Since now we’re meeting two nights instead of one, we reviewed two similar but different animes, Kino’s Journey (Kino no Tabi) and Girls Last Tour (Shoujo Shuumatsu Ryokou).
Kino no Tabi has already had success as several movies, OVAs so why has it taken so long to come as an anime series? Kino has dystopian feel with each story being a parable or fable with a lesson. Girls Last Tour has apocalyptic view of a world destroyed by war. Both series centers on two character dialogue; Kino with her motorcycle and Chito and Yuuri with track motorbike.
“This had a very familiar setup. You have the typical drifter-type character as the protagonist, wandering from place to place. This gives the general feel of a different culture/society each week, with each episode being an independent story.
The main character is not really revealed to us, which will likely happen gradually over the series. All in all, this felt more like a spaghetti western, with the quiet stranger. In that sense, it kind of reminded me of Vampire Hunter D (a personal favourite).”
Kino no Tabi – Braden
“I thought this was interesting.
The plot moves at a very slow pace, focusing mostly on the relationship between the two characters and giving the viewer the chance to see something of the world it is set in.
Since the pacing is so slow, and since not a lot is revealed, this may not be for everyone. The implication is it is post-apocalyptic, with the characters scavenging the ruins, but aside from that, we know very little. It seems to be set up with the intention of revealing more as time goes on.
All in all, I am curious to see where this goes.”
Girls Last Tour – Braden
Mostly both series are social commentaries. Kino’s Journey does vary in topic from episode to episode as Kino travels from country to country (aka city state). Girls Last Tour wanders aimlessly through same scenario though later episodes are showing signs that there is some other survivors of undefined war.
“Not sure what to call this — it’s too involved to be a vignette, too subtle to be a parable, and has too much of a (pacifist) point to be a character study. It is short, though, and shows a delicate balance between melancholy and comedy relief.”
Girls Last Tour – Doug
“the return of an old friend. the only thing i dislike is that there’s all this traveling, but no destination. u could watch these episodes in any order.”
Kino’s Journey – humanbean
“short, cute, and nothing too serious. Would be interested to see where this series would go with the story.”
Girls Last Tour – Branden
Girl Last Tour looks worth following as well as Kino’s Journey. I don’t know which would hold my interest more. Girls Last Tour has its own unique art style. Let us know what you think.
However conspirator’s cunning is no match for Mahmut’s own deviousness as he quickly out tricks the tricksters and assassins with the flair of Sakamoto minus the glasses and school uniform. The deed is exposed and villains exposed and dealt with … right? The end of the first chapter instead ends in a stalemate. This is only the opening salvo of a long line of attempts on Mahmut’s beloved country.
The second chapter opens up with love interest and a female protagonist, Shara. She tries to make her moves on lead Mahmut. I’ve already got this girl on my desirable “Waifu” list. Cute, mischievous, a little bold. She fits into the plot along with Mahmut’s childhood friend who ends up being accused of treason and declaring independence from Altair. As troops amass to end the rebellion, Muhmut is determined to get there first to discover the truth behind this conspiracy before it ends in bloodshed.
