LightNovel.org

Title: Kino no Tabi (Volume 1)
Author: Keiichi Sigsawa
Illustrator: Kouhaku Kuroboshi
Licensed by: Tokyopop
Price: $7.99

Reviewed by: Matt122004

With this new craze of light novels coming to the US market, it can only be a good thing for fans. TokyoPop is one of only a couple publishing companies that have decided to release entire lines of light novels from Japan.

One of TokyoPop’s newest light novel releases was book 1 of the Kino no Tabi (Kino’s Journey) series of books. I had had my eyes on this book for awhile and finally decided to give into my interest and take a shot at reading it.

The story is about a young girl who lives in the land of adults. She is almost ready to turn 12 and take on a job where at that time, she will do the job she hates and live her life in misery, as is expected. However when a traveler named Kino visits the city and makes friends with the girl, he tells her that she can still lead a happy life and not be forced to do a job she hates. However when the girl tells her parents her revelation, the parents perceive this as the most defiant behavior ever, and the father prepares to kill his daughter to save his family from disgrace. And thus her journey begins with a valiant escape, the death of a friend, and the hijacking of a friendly talking motorcycle. The chapters afterwards are really a collection of short story’s that take place at different times during her journey. The story’s themselves are meant to make the reader question the situation and see the errors in this world of hers. Each of Kino no Tabi’s chapters are meant to transmit a value or thought. However, this does not mean the story is boring or slow, far from it, the pages practically turn themselves and the story continues to build till its climax.

Kino no Tabi starts out profoundly, and ends with you gripping the edges of the book. There is nothing I can say badly about this book. It is purely amazing and goes down as the best light novel release TokyoPop has given us. The translation by Andrew Cunningham is amazing and the book itself is one of the most enjoyable reads I have had in a long time. I would recommend this book to anyone, no really, anyone. In fact, I would go as far as to say that everybody should be required to read this book. I’m not kidding, when I say it is profound, I mean it. It’s simplistic appeal and profound message draws the reader in fast and doesn’t let go by any means. The author also has a an amazing way of writing, keeping the reader drawn into the story at all times. And each story is amazing unique and well thought out.

On two notes, the cover of the novel WAS changed from the Japanese release, however, the cover they used was thankfully a beautifully blown up illustration from within the book itself. On the second note, the chapters were changed. However, this change in my opinion was expertly done. The beginning of her journey is put at the beginning of the book instead of the end and the major chapter “Collosium” was placed as the chapter next to the Epilogue.

The only sad thing I can mention is that this book was released over a year ago and the second in this currently 11 book series still isn’t out. TokyoPop has said that this is because of licensing issues. I can only hope that this is resolved soon as I am literally on the edge of my seat to read the second in this stupendous series.

My advice to you is to not wait a single second and go out and buy this book and maybe a few extra copies for your friends and family.

My Grade for this light novel: A