspeople and the Haibane have reached a peaceful coexistence. Their only contacts with the world outside the wall are the Touga, strange men who communicate only through one spokesperson, and even then only through a special sign language. The Touga also run the Haibane Renmei (Haibane Federation), the organization that oversees everything related to the well-being of the Haibane.
3 .: Temple/Washi/Pancakes
Rakka experiences her first visit to the Haibane Renmei temple. Allowed to speak only using small bells attached to her wings or when given special permission, Rakka's initiation as a Haibane is complete. She also visits the town once again, buying special treats at the bakery where Hikari works. Yay for pancakes! ^_^
4 .: Garbage Day/Clock Tower/Birds That Fly Over the Wall
Rakka is (rather rudely) awoken early in the morning by Kana. While taking out the garbage, Rakka seems intrigued by the crows which gather atop the walls of Old Home. Accompanying Kana to her job working at the town's clock tower, Rakka learns that the birds are the only creatures (besides the Touga) which can freely fly over the wall.
5 .: Library/Abandoned Plant/The Beginning of the World
This time, Rakka accompanies Nemu to work at the library. She also meets Sumika, Nemu's superior at work, a kind woman who will soon be leaving to have her baby. Rakka learns of a second Haibane nest in an old abandoned factory across town. The residents of the two nests do not get along perfectly well, although they help each other out when necessary. Back at the library, Nemu, Rakka and Sumika all discuss their ideas about how the world began.
6 .: End of Summer/Rain/Loss
Rakka begins the search for her own room in Old Home, with Kuu's assistance. As summer comes to a close, cooler weather sets in; Kana fixes Old Home's clock tower, but doesn't get much appreciation when she lets it ring continuously. ^_^; Rain comes. Rakka is confronted with a terrible loss she did not expect, and her reactions start a string of events that will carry through the rest of the series.
7 .: Scars/Sickness/The Coming of Winter
Unable to deal with her sadness, Rakka continues to grieve as the season changes once again. In town, she encounters Hyouko, an acquaintance of Reki's from the abandoned factory. The crows continue to appear near Rakka. A frightening illness starts to turn Rakka's wings black. Reki treats her illness, and the truth of Reki's troubled past is revealed.
8 .: Bird
Still grieving and burdened by shame and fear stemming from her sickness, Rakka is also plagued by questions about the origins and existence of the Haibane. Traveling into the dangerous forest by herself, Rakka finds an abandoned well and follows a crow inside. Re-experiencing her cocoon dream, she begins to come to an understanding that may just be her salvation. But injured and trapped at the bottom of a dried-up well, will she survive to reap the benefits?
9 .: Well/Rebirth/Pose a Riddle
Rakka's friends search for her in the snow, but help comes from unexpected quarters. Encountering the forbidden wall up-close, she is discovered by Washi and her tumultuous feelings lead her into a confrontation where she receives many cryptic answers but just maybe finds her way out from the pain she has been in. The next question is, what punishment will the Haibane Renmei choose for Rakka?
10 .: Kuramori/The Haibane of the Abandoned Factory/Rakka's Work
More of Reki's past is explained, this time in extended flashbacks. ;_; Have a box of tissues handy. The truth of her relationship with the Haibane in the old factory is also revealed. Demanding that Washi help Rakka, Reki is told that she herself has many issues to work out, and little time to do it in. Rakka's punishment is also a blessing - it answers the question of what work she will do.
11 .: Separation/Darkness of a Heart/Precious Things
Dai, one of the young boys cared for at Old Home, returns for a visit to the abandoned factory where he was born. Rakka makes the acquaintance of the residents of the factory, and begins to understand that the 'incident' involving Reki wasn't what she'd thought. Rakka is also told of Reki's current predicament, and declares her intent to help Reki in any way she can.
12 .: Bell Nuts/The New Year's Festival/Reconciliation
The Haibane prepare for the town's Bell Nut festival. It is a festival which marks the year's passing - one of thankfulness, forgiveness, reconciliation... many emotions represented by the giving of colored bell nuts rather than by spoken words. In town, Rakka meets Reki's friends from the factory and Hyouko tells the story of the incident from five years before. Rakka visits with Washi after working and is brought deeper and deeper into the web of Reki's story. As the Bell Nut festival takes place in town, Reki stays behind at Old Home. However, her friends have something planned for her.
13 .: Reki's World/A Prayer/Epilogue
The heartwrenching final chapter of Haibane Renmei. Get some more tissues... saying more would be pointless.