Lain Iwakura
main character
TV
8.0
My TrackerPLANNING
Episode: 0 / 13
My Score:
Anime DetailsFINISHED
- Format
- TV series
- Episodes
- 13
- Episode length
- 23 min
- Total watch time
- 4 h 59 min
- Status
- Finished
- Aired
- July 6, 1998 – September 28, 1998
- Season
- Summer 1998
- Source
- Original story
- Studio
- Triangle Staff
- Director
- Ryuutarou Nakamura
- Music
- Reichi Nakaido
- Age rating
- R — 17+ (violence & profanity)
- Country
- Japan
- AniList score
- 80/100
Estimated watch time
4h 59m
⚡ 3 days at 5 eps/day
Tags & Tropes
Denpa97%Philosophy94%Augmented Reality89%Female Protagonist85%Artificial Intelligence84%Cyberpunk83%Conspiracy77%Religion68%Meta68%Suicide68%
TVFINISHED1998 SUMMER8.0 / 10 AniList score
Serial Experiments Lain
serial experiments lain• serial experiments lain
Synopsis
We're all connected... There is the world around us, a world of people, tactile sensation, and culture. There is the wired world, inside the computer, of images, personalities, virtual experiences, and a culture all of its own. The day after a classmate commits suicide, Lain, a 14-year-old girl, discovers how closely the two worlds are linked when she receives an e-mail from the dead girl: I just abandoned my body. I still live here... Has the line between the real world and the wired world begun to blur? (Source: Geneon Entertainment)
Should you watch Serial Experiments Lain?
Serial Experiments Lain has been very well received, with an average AniList score of 80/100 — 72% of 82,231 ratings are 8/10 or higher.
It ranks #4 highest-rated anime of 1998, and #2 most popular anime of 1998 on AniList.
Of the 146.3K AniList users who started it, 4.3% dropped it, so it is rarely abandoned; 109K have finished it.
At about 4 h 59 min in total, it is a short commitment — a weekend binge.
Best for viewers who enjoy Drama, Mystery, Psychological — especially denpa, philosophy, augmented reality, female protagonist.
Where to Watch Officially
Availability, audio and subtitles vary by region and service.
Episodes
13 episodes are listed.
Trailer
Watch on YouTubeMain cast & voice actors
Creators & key staff
- Director
- Ryuutarou Nakamura
- Series composition
- Chiaki Konaka
- Character design
- Takahiro Kishida
- Music
- Reichi Nakaido
Related entries
Opening & ending themes
Openings (1)
- OP1“DUVET” by BOA
Endings (1)
Theme data from AnimeThemes.moe.
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Serial Experiments Lain FAQ
How many episodes does Serial Experiments Lain have?
Serial Experiments Lain has 13 episodes of about 23 minutes each, roughly 4 h 59 min in total.
How long does it take to watch Serial Experiments Lain?
About 4 h 59 min back to back. At two episodes a day it takes 7 days; at one hour a day, about 5 days.
Is Serial Experiments Lain finished?
Yes. Serial Experiments Lain has finished airing — the final episode aired September 28, 1998.
Is there a season 2 of Serial Experiments Lain?
No sequel is listed for Serial Experiments Lain as of October 2026.
Is Serial Experiments Lain based on a manga?
No. Serial Experiments Lain is an original anime story, not adapted from a manga or novel.
Who animated Serial Experiments Lain?
Serial Experiments Lain was animated by Triangle Staff and directed by Ryuutarou Nakamura.
Who sings the opening of Serial Experiments Lain?
The opening, "DUVET", is performed by BOA.
Where can I watch Serial Experiments Lain?
Serial Experiments Lain is listed on Crunchyroll. Availability varies by region — check the streaming links on this page.