"Mankind is a creature that no longer evolves, is it not? Compared to other animals, the cancer rate in man is exceedingly small. One theory says is a neoteny, and is no longer able to evolve. If this is true, then what an absurd creature man has evolved into. Not knowing what it is that drives them, they keep their bodies merely to satisfy the desires of the flesh. They’re worthless, don’t you think? That’s all mankind is."

My adventure in exploring the world of anime continues, after previously being taken by Satoshi Kon to delve into the minds of people in Paranoia Agent, this time Ryūtarō Nakamura's Serial Experiments Lain will blurring the thin line between reality and virtual in a dark, trippy, mystical, and atmospheric cyberpunk tale. I believe that this is the most unique, rare, and different anime that we will never see again out there. Moreover, this anime was released in 1998 which feels ahead of its time and transcends time in many ways.

This anime is sooo phenomenal. Serial Experiments Lain (SEL for short) is one of the most confusing, thought-provoking, bizarre, surreal, and highly experimental anime ever made (or the most apt description would be "avant-garde"). SEL can be very confusing indeed, full of philosophical ideas integrated in the technology around us with an abstract and surreal storytelling style that makes the story even more difficult to understand. It got to the point where I had to take a break and replay some scenes just trying to understand everything.

SEL is actually a very difficult anime to describe and review. I feel like the story is something that is better experienced on its own than explained, but I'll still try to provide what themes are discussed in this anime. SEL basically explores the subject of love, loneliness, human connection, the existential self in relation to the world, and the role of technology (internet) that can have a negative impact on people's lives (distancing us from the real world, give birth to a persona that is far different from the real personality, manipulation of information, etc), which will raise and dig deeper into questions about reality, identity, existentialism, memory, communication, as well as the concept and existence of God. It is this topic of God's existence that really interests me and manages to make me wonder; can God or a person exist if no one believes or remembers them?

Ultimately, Serial Experiments Lain is definitely not an anime can loved and enjoyed by all. However, for those who love thought-provoking and philosophical viewing, SEL can be a masterpiece in itself that will certainly produce different interpretations for each person in understanding what actually happened and the underlying meaning conveyed ambiguously in the story.

"What isn’t remembered, never happened. Memory is merely a record. You just need to rewrite that record."
"Let’s all love Lain!"