"Kino's Journey" (2003) "Kino no tabi" (original title), TV series 2003-

Director:

Ryûtarô Nakamura

Writer:

Sadayuki Murai (writer)

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

2003 (Japan)

Genre:

Animation | Adventure | Drama

Plot:

Kino and her talking motorcycle Hermes travel around the world, visiting different countries for three days each in order to learn about each one.

Plot Keywords:

Motorcycle | Travel | Gun | Anime

Cast

Ryuji Aigase	...	Hermes (1 episode, 2003)
Shelley Calene-Black	...	Lovely Assistant, Wife, Librarian (1 episode, 2003)
Kelli Cousins	...	Kino (1 episode, 2003)
Matt Culpepper	...	Escort Soldier (1 episode, 2003)
Illich Guardiola	...	Man In His 20s, Author (1 episode, 2003)
Hilary Haag	...	Lily Sakura (1 episode, 2003)
K.C. Jones	...	Information Machine, Gun Salesman, Soldier A, Pierre, Girl A, Boy, Critic C, Additional Voices (1 episode, 2003)
Ai Kobayashi	...	Nimya (1 episode, 2003)
Ai Maeda	...	Kino (1 episode, 2003)
Cynthia Martinez	...	Hermes, Kid B, Girl B, Girl (1 episode, 2003)
Rob Mungle	...	Additional Voices / ... (1 episode, 2003)
David Parker	...	Track Demolisher, Tank (1 episode, 2003)
Rick Piersall	...	Northern Priest, Teacher, Officer A, Chief Librarian (1 episode, 2003)
Lidia Porto	...	Boy A, Mrs. Sakura, Additional Voices (1 episode, 2003)
Jon Talia	...	Critic A (1 episode, 2003)
Mike Vance	...	Soldier B, Escaped Man (1 episode, 2003)
Aoi Yuki	...	Sakura (1 episode, 2003)

Series Directed by
Ryûtarô Nakamura		(unknown episodes)

Series Writing credits
Sadayuki Murai		(unknown episodes)

Also Known As:

"Kino no tabi" - Japan (original title)

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Color:

Color

Certification:

UK:12 (some episodes) | UK:PG (some episodes)

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Troldspejlet: Episode #34.8" (2005)

A delightful tale

This series is quite different to other anime series I've seen; it is neither action packed nor full of laughs although that doesn't mean it is totally lacking in these. The animation has a style of its own too; in some ways it has a simple look but it is stunningly beautiful. The series follows the travels of Kino and her talking 'Motorrad' (motorbike) Hermes as they visit various countries, each of the countries are effectively city states that each have their own unique customs, some are friendly, others less so. As a general rule Kino is just an observer of the countries she visits but occasionally gets involved although that is usually because she has no choice. Just because Kino prefers to avoid conflict does not mean the guns we see in the opening credits don't get used, it did come as a surprise the first time though.

As they are constantly travelling the only regular characters are Kino and Hermes; Kino is an interesting character whose gender is open to question for the first few episodes and is sometimes addressed as a boy and sometimes as a girl in the various countries, Hermes might be a talking motorbike but isn't as silly as that sounds, it looks like a real bike and does not have a face like other animated talking vehicles.

While the stories were gently paced I was never bored, I'd certainly recommend this for anybody looking for something a little different. It is suitable for most ages although one or two scenes might disturb young children; some people and a few rabbits do get shot and we aren't spared the sight of spilt blood.

These comments are based on watching the series in Japanese with English subtitles.