[Categories: Anime Reviews]
Kino’s Journey episodes 11-13 and Final Thoughts
All I can say is, wow. It’s a bittersweet event when I reach the end of a series that’s as unusual and outstanding as this because I really didn’t want it to end. For Kino, it never ends - the final moments see our heroine and her motorrad carrying on with their endless wanderings but for us, we’ll have to wait for the sequel. As varied as it is, I’ve loved every minute of it.
The first part is a strange change of pace which drops a few small hints about Kino’s past (another crops up in the final episode) and looks long and hard at her journey and why she’s taking it. Soon afterwards we are treated to another strange fairytale/fable told through a ‘wise man’ in a cave; with it being Kino’s journey not even this allegedly wise man is quite what he seems!
The second outing is another fable, this time an anti-war tale that feels a little derivative. If nothing else it left me guessing at every turn but the climatic moment was delivered with a great deal of shock value and only the soundtrack - that of music with no sound effects whatsoever - exhibited any subtlety. Something that never ceases to amaze me about this show is that the characters often work to a different moral code to that of Kino and the viewer, which leads to some interesting moral questioning - are they truly in the wrong or are we judging others by our own standards? Unfortunately the deplorable way in which the people had chosen to solve their problems leaves little room for excuses and I was left as bemused as Kino was.
The third and final episode left me utterly flabbergasted - had there not been other people in my living room at the time I would have shed a tear towards the end. Don’t worry, I’m not going to spoil it for you - all I’ll say is, it’s one of the most jarring and tragic moments of ANY anime I’ve ever seen. It would seem that fate always intervenes and Kino moves on after three days - for the first time she wants to stay in a place that really seems like a ‘good land’. Although it does not mean an end to Kino’s own journey, which makes the series open-ended in the process, I doubt any other episode could directly follow the emotional clout of a scene which leaves the usually-impassive Kino genuinely and outwardly shocked at what she has witnessed.
Final Thoughts
Well, that wraps it up for the TV run of Kino’s Journey - the prequel movie, Life Goes On, is sitting in my hard drive and won’t remain unwatched for long! If that isn’t enough (it isn’t!), another movie will be released in Japan in a matter of days at the time of writing.
Overall the series has been a hidden gem of introspection, philosophy and adventure; in some ways its rural aesthetic and deceptively simple visuals remind me of the likes of Haibane Renmei and Mushishi (I mean that as a compliment of the highest order) but in truth it is a series that is utterly unique. Shows like this are few and far between, which makes me all the more enthused to recommend it to anyone who likes to think about what they are seeing and take a break from the usual generic fare on offer. Credit goes to director Ryutaro Nakamura, Ai Maeda whose voice gave the heroine such dignity and thoughtfulness (not to mention a gorgeous end theme performance) and of course the original novelist Keiichi Sigsawa, whose book has been recommended to me and now takes pride of place near the top of my ‘to buy’ list.
Posted on April 17th, 2007 @ 4:38 am
I believe the movie you’re referring to is called 病気の国 - Land of Sickness.
If you happen to read Japanese, I would highly encourage you to check out the novels. Starting from Volume 2, nearly every short story is new, i.e. hasn’t been animated. Don’t buy the one called “Gakuen Kino” though…you have been warned.
Posted on April 18th, 2007 @ 2:59 pm
The last episode of Kino’s Journey is a total stomach punch. I really enjoyed the series. It’s one that made me think back to it after watching it. Some of them still stick with me long after watching it, like the first episode since it deals with the most primal of needs, the choice of survival and just what that means. Kino’s situation in that as more than an observer, really makes it an interesting episode. It’s been a while so I can’t remember some of the more heady stuff. Maybe I’m due for a rewatch.