Kino's Journey

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.

"Kino's Journey" follows the duo consisting of Kino and the talking motorcycle Hermes. Together, the two travel through various cities and learn something about the history of the city and its inhabitants.

This is a completely unique narrative structure, which is very refreshing if you like to watch a lot of series (like me, for example).

Each episode contains a short story, which is often quite interesting - the themes of the story range from war to technological progress to grief.

In addition, the relationship between Kino and the motorcycle Hermes is written very warmly.

"Kino's Journey" was clearly a surprise hit for me and thrilled me with its unique premise.

After watching Pokemon as a kid I left anime for a long time. Then I was introduced through Sword Art Online. It wasn't the worst thing but thankfully it was the polar opposite of American cartoons in terms of art style. I did some digging for better storylines and discovered a talking motorcycle. I have never turned back on anime since!

Then perfect word to describe Kino's Journey is "intriguing". She is not always a moral character. Instead she is a pragmatic character and manages to survive. Seeing through the eyes of someone who isn't an idealistic vigilante allows us to observe events and draw our own conclusions. If you feel like watching a thinking anime, this is for you. If you want to turn your brain off after a hard day, that's okay too; honestly I do that myself a lot.

This is one of those little gems you discover late one night binge- watching anime. No one has ever mentioned it to you, you have nothing else better to do, and the cover art doesn't remind you of another action-packed vampire love story. That being said, I went into Kino's Journey blind and I came out enlightened. It was like I was a child exploring the world for the first time again.

Along with her talking motorcycle companion, "Hermes", Kino is a traveler who has a rule to never stay in one place for more than 3 days. The world is similar to Earth except that what are considered "countries" are really independent, walled cities that are seemingly very spaced apart. Each episode is self contained as Kino visits one or more country, and just as Kino and Hermes, we experience each place for the first time. The countries have their own unique histories, customs, and cultures. All are interesting; some are dangerous.

There is something so powerful in the quiet storytelling of this series. Kino's Journey really explores the very edges of what it means to be human. We are all flawed, yet it is how we deal with our flaws that defines us. Similar to many other series I have watched, I just wish there was more.

There are only two other anime that I have seen that have mastered the art of quiet storytelling: "Mushishi", and "House of Five Leaves".

As of now (Jan 2014), the English Dubbed version is available on Amazon Prime and Hulu Plus. NOTE: Amazon Prime doesn't have any commercials.

Its a brilliant format to teach a bunch of philosophical concepts. Each country has its own philosophy, and the countries are all small. Kino travels from country to country, while the viewer gains a deeper understanding of the concept. The format is the best format I have ever seen in a TV show and it will always stay in my memories.