Does anyone actually honestly enjoyed SEL?

[Roarkiller]

Asking cuz i finally took time off to watch it. I heard bout how deep and dark this particular anime is, but i hadnt expect THIS kind of level. Its beyond deep and dark, and in a word, i think gothic suits the anime best.

Meh, i like it. Its so unique, and i like not being able to understand everything (yeah im weird).

But this is from my point of view, and the lack of almost everything from music to even dialogue, it makes me wonder if ppl really like the story or juz for the sake of it being mature.

Also, theres smthng ive been wondering; in the ending, Lain is featured nude. Now i may be wrong, but isnt she still in junior high? I get what the scene is depicting, but showing a girl her age nude shouldnt have been allowed even in japan, could it?

[Azura Stardust]

I asked my friend who's watched SEL... she said she completely didn't understand it and said she doesn't see the point of downloading something she doesn't understand... and something one doesn't understand doesn't necessarily have to be mature... sometime's it's badly put across...

I'm wondering whether to watch it myself; the art looks different from the usual..

[Roarkiller]

Originally posted by Azura Stardust
I asked my friend who's watched SEL... she said she completely didn't understand it and said she doesn't see the point of downloading something she doesn't understand... and something one doesn't understand doesn't necessarily have to be mature... sometime's it's badly put across...

Exactly what i mean. I watched 4 epps so far and i get what its trying to portray- so far.

Btw, i couldnt get a screenshot of the controversial ending, so u guyz have to look it up someplace. In case ur wondering what its supposed to mean tho, Lain's seen in a foetal position amidst bundles of wires, LEDs and other tech stuff. IMO its trying to show Lain as the offspring of technology. But still...

[Mewtwo-D2]

I enjoyed SEL quite a bit, actually, and not just because it's a dark, morbid series. I enjoyed the interesting philosophical questions, as well as the elements of Japanese cinema, such as the long, drawn-out pauses.

As for naked Lain, it's not detailed and is in a non-sexual context. It does symbolize her as a child of technology, and using her older form shows her rebirth into the Wired. It's no more controversial than Chibi Moon being naked during her transformation sequence.

[Roarkiller]

Originally posted by Mewtwo-D2
As for naked Lain, it's not detailed and is in a non-sexual context. It does symbolize her as a child of technology, and using her older form shows her rebirth into the Wired. It's no more controversial than Chibi Moon being naked during her transformation sequence.

Yeah i guess. Come to think of it, Shinobu and Suu from LH r in junior high too. And Chika from AYA.

Meh.

[KaptainSarcasm]

I loved Lain. But I love anything by that company, I.E. Haibane Renmei and Nia_7. ^_^

[Azura Stardust]

NieA_7 showed here, but I didn't get to catch it.... ._. Almost everyone I talked to said it sucked. But then again we all have very different tastes... I think in general most people disliked NieA_7, and those people would probably not like Lain...

Though I don't mind contemporary yet crazy shows about aliens with caste systems and an annoying little low-class alien eating off the mian character's food and lodging in her house...

[Roarkiller]

Originally posted by Azura Stardust
NieA_7 showed here, but I didn't get to catch it.... ._. Almost everyone I talked to said it sucked. But then again we all have very different tastes... I think in general most people disliked NieA_7, and those people would probably not like Lain...

Though I don't mind contemporary yet crazy shows about aliens with caste systems and an annoying little low-class alien eating off the mian character's food and lodging in her house...

Sounds like Tenchi Btw, what Nia_7?

[Azura Stardust]

This is Pioneer's official site.... (They dubbed it and released it on DVD if I'm not wrong)

This is EX's review of NieA_7...

This is Anime Okashi's review of NieA_7

Now go see it if you want to, its not the same as Lain I'll tell you that for one.

And heck, if you can love FLCL for it's crazy plot, why not Niea for it's... Idunnowhatyoucallitness?

[Last Exile]

I ain't seen Lain, but it sounds a bit like WItch Hunter ROb in. I recommend Witch Hunter RObin to any fans of Lain.

And coincidentally, I also like Haibane Remnei quite a bit too, Kaptain Sarcasm.

[Roarkiller]

NieA_7 doesnt sound like my type of anime -_-

Btw, theres this 'new' anime group Kickassanime which rips DVDs instead of fansubbing. Theres lots of old anime obviously, but suggested for those who r tired of their horribly subbed anime (unless u dont mind or u dnot understand hoot of japanese).

[Nikku-San]

I haven't seen it but it sounds very deep. IIRC, a class-mate of hers dies and she recieves an e-mail from her the next day, right? It is probably very interesting, but dark storylines like that disturb me rather easy... So I'm not sure if it's the anime for me...

[Azura Stardust]

Nyahahaha... In exchange for Spiral, my friend will lend me Lain. >) Can't wait really.. I want to look out for the various symbolisms and what not... and I'm expecting some nice art

On a slightly related note, anyone watched Now And Then, Here And There? (What's the Japanese name? Something like, Ima, Soko ni Iru Boku or something like that.) It's also got a dark and somewhat confusing tone to it. It's gotten pretty good reviews by some people... I watched it long ago on TV, it's sad and confusing and cool at the same time. Pity it's got a TV budget, so the art wasn't so good.



EDIT: Anyone who watches AXN Asia... Now And Then, Here And There is starting on Sunday, 9 September. At 9:30 am (or 5:30 am on Monday) - just one episode, though after that it'll be 2 episodes every Sunday. It has 13 episodes, so... it'll go on until 21st December (Dammit, I won't be able to watch it. Ah well... I already watched it )
Oh, and it IS Ima, Soko ni iru Boku.

[Roarkiller]

I heard of it before, but forgot what its about.

Literal title trans is "Right now, I am over there." The word boku seems to suggest that the main character's a guy, since its only used by males.

[Azura Stardust]

Ya, I know that...... The main character IS a guy, and he's one heck of a very very strong willed guy.

To borrow from a very funny review... (No spoilers, but it's better if you watch the series first before reading the whole review. Somehow.)

In a lot of ways, he's a typical shounen lead (although he's missing the spiky hair): he's not too smart, but his kindness, morals, and energy make up for it. His personality and cute character design seem like they would be more at home in Shounen Jump, deep within a happy manga about ninja or soccer. Instead, he ends up in a world full of war, cruelty, and difficult moral decisions. Obviously his character has to change over time to accommodate all this, but despite all the garbage he goes through he never loses his optimism and good nature.

And whee, my friend wasn't at home so I couldn't borrow her Lain cds. ._.