Customer Reviews

Kino's Journey - The Complete Collection

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The back-cover of volume 1 of this fantastic series has the following words:

"Sitting astride the back
Of an internal combustion companion-
Drifting through the beautiful world.
The ground rolling beneath, before and beyond:
Their journey meanders"

For me this sums up the atmosphere of "Kino's journey" - this is a poetic, but unpretenious series. The viewer follows Kino, a young girl, and her motoraide as they drift from country to country, staying three days in each to soak up the culture and understand the ways of the people that live within them. Each country is vastly different with extremely different political, technological, and moral standards.

The series manages something rarely attainable in anime - interesting, mysterious, and intelligent storylines that make the viewer really think about the world around them, but without being overly complex and confusing. The makers of ther series also do not force their viewpoints on the viewer; instead the makers present the information and leave the viewer to judge the standards of each country themselves. The series also benefits from having a truly likeable heroine, who is not girly but worldly and capable.

This may sound boring, but believe me it is not. After the second episode, I was as eager as Kino to visit the next country and uncover their culture. The stories are genuinely moving, unpredictable, and sometimes heartbreaking. There is action as Kino sometimes finds herself in danger and some unexpected brutal images. The graphics are beautiful and modern. The soundtrack and dubbing are excellent.

This is not a funny or romantic series and there are no mecha battles. However, if you want to try a series (13 episodes) that treats the viewer with some intelligence and is genuinely interesting that you should definitely buy this. Similiar to Haibane Renmei in tone and graphics, but more down-to-earth. I watched the whole series in one day and afterwards felt like packing a bag and invesitgating the world myself.

What intrigued me most about Kino's Journey was the fact that the leading character was an androgynous looking female on a journey with her talking motorcycle. Just reading about it, the story sounds strange but once you start watching it, it makes sense in the world it takes place in. The world Kino lives in is almost like our own, except that each country Kino visits seems to be at a different stage of civilization. You could say Kino's world was tailor made just for us to learn the moral lessons it's trying to teach. Through Kino's journey we come face to face with human desires that can either lead a country into destruction or into a new age of change. Our main character is Kino who is unflinching in her resolve to continue her journey and tries to keep herself uninvolved from the fate of those people she meets. It is refreshing to finally see a character that isn't so self-righteous to think she has the answers for everybody's problems. Kino's motorcycle Hermes is a good vehicle for seeing the puzzling world from a non-human perspective. None of the character designs are particularly attractive nor does the animation impress any veteran anime viewer. But the unique approach of looking at human nature without the preachiness of other shows makes Kino worth a look.

Kino's Journey is unlike any other anime series I've ever seen (and I have seen many). It is beautiful in its artwork and music. It is intense and deep in its writing and story telling. And fundamentally, it is melancholy and introspective, while retaining a feeling of hope. It's pace is for the most part slow, but there is certainly action at points. This series will make you think, and, if it has done its job, laugh and cry as well at points. For $35 bucks, you absolutely can't say no to owning this brilliant series.

Yes, that's right. It really doesn't get much better, or more original, than this. I have been adoring anime selectively for years now, and I know what I'm talking about. If you like anime because you love complex, strange characters traversing exotic and inventive settings rendered into living beauty, you will not be disappointed with Kino's Journey. If you like jarring, explosive violence that positively glows with style, the kind that only seems to make its way out of Japan, you will not be disappointed with this series! This is not exactly a violent series, but in no way does it shy away from it, either. It strikes when you do not expect it and out of an emotional and mysterious backdrop, and, in this way, is similar to the The Dancer Upstairs (not anime). If you've seen both, you will know what I mean.

Be warned, KJ is cerebral stuff for people who enjoy new ideas. It will not be square and constant reaffirmation of concepts people are already familiar with, the kind of watered-down, generic pseudophilosophy that prompts people to pat themselves on the back because they can understand. Do not rent Kino's Journey if you want to be reminded of what you already know.

This series has the capacity to touch you, to change you, to draw you in more deeply than anything you've seen yet. Think Spirited Away times three. The two are on par as far as emotional involvement, but Kino's Journey goes well beyond, and is an extraordinarily relevant piece of literate filmmaking. It's helpful to know that the talking motorcycle is not some kind of fairy tale motorcycle from children's anime or other cartoons. The motorcycle (Hermes) is one of the keys to the thematic setting, in that he is a machine bestowed with an artificial intelligence and representative of technology seen from a timeless perspective and thus, very mythical. His presence never crosses over into science fictiony stupidness. The series unfolds as Kino explores countries and locales so different from one another it's hard to imagine how it all fits together--but it does, and superbly. Just to go along for the ride with Kino and Hermes the motorcycle makes it worth watching.

The animation is quite appealing and has the look of watercolor on textured paper.

Don't judge this anime by it's cover. It is not about a woman in tight clothes and her guns. It's about a teenager and her talking motorcycle. Well, then you'll probably think it's childish or stupid so scratch that too...

Actually it's a story of adventure and discovery across cultures. It's a deeper, character driven anime. Don't come here for lots of action, robots, or sex. Do come here for psychological "deep thoughts" along with the magic of discovery.

Remember how the first time you saw the first matrix that it was an amazing movie? There was a lot of psychology, but it was also mixed with the magic of discovery. Then the next two matrix's pretended that the psychology and special effects were enough without the magic. This anime has the magic and the psychology, but without the special effects.

Therefore, if you can deal with a the fact that there aren't gun fights in every episode (but there are a few), if you want an anime that that gets you thinking, and if are dying for some plots that are not obvious and boring, please buy this anime!

One last note. This is the first anime in quite a while where I got emotionally involved. I'm a coldhearted guy, so I think that says something about the story and the characters!

When I first heard about Kino's Journey, it was from a friend of mine. Being the egotistic person he is, my friend picked up Kino's Journey and expected it to be another life journey rip-off. The next day, he called me absolutley stunned by how beautiful it was. So, I picked it up.

The story presents a view of the world through the eyes of a wanderer or traveler, as she calls herself. Riding along with her motorcycle Hermes, the thirteen episode anime series confronts moral absolution issues, life styles reflections, and how even though all the diversity in the world exists, life still goes on in the world.

Kino meets up with different people every single episode and explores their lifestyles and customary traditions of the country. From slave traders to highly technologically advanced cities, Kino is constantly facing customs that confuse her.

The overall affect of the anime is that the message that tries to convey itself through every episode. Though all the diversity and contradictions exist in this world, what is important is what you do with your own life and how you walk down your road.

Beautifully drawn and the music being extremley well orchestrated, I would recommend this anime to any collector. Its a rare gem hidden among many anime titles and if you are fortunate enough to come across it, do not miss it.

Anime like Kino's Journey is a rarity nowadays when all you're used to seeing is wanton violence, excessive fan service, and formulaic presentation. Kino's Journey is an well-needed break from the everyday anime that most people are used to. The anime is almost Twilight-Zone-ish in that Kino, an androgynous traveler, travels across a world similar to Earth, but with countries and people very much different from ourselves. Kino and Hermes, Kino's motorrad, find themselves in ever interesting situations in their travels, raising questions about humanity and what it really is.

The artwork is simplistic, the music is minimalist, but what really keeps you watching is how well the stories keep you captivated, and of course, how the reveal is always saved for the end if the episode. Kino's Journey is not about random killing, lusty females, or a simple plotline. The anime usually leaves you with something to think about, thanks to wonderful characters, especially Kino and Hermes, who provide separate and yet valid viewpoints, sometimes contrdictory of each other, but always provocative.

Kino's Journey is an adventure of the mind, and although it is not necessarily visually-stunning or flashy, it provides an entertaining philosophical experience that depicts instead of the cheap and overused rhetorical question by the main character into the night sky. Kino does, and lets the viewer decide.

Kinos journey is an odd film about a young traveler who goes from country to country, spending never more than three days in each, and has many adventures along the way. With her is her talking motorcycle Hermees who is kind of witty and really funny at times. Although some parts of this fairy tale can be quite gruesome and disturbing, most of it is lighthearted and surprisingly funny. I was expecting something along the lines of Now and Then, Here and There (Complete Collector's Boxed Set) but instead got something more like Porco Rosso and a tiny bit of Grave of the Fireflies.

THE GOOD - first is the main characters. Kino and Hermees are great together and their dialog with each other sounds just eth way two long time friends would talk. Unfortunately there isn't much in the way of secondary characters. every once in a while Kino will stop somewhere and get involved in peoples lives and sometimes even get attached, but for the most part you meet one person and then never see them again. The only secondary character you can possibly feel for is Lilly in the last episode and that's just because she reminds you of Kino in a way. the rest are just there to move Kino's story forward, which isn't bad par say but can get annoying at times.
The movie is full of somber moments from the opening episodes when Kino tries to help out a few starving men to when we finally get to see her past, but it is also full of hummer. I busted out laughing at parts that weren't necessarily meant to be funny. for example there is a part in the movie when one country thinks the world is going to end and one person tells Kino "you know your stay here will coincide with the end of the world, are you okay with that?" to which Hermees replies "I can not believe she just asked us that." the entire episode is really, REALLY funny and can not be missed. I don't' think that it was going for hummer, maybe it was going for a commentary on religion, but hummer is what I got out of it.
Also latter there is a part where Kino helps a young woman in a town build her flying machine. The girl goes "o thank you Kino, thank you thank you thank you" and than knock Kino to the floor with a big hug. The camera stays still so we can't se them, and Hermees says "now this is where it gets interesting." maybe you have to see that part to get it, but once you do you'll see what I mean, its soooooo funny.
Some of the countries are very interesting from the one that maintains its peace by playing terrible war games with its enemies, to the one that has gladiator type battles for the amusement of its king. These are very depressing countries and Kino even gets involved in one, but as I said she never stays for more than three days. But there are some really funny countries too. The one where people hop around like cats comes to mind.
and i have to say that the English dub is top notch. Very few dubs can match this one in quality, almost every character, main and secondary, are perfectly done. Kudos.

THE BAD - as a said before there aren't really a lot of secondary characters that you can like. They are mostly just a bunch of random people that you will never see again in the series. You don't learn many of their names and wouldn't remember what they were afterwards. The exception is Lilly in the last episode, but she is only in one episode too. Also the more somber moments in the film could have benefited from a stronger soundtrack. Maybe I'm just spoiled because I've been watching Myazaki movies too much but loud classical music during a slaughter of hundreds of woman and children didn't get me into a very sad mood. The very ending is very sad, but could have been much better.

BOTTOM LINE - kinos journey is a very good film that deserves to be watched by any anime fan. If you are an amime fan there is really no excuse for you not to watch this movie, it isn't that expensive after all. And even if you aren't an anime fan I think you would like this film. There is a little bit of everything in this movie and whatever you like you'll find some of it. At times it can be funny, others bizarre and surreal, and at other times it can be almost heartbreaking. There is action, adventure, not much romance but there is a little, hope, despair, you name it and it's got it. If you like adventure stories you'll like this movie, flaws and all. if you read this review, please leave a comment.

Kino is a young girl who has everything from hunting to guns down to the T. She is not even a teen and she has already live thru and done things a child should never have to do.You can not truly explain Kino's journey you have to watch it. You cannot truly explain the calming feeling you get watching it nor the excitement and thirst for adventure.You can't give this series anything under 5 stars and if you do you had no business watching it because you didn't understand it and I know fans know what I mean.The basic description is a very skilled young girl (Kino) traveling with a talking motercycle (Hermes) with no exact destination to say anything else would reveal how the series unlocks the mystery of her past, present, and future. You can read reviews for days and still not know how good Kino's journey is, she travels with a talking motorcycle but you have to watch to find out how she got the bike or why she's traveling around the world. This series is a welldone mystery with great animation and story line and is a sure classic.

While I wouldn't consider this to be my favorite anime series, I did enjoy watching it and found a lot of the storylines to be amusing and intriguing. There really isn't a main story here; basically, Kino rides around to different countries on her talking motorcycle, Hermes. Some people felt that in the english dub Hermes sounded like a pedophile, though I thought he sounded more like a chain smoker, but that's beside the point. I watched some episodes in Japanese with English subtitles, and other episodes with the English dub, and I could go either way as this series has probably one of the better English anime dubs. I watched the series in order, but you really don't have to, as the episodes can be watched in whatever order you wish to watch them in, for the most part (except for 6 and 7, as those are a 2-part episode). In that way, it is a lot like an American TV show, as it really does make very little difference what order you watch the episodes in.

Overall, while some episodes are better than others, I enjoyed the series and there were some very interesting countries that Kino explores with some very amusing, interesting, and bizarre customs. In this way the series does an excellent job in making the point that while in one society, certain actions might be considered strange, taboo, or reprehensible, in another culture they could be perfectly acceptable, or even the status quo. Most of the storylines also contain a twist at the end, which could be similar to a Twilight Zone twist. Many of these twists are easy to see coming, while others are unexpected, but they're not illogical and in no way nullify what went on in the story.

The DVD I got is the slimpack edition, which is nice because the series is only on three discs, and it doesn't take up much space at all. This edition has absolutely no special features whatsover other than some previews on the first disc, which isn't a huge deal to me as I buy DVDs for the movie primarily and special features are a secondary concern, though some people might have a problem with that. It doesn't have one of ADV's best transfers, as I started noticing horizontal lines along the picture on the second and third disc, though the sound quality is okay.

Overall, for the price tag, it would probably be worth it for you to check out if you're interested. As with any other episodic series (whether anime or otherwise), some of the episodes are going to be better than others, and in this series some of the episodes do seem to run a bit longer than they probably should have, given the kinds of stories it's telling, but it's still worth viewing.