Episode one of Kino’s Journey began with a bang – literally, ending with gunfight, and more importantly in the way we’ve come to expect from Kino on Tabi with philosophical questions. I may end up blogging this series episodically, and if I do, I intend to take a format that fits with the spirit of the show, ending by asking you a question associated with that episode.
Kino enters a country where the rule is that killing is not prohibited. On the way, she meets a man headed to the same county because he wants to be a in place where he can kill freely. Kino, of course, is more peaceable, using violence only when needed, and she discovers that the town seems peaceful as well. The residents are kind and there is no sign of outward violence, though peculiar asides and the presence of weapons everywhere are a curiosity. What exactly is the deal here?
Ultimately, Kino becomes involved in an incident (spoilers ahead) where she is rescued by the citizens who kill the would-be killer. We discover in a twist that I don’t fully understand, honestly, that the country is populated largely by murderers, and they often kill other murderers who arrive with the intent of disturbing the peace. Kino is treated kindly by a serial killer who leads the nation, and is kind to him in return.
On the way out, the question is really pressed when things come full circle and Kino runs into another man headed to the country. This man has also killed, but is looking for a peaceful place where he doesn’t have to kill anymore. Kino tells the man that the country she just left is perfect for him. The idea expressed here is perhaps that killing isn’t always bad, but further, in the eyes of some, harsh, violence judgement carried out by immoral people can be a good thing.
So I want to leave this general question to you to answer:
Does morality change depending on perspective or experience?
I’m eager to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
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Kino no Tabi ~ The Beautiful World ~ The Animation can be streamed on Hulu.