[OAVs, Movies and Full Series]

Kino’s Journey movie 2: -For You-

Posted by Martin  [Tags: Kino's Journey]

I didn’t expect 2008 to begin as well as this: I’d almost forgotten about the second Kino no Tabi feature film until I saw it subbed and the torrent link posted up. My only complaint is that, like the Life Goes On prequel movie, it’s essentially a bonus episode rather than a longer feature-length film. Nevertheless, I welcome even one new Kino episode with open arms; this one is as equally thought-provoking as the best ones that the original Kino’s Journey TV series offered.

There are two recurring things that hit me during the time I watched the series (which I really need to rewatch sometime soon): firstly, it is possibly the most impartial and unassuming anime I’ve ever seen. Secondly, it has a sort-of ‘iyashikei trap’ that never fails to surprise me. Both of these things are central to why this film works so well.

[4 Comments]

[Anime Reviews]

Kino’s Journey: Life Goes On

Posted by Martin  [Tags: Kino's Journey]

After being wowed by the TV series but left wondering about the character of Kino herself, I was really interested in seeing the prequel movie. It doesn’t deliver the same amount of philosophical questioning that the TV show did but gives some fascinating insights into Kino’s early life. This ‘lost episode’ (in that it still isn’t licenced and, unless it joins the new movie on DVD, never will be) sees a very young Kino prior to her days on the road when she was still living with ‘Shishou’, her teacher.

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[Anime Reviews]

Kino’s Journey episodes 11-13 and Final Thoughts

Posted by Martin  [Tags: Kino's Journey]

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.

[2 Comments]

[Anime Reviews]

Kino’s Journey episodes 8-10

Posted by Martin  [Tags: Kino's Journey]

Three more episodes of Kino’s Journey and three more reasons why I think it’s so special…it’s a pretty varied assortment this time around, showing the series at its most pretentious cryptic but also at its most dazzling.

[4 Comments]

[Anime Reviews]

Kino’s Journey Episodes 5-7

Posted by Martin  [Tags: Kino's Journey]

Although it was a long time before I finally got around to watching this series, my friends were urging me to check it out for ages. These three episodes are further proof that I should have listened to their advice earlier.

[1 Comment]

[Anime Reviews]

Kino’s Journey Episodes 1-4

Posted by Martin  [Tags: Kino's Journey]

How many shows do I blog that I describe as ‘not for everyone’ or ‘an acquired taste’? Too damn many it would seem! Still, Kino’s Journey is an interesting and well-written series that, at the very least, manages to be a refreshing change from the usual stuff that’s around these days.

[3 Comments]