Changes

[[File:Lain_PS1.jpg|thumb|Serial Experiments Lain is a video game release for the PlayStation in November 26, 1998 two months after the last episode of anime.|right]]

[[File:Lain_PS1.jpg|thumb|Serial Experiments Lain is a video game release for the PlayStation in November 26, 1998 two months after the last episode of anime.|right]]

Released on November 26, 1998 for the PlayStation, the [[Serial Experiments Lain]] game consists mostly of pieces of information collected in a random order that allow the player to piece together [[Lain]]'s story.

Released on November 26, 1998 for the PlayStation, the [[Serial Experiments Lain]] game consists mostly of pieces of information collected in a random order that allow the player to piece together [[Lain Iwakura]]'s story.

There is guidebook for this game titled [[Serial Experiments Lain Official Guide]].

There is guidebook for this game titled [[Serial Experiments Lain Official Guide]].

==Characters==

==Characters==

[[Iwakura Lain]]

[[Lain Iwakura]]

An apparently ordinary girl with a highly introverted nature and low self-esteem. At age 11, she begins to see and hear hallucinations, most prominently a double of herself. As a result, she sees a therapist at Tachibana General Laboratories. Lain also proves to be adept at psychology and computer science. Most of all, she is unbearably lonely.

An apparently ordinary girl with a highly introverted nature and low self-esteem. At age 11, she begins to see and hear hallucinations, most prominently a double of herself. As a result, she sees a therapist at Tachibana General Laboratories. Lain also proves to be adept at psychology and computer science. Most of all, she is unbearably lonely.

[[Yonera Touko]]

[[Touko Yonera]]

Recently graduated from an American university, Touko serves as Lain's counselor and psychiatrist. She is a new employee at Tachibana Research Center, and Lain is her very first client, establishing quite a good relationship with her.

Recently graduated from an American university, Touko serves as Lain's counselor and psychiatrist. She is a new employee at Tachibana Research Center, and Lain is her very first client, establishing quite a good relationship with her.

A girl in Lain's elementary school class that tries to be friendly with everyone.

A girl in Lain's elementary school class that tries to be friendly with everyone.

[[Father]]

[[Yasuo Iwakura]]

Lain's father. He and Lain are very close and he treats Lain very kindly, often buying her presents. He is a businessman that occasionally needs to travel.

Lain's father. He and Lain are very close and he treats Lain very kindly, often buying her presents. He is a businessman that occasionally needs to travel.

[[Mother]]

[[Miho Iwakura]]

Lain's mother. She and Lain are on slightly less good terms, and she is a bit harder on Lain than her father. She still treats Lain very well and looks after her when she needs help. She is a housewife.

Lain's mother. She and Lain are on slightly less good terms, and she is a bit harder on Lain than her father. She still treats Lain very well and looks after her when she needs help. She is a housewife.

A friend that Lain made online. He teaches her how to hack.

A friend that Lain made online. He teaches her how to hack.

[[Shock spammer]]

[[Shock Spammer]]

A malevolent user online that sends encrypted shock images to Lain's inbox, such as images of a dead infant and a dead woman.

A malevolent user online that sends encrypted shock images to Lain's inbox, such as images of a dead infant and a dead woman.

==Connections between the game and the anime==

==Connections between the game and the anime==

This game explains many elements in the [[anime]] that are taken for granted or left unexplained. It can be considered an alternate timeline to the anime, perhaps one where Lain is incarnated into a different environment.

This game explains many elements in the [[Serial Experiments Lain (anime)|anime]] that are taken for granted or left unexplained. It can be considered an alternate timeline to the anime, perhaps one where Lain is incarnated into a different environment.

*Lain's haircut

*Lain's haircut

In the game, it is revealed that Lain cut her own hair. The longer lock of hair where she clips her [[hairclip]] is meant to prevent something that "enters from the right" from "going out through the left". Not much is known about the context of this statement (at least to the English-speaking fandom), but it has been theorised that Lain's hairstyle wards off demons or prevents her memories from disappearing.

In the game, it is revealed that Lain cut her own hair. The longer lock of hair where she clips her [[Lain's Hairclip|hairclip]] is meant to prevent something that "enters from the right" from "going out through the left". Not much is known about the context of this statement (at least to the English-speaking fandom), but it has been theorised that Lain's hairstyle wards off demons or prevents her memories from disappearing.

According to the [[Serial Experiments Lain Official Guide|guide]], Lain's mysterious statement is referring to her [[crosstalk|auditory hallucinations.]] See [[Q&A]] for more information.

According to the [[Serial Experiments Lain Official Guide|guide]], Lain's mysterious statement is referring to her [[crosstalk|auditory hallucinations.]] See [[Q&A]] for more information.

*The chip from [[Layer 09]]

*The chip from [[Layer 09]]

This may be the same in nature as the machine that [[Touko]] received from [[Tachibana Labs]].

This may be the same in nature as the machine that [[Touko Yonera]] received from [[Tachibana General Laboratories]].

*Shared [[:Category:Themes|themes]]

*Shared [[:Category:Themes|themes]]