 If you liked
Serial Experiments Lain
|
 ...then you might like
Kaiba
|
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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Recommended by Basicpleb420