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Trailer+2 trailers

Serial Experiments Lain

1998Show1 season13 episodesTV-14

AnimationDrama
84
GreatGoodWatch score
IMDb8.0Rotten Tomatoes–90%

A deeply unsettling, intricate animated series about the mind and technology, with standout score and direction.

Good for friends night · binge-friendly · thought-provoking

Skip it if you need an uplifting mood · you want to half-watch while scrolling · you scare easily

Where to watch

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Not for warmth, comfort or uplift.

Shows with

Episodes

1 season · 13 episodes · best: S1E13 "Ego" 8.7

Episodes

7.9

Story

Close the world. txen eht nepO.

Lain—driven by the abrupt suicide of a classmate—logs on to the Wired and promptly loses herself in a twisted mass of hallucinations, memories, and interconnected-psyches.

Feels like

  • Cyberpunk Psychological Horror
  • Philosophical Sci-Fi
  • Existential Dread
  • Avant-Garde Narrative
  • Techno-Spiritual Mystery
  • Uncanny Valley Atmosphere
  • Iconic Industrial Score
  • Complex World-Building
  • Internet Culture Critique
  • Surreal Dream Logic

Cast

12 of 12 · most episodes first

Crew

Directors
Ryutaro Nakamura, Yuichi Tanaka, Masahiko Murata
Written by
Chiaki J. Konaka
Produced by
Taro Maki, Yasuyuki Ueda
Music by
Reichi Nakaido

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

July 6, 1998 · September 28, 1998 · Ended

First aired
July 6, 1998
Last aired
September 28, 1998
Status
Ended
Length
1 season · 13 episodes
Age rating
TV-14
Content
Violence, Suicide Themes, Disturbing Imagery, Strong Language
Genres
Animation, Drama, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Mystery
Original language
Japanese
Made in
Japan
Available in
5 countries

Tropes

Clingy Jealous Girl, Subways Suck, Talking the Monster to Death +9

  • Clingy Jealous Girl
  • Subways Suck
  • Talking the Monster to Death
  • Cyberpunk Is Techno
  • BFS
  • Digitized Hacker
  • What Happened to the Mouse?
  • Nice Job Breaking It, Hero!
  • School Uniforms are the New Black
  • God Is Evil
  • Where Does He Get All Those Wonderful Toys?
  • Jigsaw Puzzle Plot

12 of 184 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

7 questions, like "Where can I stream Serial Experiments Lain?"

Questions about Serial Experiments Lain

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Serial Experiments Lain?

In the United States, you can rent or buy Serial Experiments Lain from Apple TV Store. It streams in 2 other countries, but not in the United States.

Is Serial Experiments Lain worth watching?

84
GreatGoodWatch score

Yes, it's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 84 (IMDb 8).

Is Serial Experiments Lain okay for kids?

TV-14ViolenceSuicide themesDisturbing imageryStrong language

Better for older viewers: it's rated TV-14 in the United States for violence, suicide themes, disturbing imagery, and strong language, and the viewing guide lists it for adults.

How long does it take to watch Serial Experiments Lain?

5 h

About 5 hours: 13 episodes in 1 season of about 24 minutes each, aired from 1998 to 1998.

Can I half-watch Serial Experiments Lain?

Easy watchDemanding

No, it needs your attention: the title analysis rates it 10 of 10 for complexity and 10 for philosophical.

Will I feel good after watching Serial Experiments Lain?

BleakHopeful

Probably not: the title analysis rates it 8 of 10 for bleakness and 8 for melancholy, against 2 for hopefulness.

Is Serial Experiments Lain in English?

Japanese

No, it was made in Japanese.