Personally, Serial Experiments Lain is more interesting in terms of the concept of existence, metaphysics, hyperreality, and other philosophies than anime as a whole. However, the audience cannot put it aside to talk about the whole theme. There are anime that are simply entertaining for the sake of fun, and there are anime that go beyond the limits of human imagination. The series falls into the second category. For other reasons, the series stands out as a true classic, pushing a spot of ink into the perceived notion of what can be done with television, the media, the internet, and politics. On the other hand, the series provides entertainment and insight into deep beliefs about technology and its role in society.
Considering how the development of the Serial Experiments Lain story is very mixed up, if the execution is minimal, the series will be full of many plot holes and stories that make the audience think of a logical fallacy. However, the series doesn't have to worry about the story and plot in the same sense as anime in general. Instead, it relies on characters and atmosphere to tell its narrative. What a small plot the series has, the series works wonderfully apart from some might argue that avant-garde plots entirely drive the series. However, it is each own and deviates as far as possible from the bland episodic story. Audiences can describe it like 12 Angry Men, It's a Wonderful Life, Casablanca, Citizen Kane, and other arthouse films. The series, above all else, is also a character study that moves forward under the characters.
In one unit, Serial Experiments Lain tries to answer what exists and is abstract and general from a metaphysical point of view. The Wired, a term to describe the internet immersively in the anime, uses a universal theoretical perspective that affects the soul. The Wired way of working is fully integrated into the human mind in a limited way and acts as an absolute human. In the fifth episode, the Wired projected a human as all the characters included them as the alter ego of the stored information. Given that all of humanity is connected to the Wired, it logically means that all that humans experience and observe from all reality is the Wired. This projection can also imagine how other basic realities are equated with non-existence since the mind is inside Wired but has no suggestion for physical touch outside of Wired. Wired's fundamental connection to all phenomena goes beyond human protection. However, it extends to the mind of every human observer himself. Not only as an external projection of information but every level of psychology in Wired forms the subconscious human being and acts as an autonomous construction of information.
Serial Experiments Lain barely hinders the overall enjoyment of the series despite the artwork being off-center in terms of traditional anime. It's important to note that the series benefited from the unique art style. The animation is not a big pull factor for the series. Apart from the artwork, the series relies on a minimalist approach to music and sound. The dialogue is deep and sparse at the same time. Sound effects are rarely used either, but in short, they have a lasting impact on the experience. The lack of quality would normally spoil the enjoyment of anime but became one of the series' strengths. It's all sound effect pieces and the impressive artwork that add to the overall impact of the series.
Serial Experiments Lain shines the brightest when it comes to characters. The series stands out as an anime that takes characters to a level that most anime can only dream of achieving. Lain Iwakura is probably the most profound and relevant character in anime today. To explain this point, one has to watch the series, understand the various themes, and understand its motives. However, the series can briefly summarize the character as rising from human status, human closeness to God, and worship to the greatness of the internet or technology. It is a simple concept but pays tribute to its arguments, and rightly so. Side characters are also beautiful when talking about characters, and all of them are very deep characters from each problem.
In the end, Serial Experiments Lain tells the audience that red threat will always connect people no matter where they are and can't run away from it. Watching the series with an open mind will do more than entertain. Being a truly revolutionary anime of its time, the series and Neon Genesis Evangelion categorize references to religion, existence, postmodernism, and others by comparing Other characters with philosophies from the shadows of dementia and psychology. Audiences can find deeper and more universal meaning as time goes on and adapts to eras. The series is an anime that makes the audience watch it and encourages them to think continuously.
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