+++ Kino's Journey - The TV Series World

The sensational, best-selling novel Kino's Journey is scheduled to be broadcast on TV in the USA sometime in late 2003. The original story was a short, serialized novel first introduced in "Dengeki HP," which was later turned into a series of books. The novel tells the story of young traveler named Kino who goes all over the world partnered with talking motorcycle named Hermes. Its unique concept and witty dialogue have captured viewers' imaginations and led to its great success. A total of 6 volumes are currently on sale. Director Ryutaro Nakamura, famous for his clever method of storytelling with the TV anime Serial Experiments Lain ('98), was chosen to helm the upcoming version of Kino's Journey.

A new concept in series organization and storytelling!

Screenwriter Sadayuki Murai, famous for his work on The Dimension Travelers, The Messiah from the Future, Perfect Blue, Cowboy Bebop and Millennium Actress, will pen the script for Kino's Journey.

The expression of a radical sense of "beauty"- Ryutaro Nakamura's version of Kino's Journey (from planning notes)

This is not an account of travels around the world, nor is it the story of a young man coming into maturity. In making a TV anime of Kino's Journey, the main focus should be on style and the overall atmosphere, rather than having a "theme" for each episode. The same thing goes for art, character concept and dialogue. For this TV anime, the "extreme" way of expressing beauty is the most suitable. The focal point of the camera's focus should always be from a distance.

Most importantly, an "unexplainable experience" has to be the effect on the audience. To achieve that, precise and careful detailing is required within the series organization, time flow and location.

(Omitted)

Kino spends only three days at each location. It's important to have the audience feel the flow of time during those three days, and also, to feel a sense of mystery as sudden dialogue fades out and the new scene comes in, or as we see Kino traveling for the next destination.

It would be great if we could create a very laid-back atmosphere for Kino's Journey.

Ryutaro Nakamura