Kino’s Journey III – Warning! Curves Ahead (Animé TV)

 

Picture: C+     Sound: B-     Extras: C     Episodes: B-

 

 

In the case of this Animé TV series, Nimya is the one lead female who is about to get married, until the title female other lead shows up in her town.  Yet, this is only the latest installment in Kino’s Journey, a show aimed at a more mature female Animé audience.  Though not brilliant, it is smarter than most shows aimed at the older female age group and easily crosses over to male Animé fans by being smart and not obsessed with violence or silliness.  That is even when her motorcycle talks to her.

 

Recommended for ages 15 and up, that would seem in part to be about how smart it can be.  It takes itself more seriously than Animé shows usually do and should be given credit for that.  There is some humor, but it is never overdone.  Shows on taking flight in a backwards world, book censorship and a world of robots have a social conscience, even if they do not take those ideas as far as I wish they would have.  It is a good starter on thinking about such ideas.

 

The anamorphically enhanced 1.78 X 1 image features visuals that are purposely softened throughout, so this cuts into what would otherwise be sharper and clearer animation.  The color is subtly desaturated throughout, but this actually works for this program, instead of being hip and annoying.  The Dolby Digital 5.1 English and 2.0 Japanese Stereo are about even, with the Japanese being the obvious original and English a bit clearer if not as believable by comparison.  Kino’s voice in English is more echoed by comparison to the Japanese.  The few extras include opening and closing credits without text, ADV Animé DVD previews and sketch stills set to music that last about 5 minutes and are also anamorphically enhanced.  Overall, this is one of ADV’s better Animé DVDs and fans will enjoy this.

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo