Kino's Journey - Reviews

Title: Kino's Journey - A Thought-Provoking Odyssey

Story (7/10): "Kino's Journey" presents a unique and thought-provoking narrative centered around a traveler named Kino and their talking motorcycle, Hermes. The story is episodic, with each episode showcasing a different country and its peculiar customs, values, and dilemmas. The series encourages viewers to ponder philosophical questions and moral dilemmas as Kino navigates through this diverse and mysterious world. The storytelling is engaging, with each self-contained episode offering a new perspective on life and society. While some episodes shine brighter than others, the overarching narrative is a captivating exploration of human nature and the consequences of one's actions. Comparing it to the manga/novel adaptation might reveal additional depth and detail in the source material.

Animation (6/10): The animation in "Kino's Journey" is serviceable but leans towards simplicity. The character designs are straightforward, with Kino and Hermes being the most distinctive. However, the anime's primary focus is on storytelling and philosophical exploration rather than visual extravagance. The animation effectively conveys the atmospheres of the different countries Kino visits, enhancing the overall experience.

Sound (6/10): Sound design in the anime complements the episodic nature of the storytelling. The background music and sound effects are appropriate for each unique setting, helping to immerse viewers in the various worlds Kino encounters. Voice acting is solid, with Kino's calm and introspective demeanor contrasting nicely with Hermes' more playful personality. The soundtrack and audio contribute to the series' contemplative and meditative atmosphere.

Characters (6/10): "Kino's Journey" features a limited but compelling cast of characters. Kino, as the protagonist, is enigmatic and philosophical, providing a lens through which viewers can explore the different countries and their moral dilemmas. Hermes, the talking motorcycle, adds a touch of whimsy and companionship to Kino's solitary travels. While the focus is on the countries and their inhabitants, the recurring presence of Kino and Hermes anchors the series and provides continuity.

Overall (6/10): "Kino's Journey" offers a refreshing and intellectually stimulating experience for those seeking a more contemplative anime. The episodic format, diverse settings, and thought-provoking themes make it a standout in the world of anime. While the animation may not be visually dazzling, it serves its purpose by supporting the storytelling. If you're interested in a series that challenges your perspective on life, morality, and society, "Kino's Journey" is a worthwhile journey to embark upon. My overall score for the anime is 6/10, reflecting its unique and philosophical storytelling.

Kino's Journey is a macabre piece which takes the haunting tone of the Twilight Zone and blends it with the adventuresome spirit of a travelogue.  It's dull greenish palette, however, doesn't invite one to believe that the trip through these 13 episodes will be pleasurable.  Suspenseful, yes.  Thought provoking, yes.  But pleasant?  It's all in the way one can handle the morbid.

Kino's Journey is based on the enigma.  You are left in confusion about the character of the traveler, Kino.  And this is due to the presence of two Kinos.  A young traveler who has been gunned down in one of his stays, and a girl who has become influenced by this Kino, a little girl who has become enamored by the ideals of the road.  We have every reason to believe that the second Kino is that girl, slightly older and ready to take on the dare of seeking the unknown in what may have been sarcastically called 'the beautiful world.'  And we have at the same time every reason to believe that Kino II is not that girl.  The facial and hair features do not match at all.  The voice is similar, but of a timbre that makes one take the second Kino as a boy.  The only common factor is that all the Kinos ride Hermes, a talking motorade given to be the foil in all the bizarre discussions that crop up. The enigma strengthens, for we are never truly certain (A-P declares Kino's gender as ?); the story synopses call Kino a girl, though he (or she) is taken for a boy in one episode, a girl in another, and even referenced as both a young man and a girl ready to marry.  Kino's Journey rests on an eternal mystery as we travel with Kino and Hermes to the strange countries in Kino's world.

The greater number of stories are driven by the technique of misdirection.  The forward-looking country that snubs the innovative thinking of a citizen who thinks flight is possible.  A country of literary critics where a blank book could be controversial. A friendly country that forces its citizens and travelers to gain first-class citizenship through gladiatorial combat in the arena.  A supposedly inhospitable country where all the people are the paragons of hospitality ... as long as Kino doesn't stay beyond his customary three days.  The shrine (or, dump, if you are so inclined) of a wise man who has clearly gone 'round the bend.'

All these places lend themselves to tales which embark on a ton of sophistry.  The logic gets convoluted quickly as one is taught that if one finds a country that is not beautiful, it's the markings of a beautiful world.  The wit becomes grisly and cynical.  A man who wishes to atone for his past murderous life asks Kino for traveling advice.  "Don't get killed."  The woman who avenges the life of one whom that man had slain asks Kino for advice.  "Don't kill any more people."  The humor tends toward the misanthropic, and after all the chaos, murder, mayhem, and bloodshed, one discovers that there is no joy in the adventure.  Just somber times on the road.

The animation technique is a quaint mix of cheap procedures as fade outs, fade ins, dissolves, jump to black transitions.  The dull coloration suits the desert and frozen tundras in which Kino seems to constantly be waking up.  The strangest thing dealt with sound.  No musical themes in or out.  No background music.  Sickly musical bleats from time to time.  The voice of the motorad Hermes is listless and dull, though the machine does have a streak of humor  ... more so than the gun-slinging Kino who can off a person with little compulsion.  Oh, Kino will have good reason to kill.  Sick, twisted moments, but kill or be killed in this world.

In the end, whatever was thought-provoking in Kino's Journey, whether by situation or conversation, it degenerates into the madcap as one ponders what one has seen in those 24 minutes of murky animation.

It's surprising the the way this anime manages to draw you into it. Through separate yet organized events "Kino's Journey" reflects the unpleasant reality that the world is in fact not so beautiful after all. Where ever we go there's always something unpleasant, something to be disliked, a flaw that scars perfection. But the lack of perfection is exactly what makes the world so beautiful.

The story is about a little girl named Kino(Whom I thought was a boy at first) who travels in her "talking bike" or something like that. She travels from place to place staying just long enough to know the place and refuses to stay any longer, even though she often faces proposals to stay longer or even forever. She willingly listens to every story the locals has to offer, but she never gets too involved. Almost all the countries are very welcoming and surprisingly kind to travelers. This makes her journey much more pleasant and easier. But of course there's no such thing as a completely safe journey and every so often she faces situations where she is forced to use her weapons and she's not shy about doing that. Don't get any funny ideas I'm just talking about guns.

I gave a lot of thoughts about the moral of the story and I'll say it's about "Acceptance". Foreign cultures may include events that sticks out as ridiculous to travelers and tourists, but a traveler's job is to observe, not to criticize and redirect. It's like, "See the color blue for what it is, don't mix it with yellow just because green it's your favorite color."

Story – 9

Kino’s Journey is an episodic drama that chronicles Kino’s visit to each country. Along the way, you discover peoples’ outward appearances clashing with their inner characters. Some will shock you and disturb you, others will leave you in disbelief, but all will touch your heart. Pacing wise, Kino’s Journey is a slow moving anime in a good way.

Animation – 8

The animation is rather simple, yet it is not without its charm. With a few faults here or there (minor nitpicking), the character designs and backgrounds are done well enough. Further, Kino’s childlike stature is part of a bigger purpose: to have you guessing about Kino’s gender.

Characters – 9

Kino and Hermes: a human and a motorrad; the show revolves around these two characters. The characters neither change nor grow for the better after each struggle, but they are still nonetheless worthwhile characters in the show. Perhaps as you watch each episode, you will begin to understand why Kino’s demeanor never changes.

Sound – 9

The OP and ED of this show are great. I would highly recommend watching this one with the Japanese voice actors and English subs; if anything to avoid getting spoilt on Kino’s gender. Kino’s English voice actor gives it away too easily. Anyways, the voice acting is good for both characters.

Enjoyment – 9

Overall this show is excellent and I enjoyed it. With just 13 episodes, the show manages to depict a lot of the characteristics in the world (happiness, sadness, pain, violence – including some disturbing things, beauty, wisdom, etc.). If you like or don’t mind the slow moving paced animes, I recommend you watch Kino’s Journey. Like the world that the show is portraying is beautiful, the anime manages to hold itself in a similar regard.

Average Series Rating: 8.8/10 – Very Very Good

After I discovered that there were 2 verison of Kino's Journey, I started watching this one. Kino herself has about the same personality as the one from 2017, but her facial expressions are a bit more obvious at times. The personality of the motoraad 'Hermes' is the same, he generally speaks honestly and can be a bit blunt, he also gets his expressions a bit messed up, for instance, 'division payments' instead of 'divorce papers'.

The story is fine, atlhough the episodes don't seem to be in any particular order, except for the 2 colliseum episodes,  just different adventures in different countries and the different cultures in each of them. That certainly should give you something to reflect upon.

The animation is fine, nothing wrong with it, the drawing is pretty simple, especially considering this is from 2003, it looks like something from the 90s. What I did like was the motoraad was a bit more detailed than everything else. For the most part the colour is kind of flat or uninspired.

The sound was OK I guess, I really don't remember the music, although I liked the opening song, I don't remember the ending song.

Overall it's a pretty good anime, you should experience a full range of emotions, even if Kino doesn't seem to. I would watch this in small doses, 1 or 2 episodes at a time, I don't think it's a good idea to binge watch this anime. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.