Changes

[[File:Serial-experiments-lain-coverart.jpg|thumb|Strange events begin to occur as a withdrawn girl named Lain becomes obsessed with interconnected virtual realm of "The Wired".|right]]

[[File:Serial-experiments-lain-coverart.jpg|thumb|Strange events begin to occur as a withdrawn girl named Lain becomes obsessed with interconnected virtual realm of "The Wired".|right]]

'''''Serial Experiments Lain''''' is an anime series directed by [[Ryuutarou Nakamura]], original character design by [[Yoshitoshi ABe]], screenplay written by [[Chiaki J. Konaka]], and produced by [[Ueda Yasuyuki|Yasuyuki Ueda]] (credited as ''production 2nd'') for Triangle Staff. It was broadcast on TV Tokyo from July to September 1998 and has 13 [[episodes]]. [[Serial Experiments Lain (game)|A PlayStation game]] with the same title was released in November 1998 by Pioneer LDC.

'''''Serial Experiments Lain''''' is an anime series directed by [[Ryuutarou Nakamura]], original character design by [[Yoshitoshi ABe]], screenplay written by [[Chiaki J. Konaka]], and produced by [[Ueda Yasuyuki]] (credited as ''production 2nd'') for Triangle Staff. It was broadcast on TV Tokyo from July to September 1998 and has 13 [[episodes]]. [[Serial Experiments Lain (game)|A PlayStation game]] with the same title was released in November 1998 by Pioneer LDC.

The opening theme is [[Duvet]] and the ending theme is [[Tooi Sakebi]].

The opening theme is [[Duvet]] and the ending theme is [[Tooi Sakebi]].

''Lain'' is influenced by philosophical subjects such as [[reality]], [[identity]], and [[communication]]. The series focuses on [[Iwakura Lain]], an adolescent girl living in suburban Japan, and her introduction to [[the Wired]], a global communications network similar to the Internet. Lain lives with her middle class family, which consists of her inexpressive older sister [[Iwakura Mika]], her cold mother [[Iwakura Miho]], and her computer-obsessed father [[Iwakura Yasuo]]. The first ripple on the pond of Lain's lonely life appears when she learns that girls from her school have received an [[e-mail]] from [[Chisa Yomoda]], a schoolmate who committed [[suicide]]. When Lain receives the message at home, Chisa tells her (in real time) that she is not dead, but has just "abandoned the flesh", and has found [[God]] in the Wired. From then on, Lain is bound to a quest which will take her ever deeper into both the network and her own thoughts.

''Lain'' is influenced by philosophical subjects such as [[reality]], [[identity]], and [[communication]]. The series focuses on [[Lain Iwakura]], an adolescent girl living in suburban Japan, and her introduction to [[the Wired]], a global communications network similar to the Internet. Lain lives with her middle class family, which consists of her inexpressive older sister [[Mika Iwakura]], her cold mother [[Miho Iwakura]], and her computer-obsessed father [[Yasuo Iwakura]]. The first ripple on the pond of Lain's lonely life appears when she learns that girls from her school have received an [[e-mail]] from [[Chisa Yomoda]], a schoolmate who committed [[Suicide in Serial Experiments Lain|suicide]]. When Lain receives the message at home, Chisa tells her (in real time) that she is not dead, but has just "abandoned the flesh", and has found [[God]] in the Wired. From then on, Lain is bound to a quest which will take her ever deeper into both the network and her own thoughts.

The anime series is licensed in North America by Funimation since 2010. Before that, it was licensed bye Geneon(previously Pioneer Entertainment) who released the series on VHS, LaserDisc, and DVD, as well as a restored BluRay edition. It was also released in Singapore by Odex. The video game, which shares only the themes and protagonist with the series, was never released outside Japan.

The anime series is licensed in North America by Funimation since 2010. Before that, it was licensed bye Geneon(previously Pioneer Entertainment) who released the series on VHS, LaserDisc, and DVD, as well as a restored BluRay edition. It was also released in Singapore by Odex. The video game, which shares only the themes and protagonist with the series, was never released outside Japan.

''Serial Experiments Lain'' deals directly with the definition of [[reality]], which makes its complex plot difficult to summarize. The story is primarily based on the assumption that everything flows from human thought, [[memory]], and consciousness. Therefore, events on screen can be considered hallucinations of Lain, of other protagonists, or of Lain fabricating the hallucinations of others. Story misdirection is central to the plotline; even the offscreen voices or narrations' information cannot be considered truthful. The series consists of a cross-reflection of philosophical themes instead of the traditional linear events depiction: episodes are called "[[:Category:Episodes|layers]]".

''Serial Experiments Lain'' deals directly with the definition of [[reality]], which makes its complex plot difficult to summarize. The story is primarily based on the assumption that everything flows from human thought, [[memory]], and consciousness. Therefore, events on screen can be considered hallucinations of Lain, of other protagonists, or of Lain fabricating the hallucinations of others. Story misdirection is central to the plotline; even the offscreen voices or narrations' information cannot be considered truthful. The series consists of a cross-reflection of philosophical themes instead of the traditional linear events depiction: episodes are called "[[:Category:Episodes|layers]]".

''Serial Experiments Lain'' describes "[[the Wired]]" as the sum of human communication networks, created with the telegraph and telephone services, and expanded with the [[Internet]] and subsequent networks. The anime assumes that the Wired could be linked to a system that enables unconscious communication between people and machines without physical interface. The storyline introduces such a system with the [[Schumann resonance]], a property of the Earth's magnetic field that theoretically allows for unhindered long distance communications. If such a link was created, the network would become equivalent to Reality as the general consensus of all perceptions and knowledge. The thin line between what is real and what is possible would then begin to blur.

''Serial Experiments Lain'' describes "[[the Wired]]" as the sum of human communication networks, created with the telegraph and telephone services, and expanded with the [[Internet]] and subsequent networks. The anime assumes that the Wired could be linked to a system that enables unconscious communication between people and machines without physical interface. The storyline introduces such a system with the [[Schumann Resonances]], a property of the Earth's magnetic field that theoretically allows for unhindered long distance communications. If such a link was created, the network would become equivalent to Reality as the general consensus of all perceptions and knowledge. The thin line between what is real and what is possible would then begin to blur.

[[Masami Eiri]] is introduced as the project director on [[Protocol 7]] (the next generation internet protocol in the series' timeframe) for major computer company [[Tachibana Labs]]. He has secretly included [[Source code|code]] of his own creation to give himself control of the Wired through the wireless system described above. He then "uploaded” his consciousness into the Wired and died in real life a few days after. These details are unveiled around the middle of the series, but this is the point where the story of ''Serial Experiments Lain'' begins.

[[Masami Eiri]] is introduced as the project director on [[Protocol 7]] (the next generation internet protocol in the series' timeframe) for major computer company [[Tachibana General Laboratories]]. He has secretly included [[Source Code|code]] of his own creation to give himself control of the Wired through the wireless system described above. He then "uploaded” his consciousness into the Wired and died in real life a few days after. These details are unveiled around the middle of the series, but this is the point where the story of ''Serial Experiments Lain'' begins.

Masami later explains that Lain is the artifact by which the wall between the [[virtual]] and [[material]] worlds is to fall, and that he needs her to get to the Wired and "abandon the flesh", as he did, to achieve his plan. The series sees him trying to convince her through interventions, using the promise of unconditional love, charm, fate, and, when all else fails, threats and force.

Masami later explains that Lain is the artifact by which the wall between the [[virtual]] and [[material]] worlds is to fall, and that he needs her to get to the Wired and "abandon the flesh", as he did, to achieve his plan. The series sees him trying to convince her through interventions, using the promise of unconditional love, charm, fate, and, when all else fails, threats and force.

In the meantime, the anime follows a complex game of hide-and-seek between the "[[Knights of the Eastern Calculus]]", hackers who Masami claims are "believers that enable him to be a god in the Wired", and Tachibana Labs, who try to regain control of Protocol 7.

In the meantime, the anime follows a complex game of hide-and-seek between the "[[Knights of the Eastern Calculus]]", hackers who Masami claims are "believers that enable him to be a god in the Wired", and Tachibana Labs, who try to regain control of Protocol 7.

In the end, the viewer sees Lain realizing, after much introspection, that she has absolute power over everyone's mind and over reality itself. Her dialogue with different versions of herself show how she feels shunned from the material world, and how she is afraid to live in the Wired, where she has the possibilities and responsibilities of a goddess. The last scenes feature her erasing everything connected to herself from everyone’s memories. She is last seen unchanged - re-encountering her old friend [[Alice]], who is now married. Lain promises herself to look after Alice.

In the end, the viewer sees Lain realizing, after much introspection, that she has absolute power over everyone's mind and over reality itself. Her dialogue with different versions of herself show how she feels shunned from the material world, and how she is afraid to live in the Wired, where she has the possibilities and responsibilities of a goddess. The last scenes feature her erasing everything connected to herself from everyone’s memories. She is last seen unchanged - re-encountering her old friend [[Alice Mizuki]], who is now married. Lain promises herself to look after Alice.

==Development==

==Development==