The Matrix, the story of a young girl trapped in a false reality, but with the help of technology and the wire, she can set herself free. Wait, that's not The Matrix. This storyline belongs to the forgotten anime Serial Experiments Lain. This 1998 anime might have similar themes to The Matrix and Neon Genesis Evangelion, but nothing compares to the satirical world of Serial Experiments Lain.
Some classic anime fans are probably not familiar with this extraordinary story, and for whatever reason, Serial Experiments Lain isn't as popular as other animes of its time. The thirteen episodes that make up the story follow a fourteen-year-old girl named Lain Iwakura. Like other girls in her class, Lain receives an email from Chisa Yomoda, a girl from her class who committed suicide. Except these emails were sent out after Chisa's death. In the email, Chisa claims to be alive in the wire. This shocks Lain, leading her down a path of self-discovery. Though creator Yasuyuki Ueda and head writer Chiaki J. Konaka didn't just create another anime, as the world of Serial Experiments Lain is filled with symbolism, themes, and messages the audience can take with them.
When first watching Serial Experiments Lain important messages and symbols can be overlooked due to the bizarre and surreal nature of its world. Instead, by looking at the themes present in the anime, a better understanding of Ueda's message can be had.
Technology
The obvious theme in Serial Experiments Lain is technology. At first, Lain isn't as familiar with the wire, but she is given an updated Navi courtesy of her dad, Yasuo Iwakura. Navi is the predominant brand of computers and phones, similar to Apple. Unlike Apple products, Navi is easy to modify and tailor to allow better access into the wire. Lain takes this ability farther than any other, consuming her every thought. It is comparable to a drug. The more Lain upgraded her Navi, the further in she got, making it impossible to leave. A little ironic since there is also a drug called Accela made from nanotech that supposedly makes the user's brain operate faster.
Ueda's word appears to be a darker parallel of our own. Technology has taken over the lives of many, leading them to seek it out like a drug. Others wish to abandon the real world for the digital entirely or, worse, merge the two. Though satirical, Ueda's message is clear, the internet is perfect for communication though it serves as no substitute for reality, but what about religion?
Religion
Another prevalent theme in Serial Experiments Lain is religion. While discovering more about the wire, Lain hears whispers of a God that lives within. Conversations on if this God was created in the wire or if it created the world are questioned. During her pursuit to learn more about this God, Lain's skills on the wire are considered legendary, leading Lain to become god-like herself. Besides insane abilities in the wire and cross imagery in the show, a scene outright depicts Lain appearing out of the clouds in a halo of light.
Ueda's use of these images concerning Lain and technology seems to comment on how people view technology as an all-powerful being. As for Lain being compared to a god, it can be seen as any other person on the internet. On the wire/internet, a person can be anything, even a God. Identity is shaped to fit the mold the user wants, sometimes transforming into something awful.
Identity
The final theme of identity is the hardest Lain has to face. The horrible rumor spread causes Lain to discover more parts of her identity than she initially believed. Broken down into parts, Lain can be seen having three distinct identities throughout the show. The first identity is her sweet-natured self that lives in the real world. Her detached and cruel half resides on the wire, and lastly, there is her true self. Lain is software. She is a high-school girl, a friend, a daughter, and a memory.
It can be hard to discover an identity, especially for a high schooler. Ueda takes this surreal story and adds a grounding element that allows viewers to relate to the main character by incorporating this theme into the story. In the end, that's all Lain ever wanted was to discover who she was and where she should be.
Serial Experiments Lain is phenomenal anime with so much to it that hours could be spent analyzing it. The story takes the audience on a journey like no other anime out there. Serial Experiments Lain should not be forgotten; instead, anime fans should seek this show and experience it for themselves.
Serial Experiments Lain is available to stream on Funimation.