Serial Experiments Lain character designer Yoshitoshi ABe 's first announced plans for the series' "spiritual" sequel in 2009 under the name Despera . Unfortunately, fans got little more than radio silence for six years as the project's director passed away. ABe said at a convention in New Zealand in 2015 that the project is moving forward with a new director, however there were no more developments beyond that announcement, nor has the new director been revealed by name since.

ABe was in the news again this year as the original character designer for the original sci-fi work Project D . The announcement seemed like a possible tease for Despera 's return, but Project D isn't Despera ; its full title was revealed as RErideD: Derrida, who leaps through time .

Still, ABe hasn't forgotten about Despera . He appeared in a photo with scriptwriter Chiaki J. Konaka on Wednesday where Konaka wrote that both will continue to try to get Despera made, despite ongoing difficulties.

I don't tell you lie, here.

OK, we talked each other today.

There is no good sign, but we'll spend our effort for making Despera . pic.twitter.com/KB0UXohv9f — 小中千昭 Chiaki J. Konaka (@yamaki_nyx) March 21, 2018 Yoshitaka Abe (left), Chiaki J. Konaka (right)

Fans responded to the post asking if financial issues were to blame. Konaka responded to elaborate that funding isn't the primary issue, but chaos within the animation industry in Japan as a whole. He wrote:

Thank you for worrying about Despera . In the case of Despera , it is not simply a matter of funds, but now it is in chaos of animation business in Japan.

The old business model has collapsed, and the route to make independent planning as a commercial work has disappeared.

That is a problem. But well, I will do something. Remember The Big O project had spend years and years to the project has been established.

