My good friend once told me that I wouldn't like this anime... that it was too dark and confusing. It turns out my friend was wrong this time... not only do I like lain, it's turning out to be one of my favorites...It's a difficult show to sit through, that's for sure. And that electrical hum that you hear whenever Lain is walking outside always puts me to sleep.
Story:9/10
serial experiments lain takes place in "Present Day, Present Time", but it's not quite the reality we know. It's not exactly a reflection of our society, but more like a funhouse mirror. The story is about Iwakura
...
Lain, a quiet 14-year-old girl who, as strange things start to happen all around her, begins to explore and discover the intricacies of The Wired (the Internet, more-or-less). As she looks for answers, she finds more than she ever expected.
There aren't any story details you need to know before you dive into the complex world of lain,but I'll give you a sense of what the show is like in case you're deciding whether or not to watch it.
First off, it's trippy. The makers of lain went for a distinctly psychedelic mood, and I'm not just referring to tie-dyed T-shirts.
Second, it's weird -- in an X-Files/H.P. Lovecraft sort of way. Chiaki Konaka, the writer of the series (as well as Armitage III and Bubblegum Crisis 2040), is a Lovecraft fan. [Lovecraft was a horror/cult author whose works were very weird. -Ed.]
Third, it draws you in. The show is a mystery of sorts. There's a lot we don't know in the beginning, and as we're given clues and answers about the truth, we end up with more questions needing to be answered. There are long scenes featuring unusual camera work, and scenes with little or no dialogue. Some scenes are altogether impossible to decipher. There are details at every little turn, some of which are crucial while others might be meant to distract you. The show demands your concentration, and you might find yourself very willing to give it.
Fourth, it's a computer lover's show. If you can appreciate the appeal of a powerful computer, or the feeling of urgency associated with needing a new one, you'll like this show. If you live a good percentage of your life online, this show speaks to you. If you feel amputated every time you visit home because there's no ethernet, the makers of this show understand. Better than any other anime I've seen, lain examines our networked society and discusses the implications of our humanity becoming increasingly "wired".
Some people have criticized lain for the fact that it covers many of the themes already presented in Evangelion. In my opinion, those people are only seeing the similarities they want to see while being blind to the (very significant) differences. Consciously or subconsciously, all great works build upon and are influenced by the great works that preceded them and then add their own unique style and flavor. Even if two works appear similar, they each have a heart of their own. lain is an anime which not only incorporates the best of what has come before, but actively acknowledges (through references) that there's a lot more out there beyond the scope of what 13 episodes of anime can explain, that the ideas presented are not brand new, that other people have a lot to say about these ideas, and that the sources are available to anyone with more than a passing interest in what the series is all about. In that sense, lain does not take itself and its own viewpoint overly seriously. Instead of being self-absorbed, lain's anti-dogmatic approach and call for every viewer to perform his or her own "experiments" adds tremendously to the show's appeal.
Art:7/10
The low budget really shows in the animation. It's choppy and inconsistent especially when faces get a close up then you can sit there and count the frames. On the other hand the colorful and atypical art style does a lot to distract from the bad animation. SEL has a very unique and phantasmagorical style and, due to the use of color, texture, shadows, lighting, and dynamic angles, the show really feels very surreal, almost like a dream.
Sound:9/10
Techno at its finest. This song really had my foot tapping and head bobbing with its fast rhythm and library of classic techno sounds.It really fits well with the background pulse.The Club Cyberia vibe might the best ost ever created in anime.This song even comes complete with DJ J.J (Chikada Wasei) soliciting fun and ecstasy to all the good little clubber boys and girls.
Character:8/10
As far as characters go there isn't much to say. Other than Lain and the main Villain, Masami Eiri, there aren't very many interesting characters. It's also almost impossible to talk about Lain or the Eiri without giving away spoilers... so consider this a spoiler warning...
Enjoyment:9/10
It's true that lain is "dark" in its presentation, and even moody sometimes, but I never found it depressing. On the contrary, I found serial experiments lain, ultimately, to be positive and uplifting. lain's multi-faceted expression of several interrelated themes, its captivating visual landscape, its pulsing soundtrack, and the impressively actualized psychedelic mood make this show a must-see.
Dec 26, 2013
Serial Experiments Lain
(Anime)
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My good friend once told me that I wouldn't like this anime... that it was too dark and confusing. It turns out my friend was wrong this time... not only do I like lain, it's turning out to be one of my favorites...It's a difficult show to sit through, that's for sure. And that electrical hum that you hear whenever Lain is walking outside always puts me to sleep.
Story:9/10 serial experiments lain takes place in "Present Day, Present Time", but it's not quite the reality we know. It's not exactly a reflection of our society, but more like a funhouse mirror. The story is about Iwakura ... |
