Kino's Journey

“So, who’s the kid?” “My name is…” ××××× hesitated for a moment, turning slightly to look back along the road they were traveling. Beyond the red horizon, her homeland’s gates sank into the distance, never to be seen again. Facing forward once more, ××××× looked past Kino’s side to focus intently on the path ahead before answering. “My name is—” Kino travels with the trusty talking motorrad, Hermes. The duo are always together, with Hermes providing speed, and Kino providing balance. They stay in each country for no more than three days, as a rule—enough time to learn about each destination’s unique customs and people. And so Kino and Hermes journey ever onward…

“So basically, none of these people wants to be president, huh, Kino?” “Yeah, nobody wants to do it...” “This ‘vote’ is just a way of forcing the job on someone else, then.” “It sure is.” “So, when should we run?” Kino and Hermes travel to a country where the government took the concept of “majority rule” to such an extreme that hardly anyone was able to live there. The next country has figured out how to live peacefully with their neighbors: by taking out their aggressions on a third party. While the residents of each land tend to be welcoming, Kino’s rule to stay in one place for only three days allows them to avoid becoming dangerously mired in local conflicts, but sometimes leaving comes at a price.

“The new queen put the twisted kingdom back on a proper path, but she decided to carry on the tradition of the tournaments that the people were wildly enthusiastic about. And she’s always been fond of vehicles.” “I see…” “Makes sense to me!” “Anyone who wants citizenship can receive it now. But if you win this race, the queen herself awards you with a medal. That’s the moment I want for myself.” “Why’s that?” “Because I want to see her looking shocked to death.” In a vast forest lies a certain country, a place blessed with abundance, so wonderful that all travelers want to visit at least once. The country is so popular, in fact, that anyone who wishes to stay must enter the tournament held in the coliseum and battle for citizenship and the right to create a new law for the land…

“Wow, that’s an awfully large bird.” Kino’s voice sounded deeply impressed; Hermes hesitated for several seconds, but couldn’t quite reach a decision. Sometimes, your only option is just to open your mouth and ask directly. Hermes had no mouth with which to ask, but decided to ask Kino anyway. “Kino... are you being serious?” “Huh? What do you mean, Hermes?” “I mean, do you seriously think that airplane is a big bird?” “‘Airplane’... Is that what that bird’s called? Or are you mixing up your words again?” “Oh dear...”

In the end, Kino broke down. No, maybe “broke down” isn’t the right way to put it. “Gave in” is more like it.“Fine, then! If you insist on refusing to see your child as her own person—that she’s such an impediment you really don’t need—then I’ll bring her on my journey with me! That’s all right with you, I’m sure!” Haughty officials. Evil kids. A miserable land. Kino and Hermes head to a country that is known as “the worst of the worst,” but the country’s people, who were rumored to be cruel and uncaring, turn out to be the kindest people that Kino and Hermes have met on their journey. Despite the country’s kindness and warm hospitality, something “warmer” might be brewing deep beneath the surface…

“We’ll be careful, don’t worry.” The man in his forties nodded. His two companions headed for the truck, but he paused. “Kino,” the man said, his expression deadly serious. “What is it?” “Ye didn’t ask about what’s in the back of the truck. Why is that?” “Why, what’s in there?” Kino replied immediately. The man went silent for a moment, then smiled abruptly. “Our sin.” In a desolate, snow-covered land, Kino and Hermes find three men in the wilderness starving to death. Despite not knowing the men—nor their intentions—Kino decides to hunt rabbits and cook to nurse them back to health. Though the men are truly thankful for these kind deeds, what Kino doesn’t know just might come back to bite them…

“I’m a little afraid to see my mother again.” “Um… What?” “You see, our next stop is actually my homeland… We’re so close, I feel like I have no choice but to go back.” “Let’s go, then! Hurry! Your mother is waiting for you!” On the outskirts of a certain land, Kino and Hermes spend their days in training with Master until a reminder of Kino’s past sends them to the homeland of the original Kino. There, Kino seeks to apologize for the late Kino’s demise, and before they leave, they’ll discover just “who” Kino really is…

Master was completely lost in relaxation. With his long legs stretched out on the beach, he peered out at the horizon with a satisfied gaze. He looked so peaceful that he might fall asleep at any moment. “Oh, dear,” I thought. After three days and three nights of the long, hard battle with the rulers of that land known as the “Tower Tribe,” even Master Shizu was exhausted. Shizu and his canine companion, Riku, seek passage across the great sea to continue their exploration of the world. But to get across, they have to take a lengthy journey on a gargantuan ship that is its own nation. This new land holds many new experiences and a new friend for the former prince and his talking dog. But before long, Shizu comes across a troubling secret that he can’t ignore… The thrilling tales of travel and discovery come to a close in this final volume of Kino’s Journey: the Beautiful World!