Watch Serial Experiments Lain

TV-14
1998
1 Season
8.1 (15,140)

Serial Experiments Lain is an anime unlike any other that premiered in 1998. It follows the story of Lain Iwakura, a shy and introverted 14-year-old living in a world where the internet and technology dominate every aspect of life. After receiving an email from her classmate who committed suicide, Lain becomes fascinated with the mysterious power of the Wired, a network that connects everyone and everything. As she delves deeper into the digital world, Lain discovers unsettling truths about herself, the nature of reality, and the very fabric of existence itself. The show has a unique and atmospheric visual style, characterized by its extensive use of interlaced video and computer-generated imagery. The animation is smooth and fluid, featuring a subdued color palette that serves to enhance the show's somber tone. The characters are gorgeously designed, with Lain herself standing out as a particularly striking creation. Her iconic blue hair and inscrutable expression perfectly capture the enigmatic quality of the show. The sound design is an equally integral part of the show's overall mood. The soundtrack is a haunting blend of ethereal electronica and atmospheric soundscapes, creating an immersive and otherworldly sonic environment. The voice acting is uniformly excellent, with the main cast members delivering nuanced and affecting performances that perfectly capture the complex emotions of their characters. The show is deeply philosophical in nature, exploring themes of identity, existence, and the nature of reality. It questions the nature of truth, the limits of knowledge, and the role of technology in shaping our lives. The show's exploration of the digital world is particularly prescient, predicting the rise of social media and the increasingly seamless integration of technology into our daily lives. Its insights into the nature of communication, memory, and consciousness are just as relevant today as they were in 1998. Overall, Serial Experiments Lain is a bold and visionary anime that pushes the boundaries of the medium. It is a deeply thought-provoking exploration of the human experience in a rapidly changing world, and a profound meditation on the nature of existence itself. The show is not for everyone, as its slow pace and dense philosophical musings may be off-putting to some. However, for those willing to engage with its themes and immerse themselves in its unique atmosphere, Serial Experiments Lain is a masterpiece of anime storytelling that rewards repeated viewings and careful consideration.

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Seasons

13. Ego

September 28, 1998

Lain's guilt over the havoc caused by her interaction within the wired provokes her to take drastic - and irreversible - action.

12. Landscape

September 21, 1998

"God" preaches that our bodies are simply an obstacle preventing the evolution of mankind. An exhausted Lain appears willing to sacrifice her own flesh and blood until Alice convinces her to take a stand against the digitalized deity.

11. Infornography

September 14, 1998

Lain risks a meltdown by uploading a Navi clone into her own brain. Later, the border between reality and the wired is threatened when Lain forces the world forget a secret that never should have been revealed.

10. Love

September 7, 1998

Lain encounters a man who call himself the "god" of the wired, and members of the Knights all across the world log on to participate in a cryptic mass suicide.

9. Protocolo

August 31, 1998

A DJ at the club passes Lain a plain brown envelope containing a computer chip of unknown origins. Hoping to learn more about the clandestine technology, Lain abducts a young boy for a "date."

8. Rumors

August 24, 1998

Lain's unsavory behavior within the wired turns her into an outcast at school. Confused and alone, Lain investigates her own cyber-lifestyle only to be shocked by a voyeuristic incarnation of herself.

7. Society

August 17, 1998

Covert agents in black suits take Lain in for questioning. When the interrogation hits too close to home, Lain flips from real to wired in the blink of an eye.

6. Kids

August 10, 1998

When an image of herself appears in the clouds, the "real" Lain enters the wired on a search for answers. Her quest leads to a "child-killer" scientist whose devious work is being exploited by the Knights.

5. Distortion

August 3, 1998

Lain's friends suspect her involvement in a series of computer errors that caused a lethal traffic accident. Meanwhile, her sister is haunted by mysterious messages demanding that she "fulfill the prophecy".

4. Religion

July 27, 1998

The more involved with computers she becomes, the more Lain begins to transform. In the cybernetic cocoon that was once her room, she's hard at work blurring the lines between reality and the wired.

3. Psyche

July 20, 1998

Lain has questions about a computer chip someone left in her locker, and her Dad's not talking. Some kids at the club say they know all about it - but they want a piece of Lain's wired wild side.

2. Girls

July 13, 1998

Accela - a designer drug born of nanotechnology - is a big hit with the club kids, but what's that got to do with Lain? Only a madman who painted the dance floor with blood can answer that question - and he's dead.

1. Weird

July 6, 1998

Lain wasn't interested in computers until she received her first email from a formerly suicidal classmate. Her newfound desire to connect with the dead will lead her into the twisted maze of the "wired world."

Description

The show has a unique and atmospheric visual style, characterized by its extensive use of interlaced video and computer-generated imagery. The animation is smooth and fluid, featuring a subdued color palette that serves to enhance the show's somber tone. The characters are gorgeously designed, with Lain herself standing out as a particularly striking creation. Her iconic blue hair and inscrutable expression perfectly capture the enigmatic quality of the show.

The sound design is an equally integral part of the show's overall mood. The soundtrack is a haunting blend of ethereal electronica and atmospheric soundscapes, creating an immersive and otherworldly sonic environment. The voice acting is uniformly excellent, with the main cast members delivering nuanced and affecting performances that perfectly capture the complex emotions of their characters.

The show is deeply philosophical in nature, exploring themes of identity, existence, and the nature of reality. It questions the nature of truth, the limits of knowledge, and the role of technology in shaping our lives. The show's exploration of the digital world is particularly prescient, predicting the rise of social media and the increasingly seamless integration of technology into our daily lives. Its insights into the nature of communication, memory, and consciousness are just as relevant today as they were in 1998.

Overall, Serial Experiments Lain is a bold and visionary anime that pushes the boundaries of the medium. It is a deeply thought-provoking exploration of the human experience in a rapidly changing world, and a profound meditation on the nature of existence itself. The show is not for everyone, as its slow pace and dense philosophical musings may be off-putting to some. However, for those willing to engage with its themes and immerse themselves in its unique atmosphere, Serial Experiments Lain is a masterpiece of anime storytelling that rewards repeated viewings and careful consideration.

Serial Experiments Lain is a series that is currently running and has 1 seasons (13 episodes). The series first aired on July 6, 1998.

Where to Watch Serial Experiments Lain

Serial Experiments Lain is available for streaming on the TechTV website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Serial Experiments Lain on demand at Apple TV and Crunchyroll.