Kino's Journey

[Martin]

Well, I finished this strange but beautiful and thought-provoking series. At the time of writing the DVDs are still at £5.99 from play.com

At times it reminded me of Haibane Renmei, Mushishi and Serial Experiments Lain - at the same time it's utterly unique. Needless to say I'll be watching the prequel on fansub this weekend and eagerly awaiting the release of the new one.

Who else is a fan? What are your favourite episodes?

 

[Xelis]

I cant put my finger on why, but I did like this series alot, maybe it was the calmness of it all, drifting through the episodes. It was the same for Mushishi with me too, I cant give a reason for liking it, but both of these series are very calm series.

I plan on seeing Haibane Renmei something too, Im guessing I'd like it based on the fact I like Mushishi and Kino's.

 

[Sy]

I'm looking forward to the boxset arriving soon.

 

[Chaz]

Seen a couple of DVDs worth (not finished though...) and I really liked it. It's something that's not freakishly scarey or even violent. It's a very tricky thing to guess the outcome of, and it somehow ties all the elements in an episode together before the end of that episode. Although, it was a major head-splitting experience at times because of the shocking endings. Clever stuff.

Like Xelis mentioned, the calmness of the show makes it more enjoyable. You don't expect when the wierd things happen.

I want to actually get it myself sometime. Really interested in how it ends.

 

[Nyu]

I was going to pick the dvd's up but the price doesn't seem like changing any time soon so i went and bought something else. Otherwise my backlog would just get too big.

It does look interesting though.

 

[Ark]

Like I said on another thread it reaches its peak of quality in episode two then the rest of series is fairly so so. I really didn't understand the point of the two parter gladiator episode.

 

[harkins]

Kino’s Journey is a truly wonderful anime. Every aspect of the series was excellent in my eyes, even it’s sparse soundtrack was perfect. The often charming but always weird country’s that Kino and Heremes visit, with their bizarre traditions and in many cases anachronisms are superbly creative and detailed. But the show’s best feature is definitely the character of Kino. I can’t help but admire how Kino stays such an impartial observer throughout each experience in each country visited. This despite nearly always being witness to situations of right versus wrong, or something just simply deplorable.

I think my favourite episode is either the second one in which Kino discovers the three traders stuck in the snow or maybe the final episode which made me feel really tense regarding the travelling pair’s safety and worried that Kino would have a change of policy or two.

I just can’t understand why it hasn’t been watched by more people. Maybe it’s the lack of romance, comedy, mecha, violence and fanservice?

Having enjoyed Kino’s Journey so much I’ve ordered the first two light novels, the first of which should be dropping through my letterbox as I type. I really do recommend this series to anyone who enjoys a thinking anime.

Also, for some deeper considerations on the series check out the thoughts of Ramadahl and Miaka-chan (whatever happened to Miaka-chan?) in this quite old but interesting thread. (Beware of spoilers)

Ark, I would agree that the gladiator episodes were perhaps a bit out of place in the series. But they still provoked some thoughts on the human condition.

 

[Ark]

I really do recommend this series to anyone who enjoys a thinking anime.

One of my main problems with it was that it tried to deal with too many issues. There wasn't really a running thread throughout. I liked Eva because it dealt with one general theme over the entire series.

 

[harkins]

I really do recommend this series to anyone who enjoys a thinking anime.

One of my main problems with it was that it tried to deal with too many issues. There wasn't really a running thread throughout. I liked Eva because it dealt with one general theme over the entire series.

A fair point. But I would say that, as we ‘pass through’ we do experience many different issues whether they be personal issues or those of friends and acquaintances and Kino’s Journey reflects this. There is no timescale apparent in the series but it is clear that Kino has been travelling long enough have aged at least a few years and has covered a long distance.

Shinji in contrast rarely leaves Tokyo 3 and meets only a small group of people throughout the series. Therefore he does experience far less varied issues but far more personal and ones that are much more deeply examined

 

[Ark]

I really do recommend this series to anyone who enjoys a thinking anime.

There is no timescale apparent in the series but it is clear that Kino has been travelling long enough have aged at least a few years and has covered a long distance.

Are you talking within just the series or both the film and the series?

Frankly I think the concept was a very fresh one that could have been put to much better use. I would have liked to have seen a 26 episode'er with a few stand alone episodes but then with some overarching plot. I would have also liked to have seen Kino herself pushed over the edge a little more emotionally speaking.

 

[harkins]

Just within the series really. I agree with what you say about it being a 26 episode series and the greater exploration of Kino that could’ve taken place. That would have been good to see. But as it was I think it had a nice balance between thoughtfulness and relaxing-ness. It’s a bit like being on holiday.

As far as an overarching plot, what would you have come up with? I’ll have to think about it a bit.

 

[Ark]

It’s a bit like being on holiday.

Even the slavery one?

As far as an overarching plot, what would you have come up with? I’ll have to think about it a bit.

It could be any of the scenarios explored in the show just expanded upon. Kino would have to have some kind of personal connection to it though in order to justify her staying in whatever place it is more than one day.

 

[harkins]

It’s a bit like being on holiday.

Even the slavery one?

Well, one time I was holidaying in Turkey and......

I was thinking that the classic pursuit theme might have worked whether Kino was pursuing or being pursued. I do think it would be a shame to break the 3 day rule until perhaps at the very end.

 

[Ark]

I was thinking that the classic pursuit theme might have worked whether Kino was pursuing or being pursued. I do think it would be a shame to break the 3 day rule until perhaps at the very end.

Interesting. Incidently have you seen Apocalypse Now? I figured might have since you've seen the Godfather which was also by Coppola. If you liked KJ I think you'd like that as it combines a journey with philosophy as well.

 

[Sy]

Boxset arrived today.

 

[harkins]

Yeah you’re right, I do like AP. I’ve watched it a few times but I wasn’t at all impressed with the Redux version. I like the way you’ve compared AP and Kino in terms of a philosophical journey. I don’t think I’d have ever thought to see any similarities between works of such different genres. I reckon Kino is tougher than Captain Willard though!

 

[Ark]

Yeah you’re right, I do like AP. I’ve watched it a few times but I wasn’t at all impressed with the Redux version.

I prefer the redux version. At first I didn't like the French plantation scene but now I think it ads an extra layer of insanity plus a gap between Clean and the Chief's deaths.

I like the way you’ve compared AP and Kino in terms of a philosophical journey. I don’t think I’d have ever thought to see any similarities between works of such different genres. I reckon Kino is tougher than Captain Willard though!

The whole concept of KJ immediately reminded me of AN before I'd even watched the show. As for Willard I don't think Kino could shoot an unarmed woman or hack Marlon Brando to death. I mean just in terms of the size ratio.

You a Coppola fan then?

My dad's always trying to get me to watch the GF trilogy with him which I probably will do this summer. To bad about Coppola's crazy daughter though.

 

[Martin]

Wow, this thread has summed up one of the main things I love about the show - it gets people thinking! I personally enjoyed the episode with the guys in the snow - the whole thing with the rabbits was a bit shocking at first but effectively conveyed the 'ugly/beautiful' theme. Another great ep was that of the girl building the flying machine - a truly inspirational tale where she follows her instincts, ignoring the ignorance of those around her and goes for it in trying to realise her dream.

The coliseum arc was a strange on but it benefited from being two episodes long instead of just one. The second movie is out soon too, which I'm really looking forward to. I'm not holding my breath for a Western licence for it though.

 

[Ark]

Another great ep was that of the girl building the flying machine - a truly inspirational tale where she follows her instincts, ignoring the ignorance of those around her and goes for it in trying to realise her dream.

Oh yeah. If I was a cartoon character I'd hit that.

 

[Paul]

I quite liked the Coliseum arc if just because it was Kino's main action set-piece. I know it's not really an action series, but for what it's worth, that particular arc got the adrenaline pumping.

Generally I think the first disc (first four episodes?) are probably the best of the series. The rabbit in snow episode will always stick in my mind when I think of Kino's Journey, it really does butcher any idea that human nature is all about love and peace; further more, I think it announces the fact that Kino won't be pulling any punches.