This is not a show for people who like structure, narratives, characters or even sound philosophy.
If you go in expecting this you will be disappointed and it will bore you to death.
Here's why.
*Review*
Despite my negative view on it narratively speaking if I was 12 and I saw this I would've loved it because these are the things that I used to think about all the time when I was growing up.
It was just a shame that I didn't consume this show when I was in my phase of self discovery and existentialism.
The thing about Serial Experiments Lain is, right.. it is just that for the most part.
A thought experiment by Lain (main protagonist).
What it explores though is highly experimental and disconnected from you (the viewer).
So for a person that considers things like common sense, relatability, sound philosophy and logic you would not like this show's themes because we have developed biases growing up, taste and subjectivity.
Think of it like Black Mirror (US Show) which I love but even more experimental using themes of the Internet or in the Anime (The Wired) as this anime was made in the 90s when the popularity of the Internet was starting to catch wind.
Aside from that though if you're willing to entertain yourself down this rabbit hole from the perspective of Lain as she understands what it means to be Lain while telling you (the viewer) that you don't seem to understand. Which I find extremely amusing.
I even like to listen to the OP just for the heck of it to this day.
And disregard narrative which it somehow has, but that is not the central focus of this show.
You get a show that is highly philosophical.. disconnected yet connected depending on what phase you are in your life.
Forget everything.
There is no world, story or concepts in this anime, no protagonist no tropes. Only Lain. Let's all love Lain.
Also the sound and animation did not age that well as of making this review
[Present day, present time hahaha].
However, its atmosphere is an iconic one. And I look at it fondly regardless of it not being my cup of tea.
