Cheap Serial Experiments Lain - Navi (Layers 1-4) (Geneon Signature Series) (DVD) (Ryutaro Nakamura) Price

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Customer Reviews of Serial Experiments Lain - Navi (Layers 1-4) (Geneon Signature Series)

There is really nothing in this series which really needs warning except for the pure weird factor. I know plenty of hardcore sci-fi/fantasy buffs who are having a hard time getting though this thinking of all the plots to the story the first time.

All kidding aside, this is an excellent introduction to the series... and truly the whole series is excellent. I am forever indebted to that great guy who told me to look into Serial Experiments: Lain. The first of the anime genre to pull me out of my text-only Gibson dominated world.

Definitely definitely advise to all who enjoy a bit of wonder and curiosity and "Huh? Why?" But I do advise watching this with someone else, maybe they picked up on something you didn't - or worst case scenario one of you will have to get up for a minute and you'll be able to exercise your brain and reflect.

I loved every minute of it... but really shouldn't have watched them nonstop the first time alone. :)

Brilliant. Beautiful. Intelligent. Incredible.
This is anime at it's finest. Deep story, gorgeous animation, creepy atmosphere.

Let's get to the storyline. Lain, a shy and quiet schoolgirl, receives an e-mail from a classmate who committed suicide a week before, informing her that the girl simply abandoned her body and still lives in the Wired (the SE: L term for the internet). What ensues is, to say the least, STRANGE. Lain soon finds out (from various sources) about at least two other versions of herself: a Wired personality that's supposedly her opposite, and a tough, commanding persona that hangs out at Cyberia, a local club. She meets people who seem to have met her before, but as a different person. ("Hey, you're Lain, aren't you? I saw you on the Wired once. You were totally different from how you seem now"). Her changing personality, her growing obsession with the Wired, an e-cult, and a couple of mysterious men stalking their house (I assume we'll find out more about them in future volumes) add to the great plot.

This isn't for everyone. First off, you have to want to THINK. It's fairly complex, with no comedy and almost no action, so some may get bored. Second, it's not for young children (I'm 14 myself). If you do show this to children, take into account the disturbing story (including suicide) and chilling images (I can think of one in particular). They would also be bored (I'm sure my little brother would sleep through it).

In conclusion, this is an incredible series. It deserves a casual look by any anime fan (like myself). But be warned, it takes a certain personality.

Disappointed
I had high hopes for an interesting and different film, but I was disappointed. It is different, but unfortunately boring. There are some aspects to the artwork that are unique (shadows have fun treatments) but thats about it. Otherwise, the artwork is a let down. The eyes on the main character (Lain) were a window to nothing and she really wasn't endearing. It was very slow and not a "ghost story". Maybe the next few layers get more excitng, but I'm sure the anime doesn't get better.