Search - Serial Experiments - Lain: Deus (Layers 8-10) on DVD

A Conclusion Which Eliminates Some Confusion

Emperial Young | Roanoke, VA | 10/25/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Many people have expressed confusion over Lain. This is completely understandable, for just as the episodes are named, this is a series with many layers to it. In the beginning, it tricks you into thinking it's something it's not, then confuses you in the middle, and wraps it all up in the end. And that's precisely what we have here: the end.Lain has been criticized for its animation. The series was underbudgeted and doesn't have the quality of, say, most OVAs and movies, but the style is clean and actually rather nice.I'll try not to say a whole lot, because here is where you begin to wrap the story up, and it should answer some questions when you watch it. All I can say is that this series really makes you think, and that's not a bad thing, now is it?"

There is more to Lain than you may think...

Nelmaki Antix | Club Cyberia, USA | 04/18/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm only 15, and I was lucky enough to find the Serial Experiments Lain DVD Lunchbox set, which contained all four DVD volumes of the series packed neatly inside of a Palisades lunchbox. But enough of that. I got interested in Lain mostly for the story alone. It's understandable that some people may not like it, considering the fact that it does contain content not suitable for those under the age of 13. However, what fascinates me the most about this series is both the storyline and extensive research put into it. What I mean by research is exemplified in Layer 9: Protocol, where they happen to mention conspiracy events such as the Roswell Incident, and people like Vannevar Bush who was an alleged member of the Majestic 12. I also enjoyed the character designs because the characters are somewhat "real" in personality. This series can be compared to The Matrix, which also has some very deep and dark insight about our world. True, the pacing is slow, but I believe the creators did that on purpose so that the viewer could experience EVERY SINGLE MOMENT of what was taking place on the screen. Serial Experiments Lain is like a reflection of our society --- what we may or may not become in the not-too-distant future.This DVD, Deus, is the third volume in the series. The plot has severely thickened, portraying a Lain who is confused because there is a rumor going around that she's been spying on others. Lain eventually loses her parents, the friendship of Alice (Arisu), and meets with God of the Wired. This volume is guaranteed to make you ask more questions, if not that, then at least it will force you to watch it over and over again. Serial Experiments Lain is basically a clever puzzle that happened to be released as an original and stunning anime masterpiece."

Lain of the Wired

Marc Ruby? | 02/03/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This series is simply the best. I have all four DVDs and a special edition, but this one remains my favorite. Everything begins to make more sense. If you havent seen the series from the beginning, DONT buy this DVD and start with it. You'll be so confused you'll get a headache. You might want to find a resident computer nerd to have handy though for some questioning."

Things Start to Get Very Strange

L. Mintah | USA | 09/15/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Serial Experiment Lain: Vol. 3: Deus contains Layers (episodes) eight through ten. Deus is the next to last DVD in the Lain anime series.

When I was reading reviews of Lain, another Amazon reviewer commented that the series will "blow your mind." At the time, I had only watched the first two volumes of Lain. I was like, this is interesting, but I guess my mind must be too superior to be "blown." After watching Deus, I may have been wrong. I am glad I did not watch Deus at night. I am very thankful I am typing my review while the sun is shining.

Part Matrix, part X-Files, part Boogiepop Phantom, and all post-modernist, Deus suddenly brings up Roswell, the Grays, MJ-12, the Knights Templar, Memex, and Xanadu. Don't know what they are? Run these terms through a search engine and see what comes up. There is a terrifying scene in Deus where Lain is paid an odd visit. I won't spoil it, but don't watch this in the dark!!

In this volume, Lain's life is really turned upside down. She is questioning "Who is the real me?" There seem to be even MORE Lains than the Lain in the Wired, and the Lain in the real world. There is some kind of horrible leering Lain who scared the crap out of me.

I really like the character of Taro. He plays a large role in the episodes here. I hope he is in the last disc.

I do have a comment that the classmate's suicide that started this series has completely been swept under the rug. I hope the girl's death is addressed in the final volume. Even as fiction, teenage suicide should never be used as just a story-starter.

Extras are woefully meager, with a little concept art, a "comercial" for a Lain Playstation game that reveals very little, and of course the episode "previews" that are basically Japanese child porn, with closeups of a teen's body parts such as lips, stomach, and - oh, joy, crotch.

"