Introducing the Weird Exhibition: Welcome to the Wired

Ever dreamed of stepping into the eerie world of serial experiments lain? Now's your chance to dive deeper into the Wired than ever before. Anique has partnered with NBCUniversal Japan to bring the mind-bending anime classic to life through a digital event called the "Weird Exhibition: Welcome to the Wired." This special VRChat experience changes the way how fans interact with their favorite series.

After thousands of lain fans flocked to the initial run in June, Anique is bringing the exhibition back online with an expanded relaunch that promises to bridge the gap between physical and digital worlds in ways that fit the spirit of the classic anime series.

Event Details: Inside the Weird Exhibition

ワイヤードの部屋 / Wired

不気味な通路 / Weird Corridor

通学路 / School Route

The free VR exhibition transforms Anique Museum into a labyrinth of lain's most iconic environments, meticulously recreated in VRChat. Scenes to explore include:

• Weird Corridor
• Display Tower 
• School Route
• lain's Room
• The Wired Room 
• AI lain Report Room

Accessible via PC, Meta Quest, and even Android devices, no VR headset is required to dive in. But fair warning - you might question your connection to reality after a deep dive into lain's digital domain.

Creating a Digital Third Space for lain Fans Across the World

Humans are inherently social beings, seeking spaces to connect and share experiences. In the digital age, this need has given rise to "digital third spaces"—online environments that replicate the social and communal aspects of physical third places like coffee shops or libraries.

serial experiments lain is uniquely suited to this concept, given its core themes of identity, digital transformation, and interconnectedness. Since its debut in 1998, the series has captivated audiences by exploring the blurred lines between physical and virtual existence. The Weird Exhibition brings these themes to life in a way the original creators could only dream of.

Anique leverages VRChat's immersive platform to offer a rich and interactive digital third space where lain fans can connect, theorize, and relive the anime’s eerie world. VRChat has become a leading platform for building vibrant and inclusive digital communities. Its immersive environments and real-time social interaction go beyond recreating a digital world; they foster meaningful connections. This event is a perfect example of how virtual spaces can become dynamic hubs for fandom, where people across the globe can share their love for lain.

The exhibition goes beyond simple visual recreations, offering:

• Guided Tours: Dive deep into lain lore with expert-led explorations of the virtual space
• Viewing Parties: Relive the series with fellow fans in a shared digital environment
• Interactive Photo booths: Capture the perfect shot of your avatar in iconic lain scenes
• Digital Merch Shop: Take a piece of the Wired home with exclusive goods

Connecting Digital Experiences with Physical Collectible Goods

While the Weird Exhibition pushes the boundaries of virtual experiences, GONKBONK is ensuring fans can bring a piece of lain into the physical world. As the official U.S. e-commerce partner for serial experiments lain, GONKBONK is offering a wave of exclusive, high-quality merchandise that bridges the gap between lain’s digital world and physical collections. Going beyond typical collectibles, this selection of a wide range of merchandise that of the level that you’d see in a high-end museum gift shop.

The collection of limited edition merchandise includes:

• serial experiments lain Trading Mini Acrylic Blocks (Blind Box) ($12): Collect all seven 5x5cm blocks featuring LD jacket art and a new Yoshitoshi Abe visual
• serial experiments lain Trading Mini Acrylic Blocks (Complete Set) ($84): Can’t decide which one you want the most? You can get the whole set in one go!
• serial experiments lain KV T-shirt ($30): Wear Abe's stunning new artwork and show off your connection to the Wired
• serial experiments lain Replica Cel Art ($525): Own a museum-grade reproduction cel of the iconic scene with lain entangled in wires from episode 10
• serial experiments lain Laminated Artwork ($150): Experience a multi-layered acrylic piece that brings moments from episode 11 to vivid life
• serial experiments lain CD Display Block ($35): Own a conceptual art piece that merges a physical display with digital music

Pre-orders for these limited edition items close on January 19th, 2025, with shipping expected in early Q2 2025. For fans attending the San Francisco Fan Expo, a special booth will offer a chance to see (and purchase) the merchandise in person.

Elevating Fandom Experiences 

The return of serial experiments lain through this innovative virtual exhibition speaks volumes about the series' lasting impact. In an era where the lines between our online and offline lives grow increasingly blurred, lain's themes resonate more powerfully than ever.

Events like the Weird Exhibition may well represent the future of fandom. By allowing fans to step into the worlds they love, these experiences offer a level of immersion and connection that traditional media simply can't match. So, whether you're a longtime lain fan or a curious newcomer, the Weird Exhibition offers an unparalleled journey into one of anime's most thought-provoking worlds.