Makoto Shinkai English Fan Forum and Site

Menasha · vc_bios_b960909 Joined: 27 Jan 2008 Posts: 822

I suggest giveing it a shot. I really enjoyed it and maybe you will as well. Has anyone seen it?

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Junpei · Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2008 7:44 am Post subject:

Had a quick look and it seems interesting enough. The psychological and philosophical genre convinced me. I'll see when I'll have time.

Laz · Laz Joined: 09 Jan 2008 Posts: 1073

I saw the first set of episodes and I was completely lost. I gave up on the series. I've since heard some good things about this so I think I'm going to pick it up again.

Laz
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You're a woman, I'm a calf ... you're a window, I'm a knife ... we come together making chance into starlight ... - Jeff Buckley

ここにいるよ. - Voices of a Distant Star

zitch · Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2008 11:57 pm Post subject:

Well, I'll have to warn you Laz, don't watch Serial Experiments Lain to the end expecting answers... Wink

I've heard people compare watching Lain to an acid trip. Well, I've never had an acid trip, so other people's experiences is all I have to go on... Wink

It is, though, one of the few series I would actually describe as sci-fi/spiritual. the second part you might pick up on in the last half of the series.

In truth, if you want an easier anime to grasp some of the issues Lain talks about, I'd suggest getting a copy of Denno Coil (Have to DL, since it isn't licensed in R1 yet), which is actually a children's anime, but it does a wonderful job of covering many of the same issues like the duality between the real self and the virtual self, and issues of over-dependence on networked technology. Still, Serial Experiments Lain is one of my more favorite anime.

Ilasir Maroa · Tracer Joined: 17 Dec 2008 Posts: 3

Lain is one of my all-time favorite animes. It's true that it isnt exactly clear with resolutions, but that was one of the things I liked about it. In a period where people are used to being spoon-fed, Lain really makes you work for your answers. The concept behnd it is fascinating, and the historical references, such as the Navi's and their OS are really fun. Reminds me sort of of New Wave Sci-fi.
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Laz · Laz Joined: 09 Jan 2008 Posts: 1073

I've had this on my list of anime to start watching again ... hmmm ... I'll have to check it out. I only saw the first show or two ...

Laz
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You're a woman, I'm a calf ... you're a window, I'm a knife ... we come together making chance into starlight ... - Jeff Buckley

ここにいるよ. - Voices of a Distant Star

gleowine · Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2009 6:17 pm Post subject:

I ordered the first 3 DVDs (still waiting for the 4th one to come out.) They were super-discounted at Rightstuf, and I had heard about the new anime "Despera" coming out and how it had some of the same crew as from Lain.

I've watched Ep. 1-4 and have to say it's way different from anything I've seen before (and I thought Ergo Proxy was weird). There is a genius behind this, for sure, though most would dismiss it because of the animation style and weirdness. Besides, seeing a girl in her underwear hacking a top-of-the-line computer is moe enough for me.

As far as it having no real resolution (haven't gotten that far yet), that could be because the writers wanted the viewers to come to their own conclusions. That's been done before in other works, especially some sci-fi titles like "2001:A Space Odyssey". I'll have to see more of it to offer anymore theories.
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zitch · Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2009 6:38 pm Post subject:

There is definltely a genius behind it. Might be a bit obtuse about it, but I do hope to hear what you have to say as you get further into it.

For a series that came out in 1998, it is still very relevant (if not more so) today.

Sad that the LainOS project died years ago. I would so like to see that interface become a reality (though there might be other avenues to approach it...).

gleowine · Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 7:32 pm Post subject:

I did learn one thing from this series: Be careful what you install in your computer, especially if it comes in a plain brown envelope.

I've got to wait for Disk #4 to finish the series, but so far I haven't been disappointed. I'm not sure what else to say. I think I have to re-watch it to understand most of it.
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Shinka · Posted: Tue Jun 16, 2009 3:02 pm Post subject:

Lain is one fo those series that requires a rewatch, and even still you might find yourself in the exact same spot as the first time you watched it.

Its very dificult to say anything about this series, especially after such a long time has passed since I saw it. But its definitely an anime thats worth the watch and higly recomendable, though like its been said, it will probably put off a lot of people because of its strangeness and whatnot.

One of my favouite anime as well Smile