Well someone was sure trying to sell the viewer on Flit still being capable.
This was an experience. I can't describe it any other way. It's like watching a mix of Killer 7, Videodrone, and Blood-C all mixed together for maximum effect. It's a true descent into madness, both literally and figuratively. At the core of the story are relationships moreso than anything else. Not only how humans relate to each other but themselves as well. What does it mean to be yourself? Is it just your memories or possibly how people remember you? It really exploits the Unreliable Narrator trope to such a heavy degree that it makes the show hard to watch at times.
I wasn't really impressed with the animation itself except for a short sakuga segment at the end. What I was impressed by though was the visuals in of itself. During the daytime, there is this blinding use of glare which gives the impression of this flawless and perfect world compared to the shadows where there are these almost bloody spots. It creates the impression of two contrasting worlds, similar to the Wired and Real. It ties into the message at the end, that these two aren't some separate world or that one exists to serve the other. Instead they're complimentary and exist to create one cohesive unit. The visuals are also good at establishing the atmosphere through creating these eerie environments such as the nightclub Cyberia. There is also the way that the setting reflects Lain such as how empty and boring the room of Lain is at the beginning of the show till near the end when it's filled with electronics. It's a perfect reflection of Lain's development over the course of the show. There is also a number of discomforting close-ups that do a good job of detailing the inner turmoil in the characters. The show also heavily repeats the visual motifs in regards to the electricity poles to not only symbolize how everything is interconnected but the way the camera is angled creates this layer between the city and the audience similar to how Lain viewed the world.
The soundtrack is interesting. That's the best way I can put it. It's used sparingly, instead there are long moments of silence that are used to create these awkward moments. There does seem to be more pieces near the end but they seem more detached from the main narrative/show itself. One is used effectively in the last episode to show the contrast in mood compared to earlier episodes. I do have to praise the sound editing though such as the constant buzzing, which is that of the humming near power sources and cables. It's a very low-key way of complimenting the powerlines seen throughout the show.
I do think the exploration of themes of interconnectivity and the role of the Internet were certainly more interesting compared to the basic examination in Dennou Coil. Here, there really isn't a right answer and it's much more of a 'mess'. The show also puts a very emphasis on perception. Does God exist because we perceive him to? If so, then does that mean that God exists in every human who believes in him? The show is also a fundamental examination of religion, not only of the more traditional kind but cults as well. There is this examination and refusal that humans can survive in isolation. Humans crave intimacy on some level and without it, all that's left is a shell.
... In what world is that normal?
Interesting for an episode or two at best. The series is almost entirely devoid of substance or meaning. The plain and completely unremarkable cast are unable to carry the show after the story quickly runs out of momentum.
You could spend the hour talking about how great I am while referring to me as BGBW-sama.
I'm sure if this were to become a regular thing you'd have a small team who were willing to do each one with everyone else just popping along as guest stars every so often. Enough pie for everyone.
That's $15 not going towards a game for the backlog.
