Serial Experiments Lain - Recommendations

spiderj82 says...

Though the protagonists and settings vary wildly in these two series, Lain and Raxephon should appeal to the same audiences. Both contain extremely mysterious emotional events, some of which will often confuse the audience until a later date. Yet the strongest correlation is the theme of technology affecting life. Lain is all about the conquering of culture though over techinal saturation and Rahxephon is about a device that will ultimately ruin or rebuild the world, of course which one it will do depends on your point of view.

chamomille says...

Both series deal with philosophical questions. If you liked one because of interesting thoughts about our reality and about our existence, you would surely like the other. Both series are difficult to understand and have to be seen more than once, because there are several points of view.

Uriel1988 says...

What do a timid fourteen-year old girl and a giant robot with the wings of an angel have in common?

Well ok. Nothing. Still, both Rahxephon and Serial Experiments Lain are similair in the sense that they both deal with philosophical and existential themes while at the same time not shying away from totally messing with the viewer's head.

Ayato and Lain also go through similair developements and dilemmas regarding themselves and their view on the world in general. Ultimately though, they come up with different solutions for how to handle their respective situations.

So in short, if you liked one of these series because of the great sense of mystery and thought-provoking plot and fantastic use of symbolism and cultural (in Lain's case) or historical (in Rahxephon's case) references, check out the other series. There's a good chance you'll love that as well.

vivafruit says...

Both Pale Cocoon and Serial Experiments Lain are concerned with society moving from the "real" world into a realm dominated by technology. The two series are concerned as to whether this is a step in the direction of progress, or a retreat from what makes us human.

IDDKyewD says...

I can almost think of Pale Cocoon to be a cousin to Lain. They both deal with persuing the technological, in favour of abandoning the physical (Though not in the same ways.)While watching Pale Cocoon I found myself asking "What would Lain think?"

scrag10 says...

Both ask "what is real?" and "what is the truth?" Pale Cocoon is worth checking out even if you hated Lain.

oldfakts says...

Did the questions asked in either Noein or Lain catch your attention? Especially the ones about reality and one's existence which are based on scientific theories? While watching both of these, I was rubbing my head, thinking and thinking some more. They are really great science-based anime.

freakzilla says...

Both Noein and Lain are hard anime to keep up with. If you're not careful you might suffer some brain damage trying to put the puzzle together. Both deal with pretty advanced and realistic topics of our world. Noein couples a good story with quantum physics, while Lain couples a darker atmosphere with more psychological aspects.

tasanime says...

Noein and Lain are definately the 'thinkers' kind of anime. They both manage to really challange the viewer by subtley asking questions about life, the theory behind it and how we perceive it. If you enjoyed the scientific theory and the baffling effect that one had on you, you will surely be as confused and dazzled by the other!

valondar says...

Ersatz realities, elliptical narratives, and innoucuous beings with a surprising place in the universe - both are pretty good examples of the mind-bending variety of anime.

ofall says...

Both SEL and the second episode of Twilight Q are really trippy anime. They both create a pleasantly confusing atmoshere and contain a character that may or may not be a god (or godess).

AardvarkRex says...

Ignoring the first OVA in Twilight Q which is "fair to middling", the second one (File 538) is on par with SE:Lain in the way it goes about presenting its story and the overall atmosphere of unease and surrealism that accompanies it. A slow burner with mostly narration as its driving force, File 538 culminates in a revelation about the real world that very closely resembles that of SE:Lain (or does it??) .

lolhammy says...

Both stories strangely follow a same twist and come to a similar conclusion, although through a very different mood. Serial Experiments Lain is more slow-paced and amazingly so, more bizarre than Madoka Magica is, but if you enjoyed either story for the abstract ending, you'll probably enjoy the other too.

subparalien says...

Madoka Magica just goes dark in a way most viewers do not expect. It's painful to watch and explores the idea of sacrifice.

Owlada18 says...

Just the feel of the show and the secrets behind these worlds feel very similar to me. I don't have a way of giving a solid reason without spoilers

sothis says...

COMPLETELY different plot, but Lain was done by the same people as NieA Under 7. If you like watching series because they are by the same creator, this would be a good recommendation.

lantis says...

well, they were made by the same people. Give it a chance, you won't regret it. Beware head trips.

kamirura says...

hack//Liminality got the same weird theme as Lain. It both deals with the fact that the computer is become even more powerful than humanity itself.

shalist says...

Another series that deals heavily with the 'border betwen reality and virtual reallity.' Watch as the mystery surrounding 'the World', and what affect the world is having on the players in the real world.

CodeWordChobits says...

If you enjoyed Lain then Narutaru is probably right up your alley. Both of these series' are very cerebral and force the viewer to think about what they are watching. They both tend to conjure up emotions that are rarely tapped as we join the heroine's (or anti-heroine's?) on an introverted journey through the tormented soul. However be warned before embarking on this tour with Shiina (of Narutaru) it is very controversial, and at times very, very, disturbing. I have often had people come back to me and complain about the fact that I did not make it clear that this is a disturbing show... consider yourself warned ^^

freakzilla says...

Narutaru and Lain have a similar dark and gloomy atmosphere. Not only is the mood dampened, but you'll also run into some plot twists you won't see coming. Narutaru is more disturbing though while Lain has a tad more of a story (if you can understand it, that is :p).

gatorboy12003 says...

Both anime make use of their cyber-punk genre, and aren't afraid to make you question yourself and the world around you. They also involve adolescents discovering a newfound power that don't neccessarily have positive effects on them. If you watch films that actually make you think, these need to be somewhere on your list.

Nocturnalgloria says...

Akira and Lain explore the overwhelming consequences of absolute power. While Akira is more violent on a physical level and Lain is more systematically philosophical, both are anime that force the viewer to think. Disturbingly surreal imagery sets the tone for both series as they twist the fabric of reality itself, uncovering the irrevocable connection between collective hysteria and individual alienation.

xaemar says...

Someone who liked one of these anime will like the other because of their originality. They are far from typical anime. Also, the two series have a really dark ambiance supported by dark colors and dark music.

subparalien says...

This show is a little difficult to follow, but there's enough balance between mystery and detail that keeps it intriguing. Also, the animation style is inspiring.