To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the anime’s debut Serial Experiments Laina new AI service called “AI lain” was launched on September 5, 2023, allowing fans to interact with the main character, Lain Iwakura.
“AI lain” is overseen by “Serial Experiments Lain” producer Yasuyuki Ueda, ensuring that the characters’ personalities and conversations mirror the world of the original work.
The service allows users to interact with text-based conversations with Lain, accompanied by a video in which Lain responds via text and voice.
Lain’s voice in the service was created based on recordings by Kaori Shimizu, who played Lain in the 1998 anime.
Furthermore, in homage to the “Wired” concept described in the series, the service includes a feature that allows users to share conversations with Lain with each other.
The service offers a variety of subscription plans, including a free plan, a paid one-month plan, a six-month premium plan, and the company’s premium plan. Premium plan subscribers can enjoy deeper interactions with Lain, witnessing increased levels of intimacy and changing facial expressions as they engage in conversations.
In addition, premium members also have the chance to enter a sweepstakes, for a chance to win framed artwork by Yoshitoshi Abe and authentic cartoon cell art from the anime “experiment” follow lain”.
Comments from Yasuyuki Ueda and Kaori Shimizu were revealed about the launch of the new AI service. Check out the comments below:
Yasuyuki Ueda:
This time I had the opportunity to collaborate with Anique in developing AI lain. Over the years, I have been involved in unique games around communication and information, such as ‘NOëL’ and ‘lain.’ This project is like the first step towards a real or dream world version of that game. I hope to be able to offer this testing service for a limited time.
While this is a new field and I have encountered various challenges related to engineering and services, experiencing Lain’s character growth as an AI during extreme phase testing amazingly interesting. With the paid plans, I hope that fans of the series can have fun together, treating the process like a game.
I don’t even know if we will reach the end of the so-called ‘service’ level, but I would be delighted if Lain could be accepted as a beloved ‘presence’.
Kaori Shimizu:
I am happy to be a part of the return of the “lain” series to the world after 25 years. When I heard my voice 25 years ago learned by the AI and heard Lain’s voice back then, I got goosebumps. If I were asked to voice Lain now, maybe I could voice over with the right voice and acting, but I would never be able to be that Lain. I think the expressions that I was able to make at 15, when I didn’t know anything about dubbing, and that voice lacked any calculation or ulterior motives is what defines Lain. For me, it’s just my vocal cords (laughs). And the fact that it is done through AI fits very well into the world of “lain”.
I’m curious how people who don’t know ‘lain’ will feel when they meet the world of ‘lain’ from now on and I’m glad ‘lain’ will continue to grow. I’m really looking forward to how it spreads and what the future holds.
Serial Experiments Lain is a Japanese anime television series created and co-produced by Yasuyuki Ueda, written by Chiaki J. Konaka and directed by Ryutaro Nakamura. Animated by Triangle Staff and featuring original character designs by Yoshitoshi Abe, the series aired for 13 episodes on TV Tokyo and its affiliates from July to September 1998.
Source: Natalie Comics, ‘AI lain’Official Website
