 If you liked
Mousou Dairinin
|
 ...then you might like
Serial Experiments Lain
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Perception and reality: the divergence between what one perceives and what might exist is at the heart of both series. Paranoia Agent follows a more psychological approach to unravel the relation between these vectors while Serial Experiments Lain has a more philosophical take. It is likely that those who enjoy abstract deconstructions of identity will appreciate these exercises in surreal existentialism that are Lain and Paranoia Agent.
Paranoia Agent has the same psychological feel that makes you think, but doesn't become apparent until later episodes. But if you are looking for something more rooted in a "whodunit" fashion, this is for you.
Both are heavily psychological and philosophical (Lain is more philosophical than Paranoia Agent) with mysterious circumstances and great characters (or for Lain, character).
Both series focus heavily to the cerebral side of storytelling. The power of the mind, and how it can invade the real world in very dark ways. Symbolic and allegoric in nature, both <i>Lain</i> and <i>Agent</i> are exceptional visual treats as well as very thought-provoking and intelligently written. If you enjoy cartoons that make you think-- and more importantly, if you enjoyed <i>Paranoia Agent</i>-- you'll owe it to yourself to give <i>Serial Experiments Lain</i> a viewing. Or three.
It's all about human spirit/soul & The Net, but:
Paranoia Agent has more fragmented structure, often going sideways to tell your almost unrelated story just to keep with overall crazy style;
and just playing with questions about spirit/soul, never getting serious; while
Serial Experiments Lain has more solid structure, always staying on the way, with every episode submerging you deeper into the story;
and not answering any question about spirit/soul, but makes you think about those questions yourself.
Both Paranoia Agent and Serial Experiments Lain are thought provoking and leave a lot to the viewer to interpret, and both have stunning visual styles and interesting plot decisions, although lain is a bit more abstract than that of Paranoia Agent.
The art styles are very similar, and both shows revolve around dark, subversive presentation. Both shows are tonally very similar, but Lain has more cyberpunk elements, while Paranoia Agent has a heavier focus on individual character's stories.
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Recommended by vigorousjammer
Short, surreal series that explore themes regarding the spread of information and ideas.
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Recommended by LoveLikeBlood
Both these shows are complex psychological shows that f**k with your mind, The are best to be watch twice to understand them good.
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Recommended by qdsqjmsdnakdnp
Playing with the minds of people through supernatural events. Which affect people as much as their own environment. All these interconnected events with that same person in an existential challenge
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Recommended by OtakuNote87
There's a lot of overlap in both the themes, cinema techniques, and characters. The borderline of reality and virtual reality, the petty cruelty of random people, the feeling of social isolation, and the constant struggle to realize whether you're in a dream scene or not - these all play important roles in both. I'm surprised to see something so very much "Satoshi Kon" as I'm watching Lain, frankly. Many have tried, few succeed. Those that like one are going to like the other.
similiar storytelling and atmosphere
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Recommended by idontknowman
Both psychological shows are created with their own uniqueness. Although sometimes you'll get bombarded by nonsensical scene, it does needed in order to bring different viewpoints and perspectives which enriches the plot and so development, and by the end, to help you understand the story as a whole.
Flat/muted colors, psychological horror, blending of the real and fantastical, and a spectacular, bittersweet ending. It wasn't made by him, but Lain fits right in with Satoshi Kon's work
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Recommended by Curlybrace101
Psychological, atmospheric, surrealist & postmodern meta-commentaries on the ways that the information age has affected our society at large through 13 episodic vignettes that provide a unique set of circumstances, characters and cultural insights that all connect to an overarching plot.
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Recommended by nero______