Serial Experiments Lain

Summer Wars addpermalink

Although quite different in style, the concept of a cyber world is paramount in both of these animes.  

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In both shows concept of cyber world plays an important role in the storyline. While Lain has Wired, Summer Wars has Oz. Both are involved with a mystery.   

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Both of them deal with the Internet and avatar character representation of the characters who are on there, though Summer Wars has done it better with less complexity and maturity than Lain. 

report Recommended by Angry_Anime_Nerd

As far as anime portrayals of the internet go, these are two sides of the same coin.

Summer Wars takes a modern, optimistic approach to portray a connected world fostered by personal relationships.

Lain takes an introspective, alienating approach to portray a blurred reality where despite being connected, meaningful connections can seem incredibly distant. 

report Recommended by weirdy8

Although SEL is much, much darker than Summer Wars, and the moral of the story is very different, plot-wise, they are surprisingly similar. They are both sci-fi anime (although Summer Wars is also slice-of-life and romance), and feature a world where everything revolves around something very similar to what we call the Internet. In Summer Wars, that thing is called OZ, and in SEL, it is "the Wired". When I saw how in the world of Summer Wars, you could select avatars and travel inside the system, and especially when they emphasized how much the real world was tied to OZ, I immediately thought of SEL. Most importantly, both anime feature a certain disturbance in the system caused unintentionally by the main character. So all sci-fi lovers, go watch SEL if that part of Summer Wars piqued your interest!!

On a side note, a similar system is displayed in Psycho-Pass. However, it is not the focus of the anime and appears for such a brief amount of time that I didn't think it deserved its own recommendation. However, it is very, very similar to the system displayed in Summer Wars. read more 

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Anime: Kino no Tabi: The Beautiful World

Kino no Tabi: The Beautiful World addpermalink

Both have the same director, and a similar atmosphere.
Both are equally excellent, but each with it's own theme and story.
If you watched one of them and enjoyed it, then you will love the other. 

report Recommended by G0dSlay3r

Both "Kino's Journey" and "Serial Experiments Lain" have a lot of similarities.

For one they are both directed by Ryutaro Nakamura, a master in Japanese animation, who continues to prove his expertize with the recent "Ghost Hound" TV series for Production I.G. .  Since both Lain and Kino are directed by Nakamura they focus a lot on "atmposhere" and scenery, and have a lot of (what film critic Roger Ebert would call) "pillow shots" . They never rush to the next scene they always relax, and animate small things, allowing you to think about what just happened. They also use his style of text popping up ever now and then, to blend with the narrative of the story. They both also have many other similiarities due to the way the director handles his anime.

Both anime series are very philosphical and a psychological. They delve deep into these areas, and really become more then just throw away entertainment. They make (sometime blunt) statements about ourselves, this world, humanity different cultures, and many other concepts and ideas (the internet for example appears multiple times in Lain, and War comes up a lot in Kino's Journey).

They both are also partly very focused character studies. Kino's Journey delves a little into Kino as a character, while Serial Experiments Lain focuses on Lain deeply. There are also lots of similurities between both characters.

Both series are 13 episodes long, very artsy and expermental, very sureal, and  sometimes mess with your head a little (more in Lain). Both series are also very slow paced shows. They both are dark series, that focus more on the darker side of humanity, although "Kino" does study the lighter side of humanity at times. They both also have great opening themes, good ending themes, and very limited, yet useful use of background music and insert songs. I also find the animation in both of them to be underrated. Kinos goes for the simple yet beautiful look, while Lain goes for a more "dark and edgy" look which work for each show. I find Lain to have really good character designs and artwork, esecially given it's age. This is apprently overlooked by many reviewers which is  sad. They notice the outdated CGI, but ignore the other very nice aspects of Lain's animation.

There are some differences however between the two that are important. Since "Kino's Journey" was made 5 years after "Serial Experiments Lain", I find in "Kino" Nakamura to be much more focused and clear to where he is going then in "Lain". "Lain" is rought around the edges a little, but "Kino" is very polished.  Also "Kino's Journey" is simple (and easy to follow) and very easy to understand, yet brilliant, while "Serial Experiments Lain" is very difficult to understand, hard to follow, very complex, and hard to digest. 

Still I'd suggest "Kino's Journey" to any "Serial Experiments Lain" fan, and vice versa. They both are really good anime series that all anime fans should watch at least once. 
  read more

report Recommended by Prede

same director
both slow paced and very reflexive 

lain is more tense and psycological while kino more philosofical/culltural    

report Recommended by andypnuts

Both series have similar slow-paced narration, lot of calm and static scenes. While Lain is more philosophical and focus on individuality, Kino no Tabi has interests in society and how civilization works. What important - same director is responsible for both series and you will clearly notice many similarities.  

report Recommended by Snake4fun

Compelling stories, each starring a young girl who has complications to her identity. Both are delivered in a shaky, dull manner that engrosses the audience. 

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Aku no Hana addpermalink

Super-slow paced shows with an ominous atmosphere. They both have rather unique animation style and have that same feeling to them. Artsy anime, basically.  

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Kaiba addpermalink

Both have pretty unique and distinctive styles as well as being thematically close at times.  Lain focuses more on communication in relation to identity, where Kaiba seems to explore what comprises an identity.  Where Lain is obviously cyberpunk, Kaiba is involved in many of the ideas that make up the cyberpunk genre.  I just got very similar vibes from the two. 

report Recommended by MEGATRON

There's only one recommendation for Serial Experiments Lain here, and I think it deserves more. Because Kaiba seems to me to be a the idea of playing with memories and identity from SEL taken and played with in Kaiba. SEL is theory, Kaiba are the experiments according to the theory. Also, both anime tackle the issue of loneliness. 
Kaiba also adds a layer of emotional investement. Though this doesn't have to mean Kaiba is "SEL and more", I actually prefer SEL myself. 

report Recommended by Nenad

Both shows explore human connection, consciousness and memory in relation to identity and what comprises a human being, though with slightly different approaches. Both include a heavy dose of symbolism and social commentary, masterful characterization and give off a similar vibe. Even though they're complex and layered, both shows present a human story as genuine as possible. Kaiba focuses more on world exploration and Lain more at philosophy and both have many different layers to them, but both are executed masterfully. If you liked one, you'll most probably like the other too. 

report Recommended by Cheerio23

Both Anime are about children who want to discover their true identities (Lain Iwakura and Kaiba). Both main characters are extremely powerful, but do not realize it by the beginning of the Anime. Both Anime focus on heavy themes such as religion, power and memories. Both Anime have a cool cyberpunk world that grabs the viewer in. Both of these Anime are very convoluted and do not hold the viewer's hand at all.  

report Recommended by Optigisa

Both explore the concept of being there without being there. As well, both series have many things that are not fully explained and would require multiple viewings to understand all of it.

While the art style of the two are vastly different (SEL has a more traditional style) and Kaiba has more dialogue, if you liked one of these two, you should try the other. 

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Jigoku Shoujo addpermalink

Jigoku Shoujo incorporates similar psychological thriller elements, along with more dark philosophical themes. It is less cryptic than Lain, but that can be said of nearly all anime. It goes more into individual stories than the story of the protagonist and explores the question of "what could any one person possibly do to another that would make the victim choose to sacrifice their soul in order to get rid of their antagonist?" The philosophical themes focus around revenge, the human soul, and suffering instead of technology, its implications for humanity, and the human consciousness; however, the dark and philosophical nature remains. 

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NHK ni Youkoso! addpermalink

Both contain extensive and exhaustive commentary on a particular modern social phenomenon: in Lain's case, it is on internet personae and the nature of the online world itself, while NHK explores the world of  Otaku and anime fandom, as well as those with crippling internet addictions, "hikkomori", and other people whose daily existence is hampered by paranoia.

NHK, although still difficult to watch at times, has the greater level of "entertainment value", although neither is exactly "light viewing" and both contain some very disturbing parts. Tone-wise, NHK is noticeably more humorous and dialogue-heavy, while Lain is the more self-consciously "abstract" of the two. 

report Recommended by lukanicoletta

Key the Metal Idol addpermalink

These two titles share psychological themes, ideas about reality, existence, soul, identity and humanity and its' connection to modern society and technology. Looks like Key is the predecessor to all anime that raise spiritual queries. 

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FLCL addpermalink

You'll have to watch them a couple of times to find the numerous layers hidden in each series.
Vissually, both series don't bother with conformity, theu each create their own style as they go along.
Both series never really end,
you can create your own if you'd like.
Both series leave you with your jaws and mind
wide open
watch 

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Kikumana addpermalink

the atmosphere in the 6min ona is the same as serial experiments lain.
A strange atmosphere that's not realistic to find "Who they are" 

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Akira addpermalink

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. 

 

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Subete ga F ni Naru addpermalink

Both shows seems be psychological centered and are avant-garde-esque in presentation and directing. The two shows also contains lots of cryptic and often, ambiguous dialogue and imagery (and sometimes the imagery is very unsettling), which little of is spelled out for the viewer. There are also esoteric references to computers and programming in both.    

report Recommended by reluctantbeeswax

Blood-C addpermalink

both question who u are

both live a fake life

both are watched and tested 

both are phycological

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Boogiepop wa Warawanai (2019) addpermalink

Both series have a nonlinear, non-obvious, avant garde style of storytelling. The effect of this is that one has to be in complete attention while watching the show or it will be confusing and difficult to follow.  

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Psycho-Pass addpermalink

Both have technological advancement with dark theme and character with twisted belief or rather unorthodox way of thinking. both have lots of questions about the existence of anything in this world. 

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Shinsekai yori addpermalink

Same athmosphere, questions about the people's way of thinking, a special chara-design, ... But I think Shinsekai Yori is more deep than Serial Experiments Lain.
I highly recommand Shinsekai Yori for Seinens' lovers ! 

report Recommended by Kaikko

Higurashi no Naku Koro ni addpermalink

they both deal with the mental aspect of things more then anything else, and both do a good job at it. 

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Mouryou no Hako addpermalink

Both series adopt philosophical themes seasoned with a very dark atmosphere and an extremely twisted plot. Mouryou no Hako is more oriented towards mystery and thriller though.  

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Anime: Kara no Kyoukai Movie 5: Mujun Rasen

Kara no Kyoukai Movie 5: Mujun Rasen addpermalink

Serial Experiments Lain is the king of non linear anime, and Kara no Kyoukai 5 also happens to unfold in a non linear fashion. Both anime have a similarly psychedelic presentation, and both of them toy with the idea of perceived/subjective realities. 

report Recommended by SkiesOfAzel

Samurai Flamenco addpermalink

What people see is what is accepted to be true. Both Lain and Flamenco deal with this view of truth, and confront their protagonists with the question of which reality they want to live in. If you liked seeing alternation between grounded relationships and surreal phenomena, take this rec. 

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Black★Rock Shooter (TV) addpermalink

Both have a metaphysical bent to them and both deal with problems stemming from interpersonal relationships. 

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Anime: Shinseiki Evangelion Movie: Air/Magokoro wo, Kimi ni

Shinseiki Evangelion Movie: Air/Magokoro wo, Kimi ni addpermalink

Science fiction titles from the 1990s that delve into the minds of their adolescent protagonists. They are also very cerebral and have some nightmarish imagery.  

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Elfen Lied addpermalink

These two shows kinda just have the same vibe to them. They both have somewhat gorry and unsettling imagery and have a dark story. I thought both of these shows were just fine but I imagine someone else would enjoy them more.  

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Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu addpermalink

Okay, these animes are extremely different... but they are still alike
Both revolve around a girl who has powers that can alter reality
Serial experients lain is a lot more confusing, and the Melancholy of Haruh Suzumiya has a lot more comedy, but I really enjoyed both series so... 

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Blame! addpermalink

 Lain and Blame! are kindred spirits of the extremely trippy kind: machines blending with humanity, dialogues that throw the viewer off, a supra-reality of a cybernetic nature, intense imagery with distorted scenes and deliberate usages of static serve to create a very bizarre environment that takes the meaning of surreal to a whole different level. With this said, Lain is more consistent and offers enough to work on in terms of hermeneutics while Blame! is almost narrative free and extremely confusing.
 

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Cossette no Shouzou addpermalink

Nothing alike. But SE Lain was one of the first animes that came to my mind when I began watching Le Portrait de Petit Cossette. Even though their feels grow apart after the first episode of Petit Cossette, they both start in this intriguing way that make you sink right into the story, in their own 'confusing' ways.

Lain's focus is more towards a slow paced, mysterious, sci-fi(the internet). While Le Portrait de Petit Cossette clearly focus more on the horror(blood) and morbid romance. Despite all differences, they are both dark, intriguing series that pay close attention to the characters' thoughts and 'insanities', ones that might even trigger your own ;) read more 

report Recommended by Nayelianne

Mawaru Penguindrum addpermalink

Two highly detailed anime's in which unassuming youngsters uncover they are actually part of a massive conspiracy which unfolds as the series progresses.

These anime's are very similar in content, yet being that both are mystery, it's difficult to put forward why they are alike without incorporating spoilers, so once you give this pair a change, this recommendation will make a lot more sence. 

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Noein: Mou Hitori no Kimi e addpermalink

Dark and psychological shows revolving around unstable existences and artificial gods... you name it! 

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Digimon Tamers addpermalink

Both have the same writer. Have similar phsychological concepts and have acid trip like cinematography. 

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Sword Art Online addpermalink

Just like Kirito, Lain also utilizes technology, whether it's in the form of games or the internet, as a means of escaping the real world. The connection between physical body and the virtual realm is present in both series. 

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Durarara!! addpermalink

In both shows, there is secrecy and mystery about known Internet group, yet no one knows who are the members or for what reason they exist. Social networking plays important role in both series.  

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The Animatrix addpermalink

“Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?”

Serial Experiments Lain and the Matrix franchise share the same themes:

What is reality? Can we trust in what our senses tell us? Is there another reality beyond that we can see?  

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