Forum - View topicANN Book Club -- Kino's Journey.
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aya_honda
 Posts: 920 Location: Around here |
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Wow, JesuOtaku, do you still feel your fingers?
 That was a really long post. 
JesuOtaku wrote:
Nice observation; I forgot that about actually, but only comes to sustain what has been said so far: the fact that in the end no matter how much we wished to read each other's minds, we already do that though not directly. We communicate so much through a look, a touch, a gesture that there's no need to read minds. Plus where would be the beauty of it? If I respect what BrothersElric said connecting beauty with the unknown, then for those people there's no beauty in the world, because there's little unknown to them when it comes to their minds and as a paradox there is so much to discover in spite of their technology. They have wanted to create and know so much and they thought that by reading each other minds that would be possible; but they have reached the opposite: they have banned from their lives the people that they loved and they became alienated; on top of that they isolated themselves from the world which was ready to be discovered by them. Their loss is so much higher than it would seem at a first glance. Perfect communication doesn't exist but isn't this what makes us human? The fact that we are imperfect after all?
This part made me firstly think at another thing when she discussed the importance of the rabbit. At first I thought about the fact that the people used to pay respect to the food and be grateful for what they had. If they sacrificed an animal they would have been sure to use absolutely everything that could have been used so that the life of that animal wasn't taken for nothing. Nothing could be spared. (I can't remember where I have seen this or read it so anyone correct me if I am wrong). So I thought that at the beginning this is what it's in Kino's mind. I don't think she was really glad about the ring because she wasn't very willing to take it from the man and on top of it even after she took it, she still didn't know how to react to it. But possibly she felt tainted by the fact that she had to receive it. And it again moves to the ideaof human selfishness, that you have mentioned. But I don't think that generosity is always made with a hidden purpose although I admit that when looking at it there's always a higher reason behind it than the mere fact that one individual helps another just for the sake of it. But generosity sometimes creates such small but important miracles and even the smallest generous act can deeply influence people's life (real-life experience) that I don't care about the selfish motivation behind it and I hope that Kino answered in the end to Hermes' question.
Again it all starts from a very insignificant reuqest, that of the king for the poet to create a poem about sorrow otherwise of course punishment will be expected. It is said that writers write about what they have experinced, what they know and therefore it was impossible for our poet to write a poem about sorrow when he didn't know it. But then, after what has happened, this sorrow extended so much and affected so many other people that I would say it was the king's fault first of all for tempting fate. And besides, our life is full of interpretations? This leading again to the discussion about communication. We interpret everything: from our holy truths to our legal truths (our laws) to even the smallest things in our lives (eg. the tone with which someone said 'hello'). We are made of interpretations because we are utterly subjective beings, and unfortunately for us and for the world around us, not all interpretations are correct or positive. What I find interesting is the fact that 'Hermes' is the name of the Greek god who protected the travelers (among others); sometimes I think that Hermes' role as the one who accompanies Kino isn't just to help her get through but also make her think about the world in general. |
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BrothersElric
 Posts: 1996 |
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Oh, no problem.  Man, if Kolibri ni-san were still here she'd be able to tell you all about the keen ability I seem to have of doing that. 
I actually wasn't entirely sure what to make of that episode, as I wasn't entirely expecting it to have such a negative outcome. But I really think this definitely puts it more into perspective for me as to how the main theme applies here. Even though the men betrayed her trust in the end, that was just the ugly part playing out. I mean, there wasn't a possible way she could have known what they were up to, right? So in the end the rabbit indeed wasn't killed for no reason, hence why she left it there. Because it's a symbol for what the beautiful part was, and that is the basic and simple idea of her only taking one life to save many others. It's a great example of the whole idea of "the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few."
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fullmetal biologist
 Posts: 61 Location: north carolina, usa |
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Okay, this is my first viewing of Kino, and I breezed through the first three episodes, so these comments are sort of random and rambling...
My first impression was that I didn't know if Kino was a girl or boy; it didn't help that the Netflix jacket said "him" so I was confused until I checked Wiki... Do you think her androgyny is important? About the "world is not beautiful" mantra, I really thought it emphasized that beauty does not equal perfection. In fact there is no perfection and the world is beautiful not just inspite of the flaws but because of them. It's easy to say but honestly after seeing some of the things Kino's seen already (i.e. episode 2), I think it would take a lot of maturity to come to this conclusion. I personally don't feel like going on a journey when I see birds but sometimes birds make me wonder how they navigate. Does Kino know where she is going? Is she going anywhere? I understand that she is a traveler, but will she ever have a destination? Other first impression was that the series was sort of like Star Trek, where the Enterprise traveled to different worlds, with different customs and the "prime directive" was supposed to keep them from interfering in other cultures. Kino's three day rule seemed like a prime directive, however there is no complete non-interference. Just by arriving in a land she is part of it for a while. The 3 day rule seems practical and may be good for some places that are too dangerous, etc. But why not stay longer is a really great place? Does she "belong" anywhere? Would she have to give up something to stay too long? Episode 1 thoughts and questions: I was not sure at all how long she had been traveling at this point or if this was her first stop. The machines were whimisical and fun, not true of the former residents of the town. My favorite part was the poignant scene at the end, where Kino and the lonely man share a moment of true (non-verbal)communication. When Hermes asks Kino what they were "saying" my husband immediately assumed that Kino lied to Hermes. I was surprised because I actually thought Kino told Hermes at least an approximation of their thoughts, even though it was understood that words couldn't really express it. Maybe that is the same as lying, I am not sure. Episode 2 I'm still feeling sort of sick about this episode. I could see where it was going when the men where talking about their homeland. At first I was also put off my Kino's debate about the rabbits, but by the end I was questioning whether the lives of those rabbits were worth more than those men. Episode 3 The story of the poet and his family seemed very "Greek tragedy" to me and the animation even seemed drawn in a "Grecian urn" style. As has been mentioned, Hermes is also reference to ancient Greece mythology. Maybe this series is inspired by some of those myths and legends, which have also been passed down through many generations and interpreted in numerous ways. I just loved practical Kino, shopping at the end of the world. As REM would say, "it's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine." I probably think of more later.... |
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Alestal
 Posts: 605 Location: Dallas, Texas |
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You know, I thought she was a boy as well, until I read this thread and started watching the series... haha. anime#1965 Calls her a "traveler"... and the previews dont reveal it. Obviously purposely marketed this way. But im also inclined to think that Kino is some kind of robot, or at least was very sheltered.
I think you hit it right on the head! Its saying its the flaws that make the world beautiful and original! I wonder why I didn't make that connection? Im usually pretty good at finding deeper meanings. |
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Dorcas_Aurelia
 Posts: 5344 Location: Philly |
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I remember being very confused the first time I watched the show and Hermes asked Kino about marrying the lonely man at the end of episode 1. The possibility of Kino being female didn't even cross my mind.
Look forward to episode 4, you'll have your answer. |
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aya_honda
Posts: 920 Location: Around here |
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I remember that this series has been discussed in another thread a while back and the fact that Kino was a woman has been treated as a spoiler and therefore we were all obliged to write about her character mentioning all the time her name or impersonaly calling her. To tell you the truth, I was surprised to see myself not thinking about whether Kino is a boy or a girl for most of the series (till episode 6 - JesuOtaku knows why ) Maybe her androgenity is helping everybody identify with her.
fullmetal biologist wrote:
You know, this might be true, because it has been believed in the Ancient Greece that the gods were getting geleaous on human happiness and therefore they would punish that particular individual. (the legend of Niobee speaks for itself). Maybe this is what happened with the poet as well, since the poet didn't know what sorrow meant and therefore he must be 'punished'. But I have a question: what may the connection be between these stories regarding the poet's poem and how it has been interpreted in various parts of the world and the land of traditions? Could it be again the interpretation as well, but this time of 'tradition'? |
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Aylinn
 Posts: 1684 |
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I think they used the motif of everyman so that people can pay attention to the story. |
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JacobC
ANN Contributor
 Posts: 3728 Location: SoCal |
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Okay, so clearly this is a bit early, but...
HERE’S the schedule of episodes for July 7th-July 14th: Episode 4-- Land of Adults (Natural Right) Episode 5-- Three Men Along the Rails (On the Rails) Episode 6-- Colosseum Part 1 (Avengers) Episode 7-- Colosseum Part 2 (Avengers) This arc focuses on Kino's character, even though only one episode is backstory, the other three are unusually focused on her personal philosophies. I think episode 5 would make a terrific short story especially. 
So, why am I early on this? I'm glad you asked...(even if you didn't, you're gonna hear about it...) My brand new laptop, which was the only thing that allowed me to keep up with all that anime going into the book thread, and allowed me the time to structure these threads...got attacked by the world's ugliest virus the other day. The kind that sends you porn and deactivates Windows Explorer. So it'll be in the can for two days getting fixed, (while my wallet is emptied of $140 in order to do so...) and I'm doing this early because I have time on Sundays midday. Without my laptop, I can't just do everything from 11-3 AM anymore...but in two days' time, I'll be able to keep up here! As such, I don't have much in the way of discussion questions yet, not being able to rewatch the anime late at night. I'll add them gradually, as I think of them...don't accidentally click on popups! That's how I got that thing! 
POSSIBLE DISCUSSION IDEAS—(Spoiler-free discussion, pleeze, and ruminate on whatever beyond these, although these are good places to start.)
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Alestal
Posts: 605 Location: Dallas, Texas |
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Isn't it strange how in episode 3, she parks her bike right in that old mans study....? And there was a translation error when her bike said, "When in Greece" its "When in Rhome"!
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JacobC
ANN Contributor
Posts: 3728 Location: SoCal |
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...*snort* ... *laugh* Well, the running JOKE is that Hermes misquotes things and gets his words mixed up. Hence Kino's almost saying something to him and then shrugging it off. It's SUPPOSED to be wrong... |
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Dorcas_Aurelia
Posts: 5344 Location: Philly |
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Just checking, but the omission there is intentional? |
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murph76
 Posts: 3291 Location: Akron, OH |
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I'm pretty sure it is. That little tidbit of information won't come up again until the final episode, and since we're not supposed to spoil future episodes we'll have to wait. |
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Dorcas_Aurelia
Posts: 5344 Location: Philly |
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My memory is a little fuzzy: they didn't actually mention Kino's previous name in that episode, did they? I remembered that the series was vague about it, but forgot that they just left us wondering for most of the series.
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Alestal
Posts: 605 Location: Dallas, Texas |
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Oh well, I kinda just ignore the bike. Its really just freaken annoying, and it sounds like my raspy old grandma. |
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guet
 Posts: 492 Location: Sparta |
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Alright, I am caught up with the episodes now. This is a fun little series.
This weeks episodes comments and questions. Episode 4: We get to see Kino's backstory a bit. I still have no idea about her master, or any of that, but we get to see the start of her journeys, and the birth of Hermes. The adult operation is quite possibly the most inhuman act yet in this series. Once you take away free will, you take away humanity itself. Death would be a kinder fate in my book. Also, the town would have no art, no books, music, etc along this line of thinking. By taking away a persons ability to dream, and to act on those dreams, you basically turn people into machines not adults. As to the question of why the original Kino chose the name hermes, it is fitting name. Hermes was originally a god, known for speed, and he was also a messenger of sorts so he would have traveled all over the place. As to why Kino took the name of the original traveller, I would assume that it would be a way for her to start over with an entirely new identity. Plus it may also be her way of paying back the man who saved her life. Episode 5: A sad story depending on how you look at it. Three men, all undoing the work that the man before him had done. All the while not knowing that they were working for little reason. The main thing that the episode seemed to suggest in my opinion is that depending on how you choose to live your life it matters little what you actually do, but what you do it for. The men on the rail were happy, they were all living their lives for others back home, and were very dedicated. In contrast, the man from Kino's story was unhappy, because he was working for material reasons. Not to provide a life for others. I think that is why the second rail man found the story depressing, and once Kino realized this she not only didn't tell the third man the story, but also did not go back to tell the other men they did not have to work. Episode 6/7: Here I have a few questions. First of all Kino has shown in the past that she usually does not get involved with the working of the kingdoms she visits. Yet not only does she kill the king, but she forces the upper class to fight to determine the new king. It is a very fitting law, and I have no moral arguments against it. My question is why would she do this? The prince would easily have won, and could have changed things himself if she had surrendered. I really did enjoy her fights, and these were very good episodes, but wouldn't it have been more fitting for the prince to right the wrongs of his father? My only thought on this is that Kino realized who he was, and that if he did get revenge, then he would have commited the same murder that his father did, and that it could lead him down the same path of dispair that made the king crazy, so she did it instead to save him. I may be way off the mark on all this, so feel free to let me know. |
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