The nature of a traveler is that of a lonely one. Each person has their own reasons for exploring the world, experiencing other countries, their customs, but they can't expressly pass judgment or become involved within them; as they are merely drifters moving from one place to the next on their journey for purpose.
Kinos process of only staying in each individual country for three days so she can experience all a country has to offer is more-so as a means to understand the kinds of people that live within the country, as to what it's like to stay there for an extended period of time and become enveloped in the countries customs. She only has the time to take a peek inside of the life of the people, but for her that's enough- especially so she doesn't get too attached to the ways of life in these countries and gives up on her aimless journey to experience the world.
Kino Tabi is a beautifully crafted work of art, directed by Nakamura Ryuutaro (most well known for his work on Serial Experiments Lain) really adds this dissonant flair through his episode directing. The title cards, and random mid episode cards(?) that cut that almost feel like a glance into the mind of Kino, or at the very least are akin to the world of Kino Tabi speaking to the viewer- as well as our prolific main character. That isn't to say the Nakamura is the only one responsible for Kino, as every member of the crew came together to make a really incredible work of art. It leverages this pastoral aesthetic, juxtaposed by the occasional high tech but aesthetically coherent visuals, to deliver a very relaxing work. that's not to say that there isn't any tension or action in Kino Tabi, but the grand majority of the anime has a more explicit focus on character interactions, looking at human behavior and some fairly light critique of it, and just telling unique micro-stories.
The format for episodes is usually a heavy focus on one country, or broken up into multiple exposé's of a variety of countries, or the inhabitants of them. It's an easily digestible watch, as there's very little layover between the stories that take place between each episode, but when it does it's always done so in a meaningful way. In a way it's almost reminiscent of Mushi-shi with some high action gunslinging thrown in when the situation calls for it, letting the viewer being strapped into the figurative sidecar of Hermes, Kinos reliable talking motorcycle (and arguably my favorite character of the show). Each of the individual stories is fairly impactful, and while I do believe some are stronger than others- with the Colosseum segment being probably my least favorite, and "The Land of Visible Pain", "The Land of Mages", and the final episode "A Kind Land" being my favorites (honorable mention to "The Land of Books")- but to be honest every episode is so strong individually that its almost unfair to pick a singular favorite. They each have a fairly unique structure that benefits all of them, predominantly from the perspective of Kino- each episode finds a unique means of conveying her experiences, her struggles, and her journey in a way that feels fairly fitting to that one.
I won't spend really any time discussing the actual story elements of Kino Tabi, as it's a show that really should just be watched instead of discussed with a fine tooth comb- but it'd also be kind of difficult to do so, as the overarching story is portrayed in an episodic means with little crumbs of Kinos past being dotted throughout it. The payoff of watching Kinos journey is merely just experiencing it with her, and coming to your own conclusions about the countries she experiences.
I'll take a quick moment to discuss aesthetics, the title of the show, and the visual elements that I briefly mentioned earlier. I think Kino Tabi is a beautiful anime, it's sense of style is seriously poignant. Every single episode, barring one that intentionally doesn't match, has a strong aesthetic cohesion to it. It retains this soft pastoral journey through the woods for the predomination of the shows run, all of the technology (whether it be the firearms, vehicles, or buildings) fits very neatly into the visual elements of the world. So many of the frames are just individually pretty, and I could find myself getting lost in them as I was ushered alongside the pacing of the show, only having but a moment to gaze upon this world for the first time. Kinos design is relatively soft, being adorned in darker more neutral colors- she always fits into, and even blends into the imagery of a scene, but when compared to the garbs that are worn by the inhabitants of other countries you can always tell that she's an outsider; someone who doesn't fit into the country, but is capable of blending in and staying in the background while she observes.
For all the anime I have watched, and especially amongst everything I have reviewed, Kino Tabi: The Beautiful World is an absolute must watch- and I recommend it wholeheartedly for everyone to watch. While it's pacing, structure, and action may be "slow" by comparison to vastly more popular anime, that doesn't detract (and frankly is to the benefit of the show and its identity) in the slightest. It's a truly beautiful show.
This world is not beautiful, even still- there is something beautiful about it.
