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| 14. Chris
 
Lain is one of the oddest series I've ever seen. To
this point I still don't really know if I like it or not. This is just one of
those series that people really love or just kinda think it's okay, and really,
you won't know which group you're in unless you just see it. Animation:
The animation is quite good, and very subtle. Lots of interesting things to look
at, I can tell you that. Sound: The sound
is quite good, from the odd sound of the power lines to the opening song, everything
is very well done. It definitely adds to the subtlety of the series. Story:
I… don't know. I think the story kind of reversed itself at the end or something,
but I honestly can't be sure. Some people understand it, some people don't. Unfortunately,
I'm in the latter group on this one. Overall:
Lain is definitely a series you should see, but I can't guarantee that
everybody who sees it will love or even like it. However, this is just a series
that should be seen just to see if you like it. (Authors note: Oi, my own logic
is hurting my head.) Oh yeah, and add 1 point to
the score I gave it if you love odd, mysterious things. |
| 12. Bugmaster
Most people hate this anime; a few (such as myself, for example)
love it with all their hearts. Lain is one of those series that is really
hard to describe, because any description will probably render it meaningless.
Those of you who play "Mage: The Ascension" might understand what I
mean when I say "Lain is an anime created jointly by Virtual Adepts and the
Celestial Chorus which the two Traditions use to Awaken people". For the
rest of you, this description probably sounds
like gibberish... Lain
is like that. The first four or so episodes of this
13-episode series are very hard to understand. That is because they are not designed
to be understood. They are designed to hardwire neural pathways in your brain,
which will fire with the intensity of lightning when you watch the rest of the
show. The
themes of consensual reality, religion, communication, omniscience,
morality, humanity, etc. will seep into your mind like Terminator-grade
quicksilver. When the barriers that separate realities start to break down in
Lain's world, you will feel the echoes in yours. In
other words, this anime will warp your mind. I can name at most one or two other
movies (in any medium) which have affected me as profoundly as Lain has. The
series derives a major portion of its power from its main character, a young girl
(well... sort of) named Lain. There is something about the way Lain is animated
and voiced that makes you want to empathize with her. As the viewer, you want
her life to work out for the better, and you want her to be happy. Something about
Lain's eyes just draws you in. Alas, this series is not exactly cheerful, so those
who look for a happy end in everything may be disappointed. Another
thing I like about the series is the feeling that the events it describes are
just beyound humanity's reach. Perhaps, if we were to just stretch out our hand,
we could also merge our minds with the Wired, communicate with others in a shared
consensual hallucination, and infuse our souls with the collective consciousness,
breaking down the mind/body/spirit barriers... Other anime, such as Ghost in
the Shell, merely posit this possibility and explore some the implications.
Lain does all that, but it also makes you EXPERIENCE what it would be like.
And it suggests communication in our own world may have already reached this critical
mass. Numerous hidden (as well as overt) computer history references throughout
the movie -- BeOs, NeXt, Apple, TCP/IP -- help accent this feeling. Religious
overtones provide the final flash of inspiration. I
should also mention that, in order to fully grok the series, you will probably
have to watch it at least twice. The information you are presented with at the
end really helps put the events which are shown at the beginning in a new light;
Lain is similar to the live-action movie
The Sixth Sense in
this matter. Some people complain that nothing in the series really gets explained.
I have not found this to be the case; however, I have found that other people's
interepretations of the events often differ from mine. I suppose it all depends
on your mindset. In any case, I would recommend this
series to everyone. If you hate Serial Experiments Lain, I can understand...
but there is no excuse for not watching it. And remember: we are all connected... |
| 11. Iodine
 
The darkest and most unflinchingly disturbing series based
around cyberculture ever made. The journey of Lain is rooted in far more than
fears of encroaching technology or loss of privacy. Instead, the series goes one
step further and explores the shadowy anarchy of empowered anonymity, growing
isolationism, and their effect on society. The convoluted story revolves around
a seemingly normal girl named Lain Iwakura, who becomes more and more involved
in an underground computer network nicknamed "the Wired" after the death
of a classmate. Unabashadly intellectual, the series demands serious contemplation
to be thoroughly enjoyed. Each episode explores different concepts and viewpoints
of the Wired as the story of Lain's identity and purpose is slowly revealed. Though
nothing is particularly graphic, violence happens with great frequency in Lain's
world, and there are easily enough suspenseful and creepy bits to place it in
the horror genre. Using a fairly realistic style
and a surreal, minimalist vision of both the real world and the Wired, allows
the series to suggest a lot visually, and keep up the unsettling mood. One of
the most effective elements is the repeated use of the hum of utility wires, magnified
and sustained to an eerily tangible presence. The series is filled with these
strange and profound little sights and sounds. Spoken dialogue is often minimal,
but the writing in general is excellent. Computer buffs should especially have
fun with the show. Lain's Navi computer, for instance, is based off an early MacIntosh
model. |
| 10. Makunochi
Hmm when I think of Serial Experiments Lain, I think
of confusing. I found a lot of people with mixed feelings about this anime. Some
said it was great and some say it sucked. I'm with the group of people that said
it sucked. I didn't understand what was going on until the 7th episode and the
anime is only 13 episodes. It led you into many confusing leads and ideas. Before
you can solve it another wrench is thrown at you. In order to appreciate this
anime I guess you might have to watch it more than twice. I on the other hand
would not watch it more than once because it wasn't that great to begin with.
The plot was confusing and the main character, Lain, was confusing. If anyone
can explain the philosophical discussions within this anime, feel free to talk
to me because I sure don't get it. I would give it 2 stars but being unique and
all, it saved itself to 3. |
| 9. Larson
Controversial and controversially discussed, unconventional
in its methods, difficult in its interpretation, that is Serial Experiments
Lain, as all true masterpieces are. When it comes
to this series, we are talking about more than an anime. Basically we're looking
at a piece of art, rather than a title of entertainment. A true mile stone in
bringing very complex and challenging questions of philosophy, perception theory,
religion, socialization and much more artistically woven together on the stage
of a hypothetical surrealistic draft of an information driven continuum. And
so is Lain, a "no-person" protagonist encapsulating all the different
tides of emotion or lack thereof, from childish anxiety to mature violence, that
humankind has been struggling with ever. There is so many questions to ask, so
much that escapes the grasp of mere logic. And Lain is getting involved with all
of it. Her entire world is a continuously changing, dangerous labyrinth of riddles.
And no directions given at all. All these impressions
are presented to the viewer totally unfiltered. Which creates an irresistible
urge to follow Lain in her world of weird thoughts, rather than just sitting apart
and watching. This special technique is what make this show an artistic masterpiece.
Linking a vast array of heavily controversially discussed but not even closely
ever answered topics to the information driven modern social environments possibly
to emerge in the near future. But this vital element
also is its greatest handicap. Serial Experiments Lain does neither deliver
solid arguments nor answers. It even does not explain the underlying concepts
or dilemmae. Creating the ambiance totally relies on implicit, highly abstracted
hints introduced mainly through symbolic sometimes even unconscious means. There's
not even much spoken dialogue, but the unspoken is far more intense than any explicit
may ever be. As you might have suspected by reading
my review yet, the whole show has the structure of a sample of modern art: complicated,
difficult to deal with and questionable. It would easily be in good company at
the next "Documenta" experimental modern art exhibition as once were
the pieces of Mr. "Joseph Boys". So if
you are interested in some really annoying, fresh contributions to the discussion
of the eternal question, then this title is a must. But don't try watch this for
simple entertainment, burning some spare time! Intensive preparations in various
philosophical topics is a prerequisite for enjoying Serial Experiments Lain. |
| 3. Tempy
 
Weird and intriguing, Lain meanders about, revealing
its secrets at a very relaxed pace. Requires multiple viewing to fully understand
and appreciate it, but unfortunately the prospect of watching this again makes
me want to do more fun stuff instead, like doing the dishes and taking out the
garbage. |
| 2. weasl
As much as I enjoyed some parts, I greatly despised other parts.
Lain is beautifully animated with a great soundtrack. The story on the
other hand is all over the place. The main storyline holds up but it has a great
number of story threads that just don't pan out. In the end I was left with the
feeling that many of the threads where simply made in attempt to confuse and disorientate
the viewer and make him/her come up with their own explanation for events. Fun
to watch but if you're expecting some deeper meaning to some of the scenes you'll
be disappointed. A mind trip only for those that weave their own story threads. |
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