My favourite anime, my first attempt at criticism. Welp.
So here's the classic play: ‘SE Lain’ could justifiably be called pretentious, and that isn't entirely unfair. However, it would be more accurate to describe its core weakness as deliberate obscurity, because it has genuine depth, and plenty of it. The chief problem, in this regard, is how it conveys its ideas. To unravel the themes and story demands multiple viewings — which is not necessarily a fault. But it often feels as though writer Chiaki Konaka (author of ‘Ghost Hound’ amongst others) has gone out of his way to present it as impenetrably as possible. And while stunning, director Ryutaro Nakamura’s bleak and lengthy tableaux do little to clear up the stubborn ambiguity.
Take for example when, during one of the most crucial conversations in the entire intricate story, two of the characters inexplicably swap voices. This is confusing and reduces the impact of a climactic scene? While we can speculate as to the meaning behind this decision, it ultimately feels like a smug prank at the expense of a casual viewer. “Nudge nudge, see what I did there, clever right?” This sort of behaviour is not to ‘Lain’s’ credit.
The series’ second key problem is pacing. The main story only really gets going halfway in, and before that is riddled with subplots that don’t really add all that much (looking at you, KIDS and PHANTOMa). If you can hold through to the midpoint of episode seven, the pace picks up dramatically. But once again the series’ hostility towards a first time viewer is disappointing.
Ok, all this in mind, what does ‘Lain’ have going for it? Isn’t this supposed to be a positive review? Where’s the hype?
First off, ‘Lain’ is simply PROPHETIC in its themes. You’ve probably heard this before, so I’ll gloss over it. It explores or suggests topics such as internet addiction, mental illness, underage sexualisation, celebrity culture, fake news, digital narcissism, mind uploading and plenty of other transhumanist bs... And in case you need any reminding, this is a show from 1998 — more than three years before the original iPod released. That ‘Lain’ was ahead of its time is indisputable. You’ll hear “Present Day” a lot, but see it even more.
These meaty topics — ethical and cerebral — underpin Lain’s stellar character development. She’s the only person given a significant interior, but that interior is so deeply explored (without ever being exhausted) that it hardly matters. Avoiding giving away too much: she starts off shy and listless, and emerges steadily (although definitely NOT linearly) into a confident and powerful being capable of — well, watch and see! Such strong characterisation is rare; in a thirteen episode anime-of-ideas it’s all but unheard of.
The two-dimensionality of the supporting characters isn’t even such a structural problem since it reinforces the show’s rather solipsistic method. ‘Lain’ wants you to dive into a mind struggling with disconnection and alienation, and the fact that those around her are inconsistent and often unsubtle reinforces that immersion. You’re trapped inside her lonely reality.
That’s not to say that the show lacks moments of genuine emotion and warmth. Whether it’s atop a rooftop, bed, or floating chair, every time Lain truly connects with someone we see how positively overwhelming the intimacy is for her. It’s touching. But these scenes are few, far between, and fleeting. If you’re looking for something more consistently charming, this is not your anime.
To think a bit about the art and direction: I feel that ‘Lain’ is gorgeously designed though it’s quite a YMMV vibe. Initially sparse without being inviting. over the course of the show the drab real world clutters without becoming appealing. In contrast, The Wired (the show’s cyberspace) glitters and whirs cryptically as it expands across Lain’s psyche. The tone differences in the art make it easy to see why so many characters compulsively prefer it.
The sequencing is often lethargic, and the camera absolutely obsessed with Lain (gaze is a recurring theme — to the point of exploitation). There are moments when characters’ faces are not quite proportional, and Lain’s spacey eyes can take a bit of getting used to. But in general, the unorthodox staging supports the disintegration of the main character excellently.
Lain disses one of the entities she encounters as “more noise than signal”. This might seem an appropriate description for the show itself. But the more you tune in, the more powerful the signal becomes and the more urgent, the more relevant. It’s up to you if — and how — you listen. I hope you try: in my opinion, the character insights and thematic clout of ‘Serial Experiments Lain’ are well worth all the infuriating static.
Overall:
a muffled masterpiece.
32.5 out of 34 users liked this review
