Kino's Journey Vol. 3: Warning - Curves Ahead 2003   ADV Films Official US Website Buy It Now Official Japanese Website

Some say that when you see a bird in flight that means that you're going to take a journey. This has been the logic and statement that has often been brought up regarding Kino's Journey, one of the more interesting dramatic anime series that I've seen as of late. So far, the first two volumes have managed to jump around a little bit, not really in terms of the concept, but the way it's presented. The first volume, probably still my favorite, is a bit bleak but very effective whereas the second volume has a tone that's a bit lighter, but still has a slightly grim presentation. However, the third volume, "Warning - Curves Ahead," takes a slightly different approach at times, but that doesn't change the feeling of the series at all.

While there are again only three episodes on this disc, much like the last volume, these may be some of the best thus far, equally or even rivaling the first four episodes in some ways. The first episode on the disc finds Kino and Hermes in a country with a young woman who has aspirations to fly. I guess I hadn't really noticed that despite the fact they have visited areas with some very advanced technology, flying hasn't been commonplace. There are many things that come to mind here. The young woman's drawings for her aircraft look a great deal like those that Leonardo da Vinci drew up, and there are even moments, especially with the flight itself, that have a definite Wright Brothers influence. The episode itself though has a more upbeat feeling, boasting the triumph of humans and the will and desire to succeed, and look gorgeous. A few moments and scenes have a look that will make many think to some of Miyazaki's early films, Laputa in particular. It's a definite an uplifting episode, but still fits nicely with the theme of the series.

The other two episodes aren't too bad. The second on the disc brings up some interesting concepts at times while the final episode had me guessing at times, though part of it was very simple guess work. The one thing however that really hasn't been talked about is exactly what happened in this world to make society in general avoid one another. For the most part, many of the places that Kino and Hermes have paid a visit to have a somewhat harmonious existence, though at times they are a bit odd, but there must have been something more to make life so that travelers have become a rarity. With any luck, this will be addressed at some point, though I do wonder about a slight tease that was in one episode that gives the illusion that perhaps all of this is simply a dream.

There still hasn't been too much added for extras on the disc. ADV only included clean versions of the open and closing as well as production sketches. The opening theme still throws me off a bit, especially taking into consideration the first episodes of the series. It's very happy and vibrant, something that really contrasts the series, for the most part at least. I'm still hoping with interviews with the creators, but I'm not holding my breath either.

Kino's Journey brings many different feeling and ideas to the table. You have the darker side of life at times, other times there is a more hopefully outlook on life itself. Although it is a drama, you could also look at Kino's Journey as slice of life series, though it doesn't deal necessarily with reality as much as it does possibilities and the burning question of "what if?" I believe I've said it before, but Kino's Journey does come across at times as more or less a thinking man's anime. At times it may very well be bleak, but it also has ideas and concepts that will make you sit back and ponder. The only bad thing is that Kino and Hermes are going to be pulling into that final destination soon, at least as far as this series is concerned, but it's been a fantastic trip so far.

Episode 8 - Land of Wizards

Kino and Hermes stop in a country where the miracle of flight is all that's on one young ladies mind. Although many of the residents think that she's a bit strange, and there have been complaints about her antics, she's got the will to take to the skies, and a little helpful advice from Kino may be just the thing to get her airborne.

Episode 9 - Land of Book

Kino's next stop is a country where a single library holds all the books in the world, but there's one catch. Before they make it onto the shelves, they are carefully screened, and those books that are deemed harmful never see the light of day. However, there is a movement to try and get these book brought to the masses, and a cryptic individual seems to hold the key, or does he?

Episode 10 - A Tale of Mechanical Dolls

While searching for a technologically advanced country, Kino and Hermes find an old woman who claims to be a maid. The lifelike android is more than happy to assist them, as are her creators and family, but the lines what is truth and what is fiction have been blurred, at least one the side of one party.

-mike-