Hypothetically speaking, if one were to synthesize portions of thematic strains in addition to psychological motifs examined from previous entries, all into a singular tapestry, the outcome might resemble the show Serial Experiments Lain. Now I’m certain quite a handful of individuals remain oblivious to this relatively obscure show, which isn’t surprising at all, since it’s a relic of late-90’s anime culture. Though instead of dimensioning out of existence and becoming lost media, the anonymity of the show is given renewed attention, and that could be thanks to social media. To be more precise, it’s in regard to the resurgence of British band Boa’s album Duvet, whose fitting title track serves as the show’s opening theme. Since then Experimental Lain has moderately re-enter cultural circulation, all while being ahead of its time, bestowing new viewers’ commentaries on modern societal issues.

Describing this show is quite perplexing… regardless if I were to personally illustrate my subjective emotions to picture the sensation of experiencing this show, it would be: a surreal,, hypnotic, psychological mind trip that assembles one to contemplate critically on multiple existential queries, within such a short period of time. This is aided with a narrative that observes the quiet individuality of Lain Iwakura–a socially isolated middle schooler, who inhabits a life with an emotionally detached family. In spite of this mundane existence, it is quickly obstructed when emails deriving from a student that has committed suicide, dawns to spread across classmates. This deceased cohort declares that she has discovered “God”, within the confines of a virtual realm, labeled as The Wired, and the only manner to interact with this so-called God, is by means of “abandoning one’s physical form.” It’s soon unearthed that Lain, is a program given tangible shape by cult group, The Knights of the Eastern Calculus; to complete an ultimate goal of merging both realms into one. Without sustaining too many spoilers, Lain eventually resets all of reality, for the sake of restoring division between realities, yet she is left alone, aiming to grapple with her own identity as an AI.

Now that you’ve been inclined to a short synopsis, there are some repetitive themes within the show that I desire to gush about. Firstly, the warped perception of reality, which the show defines as the state or quality of having substance. By definition, in order for something to be real, it must in essence exist, however the same can’t be said for objects that aren’t within peripheral vision since one hasn’t been able to observe if something truly exists outside of their perception. This is the philosophy of Solipsism–which in short is the ideological concept that only one’s mind is guaranteed to be real, meanwhile anything outside of the mind is unsure to exist. Across the entirety of the anime, this is referenced from start to finish and the show gives the audience a lingering ponder by the end of it: is reality defined by the person or decided by some external force? And if there is some external force, then who created it? In conclusion, even if one isn’t such a major fan of anime, this is certainly a series that everyone must watch, at least once. Serial Experimental Lain, could be found free to watch on Youtube.