Chiaki J. Konaka
The authors were asked in interviews if they had been influenced by "Neon Genesis Evangelion", in the themes and graphic design. This was strictly denied by writer Chiaki J. Konaka in an interview, arguing that he had not even seen "Evangelion" until he finished the fourth episode of "Lain". Being primarily a horror movie writer, his stated influences are Godard (especially for using typography on screen), "The Exorcist", "Hell House", and Dan Curtis's "House of Dark Shadows". Alice's name, like the names of her two friends Julie and Reika, came from a previous production from Konaka, "Alice in Cyberland", which in turn was largely influenced by "Alice in Wonderland". As the series developed, Konaka was "surprised" by how close Alice's character became to the original "Wonderland" character.