The terrifyingly prescient ‘Serial Experiments Lain,’ 20 years later (2018) • Hacker News Board

Re: The terrifyingly prescient ‘Serial Experiments Lain,’ 20 years later (2018)

#61

Post by GloriousKoji » Mon, Apr 19, 2021, 7:06 PM UTC

ad404b8a372f2b9 wrote: post #54

honkycat wrote: post #35

Serial Experiments Lain is everything wonderful about anime. It is violent, dark, scary. In summary: ADULT. Anime tells stories in a visual format that for years and years you simply could not get anywhere else. Adult genre fiction was not well represented in American media. Even today, adult American cartoons are almost entirely "sitcom" format. They don't want to ever end, and they do not want to tell a story, they…

Have any good adult animes come out these past few years? There's always been a lot of gross stuff but I'm starting to lose faith in the medium when I see stuff like Mushoku Tensei being praised as wonderful in the mainstream, the latest few seasons have felt like complete garbage.

Adult as in serious and less mindless tropes and entertainment to touch on more philosophical topics?

Wonder Egg Priority comes to mind but due to production delays the final episode won't be coming out until a few months so it will leaving you hanging for the conclusion. In this age of gatcha-game, manga or light novel anime adaptations it's a rare anime only series. It follows teenage girls fighting what are essential nightmares with poppy color and well animated scenes but it's a symbolic battle with serious issues such as hikkomori, homosexuality, sexual abuse and suicide.

Re: The terrifyingly prescient ‘Serial Experiments Lain,’ 20 years later (2018)

#62

Post by astrange » Mon, Apr 19, 2021, 7:07 PM UTC

cl0ne wrote: post #37

dfxm12 wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Even if you if you think the show is lacking substance, however you define that, there's more to a show than just the story. The character designs (and art direction in general), music, sci-fi setting, Apple references, etc. are all other reasons for its critical success & popularity (or maybe cult following is the right term, I don't know). That the soundtracks and artbooks are still so sought after is a testament t…

The atmosphere created by the sound design and music is a big reason I liked it.

The studio made a show called Boogiepop Phantom afterwards (based on some urban fantasy light novels) that reuses a lot of art assets, including the sounds. It is unfortunately not nearly as good and the animation quality is seriously low.

Re: The terrifyingly prescient ‘Serial Experiments Lain,’ 20 years later (2018)

#63

Post by vharuck » Mon, Apr 19, 2021, 7:09 PM UTC

ad404b8a372f2b9 wrote: post #46

vharuck wrote: post #45

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Mob Psycho was, IMO, pretty blatant in its moral lesson. Are you saying it didn't have one, or the reviewers blazed their own trails in defiance of the show's message?

Are we talking about the anime or the manga? It's been a long while but I don't remember the anime being preachy or blatant, what was the lesson?

I've only seen the anime, but the lesson I got from it was: "Society requires many people who are good at different things to work together, and your value should come from how much you improve the world."

The villains decided fighting with psychic power was the best thing, therefore they were the best humans. Mob thought helping people and living your life was best, so he idolized his master and the bodybuilding club.

Re: The terrifyingly prescient ‘Serial Experiments Lain,’ 20 years later (2018)

#64

Post by Riverheart » Mon, Apr 19, 2021, 7:12 PM UTC

ad404b8a372f2b9 wrote: post #54

honkycat wrote: post #35

Serial Experiments Lain is everything wonderful about anime. It is violent, dark, scary. In summary: ADULT. Anime tells stories in a visual format that for years and years you simply could not get anywhere else. Adult genre fiction was not well represented in American media. Even today, adult American cartoons are almost entirely "sitcom" format. They don't want to ever end, and they do not want to tell a story, they…

Have any good adult animes come out these past few years? There's always been a lot of gross stuff but I'm starting to lose faith in the medium when I see stuff like Mushoku Tensei being praised as wonderful in the mainstream, the latest few seasons have felt like complete garbage.

"The Promised Neverland" if you stick with season 1. Heard season 2 went in a different direction from the manga unfortunately.

Re: The terrifyingly prescient ‘Serial Experiments Lain,’ 20 years later (2018)

#65

Post by lhorie » Mon, Apr 19, 2021, 7:17 PM UTC

ad404b8a372f2b9 wrote: post #54

honkycat wrote: post #35

Serial Experiments Lain is everything wonderful about anime. It is violent, dark, scary. In summary: ADULT. Anime tells stories in a visual format that for years and years you simply could not get anywhere else. Adult genre fiction was not well represented in American media. Even today, adult American cartoons are almost entirely "sitcom" format. They don't want to ever end, and they do not want to tell a story, they…

Have any good adult animes come out these past few years? There's always been a lot of gross stuff but I'm starting to lose faith in the medium when I see stuff like Mushoku Tensei being praised as wonderful in the mainstream, the latest few seasons have felt like complete garbage.

I've stopped following anime for several years now. The trajectory of one punch man from it's humble doodle-like beginnings to mainstream speak volumes about the state of commercialization these days IMHO.

The isekai genre is definitely overused at this point, just as slice of life got done to death before it.

Lately, I've been having more luck w/ manhwa (Korean manga). If steampunk sci-fi with social commentary plot is your cup of tea, I've been finding Leviathan enjoyable.

Re: The terrifyingly prescient ‘Serial Experiments Lain,’ 20 years later (2018)

#66

Post by bozzcl » Mon, Apr 19, 2021, 7:18 PM UTC

ad404b8a372f2b9 wrote: post #54

honkycat wrote: post #35

Serial Experiments Lain is everything wonderful about anime. It is violent, dark, scary. In summary: ADULT. Anime tells stories in a visual format that for years and years you simply could not get anywhere else. Adult genre fiction was not well represented in American media. Even today, adult American cartoons are almost entirely "sitcom" format. They don't want to ever end, and they do not want to tell a story, they…

Have any good adult animes come out these past few years? There's always been a lot of gross stuff but I'm starting to lose faith in the medium when I see stuff like Mushoku Tensei being praised as wonderful in the mainstream, the latest few seasons have felt like complete garbage.

Recently? Attack on Titan might be one of the best. It's a little too shounen-ish at times, but the setting is pretty mature and has absolutely no fan service. I've heard Vinland Saga is also great. The Promised Neverland is not about adults, but it's a very serious show and I personally liked it a lot.

Unfortunately, the rest of my backlog is mostly just older shows I've been meaning to watch for a while. Golden Kamuy is probably one of the newest and it's still not that new. Same for Parasyte, which has some of the best body horror I've seen ever. High on my list is also Shin Sekai Yori, which I've heard nothing but praise for.

Re: The terrifyingly prescient ‘Serial Experiments Lain,’ 20 years later (2018)

#67

Post by cbanek » Mon, Apr 19, 2021, 7:19 PM UTC

BruceEel wrote: post #14

After all these years, I can still close my eyes and hear the static buzz of the power lines... Almost time to get a new navi.

That buzz just makes me want to curl up into a bear suit.

Re: The terrifyingly prescient ‘Serial Experiments Lain,’ 20 years later (2018)

#68

Post by honkycat » Mon, Apr 19, 2021, 7:21 PM UTC

trentnix wrote: post #47

honkycat wrote: post #35

Serial Experiments Lain is everything wonderful about anime. It is violent, dark, scary. In summary: ADULT. Anime tells stories in a visual format that for years and years you simply could not get anywhere else. Adult genre fiction was not well represented in American media. Even today, adult American cartoons are almost entirely "sitcom" format. They don't want to ever end, and they do not want to tell a story, they…

A month or so ago I finally watched the Neon Genesis Evangelion series after hearing about it for more than 20 years. After slogging through a few episodes of predictable awkard-teenagers-pilot-giant-robots-to-save-the-world it finally reveals itself as a stunning exploration into the minds of troubled youth who are, effectively, subjected to a barrage of traumatic crises. It's a deep, rich world with complex charact…

If you haven't watched End of Evangelion and the sequel movies, those are my favorite parts of the series.

Gurren Lagann is a wonderful homage to other mecha series. The series evolves in a REALLY interesting way, it blew my mind. Is worth sticking it out to the end!

Berserk (2016) is awesome, though I go back and forth on weather it transcends it's own violence. I'm probably just being a prude though, since nobody else seems to care haha.

DevilMan Crybaby(2018) is worth a watch. It is a gorgeously animated edgelord anime, run through a modern filter to make it more palatable.

Dorohedoro (2020) is bizarre and nihilistic and is written by a female author which is cool.

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure (2012 - present) suffers from being the product of a "less woke" 80's and 90's but man... I love it so much. It is so dumb and fun. There is a LOT of it but you just have to go along for the ride.

One Punch Man (2015) is great fun.

I tend to follow individual studios and directors.

Hiroyuki Imaishi has been consistently excellent.

Satoshi Kon is a legend, pick ANYTHING by him and you will not be disappointed.

Shinichirō Watanabe. I'm especially fond of Cowboy Bebop and Samurai Champloo.

Studio Trigger makes great stuff.

Re: The terrifyingly prescient ‘Serial Experiments Lain,’ 20 years later (2018)

#69

Post by flobosg » Mon, Apr 19, 2021, 7:23 PM UTC

trentnix wrote: post #47

honkycat wrote: post #35

Serial Experiments Lain is everything wonderful about anime. It is violent, dark, scary. In summary: ADULT. Anime tells stories in a visual format that for years and years you simply could not get anywhere else. Adult genre fiction was not well represented in American media. Even today, adult American cartoons are almost entirely "sitcom" format. They don't want to ever end, and they do not want to tell a story, they…

A month or so ago I finally watched the Neon Genesis Evangelion series after hearing about it for more than 20 years. After slogging through a few episodes of predictable awkard-teenagers-pilot-giant-robots-to-save-the-world it finally reveals itself as a stunning exploration into the minds of troubled youth who are, effectively, subjected to a barrage of traumatic crises. It's a deep, rich world with complex charact…

If you liked the subversion aspect of NGE, then Puella Magi Madoka Magica might be up your alley.

EDIT: Add Revolutionary Girl Utena to the list, although it might be considered somewhat repetitive and way too symbolic.

Re: The terrifyingly prescient ‘Serial Experiments Lain,’ 20 years later (2018)

#70

Post by teraflop » Mon, Apr 19, 2021, 7:24 PM UTC

ad404b8a372f2b9 wrote: post #54

honkycat wrote: post #35

Serial Experiments Lain is everything wonderful about anime. It is violent, dark, scary. In summary: ADULT. Anime tells stories in a visual format that for years and years you simply could not get anywhere else. Adult genre fiction was not well represented in American media. Even today, adult American cartoons are almost entirely "sitcom" format. They don't want to ever end, and they do not want to tell a story, they…

Have any good adult animes come out these past few years? There's always been a lot of gross stuff but I'm starting to lose faith in the medium when I see stuff like Mushoku Tensei being praised as wonderful in the mainstream, the latest few seasons have felt like complete garbage.

First of all, I'd slightly push back on the way you've framed your question. I agree there's a ton of crap in the world of anime, but whether a show has been created with care and thoughtfulness doesn't necessarily correlate with whether or not it contains "adult themes" that make it unsuitable for kids. I mean, Evangelion is considered a classic despite being aimed at a teenage audience.

With that caveat, and bearing in mind that preferences are extremely subjective, here are a few recent shows that I'd suggest checking out:

The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl (a surreal interpersonal comedy/drama movie, from the writer and director of The Tatami Galaxy)

SSSS.Gridman (a very loose reboot of a 90's live-action tokusatsu series, with a lot of stylistic homages to Evangelion; has a sequel, SSSS.Dynazenon, which is currently airing)

Girls' Last Tour (a slow, contemplative journey through the ruins of a post-industrial civilization)

Thunderbolt Fantasy (although it's debatable whether this one counts as "anime"; fantasy puppet wuxia, from the writer of Puella Magi Madoka Magica and Psycho-Pass; it's deliberately kind of over-the-top, but with a great command of pacing and characterization)