Kino's Journey (キノの旅)

The sky is boundless, because it's the mirror of my soul

It changes colors everyday, as if it's reflecting my heart

The white smoky haze turns into clouds

Concealing my tears that seem about to overflow

When something I have faith in begins to fall apart

I close my eyes and make a wish

Even on a night when I'm alone and can't fall asleep

I just close my eyes in the darkness

And find myself listening closely for the radiance of the stars

I'll keep running, even barefooted, because I can't give this up

And like the moon in the blue sky,

I want to embrace my transience and reach out my hand

The world---

is not beautiful.

Prologue

In the Middle of the Desert · a

It's impossible to start a journey like this.

If we leave now, we can still make it,

so let's go back to master's place.

Sure, it's your choice if you want to dry up out here, Kino.

But what's going to happen to me?

I don't want to end up buried in the sand

with a mummified version of you.

I've had enough!

You know, God...

The God of Travelers probably wants to tell you

that it's impossible for you to go on a journey.

Maybe so...

So, in that case...

Rejected.

Sheesh, you're so stubborn once you've made up your mind.

But I think you should decide pretty soon.

Do you go back to master's place,

or do you continue running and turn into a mummy?

I don't like the sound of either.

Kino, the most important thing for a traveler is decisiveness.

That holds true for both rookie and veteran travelers.

Am I wrong?

Kino?

Hermes...

What's wrong?

The most important thing for a traveler

is what saves the traveler after struggling to the bitter end.

What's that?

That's luck.

Land of Visible Pain

I figured something like this would happen!

What would happen?

We've been tricked by that fake map dealer!

A "map made from measurements taken just a month ago," my butt!

We can't even see the next country over! And what's this cliff doing here?!

Yeah, but we should be able to go straight here...

That's why I'm saying we got tricked.

But it was accurate up until here.

Hey, I can see it.

That's the country!

The map is right after all.

Hey, that guy up there is thinking of turning you into lunch.

Now that you mention it, I'm pretty hungry too.

Have you ever felt jealous of birds?

Everyone and everything has a certain place in life, Kino.

Neither motorrads nor people were made to fly.

Whenever people see birds flying through the sky,

it's said that they get the urge to go on a journey.

Who said that?

I forget.

So, do you keep traveling because you saw birds too?

I'm not sure.

Never mind that, I'm hungry.

Kino, don't tell me you're going to suggest going there.

Hermes, I don't think I'm the kind of traveler

to make a road for myself where one doesn't already exist.

Hearing that makes me feel very relieved.

Have you...

ever felt jealous of birds?

I guess you really should trust people.

What's this all of a sudden?

This map was correct a month ago.

Oh, I see.

The world is constantly changing.

And you can't expect it to stay the same, even for a second.

If that's true, there's no need for you to go on a journey, Kino.

Even if you stay in one place,

you'll still be able to keep experiencing the world!

I would think that a motorrad's purpose in life is to go places, isn't it?

A traveler's purpose in life is to travel.

Okay, then...

What do you plan on doing?

There's a road.

If you can call it that.

Seeing birds flying through the sky urges

one to go on a journey.

Who said that?

I forget---

"Customs Inspection Center"

Looks like I'll finally get to eat lunch.

You can't know that for sure yet.

I like to be optimistic.

Excuse me...

Welcome, traveler.

The Customs Inspection is about to begin.

Please answer a few short questions.

Huh?

"Please type how many are in your party

and the length of your stay".

One human.

Don't forget about me.

One motorrad.

For three days...

It took care of everything.

What a useful machine, huh?

But there's no people around.

What if there's no one in the town, either?

No way.

Welcome, traveler.

Please take this.

What is it?

A traveler's guidebook?

Please enjoy your stay!

I will! Let's see, for food...

This really is a hospitable country.

That was great!

Did you enjoy your meal?

Yeah! It was very good.

Thank you!

Thank you very much.

Let's see, I wonder how much I owe?

Wow!

How was it?

It was good.

That's it?

And very cheap!

What?!

Kino, are you sure we can stay at such a gorgeous place?

The thing is, it's REALLY cheap

or at least it should be.

What?!

Is this really it?

You're sure that the price you mentioned is correct, right?

Are you sure you aren't mistaking me for royalty or something?

I won't be able to pay, even if you charge me a lot later!

Please make yourself at home.

Cheapskate.

What are we going to do tomorrow in a country with no people, Kino?

I'll think about it tomorrow.

Good night.

Let's go.

Canon and your other gun, umm...

The "Person of the Forest."

Yeah, that one!

Did you finish cleaning them?

Long ago.

We might not meet anyone today either.

But it looks like that won't inconvenience us.

What if we just established ourselves here?

You could be king, Kino.

I'm not the type.

Oh, so you know.

If you were the only person living here in this country...

If you were the only one, yeah?

I wonder what it would feel like?

Just as I thought, there's no one here.

Nothing wrong with having at least one country like this in the world.

As long as the travelers who come here don't run into any trouble.

I found someone.

Huh? What?

There are people here.

But it seems like everyone is closed up inside their homes.

There's not one person who's outside of their house.

And what's more...

What's more?

Everyone is alone.

Not one person is with their family.