Aug 21, 2015 8:40 PM
「Ｌａｙｅｒ ０１： Ｗｅｉｒｄ」
Anime Relations:
Serial Experiments Lain
[list]
[i]Index[/i]
N/A - TBA
Serial Experiments Lain. The notoriously well known (or perhaps obscure?) avante-garde masterpiece. It is complex to say the least. The majority of what I will be going through consists of episode break ups. Perhaps my expressions and thoughts about each episode. So what I'm looking at it is perhaps a 13 post blog entry at the end of all of this. For whoever happens to read this; it is perhaps best if you have already watched Serial Experiments Lain first before following along my ramblings. How long this will take me is not really that much of a concern. From my perspective, the first watch is completely different from the first rewatch and to be honest, I am in no position to dig up this conjecture as I have not ever rewatched a series besides SEL and movies. I would like to point out right now that the dub vs sub does not apply to Lain as the main scenes of importance are not lost in translation or anything. Before I go into my expressions, thoughts, and thereof, I would like to give a bit of a backdrop on the most important staff members who made this unparalleled magnumopus.
Yoshitoshi ABe
The original creator, character designer, and key animator in Serial Experiments Lain is said to have inimitable works of art. He also happens to be my favorite animator. At the moment, the shows that I have watched with him included in the development have been outstanding and nothing but quality pieces of work. His works include the following:
Masahiko Murata
Makes up half of the directors for Serial Experiments Lain, although to be fair he was only directing for episode 7, and episode 10. He has a number of different Anime Staff Positions under his belt. Most notably:
Ruutarou Nakamura
He is the main director of Serial Experiments Lain. His majority of Anime Staff Positions are of him being the director. Some of these works include:
It is unfortunate that Nakamura passed away in 2013. It is also because of this reason that the development of Despera has been put on an indefinite hold for quite some time, much to my dismay. Thankfully, it was revealed in January of 2015 that Despera would be pushing forward, having found a new director to replace Nakamura.
Chiaki J. Konaka
Perhaps best known for creating the script for Serial Experiments Lain. He's also dabbled in tokusatsu. Some of his works include:
Serial Experiments Lain is an unusual show, that much is certain - and for a lot of reasons, not just one or two.The negative spacing in its visuals, characterization, pacing, incoherent narration (or lack thereof), and its all around aesthetic is enough for most people looking for a mindless fun anime to quickly give it a pass. Of course, this isn't to say that someone who is looking for an enjoyable witless anime will not find entertainment in Serial Experiments Lain because, to be frank, this is an anime that will most likely require a rewatch to fully understand it. To pick up the tidbits. The niche of each episode. It's references thereof. Heck, even the cryptic opening of Serial Experiments Lain has meaning and relevance at any give point in time. The phrase present day, present time represents the relevance of the show itself. Meaning that everything and anything found in the show is as relevant today, if not more, as it was when it first aired in 1998. In all actuality, one can find a gritty, cyberpunk-esque, eerie vibe in Serial Experiments Lain that may be pleasing to said viewer. Let me just be clear about something right now. It is very important to pay attention to facial expressions as one can see and sense the angst, fear, anxiety, and subtleties that are portrayed. Well, there is more to this than that. I will explain as it becomes more of importance - more so in regards to interpretation of what said viewer has just seen. As one will come to find out very early in the first episode, the internet is known as the Wired. There will be more of this to come.
Serial Experiments Lain opens with a harsh reality that is unfortunately true in this cruel world. Suicide. An awkward young girl, Chisa Yomoda, commits the act of suicide within the first few minutes of the first episode. Often being the subject of bullying, eschewment, and harassment, she hurls herself off a building in the middle of the night all whilst having an expression of elation and euphoria written across her face. The viewer is already given hints of the Wired and the physical manifestation of that of the real world. Her self-worth, crippling esteem, and the persecution she's endured have accumulated a toll on her. For Chisa, the dark cruel world was not a lively place to be in and that's just the harsh reality of this world.
I've mentioned this before but I will requote for the sake of further explaining the meaning of Chisa's suicide.
The real world isn't of importance to Lain. It is shoddy and she is basically invisible as a phsycial manifestation. However, her presence in the Wired is also very limited as she does not seem to stand out there either. Her introversion may have something to do with it, but this doesn't keep her exempt from having an adult mindset - of course, it's important to keep in mind that she is in fact a teenager. She is by no means literate in the technological aspect of the series but this changes in the future as one is able to see how quickly she is able to adapt to the internet, or Wired thereof in a most tech savvy manner. Her school life isn't there. Her walks to and from school could be replaced by blank spaces. The negative lighting that transpires over the course of these actions only amplify the dystopian nature of what seems like a post-apocalyptic world as if nothing has even ensued and/or begun. While all these scenes are occuring, one is able to hear the pulsating and vibrating power lines or telephone lines. It is important to note that the humming power lines are a recurring motif in this series. One that should not be disregarded as it represents inclination or compulsion of the Wired. The layered world that enshrouds the real world. This is not one motif to be discarded in other words.
The family of Lain Iwakura is a bit disfunctional and an awkward one to say the least. Her sister Mika? Nope. Disconnection - nothing there. Gives the slightest care in the world for anybody but herself. Utters a few words, and waltz out on her marry way. Miho, the mother? She's just as indifferent as Mika, if not more, in regards to Lain. The mother daughter relationship isn't there. The concern for her is not there. It's a one sided relationship, but it's very distant. Her father on the other hand is a bit more willing to actually interact with Lain. He has top notch software as he believes that if one should access the Wired, one should be able to do so with only the mightiest of the apparatus available in the market. Her father may have good intentions as he does have reason to believe that his actions will help Lain overcome her introvertedness as she spends more time on the Wired. I suppose he can only have faith in his actions in order to do something about it; however, it is a double edged sword as it her physical form is left behind to suffer as she delves into the Wired more so. All of this is a complete and stark contrast in comparison to Chisa Yomoda's suicide as her reason was personal - whereas Lain's familial life is disjointed and impractical.
Her name presumably being an allegory in regards to Alice in Wonderland (and with good reason too) is Lain Iwakura's only friend in school. Due to Lain Iwakura's introvertedness, she is not able to connect with anyone else in the world - from a literal perspective. Her home life is a mess. She can't talk to her sister. Her mother hardly interacts with them, in fact she seems to hold very little interest. Lain's school life isn't the greatest as her only savior is Alice. Even then, she has so much trouble being able to interact and socialize with Alice alone. Alice serves as the thin line that keeps Lain connected to the other two pleasant mutual friends, Juri and Reika. Despite this, Lain is not able to feel empathy towards them. While Alice means well and has good intentions in an attempt to make our protagonist feel very much welcomed in school, it doesn't seem to work out well as Lain feels very much isolated from her peers and, well, anyone else.
Last, and certainly not least, we have our female protagonist, Lain Iwakura and obviously the most important character in the show seeing as how she is also the titular character. The audience does not really get to know her right away and all that is there is left up to interpretation. Her only friend is Alice as previously mentioned beforehand. She is clearly introverted and has no social interaction neither in the real world nor in the Wired. The generalization made here is that she is disconnected from the world and isolation and solitude are commonly expressed in her demeanor. She doesn't seem to have any interests in anything. School seems ilke a bore. Her home life isn't exactly stable. She cannot interact with the Wired as well as Yasuo is able to do so. Basically, she has no presence at this particular moment. The only times when we see her facial expression change to that of which expresses empath is when she recieves an e-mail from Chisa. Both having had no presence, Lain is able to show sympathy for her - which is something she does not show to Alice, Juri, Reika, nor her family.
This ties in with the cast - and the themes presented are not hard to figure out for the very first episode. The theme presented here is connection - or in the most literal of definitions: what it means to humans. What it says about the nature of humanity. To be able to socially interact. To have a meaningful relationship. You can see this, or lack thereof, in Lain's awkward relationships. In her lack of interest in anything. She is clearly indifferent to everything and anything. Her disconnection to the people around her keeps her isolated and she is walking on thin ice. For example, take notice of Chisa Yomoda's suicide. She was driven to that point due to her lack of connection. And what exactly amplified this? The harassment she had to withstand. Why is it that Lain is walking on thin ice? It is because her presence might as well be identical to that of Chisa Yomoda's. Yasuo found his solution through the Wired and this is the reasoning he has conjectured to help his daughter with. If Lain can successfully integrate herself as part of the Wired, Yasuo will not have to fear the worse - as in Chisa's case. Lain's ability to completely discourse in the Wired is a hope that only her father has - and that alone is a reason enough that suffices for him.
Along with the idea of connection comes the question of what exactly it means to die and what the consequences and or repercussions that come along with this. Chisa has died. That is factual.
But, did she really die if she is still sending messages, emails, and being able to interact with the rest of her peers?
Is it truly death when you have ceased to exist in the metaphysical world?
Think about it.
How many of your online friends have you met that you have never seen face to face?
Or take me for example. How many of you have ever talked to me?
Not one person on this site has talked to me face to face but does that mean that I exist?
Would any of you be able to tell the difference if I was actually a bot with human brain waves that could type out meaningful sentences and have coherent conversations?
Simply put, is it truly death once someones physical form has disappeared, but at the same time is able to interact with others?
In Chisa's case, she might as well not have committed suicide because her consciousness is still there able to interact with the lot of her peers and others. She's dead, but at the same time she's not. Her physical form may have dissipated but one cannot keep her data exempt. These themes are explored throughout the entirety of what is known as Serial Experiments Lain. It is not just looked at in episode 1, rather we get some insight of what is to come and how these themes constantly revolve around Lain. In the Wired, existence is a matter of perspective. The interpretation comes from the simple notice that physical manifestations mean nothing at all. Just look at Chisa. It doesn't mean a thing if you are still able to interact because when it's all said and done, everything said is about anything mentioned and is not upended. To be quite frank, the first episode leaves the viewer with desire. I say this because, being the first episode, it only gets weird from here on out. As previously menioned beforehand, we are given minimal information on Lain on purpose. We see more of Lain metamorphosing into something more in later episodes. This, of course, will be properly explained in due time. A few final thoughts on episode 1. While the audience doesn't know the specific reason as to why Chisa committed suicide, it should be noted that it is of actual importance. There is an enormous amount of similarities between Chisa and Lain. One of the greatest differences is that Lain had leverage by having Alice while Chisa did not have anybody.
[/list]
[i]Index[/i]
N/A - TBA
Serial Experiments Lain. The notoriously well known (or perhaps obscure?) avante-garde masterpiece. It is complex to say the least. The majority of what I will be going through consists of episode break ups. Perhaps my expressions and thoughts about each episode. So what I'm looking at it is perhaps a 13 post blog entry at the end of all of this. For whoever happens to read this; it is perhaps best if you have already watched Serial Experiments Lain first before following along my ramblings. How long this will take me is not really that much of a concern. From my perspective, the first watch is completely different from the first rewatch and to be honest, I am in no position to dig up this conjecture as I have not ever rewatched a series besides SEL and movies. I would like to point out right now that the dub vs sub does not apply to Lain as the main scenes of importance are not lost in translation or anything. Before I go into my expressions, thoughts, and thereof, I would like to give a bit of a backdrop on the most important staff members who made this unparalleled magnumopus.
Yoshitoshi ABe
The original creator, character designer, and key animator in Serial Experiments Lain is said to have inimitable works of art. He also happens to be my favorite animator. At the moment, the shows that I have watched with him included in the development have been outstanding and nothing but quality pieces of work. His works include the following:
- Serial Experiments Lain
- Haibane Renmei (in my opinion, it is the second best anime)
- Welcome to the NHK
- Texhnolyze (definitely one of the most underrated)
- NieA Under 7 (though to be completely honest, this one is lackluster in comparison to his other works)
- Roman Album: Taishou Dennou Dadaism Emaki - otherwise known as Despera; however, this is debatable as it is not (yet) an anime but I won't dwell too much on this.
~
Masahiko Murata
Makes up half of the directors for Serial Experiments Lain, although to be fair he was only directing for episode 7, and episode 10. He has a number of different Anime Staff Positions under his belt. Most notably:
- Serial Experiments Lain
- 5 of the Naruto Shippuden movies... heh...
- Baby Steps
~
Ruutarou Nakamura
He is the main director of Serial Experiments Lain. His majority of Anime Staff Positions are of him being the director. Some of these works include:
- Serial Experiments Lain
- Kino no Tabi: The Beautiful World
- Colorful
- Shinreigari
It is unfortunate that Nakamura passed away in 2013. It is also because of this reason that the development of Despera has been put on an indefinite hold for quite some time, much to my dismay. Thankfully, it was revealed in January of 2015 that Despera would be pushing forward, having found a new director to replace Nakamura.
~
Chiaki J. Konaka
Perhaps best known for creating the script for Serial Experiments Lain. He's also dabbled in tokusatsu. Some of his works include:
- Serial Experiments Lain
- Texhnolyze
- Ghost Hound
- Despera
~
Serial Experiments Lain is an unusual show, that much is certain - and for a lot of reasons, not just one or two.The negative spacing in its visuals, characterization, pacing, incoherent narration (or lack thereof), and its all around aesthetic is enough for most people looking for a mindless fun anime to quickly give it a pass. Of course, this isn't to say that someone who is looking for an enjoyable witless anime will not find entertainment in Serial Experiments Lain because, to be frank, this is an anime that will most likely require a rewatch to fully understand it. To pick up the tidbits. The niche of each episode. It's references thereof. Heck, even the cryptic opening of Serial Experiments Lain has meaning and relevance at any give point in time. The phrase present day, present time represents the relevance of the show itself. Meaning that everything and anything found in the show is as relevant today, if not more, as it was when it first aired in 1998. In all actuality, one can find a gritty, cyberpunk-esque, eerie vibe in Serial Experiments Lain that may be pleasing to said viewer. Let me just be clear about something right now. It is very important to pay attention to facial expressions as one can see and sense the angst, fear, anxiety, and subtleties that are portrayed. Well, there is more to this than that. I will explain as it becomes more of importance - more so in regards to interpretation of what said viewer has just seen. As one will come to find out very early in the first episode, the internet is known as the Wired. There will be more of this to come.
~
Chisa Yomoda
Serial Experiments Lain opens with a harsh reality that is unfortunately true in this cruel world. Suicide. An awkward young girl, Chisa Yomoda, commits the act of suicide within the first few minutes of the first episode. Often being the subject of bullying, eschewment, and harassment, she hurls herself off a building in the middle of the night all whilst having an expression of elation and euphoria written across her face. The viewer is already given hints of the Wired and the physical manifestation of that of the real world. Her self-worth, crippling esteem, and the persecution she's endured have accumulated a toll on her. For Chisa, the dark cruel world was not a lively place to be in and that's just the harsh reality of this world.
I've mentioned this before but I will requote for the sake of further explaining the meaning of Chisa's suicide.
If I recall correctly, Japan has one, if not the highest, suicide rates in the world. I'm not entirely sure how this figure compares back to when S.E.L was first airing, but this is a metaphor that emphasizes this figure of suicide rates. Once again back to the topic of isolation. The "Wired" most definitely has had a huge impact on how people interact with others and it's because of this that many people bring their concerns of whether or not the youth - and future generations for that matter - will be able to have meaningful relationships, if they will be able to live normally as they previously have before the internet came about. If I had to summarize what the anime is trying to accomplish at the end of the series, it's that all of the themes and everything about this is just one elaborate metaphor that encases the alienation of the youth in a world where technology has become more important than ever before compared to the times of back then.
~
Schooling
The real world isn't of importance to Lain. It is shoddy and she is basically invisible as a phsycial manifestation. However, her presence in the Wired is also very limited as she does not seem to stand out there either. Her introversion may have something to do with it, but this doesn't keep her exempt from having an adult mindset - of course, it's important to keep in mind that she is in fact a teenager. She is by no means literate in the technological aspect of the series but this changes in the future as one is able to see how quickly she is able to adapt to the internet, or Wired thereof in a most tech savvy manner. Her school life isn't there. Her walks to and from school could be replaced by blank spaces. The negative lighting that transpires over the course of these actions only amplify the dystopian nature of what seems like a post-apocalyptic world as if nothing has even ensued and/or begun. While all these scenes are occuring, one is able to hear the pulsating and vibrating power lines or telephone lines. It is important to note that the humming power lines are a recurring motif in this series. One that should not be disregarded as it represents inclination or compulsion of the Wired. The layered world that enshrouds the real world. This is not one motif to be discarded in other words.
~
Familial Life
The family of Lain Iwakura is a bit disfunctional and an awkward one to say the least. Her sister Mika? Nope. Disconnection - nothing there. Gives the slightest care in the world for anybody but herself. Utters a few words, and waltz out on her marry way. Miho, the mother? She's just as indifferent as Mika, if not more, in regards to Lain. The mother daughter relationship isn't there. The concern for her is not there. It's a one sided relationship, but it's very distant. Her father on the other hand is a bit more willing to actually interact with Lain. He has top notch software as he believes that if one should access the Wired, one should be able to do so with only the mightiest of the apparatus available in the market. Her father may have good intentions as he does have reason to believe that his actions will help Lain overcome her introvertedness as she spends more time on the Wired. I suppose he can only have faith in his actions in order to do something about it; however, it is a double edged sword as it her physical form is left behind to suffer as she delves into the Wired more so. All of this is a complete and stark contrast in comparison to Chisa Yomoda's suicide as her reason was personal - whereas Lain's familial life is disjointed and impractical.
Next, we have Mizuki Alice.
Her name presumably being an allegory in regards to Alice in Wonderland (and with good reason too) is Lain Iwakura's only friend in school. Due to Lain Iwakura's introvertedness, she is not able to connect with anyone else in the world - from a literal perspective. Her home life is a mess. She can't talk to her sister. Her mother hardly interacts with them, in fact she seems to hold very little interest. Lain's school life isn't the greatest as her only savior is Alice. Even then, she has so much trouble being able to interact and socialize with Alice alone. Alice serves as the thin line that keeps Lain connected to the other two pleasant mutual friends, Juri and Reika. Despite this, Lain is not able to feel empathy towards them. While Alice means well and has good intentions in an attempt to make our protagonist feel very much welcomed in school, it doesn't seem to work out well as Lain feels very much isolated from her peers and, well, anyone else.
Last, and certainly not least, we have our female protagonist, Lain Iwakura and obviously the most important character in the show seeing as how she is also the titular character. The audience does not really get to know her right away and all that is there is left up to interpretation. Her only friend is Alice as previously mentioned beforehand. She is clearly introverted and has no social interaction neither in the real world nor in the Wired. The generalization made here is that she is disconnected from the world and isolation and solitude are commonly expressed in her demeanor. She doesn't seem to have any interests in anything. School seems ilke a bore. Her home life isn't exactly stable. She cannot interact with the Wired as well as Yasuo is able to do so. Basically, she has no presence at this particular moment. The only times when we see her facial expression change to that of which expresses empath is when she recieves an e-mail from Chisa. Both having had no presence, Lain is able to show sympathy for her - which is something she does not show to Alice, Juri, Reika, nor her family.
~
Wired
This ties in with the cast - and the themes presented are not hard to figure out for the very first episode. The theme presented here is connection - or in the most literal of definitions: what it means to humans. What it says about the nature of humanity. To be able to socially interact. To have a meaningful relationship. You can see this, or lack thereof, in Lain's awkward relationships. In her lack of interest in anything. She is clearly indifferent to everything and anything. Her disconnection to the people around her keeps her isolated and she is walking on thin ice. For example, take notice of Chisa Yomoda's suicide. She was driven to that point due to her lack of connection. And what exactly amplified this? The harassment she had to withstand. Why is it that Lain is walking on thin ice? It is because her presence might as well be identical to that of Chisa Yomoda's. Yasuo found his solution through the Wired and this is the reasoning he has conjectured to help his daughter with. If Lain can successfully integrate herself as part of the Wired, Yasuo will not have to fear the worse - as in Chisa's case. Lain's ability to completely discourse in the Wired is a hope that only her father has - and that alone is a reason enough that suffices for him.
Along with the idea of connection comes the question of what exactly it means to die and what the consequences and or repercussions that come along with this. Chisa has died. That is factual.
But, did she really die if she is still sending messages, emails, and being able to interact with the rest of her peers?
Is it truly death when you have ceased to exist in the metaphysical world?
Think about it.
How many of your online friends have you met that you have never seen face to face?
Or take me for example. How many of you have ever talked to me?
Not one person on this site has talked to me face to face but does that mean that I exist?
Would any of you be able to tell the difference if I was actually a bot with human brain waves that could type out meaningful sentences and have coherent conversations?
Simply put, is it truly death once someones physical form has disappeared, but at the same time is able to interact with others?
In Chisa's case, she might as well not have committed suicide because her consciousness is still there able to interact with the lot of her peers and others. She's dead, but at the same time she's not. Her physical form may have dissipated but one cannot keep her data exempt. These themes are explored throughout the entirety of what is known as Serial Experiments Lain. It is not just looked at in episode 1, rather we get some insight of what is to come and how these themes constantly revolve around Lain. In the Wired, existence is a matter of perspective. The interpretation comes from the simple notice that physical manifestations mean nothing at all. Just look at Chisa. It doesn't mean a thing if you are still able to interact because when it's all said and done, everything said is about anything mentioned and is not upended. To be quite frank, the first episode leaves the viewer with desire. I say this because, being the first episode, it only gets weird from here on out. As previously menioned beforehand, we are given minimal information on Lain on purpose. We see more of Lain metamorphosing into something more in later episodes. This, of course, will be properly explained in due time. A few final thoughts on episode 1. While the audience doesn't know the specific reason as to why Chisa committed suicide, it should be noted that it is of actual importance. There is an enormous amount of similarities between Chisa and Lain. One of the greatest differences is that Lain had leverage by having Alice while Chisa did not have anybody.
~
Layer 01: Weird
Chiaki J. Konaka relates a story of relevance constructed on the sole basis of fiction.
Nevertheless, it is symbolic of certain phenomena base in the analog - this case being reality.
Furthermore, his prediction that when words have been amplified, they will transform into truth.
Every occurance only emphasizes the existence of an entity.
As individuals separate from one another, they are left with the desire to belong to a niche.
To be of social importance. However, that is but an egotistical concept. One that provides no mutual understanding. The understanding will come from the necessity to recognize - brain synapses - that every one of us is connected in a logical yet chaotic manner.
[i]Lain is lain. lain is lain.
Each is separate - yet they are one.
By connecting, humanity gains awareness.
By connecting, humans no longer remain as endpoints.
A "terminus" in this case.
Humans become a junction to another point.
The ability to connect is the ability to continue - they are one and the same.
This not only applies to the connection of axial coordinates but also temporal coordinates as well.
Therefore, at the time when conscious, intentional connection is made, surely the dead will rise.
They will rise from their intended place.
Appearing at the time coordinate of the connection’s origin.
In that moment, the realization will dawn that the time in which we inhabit our physical bodies is but the starting point of a connection, and the very meaning of possessing a physical body at shall be questioned.
What one must fear is this moment.
What one must fear - is disconnection.
Recognize that we're all connected.
Serialize thyself.
Nevertheless, it is symbolic of certain phenomena base in the analog - this case being reality.
Furthermore, his prediction that when words have been amplified, they will transform into truth.
Every occurance only emphasizes the existence of an entity.
As individuals separate from one another, they are left with the desire to belong to a niche.
To be of social importance. However, that is but an egotistical concept. One that provides no mutual understanding. The understanding will come from the necessity to recognize - brain synapses - that every one of us is connected in a logical yet chaotic manner.
~
[i]Lain is lain. lain is lain.
Each is separate - yet they are one.
By connecting, humanity gains awareness.
By connecting, humans no longer remain as endpoints.
A "terminus" in this case.
Humans become a junction to another point.
The ability to connect is the ability to continue - they are one and the same.
This not only applies to the connection of axial coordinates but also temporal coordinates as well.
Therefore, at the time when conscious, intentional connection is made, surely the dead will rise.
They will rise from their intended place.
Appearing at the time coordinate of the connection’s origin.
In that moment, the realization will dawn that the time in which we inhabit our physical bodies is but the starting point of a connection, and the very meaning of possessing a physical body at shall be questioned.
What one must fear is this moment.
What one must fear - is disconnection.
~
Recognize that we're all connected.
Serialize thyself.
[/list]
Posted by
Sirani
| Aug 21, 2015 8:40 PM |
1 comments
 |
Krystalis | Sep 1, 2015 4:48 PM
oh my god you've really outdone yourself this time if you seriously plan on blogging a post for each episode wait, why the heck are you doing this anyways, i mean, you might as well submit the longest review on lain in existence if you're just gonna make an analysis... idk. >____> |