Serial Experiments Lain is one of the most influential and groundbreaking anime series, featuring themes that were nothing short of visionary for its time.
Its exploration of technology and virtual worlds is eerily prescient, almost as if it had foreseen the future.
And that’s why the series has garnered significant attention, solidifying its status as a cult classic that everyone should watch at least once.
And understanding these sentiments, it’s no wonder that after viewing it, you might seek out a similar series.
Today we will be exploring the best anime like Serial Experiments Lain.
Table of Contents
12. Summer Wars
Summer Wars is a 2009 anime movie produced by Mamoru Hosoda, a creator recognized for his exploration of themes related to the progress of technology and its potential dangers.
And just mentioning this should trigger your initial inkling of similarities to Serial Experiments Lain.
The plot revolves around Kenji Koiso, a math genius with social problems who spends a lot of time in a virtual world called Oz.
At the start of the summer, the most popular girl in school Natsuki hires Kenji to pretend to be her fiancé in front of her grandmother.
But a mistake made by Kenji leads to the release of a powerful computer virus called the Love Machine, which attacks Oz and causes disasters worldwide.
Now it’s up to Kenji to stop the threat and restore peace in the network.
The theme of technological progress and its potential risks, when not properly managed, is evident in both works, albeit in markedly distinct manners.
As you’re aware, Lain does so with a dark and unsettling tone, while Summer Wars maintains an overall lighthearted and colorful atmosphere.
So we heartily recommend it to those seeking a story with similar themes but with an entirely different mood.
11. Sonny Boy
Sonny Boy and Serial Experiments Lain, on the other hand, begin with entirely different concepts, and the same applies to their plots and development. But let’s get to the heart of the matter because the similarities are indeed present.
At the beginning of what was supposed to be an ordinary summer school break, a school is mysteriously transported to another world.
And that’s how 36 students will find themself in the dark, unable to contact the outside world as they begin to develop special powers.
But among these students, the personalities of Asakaze and Nagara, the 2 male MCs, and Mizuho and Nozomi, two female MCs, will stand out.
That’s the beginning of a deadly struggle for survival, filled with betrayal, death, and plot twists.
Sonny Boy and Serial Experiments Lain share a crucial aspect: characters are thrust into unfamiliar and overwhelming situations, leaving them bewildered and scared.
If this is the similarity you seek in an anime similar to Serial Experiments Lain, then Sonny Boy is a promising choice.
10. Steins;Gate
Steins;Gate and Serial Experiments Lain, on the other hand, possess entirely different tones and plots while meeting at distinct junctures, as we’ll explore shortly.
At the core of Steins;Gate lies the concept of time travel, following the journey of the eccentric scientist Rintaro Okabe and his circle of friends who stumble upon the ability to send text messages into the past.
But their experiments attract the attention of the enigmatic organization SERN, placing them in grave danger, while Rintaro will do everything in his power to save Kurisu Makise, his love interest.
Both series delve into the theme of time travel and time manipulation via technology, although for vastly different reasons, as you might have noticed.
But if you’re truly interested in a narrative that diverges from Serial Experiments Lain while preserving these elements, Steins;Gate is the ideal choice for you.
9. Den-noh Coil
Den-noh Coil could be considered a lighter and less dark version than Serial Experiments Lain.
The story takes place in Japan in 2026, eleven years after an extraordinary development in augmented reality, which can be used through special visors, and cyber glasses.
Yiko Okonogi, an elementary school student, moves with her family to the small town of Daikoku, where there is a massive presence of cyber technology.
She will befriend Yuko, and the two will become involved in several technology-themed mysteries, including hacking and other deep tech things.
Both series revolve around the concept of cyberspace existing in parallel to the real world, commencing from two fundamentally similar ideas.
But as previously mentioned, the contrast lies in Den-noh Coil’s use of this fundamental concept to craft a narrative that is lighter in tone compared to Serial Experiments Lain.
But at the same time, this doesn’t imply it is intended for children, and indeed, it incorporates several elements that will stimulate your thinking.
8. Texhnolyze
Texhnolyze and Serial Experiments Lain share several similarities, but let’s begin with one of the most apparent ones: both series feature exceptional character design by Yoshitoshi ABe.
The series is set in the deteriorating underground city of Lux, where substance abuse has become prevalent.
The focus of the story is on Ichise, an orphan turned bounty hunter who has prosthetic limbs, as well as his companions Yoshi, Onishi, and Ran. Together, they witness significant events that will shape the destiny of the city.
In addition to the previously mentioned aesthetic similarity, these two series also share common themes, primarily centered around the theme of technology.
It’s important to note that Texhnolyze and Serial Experiments Lain have significantly different storylines, providing a degree of diversity to keep things interesting.
7. Ghost in the Shell
Creating a list of the best anime similar to Serial Experiments Lain without including Ghost in the Shell would have been impossible, and the reason is simple: Serial Experiments Lain is undeniably influenced by it in many ways.
This movie follows Major Motoko Kusanagi, a member of Public Security Section 9, in the year 2029, and an incredibly skilled agent and fighter.
She is tasked with investigating a case involving a powerful hacker, the Puppet Master, who leaves victims without memories. But as she delves deeper into the case, things get more complicated with other factions getting involved.
Along the way, Motoko is forced to confront some deep philosophical questions about her existence. And as she learns more about the Puppet Master, she realizes that they hold the answers she’s been searching for.
Serial Experiments Lain adopts many of Ghost in the Shell’s themes concerning technology, the computerization of the world, and more, and then builds upon them to create its own distinctive narrative.
So it’s not that absurd to consider Serial Experiments Lain as a successor to Ghost in the Shell.
6. Haibane Renmei
Haibane Renmei, though less widely known than Serial Experiments Lain, is another gem that you shouldn’t overlook.
The story revolves around Rakka, a girl with angelic features who lives within the walls, along with other beings like her called Haibane.
The characters are unable to remember their past lives or why they possess such unique appearances, or even why they are isolated from the outside world.
Beginning with the most evident similarities, Yoshitoshi ABe contributed to both series, imparting a significant similarity in atmosphere and character design.
But the commonalities extend beyond that, as both series delve into philosophical themes, mystery, and the exploration of one’s soul and identity.
So despite differences in plot and setting, you are likely to find these two series extremely similar.
5. Perfect Blue
Perfect Blue is an excellent recommendation if you’re seeking a series similar to Serial Experiments Lain, but let us emphasize that it’s a movie you should watch at least once.
Mima Kirigoe is a young girl belonging to the Chams, a trio of J-Pop idols. The group is having a fair amount of success, but Mima wants to become an actress, so she leaves the group.
Amid the discouragement of the fans, Mima will start acting in a small role in a drama and some strange events will begin to take place.
A fax will be delivered to her in which she is accused of treason, and even more disturbing is the existence of a website called Mima’s Room in which someone describes her days in great detail.
Perfect Blue is the perfect representation of how to create a drama-centered story with an ever-increasing climax. It has perfect direction, with a plot that will make you feel constantly anxious and in danger just by watching it.
Does this ring a bell compared to Lain?
Also, both works explore the theme of the loss of identity (though for entirely different reasons) and evoke a sense of twisted reality, making it a perfect recommendation.
4. Paprika
Paprika is one of Satoshi Kon’s masterpieces and undeniably one of the series most reminiscent of Serial Experiments Lain that you can come across without a doubt.
In the world of Paprika, a team has developed a revolutionary invention that allows humans to enter the realm of dreams.
With this invention, it becomes possible to visualize, record, and even interfere with people’s dreams, offering a way to effectively treat various diseases and mental disorders.
The potential benefits are boundless, but what if this technology were to fall into the wrong hands?
This question is soon answered when three of these devices are stolen and end up in the possession of the wrong individuals.
Paprika and Serial Experiments Lain adeptly explore the concept of dream traversal and the pitfalls of losing oneself within technology.
And at the same time, they both accomplish this feat with exceptional dark and technopunk tones and themes.
In conclusion, if you found enjoyment in Serial Experiments Lain, it’s highly likely that Paprika will equally captivate you.
3. Boogiepop Phantom
Boogiepop Phantom is a series that shares significant similarities with Serial Experiments Lain in terms of atmosphere and vibes.
The story revolves around a small town where, 5 years after a series of murders, mysterious cases of student disappearances begin to occur, bringing back memories of the past horrors.
Soon these events lead to encounters with Boogiepop, the God of Death.
Boogiepop Phantom and Serial Experiments Lain share a slow and reflective pacing, allowing them to narrate events with careful attention and create a mysterious atmosphere.
Both series also feature a dark and creepy setting, delving into philosophical themes that prompt contemplation.
For these reasons, Boogiepop Phantom is an excellent choice to watch after experiencing Serial Experiments Lain.
2. Neon Genesis Evangelion
Neon Genesis Evangelion, while having a completely different plot from Serial Experiments Lain, shares enormous similarities with it.
Created by Hideaki Anno and the Gainax studio in 1995, the anime portrays a world under attack by mysterious cybernetic entities known as Angels that threaten the peace of humanity.
To fight them, the Special Agency Nerv uses special mechas called EVAs. The protagonist, Shinji Ikari, is hired by this group to pilot one of the robots, EVA 01, and attempt to end these attacks.
Despite the differences in premise and plot, Lain and Evangelion share two fundamental aspects: incredibly deep, psychological, thought-provoking storylines, and themes concerning the search for one’s identity.
And since Evangelion is considered one of the best anime to explore these topics, it’s clear why it’s so high in the ranking.
1. Ergo Proxy
Ergo Proxy is undeniably one of the best anime choices if you enjoyed Serial Experiments Lain, perhaps even the best.
The story is set in a post-apocalyptic future where survivors live under a dome city called Romdo, to get shelter from the lethal and toxic climate.
To help with mankind’s recovery, AutoReivs, humanoid-like robots, have been created to assist people in their day-to-day lives.
But these automatons have begun contracting an enigmatic disease called the Cogito Virus which grants them self-awareness.
Re-l Mayer, with the help of his AutoReiv named Iggy, will be tasked to investigate this phenomenon.
Let’s get this straight from the start by acknowledging the main difference between the 2 series: Serial Experiments Lain is more focused on dreamlike themes, while Ergo Proxy maintains a mystery and detective plot throughout its story.
But with that aspect set aside, these two anime are incredibly similar. They both build their premise and plot around technology, delve deeply into psychological and philosophical themes, and even share a similar visual design.
Ergo Proxy is an excellent choice to watch after Serial Experiments Lain, and we’re confident you won’t be disappointed.
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