Serial Experiments Lain

Lain Iwakura, an awkward and introverted fourteen-year-old, is one of the many girls from her school to receive a disturbing email from her classmate Chisa Yomoda—the very same Chisa who recently committed suicide. Lain has neither the desire nor the experience to handle even basic technology; yet, when the technophobe opens the email, it leads her straight into the Wired, a virtual world of communication networks similar to what we know as the internet. Lain's life is turned upside down as she begins to encounter cryptic mysteries one after another. Strange men called the Men in Black begin to appear wherever she goes, asking her questions and somehow knowing more about her than even she herself knows. With the boundaries between reality and cyberspace rapidly blurring, Lain is plunged into more surreal and bizarre events where identity, consciousness, and perception are concepts that take on new meanings.

Written by Chiaki J. Konaka, whose other works include Texhnolyze, Serial Experiments Lain is a psychological avant-garde mystery series that follows Lain as she makes crucial choices that will affect both the real world and the Wired. In closing one world and opening another, only Lain will realize the significance of their presence.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Iwakura, Lain Main

Shimizu, Kaori Japanese

Mizuki, Arisu Supporting

Asada, Youko Japanese

Eiri, Masami Supporting

Hayami, Show Japanese

Iwakura, Yasuo Supporting

Oobayashi, Ryuusuke Japanese

Iwakura, Mika Supporting

Kawasumi, Ayako Japanese

Yomoda, Chisa Supporting

Mutou, Sumi Japanese

Haushofer, Karl Supporting

Nakata, Jouji Japanese

Taro Supporting

Takimoto, Keito Japanese

J.J Supporting

Chikada, Wasei Japanese

Delivery Man Supporting

Chiba, Susumu Japanese

Cook, Justin Producer

Ueda, Yasuyuki Producer, Planning, Original Creator

Maseba, Yutaka Producer

Abe, Shoujirou Producer

Reviews

Jan 27, 2026

drax33k

Recommended

Lain is a unique anime, it's incredible.
In short, that's my review.

I'm not going to list the thousands of meanings this series can have, but it's certainly a timeless anime; everything that happens, even years later, has become even more real in the society we live in.

However, the point I wanted to make in my review isn't that, but rather... how can I say... they didn't develop how technology works and is presented in Lain's world very well. I don't want to give spoilers, but the anime exaggerates simple things and makes them 'mythical,' as if they were complex...

I'll give a slight example: Lain gets all ... that machinery in her room, but one of the only programs we see her use is email (besides the internet, of course).

In short, the anime is profound, full of interesting philosophies, and addresses very good themes, with an impeccably beautiful visual style, but it's shallow when it comes to technological depth.

If you're watching expecting an anime with interesting technological proposals, like ghost in the shell, forget it. Lain will do a lot of 'incredible' things, and there won't even be a scene or clip showing how she did it. It will just be implied that she used a computer, and that's it, all in a very metaphorical way.

thanks for reading, i know a lot of people will disagree with me but that's my opinion.

Reviewer’s Rating: 8

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Jan 18, 2026

bob-weebington

Mixed Feelings

First off, the intro "Duvet" is outstanding. Watch that even if you don't pick up the show.

Serial Experiments Lain is a dark sci-fi exploring the effects of the internet and computers on people's lives.
I didn't particularly agree with the grim direction. But the show is interesting to watch. There are a few scenes with very grim implications so if you're sensitive to that you might not want to watch at all.

For example, every time Lain goes to school she passes through these dead areas of the street with loud, humming electrical wires above. And maybe something or other weird detail that isn't always there. It's ... just bland and lifeless, like all the life was sucked out of walking to school.

The ending definitely gets a little more interesting than the rest of the show. But overall I don't remember much from watching this besides the weird atmosphere.

Reviewer’s Rating: 7

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Jan 22, 2026

Dhiow

Not Recommended

Review in English – Serial Experiments Lain

Honestly, I didn’t really enjoy this anime. It made me sleepy at times, and it’s extremely confusing. Watching 10 out of 13 episodes without truly understanding what’s going on feels very strange.

That said, the concept and the overall vibe of the anime are a solid 10/10. Especially considering the time it was made — before the 2000s — it was definitely ahead of its time.

However, that doesn’t change the fact that I personally didn’t enjoy it that much and found it way too confusing. Unlike Neon Genesis Evangelion, where you can get into the characters’ mindset and slowly understand ... what’s happening, Lain doesn’t really give you that same connection or clarity. For me, it was hard to fully understand or immerse myself in the story.

Review em Português – Serial Experiments Lain

Sinceramente, eu não gostei muito do anime. Ele me deu sono em vários momentos e é extremamente confuso. Assistir cerca de 10 dos 13 episódios sem entender quase nada do que está acontecendo é uma sensação bem estranha.

Por outro lado, a proposta e a “brisa” do anime são nota 10, principalmente se levar em conta a época em que foi feito, antes dos anos 2000. Sem dúvida, foi algo muito à frente do seu tempo.

Mesmo assim, isso não muda o fato de que eu, pessoalmente, não gostei tanto e achei a experiência muito confusa. Diferente de Evangelion, onde dá para entrar na pira dos personagens e, aos poucos, entender o que está acontecendo, Lain não proporciona esse mesmo nível de conexão ou compreensão. Para mim, foi difícil realmente entender e me envolver com a história.

Reviewer’s Rating: 4

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