Kino's Journey -the Beautiful World- the Animated Series

This is vague, but...

Vague, but?

Sometimes I wonder... Am I a hopeless, foolish, petty person?

Am I a really underhanded person?

I'm not sure why,

but sometimes I feel that way.

Sometimes I can't see it any other way.

But it's during those times that I always find other things,

like the world

or the way other people live,

to be wholly beautiful and wonderful.

They become very dear to me.

I want to learn more and more about them,

and I think that's probably why I travel.

I know that so long as I travel,

there will be plenty of hardship and sadness lying on the road ahead.

But that doesn't make me think I should stop traveling.

Traveling is fun,

and even if I have to kill others,

I still want to continue doing it.

Besides...

Besides?

I can stop anytime I want.

So I want to keep going.

That make sense?

Frankly, I don't really get it.

That's fine, too.

Really?

Maybe I don't really understand it, either.

Maybe I am lost.

Maybe I'm traveling to understand that more.

Well, I'm going to sleep now.

We still have a long way to go tomorrow.

Goodnight, Hermes.

Goodnight, Kino.

A Country Where People Can Kill Others

Kino, are we in the next country yet?

We're almost there, Hermes.

Is your "almost" two whole days?

That's what they called it in the last country.

Uh-huh...

There's a horse.

Looks like someone's there.

Let's stop, Hermes.

Hey.

Good afternoon.

Hello.

Are you from the country up ahead?

No. I'm on my way to it.

That's great. I'm heading there, too.

Hey, carry half my things.

I can't do that.

Yeah.

Aw, talk about unfriendly.

I could make off with it, you know.

I could get there before you and sell it all off.

Hmph! Whatever.

Anyway...

Do you know about that country?

I don't know much,

but I've heard it's a very polite country.

Who told you that?

That's totally wrong!

Listen, in that country,

you can kill people.

What? What do you mean?

Murder isn't prohibited by their laws.

Though theft is, for whatever reason.

So that's why you're heading there?

Yeah, of course.

I'm going to live there.

In the country where I was born,

public order was ridiculously well-kept,

and everyone got along like fools.

They'd give you the damn stink eye just for hitting someone.

That's why I up and left.

So what about after you move in?

Who knows?

For now, I'll try living there...

and maybe I'll kill someone I don't like.

It's a land where I can be myself.

Oh?

Besides, you guys have heard, right?

The great Regel lives there.

No.

Don't know him.

You must be from deep in the sticks.

The great Regel is a famous serial killer

who headed up a cell of terrorists and bandits in the big country south of here.

They caught him once,

but he's so good that he escaped prison before they could hang him.

That was a few decades ago,

but the fact that he still hasn't been caught must mean he escaped to that country.

I bet he's been living his days free to kill all he wants.

He must get all kinds of respect.

I'd love to have him teach me a few things.

I see. Well, we'll be on our way.

Huh?!

Jeez, you're no fun at all.

Hey!

You really won't help me carry anything?

No. Please manage your own traveling gear yourself.

Think that's it?

Yeah, probably.

It might be crazy inside.

Maybe.

Got Cannon ready?

All set.

And the Woodsman?

No problems there.

Mentally prepared?

For now, I am.

Well, let's go.

A three-day stay, huh?

Will you be bringing that motorrad into the city?

Yes, please.

Do you know that murder isn't prohibited by law in this country?

Whether you're a traveler or a citizen,

everyone here is free to kill anyone for any reason without being criminalized.

Do you understand that?

Yes.

And you genuinely still want to enter?

Very well. Go ahead.

What a strange country.

Hm? It looks pretty normal to me.

Yes, it's normal.

The streets are clean, many people come and go,

there are are hardly any police,

and there aren't any stores with heavy shutters.

They're even friendly to travelers.

The food's good, too.

Meaning?

The public order is great.

That's what makes it strange.

Oh, I get it.

You hoped to see gangs of scoundrels strutting around,

or people killing each other over women in the bar,

or dogs just walking around with human hands in their mouths.

Something like that, right?

Too bad.

No, it's not that I hoped to see that, but...

Goodnight, Kino.

Hermes, do you feel like waking up yet?

We're going out once I finish breakfast.

Let's take a look around this country.

Here's a little extra for you.

Everyone ought to give travelers a bit on the house.

Thank you very much.

Anything else you need?

I'm all set.

Is that to deter theft?

Oh, I've never had a robber come in here.

That's...

for killing people.

Oh? When?

Well, when, indeed?

You never really know when, so I always keep it there.

Kino's Journey

This is our country's specialty.

Enjoy.

Kino?

Life is full of challenges.

How was it?

Good.

My, are you a traveler?

Oh, you must be.

Hello.

We just finished with our dance group before coming here.

We do it twice a week.

At our age, you have to make exercise a habit.

I see.

What can I get for you?

I'll have the usual.

Yes, of course, the usual, please.

The tea here is always so good.

Traveler.

How about some of this country's special dessert?