We’re getting very close to the climax of Kino’s Journey (well, if a series like this can have a climax, that is). Rewatching it in this way has given me a much deeper appreciation for the series than I might have had before, and I really did like it quite a bit before sitting down and analyzing every detail of each episode. I don’t think that every anime series can or should have to stand up to deep scrutiny and there’s nothing wrong with being straightforward and entertaining. I honestly don’t know what I would do if something like JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure suddenly felt the need to become emotionally complex and address social issues in some way. It just wouldn’t feel correct (and I doubt it would be even half as entertaining). But as far as Kino is concerned, I’m glad I didn’t have the same initial reaction that some other reviewers and fans of the earlier adaptation had, because I think this adaptation has its own set of charms that make it worthwhile and it certainly doesn’t slouch when it comes to introducing moral and ethical quandaries!
Below are previous weeks’ posts, as usual. Check them out and let me know if you agree or disagree with my analyses (or just have something additional to say).