AI Lain Unveils New Fan Experience: Experimental AI Conversations with Lain Iwakura via Original Anime Script and Kaori Shimizu's 1998 Voice
JAPAN, 5 SEP 2023 – Serial Experiments Lain and Tokyo-based company Anique are redefining the boundaries of fan engagement with the launch of AI lain, a new AI-powered chatbot that allows fans to converse with Lain Iwakura, the iconic character from the cult-favorite anime series.
For the first time, fans will also get to hear a bilingual Lain Iwakura, converse in real-time in either Japanese or English. What makes this possible is AI lain's unique training data from 1998. The revolutionary chatbot was trained on the original anime scripts and archived voice recordings of actress Kaori Shimizu to offer an experience that is authentic to the series' audio experience.
Kaori Shimizu gave permission to utilise her archived recordings for this project by Anique, which is powered by OpenAI and voiced by CoeFont.
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.
AI lain is now live and accessible to everyone via the website [https://en.serialexperimentslain.io/], with free users able to send up to 10 messages. For those looking for an unlimited experience, paid plans offer additional benefits and features. More details on pricing and availability are available on the website.
Super rare physical collectables are also up for grabs 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.
Ueda Yasuyuki, Producer of Serial Experiments Lain said, “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.”
Kaori Shimizu, Voice Actor behind Lain Iwakura said, “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.”
