Lainism encapsulates a subcultural phenomenon observed in specific online communities, predominantly within the realm of Serial Experiments Lain (SEL) anime and associated media. This subculture is characterized by a multifaceted dynamic that involves narrative exploitation, voyeuristic inclinations, and a peculiar fascination with pushing fictional characters, notably the central figure Lain Iwakura, to emotional or psychological extremes. Notably, Lainism is marked by an intersection with the Christian sacramentalization of abuse, where the deliberate torment or suffering of characters is ritualized and, at times, celebrated within the fanbase. Additionally, the abyss of lolicon, a dark and controversial aspect of fandom that sexualizes child-like figures, finds an unsettling presence within the Lainist subculture, contributing to the complex tapestry of this online phenomenon. Rooted in the anonymity of online participants and the blurred boundaries between fictional narratives and real-world ethical considerations, Lainism unfolds as a distinctive subcultural engagement, intertwining creativity, psychological exploration, and the more disconcerting elements of fandom culture.
(chat export from the cult of Lainism):
anon1: "I love and respect Lain. We are her friends. :)"
anon2: "Lain is holy, I love her in a totally not weird way."
anon3: "She will save us, She will lead us Our Omnissaiah!"
anon2: "Lain is a goddess. I listen to goreshit btw!"
anon3: "So you're into the acoustic?"
anon2: "haha yes the artistic!"
anon4: "Lain is autismic"
anon3: "LET'S ALL LOVE LAIN!!!"
anon1: "Hehe we already do. :)"
anon4: "Lain is god and god is gay."
anon7: "I don't get it."
anon6: "And you don't seem to understand"
anon1: "I love and respect Lain. We are her friends. :)"
anon2: "Lain is holy, I love her in a totally not weird way."
anon3: "She will save us, She will lead us Our Omnissaiah!"
anon2: "Lain is a goddess. I listen to goreshit btw!"
anon3: "So you're into the acoustic?"
anon2: "haha yes the artistic!"
anon4: "Lain is autismic"
anon3: "LET'S ALL LOVE LAIN!!!"
anon1: "Hehe we already do. :)"
anon4: "Lain is god and god is gay."
anon7: "I don't get it."
anon6: "And you don't seem to understand"
by theblindolm December 23, 2023
(noun) A loosely defined faith, usually compatible with other faiths. Centered around the character Lain Iwakura from Serial Experiments Lain, Lain is a quiet girl who becomes increasingly absorbed by the Wired, a living network of computers and consciousness. Lainism attracts both transhumanists and their critics, sometimes blending gnostic ideas. Most practitioners regard Lain as a demi-god, though many simply see her as a companion with a guiding role rather than an object of worship. Some Lainists have the belief that her well-being depends on the health of individuals and the society they form, this belief is based on C. G. Jung's concept of the collective unconscious.
“In practicing lainism, I often remind myself: ‘Just like I need most of my organs and their cells healthy to not feel like shit and die, Lain needs society—and most individuals in it—to be okay, they and the network they build are her body.’”
by Chisa Yomoda June 24, 2025