Consideration and evaluation of the profound worldview and appeal of "Serial Experiments Lain"

Serial Experiments Lain: A masterpiece of psychological animation that transcends the boundaries between reality and the internet

■ Public Media

TV anime series

■ Original Media

Anime Original

■ Broadcast period

July 6, 1998 - September 28, 1998
July 6, 1998 - September 28, 1998 Every Monday 25:15 - 25:45
13 episodes, 30 minutes each, total of 13

■Broadcasting station

TV Tokyo

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 13

■Original Story

・Planning, concept/production 2nd

■ Director

Director: Ryutaro Nakamura

■ Production

Animation Production: Triangle Staff Production Cooperation: GENCO
・Produced by PIONEER LDC

■Works

©1998 Triangle Staff/PIONEER LDC

■ Story

Tokyo in the near future. Information terminals such as NAVI have become widespread as a communication tool with other people. One day, shy junior high school student Iwakura Lain receives an email from her supposedly dead classmate Shimoda Chisa. Since that day, Lain has been involved in a strange incident. Lain begins to realize that there exists another version of herself, Lain, in both the real world and the wired world.

■Explanation

It won the Excellence Award in the Animation Division at the 2nd Japan Media Arts Festival held by the Agency for Cultural Affairs. It is a psycho-anime that was developed as a media mix with the simultaneous production of the anime and game. In addition to the anime, there are also books, illustrations, games, etc., but none of them stand alone, and each one is a unique work that complements the others. It attracted attention for its fusion of live action and digital footage with the anime, and for its complexly constructed depictions. It expresses a worldview in which the boundary between reality and the online world becomes blurred through the feelings and actions of the protagonist, Reon.

■Cast

・Iwakura Reon, Rain, lain, Rain / Shimizu Kaori ・Iwakura Yasuo / Obayashi Ryunosuke ・Iwakura Mika / Kawasumi Ayako ・Mizuki Alice / Asada Yoko ・Yamamoto Reika / Tezuka Chiharu

■ Main staff

・Planning, original idea/production 2nd.
・Original character design: Yoshitoshi Abe・Director: Ryutaro Nakamura・Series composition, script: Chiaki Konaka・Character design: Takahiro Kishida・Art director: Masaru Sato・Color setting: Michiyo Iriomote・Director of photography: Takashi Yasutsuba・Editor: Takeshi Seyama・Sound director: Yota Tsuruoka・Music: Reiichi Nakaido 'CHABO'・Producers: Yasuyuki Ueda, Shojiro Abe・Production cooperation: GENCO
Animation Production: Triangle Staff Production: PIONEER LDC

■ Main Characters

The protagonist of this work, who rarely shows her emotions. Although she has a modest personality, after becoming addicted to NAVI she shows extraordinary talent as a hacker.

・Although her name is Rain Reon, she exists as a separate personality apart from Reon.

Yasuo Iwakura: Reon's father, a NAVI geek. He is a good supporter of Reon, who is becoming obsessed with NAVI.

Arisu Mizuki is Reon's best friend. She is kind and caring, and always worries about Reon.

■ Main robot items

・NAVI
Information terminals. As a medium, they are as widespread as television. They are an essential item in the lives of the people featured in this work.

■Subtitle

・LAYER:1/WEIRD (1998/7/6)
・LAYER:2/GIRLS (1998/7/13)
・LAYER:3／PSYCHE(1998/7/20)
・LAYER:4/RELIGION (1998/7/27)
・LAYER:5/DISTORTION (1998/8/3)
・LAYER:6/KIDS (1998/8/10)
・LAYER:7/SOCIETY (1998/8/17)
・LAYER:8/RUMORS (1998/8/24)
・LAYER:9/PROTOCOL (1998/8/31)
・LAYER:10/LOVE (1998/9/7)
・LAYER:11/INFORNOGRAPHY (1998/9/14)
・LAYER:12/LANDSCAPE (1998/9/21)
・LAYER:13/EGO (1998/9/28)

■ Theme songs and music

・OP1
・Period: 1 to 13
・DUVET
Composer: Lee Terence Sullivan
Lyrics: Jasmine Rodgers
・Singer: BoA

・ED1
・Period: 1 to 13
・Distant Cry・Lyrics: Reiichi Nakaido・Music: Reiichi Nakaido・Singer: Reiichi Nakaido 'CHABO'

The appeal and evaluation of "Serial Experiments Lain"

"Serial Experiments Lain" is a TV anime series that was broadcast in 1998, and has fascinated many fans with its unique worldview and profound themes. Set in a near future where the boundaries between reality and the Internet are blurred, the story follows shy junior high school student Lain Iwakura as he travels between the Internet world "Wired" and the real world "Real World" in search of the meaning of his own existence.

The film's greatest appeal is its innovative visuals and storytelling. Director Ryutaro Nakamura has created a strong visual impact by blending live-action and digital footage with animation. Screenwriter Chiaki Konaka has also skillfully combined a complex plot with philosophical questions to develop a story that encourages viewers to think deeply. The combination of these elements has led to Serial Experiments Lain being praised as a kind of "psycho-anime," and it won the Excellence Award in the Animation Division at the 2nd Japan Media Arts Festival organized by the Agency for Cultural Affairs.

The main character, Iwakura Rei, is a shy girl who doesn't show her emotions much, but when she comes into contact with an information terminal called NAVI, she develops her talent as a hacker. Her growth and change symbolize the issue of individual identity in the online society, and resonates strongly with viewers. In addition, Rei's other self, "Rain," whom she meets in the online world, is an important character who deepens the theme of self-awareness and division.

Another feature of this work is its media mix development. Not only the anime, but also books, illustrations, games, etc. were produced simultaneously, each complementing the other to expand the story. This allows viewers to gain a deeper understanding and experience that cannot be obtained from a single medium. In particular, the game version added episodes that were not depicted in the anime, helping to deepen understanding of the story.

Music is also an important element that enhances the appeal of this work. The opening theme "DUVET" further enhances the atmosphere of the work with BoA's beautiful voice and Lee Terence Sullivan's composition. The ending theme "Distant Scream" was written, composed and sung by Nakaido 'CHABO' Reiichi and is a song that symbolizes the profoundness of the story. These songs play a role in stirring the emotions of the viewer and increasing their immersion in the story.

Recommended points of "Serial Experiments Lain"

Serial Experiments Lain is a work that can be recommended for the following reasons:

1. Innovative visuals and production

The fusion of live action and digital footage with animation creates a strong visual impact. This allows viewers to intuitively understand a world where the boundaries between reality and the internet become blurred. In addition, the complex depictions and symbolic visual expressions stimulate the viewer's imagination, encouraging a deeper understanding of the work.

2. Profound Theme

The film delves deeply into the issues of personal identity, self-perception and division in the online world. These themes are still very relevant in modern society and will challenge viewers to think deeply. The storytelling is also skillfully combined with philosophical questions to provide viewers with a new perspective.

3. Media mix development

In addition to the anime, books, illustrations, games, etc. were produced simultaneously, each of which expands the story in a complementary way. This allows viewers to gain a deeper understanding and experience that cannot be obtained from a single medium. In particular, the game version added episodes that were not depicted in the anime, helping to deepen understanding of the story.

4. Charming characters

The main character, Iwakura Rei, is a shy girl who doesn't show her emotions much, but when she comes into contact with an information terminal called NAVI, she develops her talent as a hacker. Her growth and change symbolize the issue of individual identity in the online society, and resonates strongly with viewers. In addition, Rei's other self, "Rain," whom she meets in the online world, is an important character who deepens the theme of self-awareness and division.

5. The appeal of music

The opening theme "DUVET" further enhances the atmosphere of the work with BoA's beautiful voice and Lee Terence Sullivan's composition. The ending theme "Distant Cry" is written, composed and sung by Nakaido 'CHABO' Reiichi and symbolizes the profoundness of the story. These songs play a role in stirring the emotions of the viewer and increasing their immersion in the story.

Detailed information on "Serial Experiments Lain"

■Broadcast information

"Serial Experiments Lain" was broadcast on TV Tokyo from July 6 to September 28, 1998, every Monday from 25:15 to 25:45. It consists of 13 episodes, each with a subtitle ranging from "LAYER:1/WEIRD" to "LAYER:13/EGO".

■ Production staff

Many talented staff members were involved in the production of this work. Planning and concept were handled by production 2nd, original character design by Abe Yoshitoshi, director Nakamura Ryutaro, series composition and scriptwriting by Konaka Chiaki, character design by Kishida Takahiro, art direction by Sato Masaru, color setting by Iriomote Michiyo, cinematography by Yasutsuhata Takashi, editing by Seyama Takeshi, sound direction by Tsuruoka Yota, music by Nakaido 'CHABO' Reiichi, and producers Ueda Yasuyuki and Abe Shojiro. Animation was handled by Triangle Staff, production cooperation by GENCO, and production by PIONEER LDC.

■Cast

The cast of this work is also very impressive. The main character, Iwakura Reon, Rain, Lain, Rain, Rain is played by Shimizu Kaori, Iwakura Yasuo is played by Obayashi Ryunosuke, Iwakura Mika is played by Kawasumi Ayako, Mizuki Arisu is played by Asada Yoko, and Yamamoto Reika is played by Tezuka Chiharu. The performances of these voice actors realistically express the feelings and actions of the characters, stirring the emotions of the viewers.

■ Main Characters

The main characters of this work are as follows:

The protagonist of this work, who rarely shows her emotions. Although she has a modest personality, after becoming addicted to NAVI she shows extraordinary talent as a hacker.

・Although her name is Rain Reon, she exists as a separate personality apart from Reon.

Yasuo Iwakura: Reon's father, a NAVI geek. He is a good supporter of Reon, who is becoming obsessed with NAVI.

Arisu Mizuki is Reon's best friend. She is kind and caring, and always worries about Reon.

■ Main robot items

The main robot item that appears in this work is the information terminal "NAVI". NAVI is as widespread as television as a form of media, and is a necessity in the lives of the people who appear in this work. Through NAVI, Reon travels between the internet world "Wired" and the real world "Real World" and searches for the meaning of his own existence.

■ Theme songs and music

The theme songs and music for this work are as follows:

・OP1
・Period: 1 to 13
・DUVET
Composer: Lee Terence Sullivan
Lyrics: Jasmine Rodgers
・Singer: BoA

・ED1
・Period: 1 to 13
・Distant Cry・Lyrics: Reiichi Nakaido・Music: Reiichi Nakaido・Singer: Reiichi Nakaido 'CHABO'

Evaluation and influence of "Serial Experiments Lain"

"Serial Experiments Lain" has been highly praised by many fans for its innovative visuals and profound themes. It has also received high praise within the industry, including winning the Excellence Award in the Animation Division at the 2nd Japan Media Arts Festival organized by the Agency for Cultural Affairs.

The impact of this work has not only been felt in the anime industry, but in society as a whole. Issues of individual identity, self-awareness, and division in the internet society are still very important in modern society, and this work is recognized as a pioneering work that delves deeply into these issues. In addition, the media mix development allows viewers to gain deeper understanding and experiences that cannot be obtained through a single medium, which is another major impact of this work.

The music in this work also had a big impact. The opening theme "DUVET" and the ending theme "Distant Cry" played a role in stirring the viewers' emotions and increasing their immersion in the story. These songs left a strong impression on the viewers and further enhanced the appeal of the work.

Serial Experiments Lain recommendation

"Serial Experiments Lain" is a work with many attractions, including innovative visuals, profound themes, media mix development, attractive characters, and appealing music. The combination of these elements has earned this work a reputation as a kind of "psycho anime" and has captivated many fans.

The film delves deeply into the issues of personal identity, self-awareness, and division in the online society, prompting viewers to think deeply. The media mix allows viewers to gain a deeper understanding and experience that cannot be obtained through a single medium. Furthermore, the music also plays a role in stirring the viewers' emotions and enhancing their immersion in the story.

For these reasons, we highly recommend Serial Experiments Lain to viewers who are looking for innovative visuals and profound themes, viewers who want to enjoy a media mix development, and viewers who are attracted to attractive characters and music. Please give it a watch and experience its charm for yourself.