Serial Experiments Lain - Recommendations

hurin says...

Lain and Denno Coil both center around the idea of an upper artificial layer of the real world - a sort of super internet.

The protagonist in both anime is an adolescent girl, but Lain is intended for a more advanced audience than Denno Coil.

Jarudin says...

Denno Coil and Lain both feature human/machine interaction. There's a fair chance that if you watched either of these series you'll like the technology aspect. Children are very quick at adapting to new technologies, especially if they grow up with it.

ahuman says...

Honestly, these series have almost the exact same premise approached from slightly different angles with wildly different feels. The world of Lain is dark and distorted, and the main villain is what lies inside. Coil's world is a child's world: light and sunny, but with things that defy understanding. They both craft these worlds lovingly (with a side of moe), and they both do it extremely well.

Ruether says...

Lain is an important forerunner to Denno Coil within the genre. Watching them together, it is interesting to see how much both real technology and technological imagination have changed within a single decade.

FreebooterFox says...

Both anime take a look at the future of computing and interacting with the worldwide web, while effortlessly pointing out that there is an incredible power to be had with technology. These anime show us how the internet (or some derivitave of it) will evolve to become part of our everyday environment, and at the same time will demonstrate what kind of problems this path might give to mankind.

If you're the type of person who wants to maintain a different personality, how would you incorporate that behavior into an internet that reaches into real life? Should doing something in real life have consequences online, or vice versa? At what point does the imaginary become truly real?

All of these things are examined and several ideas are presented to the audience in a way that is entertaining, subtle and informative even to those not knowledgeable on the subject.

IDDKyewD says...

Both anime play with the line between the internet and the real world. Characters regularly break the boundry in both series and if you've seen one, you will probably like the other!

FireFlower says...

If you liked Serial Experiments Lain, you most likely will like also Denno Coil. Both of these animes share a gigantic network where most of the people has connected.

Unlike in Serial Experiments Lain, Denno Coil makes more sense from start to finish when they're fighting against the network bugs and finding a solution to fix things.

chocobolily says...

The central idea behind Serial Experiments Lain and Denno Coil revolves around augmented reality (otherwise known as AU.)  Though the tone and animation styles are completely different, many similar ideas are presented in these shows about the intangibility of the virtual world.  The main characters also happen to be young, timid girls.  SEL and Denno Coil are quite unlike anything else I've ever seen, with interesting, well-executed premises.

mmag13 says...

Lain and Dennou Coil both deal with futuristic technology, and how the line can blur between actual reality and virtual reality.  Lain is definitely more psychological and metaphorical in its development.  Dennou Coil is a bit easier to understand.

Nocturnalgloria says...

At first glance Lain and Paprika might not seem very similar, Lain being very slow paced for the most part and Paprika being such a riot of energy. Yet both challenge the meaning of reality and the role of perspective. In Lain and Paprika technology has permitted man to dismantle experience, uncovering a deeply disturbing world that deconstructs certainty in a fluid nexus of ambivalence. Lain's stress falls more on existential questions while Paprika deals more directly with the distorting power of dreams but both break the barrier of physical limitations as they capitalize the potential of anime to create truly bizarre and rewarding experiences

IDDKyewD says...

Both Lain and Paprika are about surrealism, and the manipulation of technology for one's needs. Also, both main characters become 'someone else' when in their virtual worlds.

BoBark says...

Both of these great animes consider the human psyche and consciousness as well as the impact of technology on people. Both have interesting characters and deep elements to challenge and intrigue.

eaper says...

Both of these titles take two worlds that are considered to be seperate from reality (be it dreams or the internet) and show what happens when they start to meld together. The main characters also have more in common than may meet the eyes.

LizardLaw974 says...

Both Paprika and Serial Experiments Lain have many similarities. Probably the biggest and most prominent factor is the twisted and confusing plot that both shows have. Both don't appear at first to make sense, yet makes you think and wonder about what was presented and what message was trying to be given. On top of that, they both center around technology and its affect on the human psyche and on humanity itself. The visuals are also similar in the genre or design, because both are very strange and a bit crazy. If you liked one, try the other out and see what you think.

apocalypticGnostic says...

They are both surrealist and science fiction. They both are about the female protagonist's split sense of self.

thegirlontheclouds says...

Like other users stated they are really similiar: they are both sci fi and the mcs of both become completely different in the virtual realities.

DrColossus says...

Follow the allegory and you might find something more.

sothis says...

FLCL is considerably more lighthearted, but both are well known mind-trip series.

AsukaLangley says...

If you like being confused and messed up the first time you see something, watch FLCL and Serial Experiment's Lain.

Look a little deeper with these anime. Aside from rediculousness of them, they become something very deep.

Adouma says...

FLCL's main character is, like Lain, a listless young teen for whom life seems to be going nowhere. The big change for him however isn't the internet, it's a maniac space girl with a bass guitar and a yellow Vespa. Yeah, this series is one of few that are actually even crazier than they sound. As with Lain, the visuals are top-notch to boot.

eaper says...

Each of these series focuses on the evolution of the main character while nearly unexplainable things are happening around them. Although FLCL definitely makes less sense, that brings thes series together.

subparalien says...

This series is a real fun time. It's crazy in a frentic, weird as all get out way that makes you want to keep watching because you can't come up with how the plot line was even conceived.

sloggerK says...

Unusual occurances stretch the boundries between real and unreal. The more events unfold, the more you question. What is the real story?

IDDKyewD says...

Both anime have a lead character who is obcessed with the online world and begin to have trouble distinguishing fantasy from reality.

Vejhed says...

Both animes have an anti-social main character with questionable multiple-personality issues. Each anime questions the line between reality and fantasy, oftentimes creating somewhat abstract scenes as it stretches the boundaries of reality. I think if you liked one, you'd definitely like the other.

KiraRin says...

These shows blur the reality between the real world and a cyber world. You will frequently be asking youself whats going on, but the mystery is something you must wait to the end to have fully explained.

The story is quite deep and involved, and might turn a lot of people off, but if you enjoy one, you should like the other.

InksGirl says...

Without spoiling the plot of both of these series, I'm limited to saying that they share themes, content and so on. However, if you're into futuristic, psychological thriller-type plots, driven by a main character who is as clueless as the viewer when it comes to where the plot is going to twist next... you may well be on to a winner here.

Bestanimeserie says...

Both shows feature a confusing story, though chaos head has more ecchi wereas lain has none. Both are good Psychological shows the difference between the two is that chaos;head has more action and lain has a better story, but if you liked one you'll probably like the other one as well.

moric says...

If you thought SEL was fascinating because of its weirdness then you'd probably love Angel's Egg which takes twists and turns to the extreme.

Rar says...

So you liked the fact Lain doesn't just tell a straight forward story, instead giving you a few fragments and making you actually think about it? Angel's Egg takes this to a whole new level, with little dialogue and less plot, relying instead entirely on rather abstract metaphor and imagery. If you don't mind the slow pacing, it's a thought provoking film.

Neku101 says...

Both anime rely on abstract and surreal imagery so that they are much more about interpretting meaning rather than experiencing a compelling story.

However, I find that SEL to be much more easy to interpret than Angel's Egg and its storytelling much more concrete. Although both will probably take repeated viewings to be satisfied that you understand (and even that is not guaranteed) I feel they are great anime to watch, especially if your curious and for no other reason. Angel's Egg is much more atmospheric and SEL is much more symbolic but each give off the same intriguing and creepy vibe I love and I think showcase unique aspects of the anime medium.

apocalypticGnostic says...

They are both surrealist and feature a mysterious female protagonist. They both use symbolism to convey the message.

DSAP says...

it will make you think again but less technoligly based

DraconPern says...

Not confused by Lain? A philosopher? You should try Noir, then watch it over and over again and tell me what the ending is trying to say. The art is also very good and so is the music.

gunslinger92 says...

Keep in mind that both of these series are very dark. And not just in mood. Most of the action will take place in dimly lit rooms and will be somewhat confusing. Also, don't expect to understand what is going on just by watching. Much of the meanings are rather subtle and open to interpretation

CodeWordChobits says...

Any fan of mystery and intrigue would love either of these series. Each begins there tale with two young heroins, who find themselves faced with very odd and troubling happenings.

forfeit says...

For me, Serial Experiments Lain, Haibane Renmei and Kino no Tabi are considered the “philosophers triad”, not only because they make you think with their exotic and original plot, but also because the story looks like it was made out of dreams, or nightmares. They share the fact that the story is not exactly what you think it is, the puzzle will never get finished and information will always be missing, the characters are original and develop by learning about the surrounding world, and the animation looks alike, mostly because of the colors.

hurin says...

Kino and Lain are 'food for the brain' types of anime, forcing you to think about what you're watching but both avoid the trap of becoming obscure.

AverageShinigami says...

A deceptively calm atmosphere is what unites these two series. Lain's eerie stillness is interspersed with psychedelic and confusing trips to another world, while Kino's idyllic landscapes and fairy tale charm are mixed with horrifying tales of man's missteps. Both contemplate the world philosophically and offer no clear solutions to the difficult problems under study, but these ponderings are very different in nature and focus. Kino is also significantly more optimistic than Lain.

The main characters of the shows resemble one another in their calmness and silent strength. The character design of both protagonists is remarkably good and they are both very likable in their own ways.

subparalien says...

This is a very interesting, very well done series. It plays with a lot of philosophical ideas, so the plot might be slow for some -- but it is gorgeous to watch and you will remember it later.

freakzilla says...

If you like piecing together some of the hardest stories, only to have the puzzle scattered again with a plot twist, I suggest you also try these. Though, Lain's story is harder to keep track of, while Death Note's story isn't as dark.

redpixie9 says...

Both plots are very complex and you have to be on your toes to keep up. Both Lain and Death Note are very "brain active".

Lyzl says...

These anime have underlying, as well as prominent, themes of psychological problems and changes, and philosophical points on the human condition. If you liked these major themes in one of these series, you would surely enjoy the other.

Leah says...

Both Serial Experiments Lain and Death Note contains some sort of mind game, so if thats what you are after I recommend them both.

lantis says...

If you liked the eerie malayse and mystery of Key, Lain has it in spades. Besides being another techno-head trip, Lain is just a good series to watch. Not for everyone, but worth a try at least.

ahuman says...

I'm surprised that Key doesn't get mentioned more with regards to Lain. Both are uncharacteristically dark series about characters who are forced to decide what's real and what isn't, and to eventually confront a secret about their own existences as well. They both also have fantastic stories that will leave you trying to pick apart exactly what you just saw. Key is a bit darker, but makes up for it by being more accessible.

ofall says...

Both make you wonder who exactly is the main character, or what? The personalities of Lain and Key are similar, and they both have an air of mystery and are very techological anime. Another similarity is that is both, they have an upbeat friend that they end up dragging into their mess and causing them emotional and psychological distubances and eventually much worse than that.

sothis says...

As cliche as I'm sure this recommendation pair seems, it truly fits the best. Lain and GITS are both tales of the real world versus the wired, per say, with thoughts of cyborgs and such things. Definitely recommended.

LordIndy says...

Despite the fact that GITS2 packs more action, their almost philosophic nature concerning the topic of human interaction with technology in the near future is almost uncanny.

HasseRovdjur says...

Both anime are rather cerebral affairs, constantly opening up for questions about information, the use of new technology (mostly cyborgs in Innocence and information technology in Lain), epistemology and ultimately reality. In short, cyberpunk with a strong philosophical bent.

Furthermore, there are stark and evocative visuals to be had in both, though Innocence is obviously the better of the two. Lain is a bit bleaker while Innocence is more varied.

In the end though, the differences matter little, so if you liked either one, don't be afraid to pick up the other one.