I've been trying to come up with a pithy comparison with which to introduce Serial Experiments Lain, a nifty way to tell you just how different this Pioneer-produced television series is, but I just can't. Lain takes animated storytelling in whole new directions; there really are no comparisons. Over the course of 13 episodes we are alternately confused, enlightened, excited, worried, confused again ...

Yet while the disjointed storyline makes individual episodes nothing short of baffling, taken as a whole Lain weaves an incredibly complex tale, full of philosophical inquiry and fascinating (albeit sometimes quite disturbing) storytelling. And somehow each episode compels you to watch the next, and the next ...

In addition, the music for Lain is incredible. The opening theme, "Duvet" by Boa, is so good I bought the soundtrack without even thinking about what else was on it. And the rest of the music, while sometimes almost too techno for my tastes originally, really grew on me.

I congratulate Pioneer on producing one of the most incredible anime experiences yet created, and I congratulate them further for releasing it in the U.S. Many anime TV series never make their way here, and it makes me wonder what we're missing.

What makes Lain mythic?

In a way, this is the easiest question I could answer about Serial Experiments: Lain: The entire series is, in essence, about the new mythology of the Internet (called the Wired in the series), about the spirituality of connection, about the possibility of a "God" appearing in the Wired, and about spiritual growth. It asks a host of difficult questions about our modern world, sometimes gives us possible answers, and generally leaves me spiritually breathless. And, yes, it could easily be that Lain herself is a messiah.

Further discussion of Lain in all its aspects can be found at the Cyberia Cafe.

And to comment/disagree/agree, e-mail me at ghost@neomythos.com.