本研究從神道教和佛教的宗教特徵以及其中所含的藝術概念這雙重框架出發，探討科幻動畫《Serial Experiments Lain》（1998）中呈現的前現代日本的宗教世界觀。本研究發現，儘管動畫中沒有直接提及，但將此部動畫中的世界建構和整體訊息與傳統的日本宗教宇宙觀進行比較的研究方式，是可行的。我的研究透過將情感精神感受置於理性之上的宗教思維方式，對動畫中感知到的「怪異」和「超自然」元素提供了新的理解。這也體現在動畫的藝術表現形式，進而將這部作品視為一種對自然現實的詩意啟蒙，而不是線性情節驅動的理性作品。
儘管不像其他科幻動畫那樣受歡迎，但《Serial Experiments Lain》多年來一直受到一群狂熱者的追隨，並在網路上產生了文化影響力。現今研究多半以網路身分、網路成癮、現實與數位之間的障礙為主題，對這部作品進行分析，將其置於後現代鏡頭下來看待。然而，這部動畫蘊藏多處對宗教和人性處境的深刻反思，動畫制作團隊也曾多次承認這出於日本文化因素的影響。本研究因此採用宗教美學的框架來探索日本文化元素在《Serial Experiments Lain》中的潛在作用，儘管不那麼明顯，但企圖藉此來填補學界這部份的空白。期望未來能有更多研究能從去西方中心化的認識論角度，重新欣賞不同文化的世界觀。

This research explores how pre-modern Japanese religious worldview can be used to analyse the sci-fi anime Serial Experiments Lain (1998), approached from a double framework of analysing religious characteristics of Shintoism and Buddhism as well as artistic concepts that were informed by those religious worldviews. My findings show that comparisons can be made between the show’s world building and overall message and the traditional Japanese religious cosmovision, even though there are no straightforward references to it. Furthermore, my research provides a new layer of understanding towards the perceived “weirdness” and “supernatural” elements of the show, by reframing them under a religious mindset that prioritises emotional-spiritual feelings over rationality. This is also seen in the way art developed, which looks to bring a poetic sense of enlightenment of the reality of nature rather than linear plot-driven rational works.
Serial Experiments Lain has enjoyed continuous cult following over the years and cultural presence online, in spite of not being as popular as other sci-fi anime. It is generally explored under its themes of online identity, internet addiction, the barriers between the real and the digital, and therefore is usually seen under postmodern lenses. However, religious topics and deep reflections on the human condition are present in the show and the creators acknowledged multiple times the influence of Japanese cultural factors. This research looks to fill in that gap by adopting a religious and aesthetic framework to explore how Japanese cultural elements are underlying in Serial Experiments Lain, in spite of not being that obvious. Hopefully, more research like this in the future will de-centralise analytical frameworks from a Western epistemological perspective and re-appreciate different cultural worldviews and perspectives.

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