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{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Serial Experiments Lain''}}{{For|the anime|the video game|Serial Experiments Lain (game)}}[[File:Serial-experiments-lain-coverart.jpg|thumb|Strange events begin to occur as a withdrawn girl named Lain becomes obsessed with interconnected virtual realm of "The Wired".|right]]

{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Serial Experiments Lain''}}{{For|the anime|the video game|Serial Experiments Lain (game)}}[[File:Serial-experiments-lain-coverart.jpg|thumb|Strange events begin to occur as a withdrawn girl named Lain becomes obsessed with interconnected virtual realm of "The Wired".|right]]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 [[Nakamura Ryuutarou]], 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.

'''''Serial Experiments Lain''''' is an anime series directed by [[Nakamura Ryuutarou]], 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.

''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.

''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 series shows influences from topics such as philosophy, computer history, cyberpunk literature and [[conspiracy]] theory, and it was made the subject of several academic articles. English language anime reviewers found it to be weird and unusual, with generally positive reviews. Producer Ueda said he intended Japanese and American audiences to form conflicting views on the series, but was disappointed in this regard, as the impressions turned out to be similar.

The series shows influences from topics such as philosophy, computer history, cyberpunk literature and [[conspiracy]] theory, and it was made the subject of several academic articles. English language anime reviewers found it to be weird and unusual, with generally positive reviews. Producer Ueda said he intended Japanese and American audiences to form conflicting views on the series, but was disappointed in this regard, as the impressions turned out to be similar.

==Plot==

==Plot==

''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]]".