At the end of the first episode, we are told: “The World is not beautiful: therefore it is.” Though the series is a travel log at the surface, director Ryutaro Nakamura and his team are doing much more to address this thesis--the contradictory nature of beauty observed in societies throughout the world. Henceforth, in their adaptation of author Keiichi Sigsawa’s satirical vignettes of culture and society, from which this series is eponymously named, Nakamura and company piece together a deconstruction of the human condition. Each episode explores a specific issue concerning the human condition, and most of them are brilliantly crafted without a reliance on any particular cinematic technique. Additionally, in some episodes, Nakamura and his team cleverly juxtapose several of Sigsawa’s stories, which were originally standalone, to explore these issues.
Though the series is philosophical, it does not present itself pretentiously at all; it tinges its ideas through the plots, the characters, and the settings. In fact, its allegorical nature allows it to remain accessible and enjoyable to most audiences (barring younger ones due to the depictions of violence and death in some episodes) while still being able to communicate on higher levels. Most importantly, Kino, the protagonist, is more than merely a vehicle to explore facets of human nature and constructs of society; rather, due to the nonlinear sequencing of the episodes, the bits we gather on Kino’s characterization actually shape the synthesis of the series’ powerful conclusion by making it come full circle to the thesis presented in the first episode. Though this circularity prevents the series from jumping out of the gate on the first episode--we are seemingly thrown into the world in media res with a prologue and some dialogue sequences that do not really mean much--everything comes together upon the series' conclusion.
And while still amazing after the first watch, this is why this series is one to discuss or rewatch: not only to pick up on some dialogue, but also to gain a better understanding on how the ideas are conveyed through the techniques--how Nakamura ties all of these standalone episodes into one cohesive package.
Favorite episodes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13
Least favorite episodes: 8
Tags: review, kino no tabi, kino’s journey, satire, allegory, adventure, philosophical, adaptation
Hermes’ voice acting is weird in the English dubbing.
Kino’s Journey: the Beautiful World
Directed by Ryutaro Nakamura
13 ep. A.C.G.T., Genco. 2003.
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