Serial Experiments Lain

     Serial Experiments Lain is perhaps one of the most curious series (anime or not) that you'll ever see. Lain is your typical awkward girl, who lives a conventional life. The show starts off with a class getting an email from a former student of theirs who recently committed suicide. A 14 year old, junior high student, named Lain is completely oblivious of it all. She doesn't recall the girl from the other class nor did she open the email - It's implied she struggles with electronics.
     As curious as anyone is to know the truth, after school she goes home and heads on her Navi computer to check her email. Of course when she opens it, it is no surprise how strange the entry is from this supposedly dead girl. When bringing the incident up to her mother, she doesn't seem to bothered at the slightest. Other than the sister, Lain's family is very much introverted. Barely any emotion is shown by group. Three friends, or maybe it's better to call them, "acquaintances", at Lain's school try to get her to open up from her shell. To resolve Lain's lack of social skills they invite her out to a teenage night club, then things start to really get weird.
     At times there are scenes where you think you're watching a different person; as her attitude can range from withdrawn to pompous. Early on there's speculation on if it's possible there are two Lains. One being from the real world and the other coming from the wired. The wired refers to the electronic technology that has keeps us connected, such as phones, computers, and television. Both worlds are perceived by electric impulses; with that similarity in mind there could theoretically be a way to configure the impulses, so information goes both ways hence allowing the wired world to interact with the real world.
     If this isn't your first rodeo with All Your Anime are Belong to Us, then you'll notice here's another anime using the idea that you can bring something unconscious to the conscious level. There are going to be all sorts of philosophical questions thrown your way. What's very different though about the philosophical elements in Serial Experiments Lain is that they contain a technological theme. Personally, I enjoy the detail and history for the apparatuses that are used to make the comparisons.

     The pace of the series is purposefully slow. Rather than having many action scenes, they allow camera angles, puzzling imagery, and strange sounds to keep the viewer's attention. Much of the show takes you back to familiar scenery, which is very unique when you compare this series to any of the others. Though the anime seems methodical, in retrospect it throws a lot at you at once. If you find yourself lulled for even a couple of minutes you're going to be re-watching episodes at the conclusion of the 13 episode series.