Or so you would think...
Look at this review from the angle of a newer generation of anime enthusiast. After getting used integrated with anime, the consumer watches the basic "normie" animes. Then, they gets bored due to the oversaturation of well-animated action animes. So they delve deeper to find something, anything to give their mind a break from the monotony. After scrolling, they find a bunch of people talk and praise an 1998 anime called Serial Experiments Lain. They look into its history, seeing its prevalence among anime reviewers and MyAnimeList. So after waking up at early hours, they binge the entire series.
I know this very well, as this is my perspective.
And I would watch it for the first time ever again and again and again.
Instead of going piece by piece, I will go into what I think makes Lain so great.
- - - - Storytelling - - - -
To understand Lain is to understand philosophical principles. Theology, mental illness, loneliness, purpose, all ideas that wrap into Lain in a wonderfully projected package. To unwrap it is similar to completing a game. Constantly going through small things all to lead up to the main objective. The main objective is always in sight but is not achievable until all the small things are completed. The small things can satisfy, but the main objective is one that the player knows will give them the most satisfaction. In my watching experience, Lain is confusing to start and weird to just pick up out of nowhere. But personally, I love that. Its not the kind of confusion that pisses me off, it's the kind of confusion that intrigues. The kind of confusion that makes the watcher long for more. It makes you work to understand how and why everything is happening. It gives you the main base somewhat linearly, however, when piecing the details together, it fits beautifully. Who would've guessed that a suicide victim's message would've caused all this? This review is spoiler-free, so I won't speak about the ending phase. But, oh my god, it is moving.
- - - - Style - - - -
A key part of Lain is its style. Between its artistic portrayal of its themes scattered among the background or its lighting changes to represent important areas that Lain interacts in, the style is prevalent and necessary to understand the overall message and story. Between layers, which are episodes, the premise of blending the border of the Wired and the real world shown with how the powerlines stay parallel to powerlines intertwining and balling up to a point where they break are incredibly creative details. The change of Lain's room from going to relatively empty to chaotic cyber landscape, just showing how far Lain is connected to the Wired. The text used in the opening sequences and title card makes you feel like you're in the Wired. The bright white used in contrast with the mix of red and black in nearly every day scene adds to that surrealistic feeling.
- - - - Environments - - - -
Don't even get me started on the environments. Cyberia feels lively and always moving. As if at any moment something important, good or bad, will happen. The same goes for the Iwakura home. Even if it may be silent, it's almost as if you don't want to be. Like something unsettling could be right around the corner, adding to the mystery ambience. The loud drone of the powerline transformers as Lain walks to the train paired with the train's atmosphere join in a unsettling, mysterious vibe. The best example of a great environment is the Wired. The Wired is supposed to be a simple communication and information medium but it has so much more than what the surface entails. I can't go into it, just watch it an find out.
It has so much more to it that I can't describe here, not without it spoiling the show. I want this to be a persuasive review, so I would like it the reader of this review to watch Lain. It will take you through so many ideas that you may have never explored before.
+ added bonus point for boa - duvet. actively attempted to skip it, but it was so good that I literally couldn't.
Personal Rating: Let's All Love Lain / 10
