07/06/1998 - 09/28/1998 Finished
Serial Experiments Lain (シリアルエクスペリメンツレイン)
Lain Iwakura, an awkward and introverted fourteen-year-old, is one of the many girls from her school to receive a disturbing email from her classmate Chisa Yomoda—the very same Chisa who recently committed suicide. Lain has neither the desire nor the experience to handle even basic technology; yet, when the technophobe opens the email, it leads her straight into the Wired, a virtual world of communication networks similar to what we know as the internet. Lain's life is turned upside down as she begins to encounter cryptic mysteries one after another. Strange men called the Men in Black begin to appear wherever she goes, asking her questions and somehow knowing more about her than even she herself knows. With the boundaries between reality and cyberspace rapidly blurring, Lain is plunged into more surreal and bizarre events where identity, consciousness, and perception are concepts that take on new meanings. Written by Chiaki J. Konaka, whose other works include Texhnolyze, Serial Experiments Lain is a psychological avant-garde mystery series that follows Lain as she makes crucial choices that will affect both the real world and the Wired. In closing one world and opening another, only Lain will realize the significance of their presence.
13
Total episodes
13
Canon episodes
0
Filler episodes
0%
% Filler
Canon episodes · 13 Filler episodes · 0
Every season
Seasons and sequels
Single Season
Currently, Serial Experiments Lain has no sequels, prequels, or registered spin-offs. This is the complete story available at the moment.
What to watch, what to skip
Watch order: filler vs canon
You're in luck! Serial Experiments Lain doesn't have a single filler episode: all 13 episodes are canon. It's a faithful adaptation of the original manga, so you can enjoy it from first to last without skipping anything or checking any list of expendable episodes.
The 13 episodes of Serial Experiments Lain aired in 1998 and follow the story's chronological order. There are no transition episodes, no needless recaps, no arcs invented by the studio: every chapter advances the main plot and develops the characters just as the source material does.
In short, the watch order for Serial Experiments Lain is as simple as it gets: start at episode 1 and keep going to episode 13 without detours. If you came looking for which Serial Experiments Lain episodes are filler so you could skip them, the answer is that there aren't any.
Episode by episode
Complete guide by season
13 Episodes
| # | Episodes | Aired | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Weird07/07/1998 | 07/07/1998 | Canon |
| 2 | Girls07/14/1998 | 07/14/1998 | Canon |
| 3 | Psyche07/21/1998 | 07/21/1998 | Canon |
| 4 | Religion07/28/1998 | 07/28/1998 | Canon |
| 5 | Distortion08/04/1998 | 08/04/1998 | Canon |
| 6 | Kids08/11/1998 | 08/11/1998 | Canon |
| 7 | Society08/18/1998 | 08/18/1998 | Canon |
| 8 | Rumors08/25/1998 | 08/25/1998 | Canon |
| 9 | Protocol09/01/1998 | 09/01/1998 | Canon |
| 10 | Love09/08/1998 | 09/08/1998 | Canon |
| 11 | Infornography09/15/1998 | 09/15/1998 | Canon |
| 12 | Landscape09/22/1998 | 09/22/1998 | Canon |
| 13 | Ego09/29/1998 | 09/29/1998 | Canon |
Verified legal platforms
Where to watch Serial Experiments Lain
All the platforms where you can watch Serial Experiments Lain legally, with direct links to each service.
We don't have confirmed streaming platforms for this anime yet.
Liked it? Keep going
Anime similar to Serial Experiments Lain
If you liked Serial Experiments Lain, you'll love these 6 similar anime in the Ciencia Ficcion genre. Discover complete guides with canon vs filler episodes, chronological order and where to watch each series on streaming.
We've selected these series because they share characteristics with Serial Experiments Lain: similar themes, comparable animation style and the same target audience. Each guide includes the complete list of seasons, filler episodes you can skip and the best platforms to watch each anime in your region.
- Mousou Dairinin
- Gankutsuou
- Shinseiki Evangelion
- Mawaru Penguindrum
- Texhnolyze
- Boogiepop wa Warawanai (2019)
Looking for more anime like Serial Experiments Lain? Explore our complete anime guides catalog or filter by the Ciencia Ficcion genre to find more similar series.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How many seasons does Serial Experiments Lain have?
Serial Experiments Lain has a total of 1 season. The series is completed. Each season is divided into multiple episodes with stories that advance the main plot of the anime.
How many episodes does Serial Experiments Lain have?
In total, Serial Experiments Lain has 13 episodes in its only season. You can consult the complete episodes table to see the breakdown by season.
What is the best order to watch Serial Experiments Lain?
It is recommended to watch Serial Experiments Lain in chronological broadcast order. This means starting from season 1 and continuing sequentially to the last season. Check our watch order guide which includes information about filler vs canon episodes for an optimal experience.
Where can I watch Serial Experiments Lain online?
Serial Experiments Lain is available on various legal streaming platforms. Check the platforms section at the top of this page to see where it's currently available. Options may vary depending on your geographic region.
Is Serial Experiments Lain a complete anime?
Yes, Serial Experiments Lain is a completed anime. All seasons have already aired and you can enjoy the series in its entirety without waiting for new episodes.
How much filler does Serial Experiments Lain have?
No, Serial Experiments Lain does not have filler episodes. All its episodes are canon and faithfully follow the original manga story, so you can watch all episodes without worrying about skipping anything.
Where can I see Serial Experiments Lain's score and reviews on MyAnimeList?
You can check the score, reviews, characters and statistics for Serial Experiments Lain directly on MyAnimeList, the world's largest anime database. There you'll find the community rating, global ranking and opinions from other fans.