Name: Kino
Age: About 15
Sex: Female
Kino is the protagonist in the story. She is described as being around 15 years old, with short black hair, large eyes and a fearless face. She usually wears a black jacket, brown overcoat, white shirt, goggled cap and wide belt with lots of pouches. In the winter she has special winter gear. She travels with the motorrad, Hermes. The two have a contract - Kino provides the balance, Hermes provides the speed, and together they can travel anywhere they wish.
Kino is an excellent markswoman, and her speed and agility make her deadly with her persuaders (guns.) She carries two. One hangs on a holster from her belt; this is the pistol-style persuader "Cannon" which takes 6 .44 caliber bullets and is drawn with her right hand. The other is held in a clip in the small of her back; this is the hand persuader "Forest Person (Mori no Hito)" which takes special bullets and is drawn with her left hand. Kino also carries several knives hidden in various locations around her body. Usually, however, she tries not to get too involved in others' business.
The Past
Spoilers are contained; highlight the following text to read:
We learn about Kino's past in the story, Country of Adults. Although she cannot remember her name, she remembers it was the name of a flower; the boys used to twist her name into insults, which she didn't like. (Later, it is implied her name was Sakura.) She grew up in a country where children, upon the age of 12, we given an operation that would make them into adults. They would never complain about their work, and always be happy even though the jobs may be as lowly as sweeping the streets. Several days before her 12th birthday, a traveler arrived in a long brown overcoat. He introduced himself as Kino, a person who "travels here and there" and was searching for a place to spend the night. Kino(Sakura) led him to her parents' inn, and the two began discussing the world, Kino's travels, and Sakura's country. The next day, Sakura awoke to hear banging - Kino was fixing up a motorrad so he could travel faster. They talked some more, and Kino voiced his concern over the country's policy on becoming adults. After Kino finished building the motorrad, he and Sakura named it "Hermes".
The next day, Sakura turned 12. However, she also voiced her concern about the operation, which horrified her parents. They blamed Kino, who was ready to leave with Hermes, for their daughter's change of heart. Kino apologized and was turning to leave when he noticed Sakura's father with a knife. An officer and many of the citizens agreed that Sakura needed to be punished, but when Sakura's father charged her, Kino interposed his body in between the two, and was killed. The citizens were shocked, unable to comprehend Kino's sacrifice. Behind her, a voice asked what Sakura was going to do now, and urged her to escape. When Sakura's father charged her again, she leapt aboard the motorrad and took off.
After escaping into the countryside, Sakura and Hermes collapsed into a flower field of red blossoms. Hermes wasn't too happy about being knocked over, and demanded to know who would be so rude. Sakura, looking back at the country's walls, murmered, "Kino..." Then, realizing the motorrad was talking, she quickly apologized. Hermes accepted it easily, calling her "Kino" because that was her answer to his question. After a moment's reflection, Sakura smiled and said, "I'm Kino!" And thus, the two began to travel together.
This site and its contents (C) 2002-2006 Ming-Ling, all rights reserved. Kino no Tabi and related properties are (C) 2000-2006 Shigusawa Keiichi, Kuroboshi Kouhaku, Dengeki Novels, ADV Films, and other respective owners. This is a fansite for fans by fans. Please read this site's disclaimer for more details. |
 |