13 episodes | 2003
I have just finished watching the first episode of an anime I discovered today called Kino's Journey. From the beginning, I knew that it would be different from other things that I've been watching. It just gave off that vibe. And boy - have I been craving something original! I am so tired of the cookie cutter animes filled with average animation, identical storyline, and for pete's sake I never thought I'd say this... I am so tired of hearing all the same voice actors! So so so tired of it! I know that it's because I've been watching a bunch of Funimation things and they like to use their Texas-based actors... but I like hearing new voices every once in a while.
Anyways, saying that I do not recognize any of the voice actors in Kino's Journey as of yet and it is really refreshing. The story as far as I know is one about a girl (who looks very, very much like a boy and I didn't find out she was a girl until I looked it up) and her talking motorcycle who set out on a journey to different "countries". They spend no more and no less that three days in each country getting to know the people and the culture and it is a really neat and original idea in my opinion. They started off the first episode in a very strange way I thought - in a country where there are no people in the city, only machines that do all the work. This country is named "The Land of Visible Pain". It gives off a bit of an eery feel, but nothing pops out, I promise.
The overall impression that this anime left on me after this first episode is that it is going to be a very slow, peaceful, interesting, and unique show. Just what I need it. I found the first two episodes, dubbed, on Hulu though I am not quite sure where I am going to find the next few episodes.
All-in-all, I'd say go for it if you're getting tired of all the regular anime out there. But who knows, I may be wrong and this may turn into the cliched love stories that I've seen a million times. I certainly hope not. I am really, really excited for this anime.
I predict it will be one that is sad and lonely, but also very beautiful.
