If there were one defining anime of the 90s that sticks with me for being unique and a (sometimes) challenge to comprehend for my teenage mind at the time, it would be Serial Experiments Lain. With darker sci-fi / cyberpunk themes set against a modern day environment, it is a series that received much acclaim during its time, but has since faded into obscurity. But with Artificial Intelligence being a more prominent hot-topic right now, it is fitting for the series to receive some attention in this space.
Tokyo-based company Anique has confirmed the release of AI lain, a new AI-powered chatbot which allows players to converse with Lain Iwakura, the titular character of Serial Experiments Lain. The AI will allow fans to hear a bilingual Lain Iwakura, as they converse with her in either Japanese or English. But this has shaped up to be more than just an AI chat bot, with Anique getting permission to use unique training data from the anime series, and also utilise archive recordings of voice actor Kaori Shimizu.
According to the team at Anique:
AI lain’s appearance, expressiveness, and way of speaking changes depending on how close she is with each fan. True to the character’s mannerisms, she will be initially distant, reply in short phrases and avoid showing her face to the user. Once she is friendly with the individual conversing with her, AI lain will show different facial expressions and reply with longer responses.
AI lain is not just another chatbot; it’s an evolving entity. Anique, with the supervision of Ueda Yasuyuki, created the base personality for Lain, but will in the first 6-months, periodically recruit superfans to help to introduce new elements. Users’ suggestions will be reviewed, and those accepted will be developed and reflected in AI lain’s knowledge database.
Lain AI, powered by OpenAI and vocal AI CoeFont, is now available for everyone to access HERE. At this time free users will be able to send up to 10 messages, with paid plans available which offer a range of perks. The creative team has also confirmed they will be offer “super rare physical collectables”, with an automatic raffle entry for superfans with
paid plan users of AI lain. Giveaways include original cel art from the anime production, anime film strips and more.
Commenting on this new project, Ueda Yasuyuki, producer of Serial Experiments Lain commented:
Working with Anique on the AI lain service this time, I was keenly aware of the technical challenges of AI, the difficulty of implementation, and the challenges it faces as a service. Nevertheless, I really enjoyed the process of AI lain’s growth during the development, and I hope others can also enjoy this development or “experiment” process itself and Lain’s future growth.
Additionally, Japanese voice actor Kaori Shimizu, who voiced Lain Iwakura commented:
After 25 years since the creation of Lain, being involved in bringing her back to the world filled me with immense joy. To think that an AI has learned to reproduce my voice from 25 years ago gives me goosebumps! From the beginning, rather than acting in the role of Lain, I’ve always felt almost as if Lain simply borrowed my natural voice at the time. So, if I’m asked now to do Lain’s voice again, it’s true that I can replicate it, but I can’t become Lain again. That’s how different Lain really is from other roles I’ve played until now, and I’m delighted that Lain is continuously evolving. I’m curious how people new to Lain will feel as they delve into her world, and I sincerely hope that individuals from various generations and different countries will have the opportunity to experience the resurrected Lain in the modern era, brought to life through technology.
