It’s been a long time since I watched any of the original Kino no Tabi, of course, and after almost 15 years I remember almost no details of the individual stories themselves. To be honest, I’m not even certain that I watched that series all the way through (and I’m pretty sure I never saw any of the follow-up efforts via OVA or movie format). But even if I don’t remember plot, I’m struck by just how little difference I perceive in the experience of watching the show itself – I sure as hell have changed since then and I suppose Kino no Tabi must have too, but it strikes me exactly the same way. And that’s not entirely a good thing.
To be blunt, what most of the these episodic stories make me think of – and “Colosseum” is no exception – is something that isn’t all that clever acting clever. It’s not that these allegorical tales aren’t well-crafted, but there’s something of pretentious juvenility to them. I’m pretty sure I never watched “Colosseum” the first time around as I remember absolutely none of it and I do remember scraps of other chapters here and there, but nothing that happened of any significance in it surprised me. Every development was predictable, right up the end. Of course Kino was going to shoot the king. Of course Shizu is the king’s son. So – then what?
The other rather adolescent aspect of Kino’s Journey is the rules of these countries Kino visits. There doesn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason to them except that Sugawara-sensei came up with a scenario she thought was cool and smart and crafted some silly conditions to make it fit. Obviously this is not a show that’s going for photo-realism, but I would like there to be some guiding principles that go beyond narrative convenience. Maybe there are and we just haven’t gotten to them yet (and I don’t remember them from the first time, or just missed them altogether) but so far I don’t see it.
There are a lot of elements of Kino’s Journey that I quite like, starting with Yuuki Aoi’s measured and slightly sinister performance as Kino. And as a larger premise it’s quite intriguing, even if the individual chapters sometimes aren’t. It’s a good production, attractive and well-acted, but that it feels so shallow to me is a much bigger problem because it presents itself as being deep. It still stands head and shoulders above the masses of bad light novels that would follow it, but returning to Kino after 15 years it’s easy to see how much it influenced them.
Nyangoro
October 13, 2017 at 11:31 pmI felt the same way watching the two episodes of this series. Though I’m surprised you don’t remember this particular chapter. It was a two-parter right in the middle of the 2003 series. I guess it only goes to show that this series, unfortunate though it may be, simply hasn’t aged as well or even as memorably as we might have preferred.
Guardian Enzo
October 14, 2017 at 7:36 amI’m not trying to be a smartass here, but if I did see it, it obviously didn’t make much of an impression on me.
F. Smile
October 14, 2017 at 7:42 amI keep hearing how this version feels watered down compared to the 2003 one. I haven’t seen the old one, but as a new viewer I’ve been enjoying this. On the plus side, I guess I have something to look forward to after I finish this.
Yukie
October 14, 2017 at 8:50 pmI wouldn’t say this version is watered down, but it just has a different focus. This version is more of a straight-forward anime adaptation, while the old version focused on creating the journey and ambience of Kino’s experience (hence a slower pacing). Like Guardian Enzo, I actually don’t remember much of the old version and I don’t think it’s the masterpiece so many have touted it to be, but this story was one of the few that I do remember because 1) there’s a cute, talking dog and 2) it presented a very different side of Kino.
Personally, I think the old one presented a bit more complexity to this story. I don’t know if it’s the darker and less colorful palette or if it’s because the old Kino was not as obvious of an avenger.
Bokusen
October 17, 2017 at 12:51 amDefinitely watch the first series afterwards if you like this one! The first one was much more competently directed and introspective then what I’ve seen of the new series so far. I like the new series, but it seems kind of rushed & lacking in atmosphere compared to the older series and the novels. To me at least, the old series was a rare masterpiece that always left me thinking and is one of the few series which changed the way I view the world, so the newer series has some pretty big shoes to fill.
Bokusen
October 17, 2017 at 1:00 amI meant F. Smile’s comment…Sorry, my phone is just not working well for me today…
Kim
October 14, 2017 at 3:36 pmThis story in the original was longer and had a lot more depth and you understand more why the characters made the choices they did. A lot of this was missing in this version. I am surprised you don’t remember it as its definitely one of most fondly remembered stories from the 1st series.
The countries Kino visit are meant to be allegorical and not necessarily meant to make sense in a real life setting. That is another reason I like the original more. The art work reminded me of a watching a fairy tale or fable.
I am not saying this version is bad I am still enjoying it & it has potential but it doesn’t have the same feel that made the original Kino so special. But then again that was directed by Nakamura and he was one of a kind. Definitely an auteur.
Ronbb
October 15, 2017 at 6:57 pmThis is my first time coming across Kino no Tabi, and this instalment looks quite alright to me. Predictable or not, which I don’t mind, I got the idea that while there is ugliness in humanity all around (as in real life), there is always beauty in the world if we keep moving forward. The little encounter between Kino and Shizu at the end was a nice wrap. Anyway, I find myself enjoying this show more than Houseki no Kuni.
Bokusen
October 17, 2017 at 12:56 amSorry, I meant to reply to your ( meaning Ronbb’s comment, in case this doesn’t work again) comment, but it didn’t work….