Kino's Journey · Episode 5: Three Men Along the Rails
Three Men Along the Rails
2003-05-1325 min
As they make their way along an old railroad, Kino runs into a man who has been polishing the tracks for some fifty years. Stopping for a break, Kino entertains the man with a story of a land where the people no longer have to work, but choose to subject themselves to meaningless and stressful tasks anyway. It may seem foolish to the old man, but little does he realise that his own work is just as pointless, for, as Kino is about to discover, there are two more men working on the railroad, each undoing the work done by the others.
1Land of Visible Pain2003-04-0825 minTogether with their sentient motorcycle Hermes, Kino is a traveller who journeys from country to country, staying in each country for three days to experience what it has to offer. On their latest stop, Kino and Hermes find themselves in a country that seems to be inhabited only by servile machines. Is Kino the only person in the entire country, or will they be able to track down the humans and discover their story?
2A Tale of Feeding Off Others2003-04-1525 minTowards the end of winter, Kino comes across three starving men who are trapped in the snow. Deciding to save them forces Kino to choose their lives over the lives of the three rabbits she must hunt for their food. Will the men prove worthy of the choice and obligation Kino has made -- and will they in turn respect the implicit obligation they have to Kino?
3Land of Prophecies2003-04-2225 minPeople are always looking for meaning, adding depth to even the most abstract of writings and actions and turning them into rituals and traditions. As Kino travels from country to country, they encounter the traditions of many different lands, starting with a land whose Book of Prophecy claims that the end of the world is only one day away. This episode consists of four different stories.
4Land of Adults2003-05-0625 minKino was not always a traveler, nor were they always named Kino. As a child, they grew up in the Land of Adults, a place where adulthood and responsibility is attained by the means a single operation carried out on every child's twelfth birthday. As an eleven year old girl, Kino fully expected to undergo the operation and become an adult, until a mysterious traveller visited her country and opened her eyes to other possibilities...
5Three Men Along the Rails2003-05-1325 minAs they make their way along an old railroad, Kino runs into a man who has been polishing the tracks for some fifty years. Stopping for a break, Kino entertains the man with a story of a land where the people no longer have to work, but choose to subject themselves to meaningless and stressful tasks anyway. It may seem foolish to the old man, but little does he realise that his own work is just as pointless, for, as Kino is about to discover, there are two more men working on the railroad, each undoing the work done by the others.6Coliseum Part 12003-05-2025 minWhen Kino stops off in a country reputed to be a beautiful and wondrous place, they find that the reality is far different from their expectations. Thanks to the laws laid down by the land's cruel and hedonistic king, all visitors must participate in battle tournaments or be subjected to lives of slavery as second-class citizens. Forced to abide by this custom, Kino takes gun in hand and enters the coliseum, but how will they fare in the life-or-death battles against a variety of opponents who are each driven to fight by their own, unique motives?
7Coliseum Part 22003-05-2725 minKino has made it to the semi-finals of the tournament, but now the real challenge begins, for Kino is determined that they will win without having to kill their opponents. Will Kino be able to fulfill their self-imposed challenge, or will they be unable to prevent further bloodshed as the final four gladiators battle it out to see who gets the ultimate prize?
8Land of Wizards2003-06-0325 minIn the Land of Mages, worth and power are measured by a person's ability to increase crop production. In this agriculturally orientated land, however, dwells a girl named Nimya who dares to dream of something completely different. Nimya desperately wants to build a successful flying machine, and despite the lack of support from her peers, she has dedicated her life to fulfilling her dream. It may take the help of a certain traveler and their motorrad to help bring it to fruition.
9Land of Books2003-06-1025 minKino and Hermes make their way to the Land of Books, a country whose library gathers together all the books in the world, but locks away those considered ‘harmful', leaving only the most wholesome and inoffensive out on display. Almost by chance, however, Kino finds themselves thrust into the underground of this world, where a secret resistance publishes its own, darker material. But as the plot thickens, the lines between reality and fantasy begin to blur, until it becomes almost impossible to distinguish what is really happening, and what only exists on the pages of a book, or in the depths…
10A Tale of Mechanical Dolls2003-06-1725 minWhile searching for a village where they can get Hermes' speedometer repaired, Kino stumbles across a family living in the woods, served by an old woman who claims to be a mechanical doll. As she spends time with 'Nanny' and her family, Kino finds themselves impressed by the old woman, but begins to wonder about her origins -- for neither Nanny nor the family seem to be exactly what they claim...
11Her Journey2003-06-2425 minAs Kino takes a boat downriver and enjoys a lazy fishing trip, they finds themselves recalling the people they have met on their travels — people who were undertaking journeys of their own, from a woman seeking revenge for her husband's death to another hoping to spread the word of peace. But as Kino recalls their past — and how they chose not to intervene — they cannot help remembering an encounter with a dying wise man that ultimately proved that even observers can have an effect.
12A Peaceful Land2003-07-0125 minKino and Hermes visit a land that prides itself on a being a peaceful nation, but on entering the country, they soon realize that all is not as it seems. For, while abandoned military equipment litters the streets, on the outskirts of town, an army is training for a war to be held on the following day! Curious as to these contradictions, Kino visits the local museum to find out more about the history of this land, only to discover firsthand that this nation's definition of 'peace' is far more disturbing than they could have envisioned...
13A Kind Land2003-07-0825 minWhen Kino hears of a land where travelers are shunned, they decide to visit anyway and experience the people's attitude for themselves. To their surprise, however, the inhabitants are extremely friendly and welcoming, and Kino is soon made to feel at home among them. And when they make friends with Sakura, a girl who reminds Kino of their younger self, Kino begins to wonder if, for once, they should stay longer than their customary three days.
2A Tale of Feeding Off Others2003-04-1525 minTowards the end of winter, Kino comes across three starving men who are trapped in the snow. Deciding to save them forces Kino to choose their lives over the lives of the three rabbits she must hunt for their food. Will the men prove worthy of the choice and obligation Kino has made -- and will they in turn respect the implicit obligation they have to Kino?3Land of Prophecies2003-04-2225 minPeople are always looking for meaning, adding depth to even the most abstract of writings and actions and turning them into rituals and traditions. As Kino travels from country to country, they encounter the traditions of many different lands, starting with a land whose Book of Prophecy claims that the end of the world is only one day away. This episode consists of four different stories.4Land of Adults2003-05-0625 minKino was not always a traveler, nor were they always named Kino. As a child, they grew up in the Land of Adults, a place where adulthood and responsibility is attained by the means a single operation carried out on every child's twelfth birthday. As an eleven year old girl, Kino fully expected to undergo the operation and become an adult, until a mysterious traveller visited her country and opened her eyes to other possibilities...5Three Men Along the Rails2003-05-1325 minAs they make their way along an old railroad, Kino runs into a man who has been polishing the tracks for some fifty years. Stopping for a break, Kino entertains the man with a story of a land where the people no longer have to work, but choose to subject themselves to meaningless and stressful tasks anyway. It may seem foolish to the old man, but little does he realise that his own work is just as pointless, for, as Kino is about to discover, there are two more men working on the railroad, each undoing the work done by the others.6Coliseum Part 12003-05-2025 minWhen Kino stops off in a country reputed to be a beautiful and wondrous place, they find that the reality is far different from their expectations. Thanks to the laws laid down by the land's cruel and hedonistic king, all visitors must participate in battle tournaments or be subjected to lives of slavery as second-class citizens. Forced to abide by this custom, Kino takes gun in hand and enters the coliseum, but how will they fare in the life-or-death battles against a variety of opponents who are each driven to fight by their own, unique motives?7Coliseum Part 22003-05-2725 minKino has made it to the semi-finals of the tournament, but now the real challenge begins, for Kino is determined that they will win without having to kill their opponents. Will Kino be able to fulfill their self-imposed challenge, or will they be unable to prevent further bloodshed as the final four gladiators battle it out to see who gets the ultimate prize?8Land of Wizards2003-06-0325 minIn the Land of Mages, worth and power are measured by a person's ability to increase crop production. In this agriculturally orientated land, however, dwells a girl named Nimya who dares to dream of something completely different. Nimya desperately wants to build a successful flying machine, and despite the lack of support from her peers, she has dedicated her life to fulfilling her dream. It may take the help of a certain traveler and their motorrad to help bring it to fruition.9Land of Books2003-06-1025 minKino and Hermes make their way to the Land of Books, a country whose library gathers together all the books in the world, but locks away those considered ‘harmful', leaving only the most wholesome and inoffensive out on display. Almost by chance, however, Kino finds themselves thrust into the underground of this world, where a secret resistance publishes its own, darker material. But as the plot thickens, the lines between reality and fantasy begin to blur, until it becomes almost impossible to distinguish what is really happening, and what only exists on the pages of a book, or in the depths…10A Tale of Mechanical Dolls2003-06-1725 minWhile searching for a village where they can get Hermes' speedometer repaired, Kino stumbles across a family living in the woods, served by an old woman who claims to be a mechanical doll. As she spends time with 'Nanny' and her family, Kino finds themselves impressed by the old woman, but begins to wonder about her origins -- for neither Nanny nor the family seem to be exactly what they claim...11Her Journey2003-06-2425 minAs Kino takes a boat downriver and enjoys a lazy fishing trip, they finds themselves recalling the people they have met on their travels — people who were undertaking journeys of their own, from a woman seeking revenge for her husband's death to another hoping to spread the word of peace. But as Kino recalls their past — and how they chose not to intervene — they cannot help remembering an encounter with a dying wise man that ultimately proved that even observers can have an effect.12A Peaceful Land2003-07-0125 minKino and Hermes visit a land that prides itself on a being a peaceful nation, but on entering the country, they soon realize that all is not as it seems. For, while abandoned military equipment litters the streets, on the outskirts of town, an army is training for a war to be held on the following day! Curious as to these contradictions, Kino visits the local museum to find out more about the history of this land, only to discover firsthand that this nation's definition of 'peace' is far more disturbing than they could have envisioned...13A Kind Land2003-07-0825 minWhen Kino hears of a land where travelers are shunned, they decide to visit anyway and experience the people's attitude for themselves. To their surprise, however, the inhabitants are extremely friendly and welcoming, and Kino is soon made to feel at home among them. And when they make friends with Sakura, a girl who reminds Kino of their younger self, Kino begins to wonder if, for once, they should stay longer than their customary three days.
Kino's Journey★ 81%Synopsis
Based on a hit light novel series by Keiichi Sigsawa, the philosophical Kino's Journey employs the time-honored motif of the road trip as a vehicle for self-discovery and universal truth. Deeply meditative and cooler than zero, the series follows the existential adventures of the apt marksman Kino along with talking motorcycle Hermes as they travel the world and learn much about themselves in the process. Imaginative, thought-provoking, and sometimes disturbing, Kino's journey is documented in an episodic style with an emphasis on atmosphere rather than action or plot, though still prevalent.
Characters & Voice Actors
KinoMain
Ai MaedaJP
HermesMain
Ryuuji AigaseJP
KinoSupporting
Kazuhiko InoueJP
ShishouSupporting
Junko MidoriJP
OtokoSupporting
Norihiro InoueJP
Shijin no MusumeSupporting
Chiwa SaitouJP
AibouSupporting
SakuraSupporting
Aoi YuukiJP
YukioSupporting
Seizou KatouJP
Nimya TchuhachkovaSupporting
Ai KobayashiJP
KyoshiSupporting
RikuSupporting
Houchuu OotsukaJP
Staff
Ai MaedaTheme Song Performance (ED)
Mikuni ShimokawaTheme Song Performance (OP)
Keiichi ShigusawaOriginal Creator
Keiichi ShigusawaTheme Song Lyrics (ED)
Kouhaku KuroboshiOriginal Character Design
Haruo SotozakiKey Animation (OP, ED)
Akiyuki ShinbouIn-Betweens Check (ep 7)
Ryuutarou NakamuraDirector
Relations
PrequelKino no Tabi: Nanika wo Suru Tame ni -life goes on.-
Side StoryKino no Tabi: the Beautiful World - Tou no Kuni: Free Lance
CharacterDengeki Bunko 2007 Movie Festival Special
AlternativeKino's Journey -the Beautiful World- the Animated Series
Side StoryKino no Tabi: the Beautiful World - Byouki no Kuni: For You
Girls' Last Tour
MUSHI-SHI
Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End
Wandering Witch: The Journey of Elaina
Haibane Renmei
To Your Eternity
Serial Experiments Lain
Galaxy Express 999
Tengoku Daimakyo
Shigofumi
Yokohama Shopping Log
Spice and Wolf
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