Kino no Tabi - The Beautiful World | |
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| | Alternate title : Kino's Journey
Studio : GENCO
Licenced by : ADV Films
Also involved : TOKYOPOP
Length : 13 Episodes
Year : 2003
Genre : Adventure
Synopsis :
As the title states, A 'Tabi' is a journey or travel, and Kino is a traveler on a journey. She searches the world for new and intriguing things, taking in not just the destination, but the path to get there as well. Kino travels with her Motorcycle partner Hermes, who happens to be able to talk (though looking at him you'd never guess). Kino and Hermes travel the world together not to find hidden treasure, adventure, fame or fortune, but for the sake of the journey. Based off the novels of the same name, Kino no Tabi is a story of life through a traveler's point of view.
Added : 2005-10-30
Synopsis by : Specky
Last update : 2008-04-30
Last update details : Modify info
Score : 8.83
Number of reviews : 6
Link(s) :
Official #1 : キノの旅-the Beautiful World- @ MediaWorks
Official #2 : ADV Films' Official Kino's Journey Website
Official #3 : Kino no Tabi Official Website
Official #4 : WOWOW's Official Kino no Tabi Homepage
Song(s) :
Opening #1 : Mikuni Shimokawa - All the Way
Ending #1 : Ai Maeda - The Beautiful World
Release(s) :
2004-04-19 -- Episode(s) 10 by Pha & A-Et. BT Link
2004-01-31 -- Episode(s) 7 by Pha & A-Et. BT Link
2004-01-29 -- Episode(s) 6 by Pha & A-Et. BT Link
Found 8 releases. Click here to [ Find them! ]
Hits : 12618
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Posted by : miestersean 
Posted on : 2009-08-27  
The feel of this series is weird. For example, in every episode, there are screens spliced in between some of the scenes that show one or two lines of text, often repeating dialogue the characters said. The scenes themselves are not fluid, but choppy and often distinct from the others in the same episode. Then there is what happens in the scenes. At times, the action is straightforward, as the heroine deals with a conflict and then learns something new. But at other times, the show is like a fable, with short snippets of interaction followed by a concise, summarizing moral. The dominant structure of the show, however, is that of characters telling stories about the odd societies they live in, accompanied by visuals and music.
There are a number of flaws with this series. Most noticeably, the characters are not likable. The protagonists usually just react to what happens to them, instead of being proactive, and they don’t express much emotion or share interesting beliefs. The side characters aren’t any better. They live out absurd, meaningless lives and blindly accept them, and generally serve as one-dimensional plot devices.
The writing behind the plots is weak. Most of the stories that are told are not particularly original -- people are selfish, ignorant, and self-contradictory: beyond this observation, the show doesn’t have much to say. Additionally, the show often has characters tell talk in order to explain their respective countries, which is much more boring than actually seeing them live their lives. But the biggest problem with the writing is that it lacks direction. The episodes are essentially all filler, with no real character development and no continuation between different events. There isn’t any way to expect what to come next in the show, and there is no finality or closure when the series ends.
As for strengths, the action in some of the episodes is fast-paced and somewhat exciting. There’s a seriousness and finality to many of the fights, and occasionally a hard-hitting, violent twist is thrown in to punctuate a plot arc. Also, it’s interesting when the main character opens up a bit emotionally. When she’s forced to introspect and go beyond her usual reserved, mannered speech, she feels more human.
The animation of this series is plain for the most part, but there are bars running across many of the graphics. The purpose of putting these lines in isn’t made clear, but they are distracting. Music is absent for most of the show, presumably to give a realistic feel. As a whole, the production of the show is average, and it doesn’t make much of a difference for the show.
This show has some big weaknesses. The plot’s direction isn’t clear, and the characters are mostly either unlikeable or idiotic. With the art and music not anything special, the show is uninspiring and muddled. There isn’t anyone to recommend this show to because of its mediocrity, but there are a few decent moments to be found if it is watched.
Posted by : kitty_xx07722
Posted on : 2008-04-29 
Kino no Tabi is one of the best animes I have ever watched. The character's conversations, fights, adventures, and everything seems so real when you watch it. It makes you feel like someone recorded it without the people knowing about it.
The art is so-and-so, it's because too much concentration on the plot though. Well, that doesn't matter much since the plot's the main deal of this anime. The plot's characters started out unusually abnormal-ish but they grow on you after awhile, actually, they grow too much on you that you dread the ending of an episode (and even more after this season). Also, during the fighting parts, you can see that they made it pretty realistic, but they should speed it up more. It being too slow and makes looks kinda strange compared to the newer animes.
The opening theme was awesome but the ending was average. I personally think it's too slow, but it gave a sad farewell in the end of the season. The songs in the middle of the anime... I don't remember the tune much, but I remember they're quite calming.
Overall, I highly recommend for those who watched and liked either El Cazador de la Bruja, Tsubasa Chronicles, or Fortune Quest. Watching Kino no Tabi is definitely worth it if you like adventure-type animes.
Posted by : GRC
Posted on : 2006-04-26
Overall - 8.8
Animation - 8.0
Sound - 8.0
Story - 10.0
Character - 10.0
Value - 9.0
Enjoyment - 8.0
Though I never cried or laughed outloud even once while I was watching Kino's Journey, I was having a pleasant smile of appreciation on my face for the entire time. Blending the philosophy of human nature with the traditions and idiosyncrasies of each countries, Kino's Journey is probably the most unique and most intelligent anime I have seen in some time.
Animation
I like the character design and the design of the androids and those advanced machineries. However, my favorite episode (in terms of animation) is the second episode. Those rabbits and their skins .. they look real =D. Not the best animation 2003 productions have to offer, but each scenes in this anime are well drawn with good attention to detail. On a final note, how come Kino doesn't have breasts ? =p
Sound
The opening theme is pleasant. The ending theme is unique and has quite a melancholic feel to it. Voice acting is well done. Normally I would be complaining if the main character always speak in one tone, but Kino is an exception because of her personality. Hermes has a fun voice. Apparently, his seiyuu was only in high school by the time of production. Good job indeed. BGM is okay.
Story
Normally I would be complaining if an anime of this length is plagued with filler episodes, consists of neither character nor story development, and has an inconclusive ending. But Kino's Journey is an exception, because this anime focuses on various themes of human nature. Thus, it is not necessary for Kino's Journey to have either character development or a conclusive ending. Viewers will see the events through the eyes of Kino, who is almost like a narrator in this anime.
In each episode, Kino will visit one country. She will stay there for three days, witness its traditions and idiosyncrasies, and learn to understand the reason which made that country became that way. For example, in the first episode, Kino visited a country which people are afraid to leave their houses. Later it was revealed that people in that country can read each other's minds. Thus, they ended up locking themselves in their homes because they do not want to get hurt knowing what others think about them. Each episode will focus on one theme, and the blend between human philosophy and the backstory of each countries is seamless and brilliantly executed.
Character
Though Kino hardly speaks and viewers won't realize that she is a woman until the fourth episode, she is an excellent character. Although she might appear to be cold and heartless in most situations, but in actuality she is anything but. For example, in an episode which Kino was staying in a house of an old lady who has three android servants. After that old lady died, those three androids asked Kino to be their new mistress so that their existences would serve some purposes. Kino, however, refused and left that house and those three androids ended up drowning themselves. It may seem that Kino is heartless, but actually, Kino did that because she realized that there is no use for those androids to live, because they don't know how to stay independent by themselves.
However, in the situation when Kino encountered a person who deserves support, she would act otherwise. An episode which Kino met Nimya is a good example. Nimya, a girl who wanted to build a plane, wasn't confident that her plane would actually fly. Kino, however, simply told her that she is very confident that it will. Kino is anything but heartless. In fact, she is so mature that she will not intervene with a situation which cannot be changed. However, she is ready to help people whom she deems deserving of support. Hermes is Kino's excellent partner who adds a lot of fun to the journey. All in all, characterizations in Kino's Journey are brilliant, and thus, they deserve ten points from me without any hesitation.
Value
I hold Kino's Journey in the same level with Now and Then, Here and There and Grave of the Fireflies : an excellent anime which is a must see by all fans. And as a result, instead of giving an eight for value category, I added the extra 'must-see' point to make it a nine. Kino's Journey is an anime so good that it would be hard to dislike. And even if one dislikes it, (s)he will still respect it and won't bash it saying that it's a piece of crap. Still, it is understandable that the atmosphere in this anime may seem dull to some, and the episodic nature of this show may disappoint people who expect a story and character development to a certain extent. If you still can't bring yourself to like this show by the time you finish the fourth episode, Kino's Journey won't be your cup of tea. But if you like this show from the very first episode (like me), then keep watching and you will be very well rewarded. Kino's Journey is one of the most thought provoking anime I have seen and it is undoubtedly one of the best anime of 2003. Highly recommended.
Posted by : MadDoctorD
Posted on : 2005-12-30
This show is perhaps one of the few shows that I would ever truly give a ten out of ten. Especially since I actually started taking my reviews seriously. This is an anime masterpiece and it most definately is NOT kid's stuff. Kino's Journey is actually the kind of anime that would shock and awe you from beginning to end; every episode brings something else to think about.
Kino is a globetrotter. Along with her trusty talking motorcycle, Hermes, she sets out on an adventure; traveling from country to country, seeking out a holy grail of her own and to make memories and create history everywhere she goes and everyone she happens to meet, but only for three days. Yes, the main charecter happens to be a "she". You actually don't realize this crucial bit of information until mid-series; but it's not like it matters in the slightest... dang... I just contradicted myself, didn't I?
We have two crucial charecters in this story; Kino and Hermes. Kino is quick-witted, wise, and fiercely independant; otherwise, she wouldn't be traveling, would she? Wherever Kino goes, she always talkes to Hermes, her closest friend and traveling mate. Honestly, she talks to him constantly and with each question he asks about humans, it always shoves another question into the back of your mind. Why humans do this, why humans do that. By the time the episode ends, simalar questions flood your mind and make you wonder about what was said, what was done, and what lies ahead.
This doesn't matter too much, given the content of the show, but the charecter designs were very plain. There wasn't anyone who had ravishing charecter designs, and a few of the minor charecters were drawn poorly. Even though I say this, the style that this show is drawn in, gives the charecters that do matter certain flaws on their figures and such. There isn't anyone who looks like plastic dolls who dress in overtly bright colors like in your typical anime of today.
There was little music in this show; but what music there was, was powerfully placed in the right areas. Because of the little music, it almost gave the entire story a feel for a surreal reality, rather than fueling excitement. The opening and ending themes were the best fitting that one could ask for; what's better, they are sung by the lead seiyuu, in other words, Kino's voice actress, Ai Maeda. Because of that, you know that it's impossible to get any more complimentary than it already is.
Each episode bombards you with philosophy and contrasting customs and traditions. Although the show may seem slow at times, it grips your attention to keep you watching until the very end, because no matter what the adventure, there are twists and turns to the plots where you wouldn't believe and nothing comes as expected. This is a show for the thinkers in society, the intellectuals, and is not for your average anime fan. It's not your typical entertainment; this is art!
One last thing: Never watch this show as a marathon. I suggest one or two episodes per day. Gosh did I have a bad headache after watching this show; I managed to watch all 13 episodes in a single day. Boy does it wears you down mentally!
Overall: 10 / 10
Posted by : Hagunsei
Posted on : 2005-06-08
The review by Innotech pretty much expressed most of my views and there
Posted by : Innotech
Posted on : 2004-06-06
This anime isn't a story per se, but rather a slice of life seen through the eyes of Kino, a wise and largely unbiased traveler. What Kino's journey is about, is exploring the human psyche, the mistakes, the successes, the good, and the bad sides of mankind's idealogies and methods of rule. In short, it's Anime-ised Zen.
Kino travels to new countries every three days, never staying longer than that, and always there is some quirk about a country, some wonderful or disturbing thing that will really make you think hard about what youre seeing. Kino's journey is very episodic, but does have a small background story to it. However, what makes this anime great is not it's story but the experiences you see Kino go through. If you want something completely unlike practically anything else in the anime world, with deep symbolism that won't talk down to you, Kino is your show. For those of you expecting some sort of action romp, you will probably hate Kino's journey. Make NO mistake though, there is action in a few episodes and Kino can handle situations quite effectively. Kino also has great marksmanship and reflexes.
Now to the animation... Throughout the show, it was given a very odd lined treatment, almost like you're watching it on a rough screen or a book. Not sure of its significance, but it does give the anime a very interesting look. The character designs aren't appealing, rather it's more down to Earth normal-like, and most things in this show are realistic, except of course Kinos talking about motorrad and some technologies. It is all very artistically done however, with subtle colors and crisp detail that is sometimes absolutely beautiful.
The OP and ED are among my favorites, and throughout the stories the music is soothing and thoughtful. The sound effects are sufficient, sometimes bordering on disturbing (certain characters die on occasion and sometimes accompanied by spattering blood sounds).
Overall, Kinos journey isn't full of nonstop action, gratuitous violence, or drama, though it contains numerous examples of each. It is a show that cannot be gauranteed as an enjoyable-to-all piece. You will either enjoy or hate it, you just have to see for yourself. It is however, a brilliant piece of art and pyschological brain candy.
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