Kino is a traveler. Shouldn’t we all be? Maybe not literally. No one I know takes time to learn about the place where they live. Like when I lived in Philadelphia, as far as I can tell, 99% of the people who live there never visited the Liberty Bell until family from out of town came to visit and they had to take them someplace. Tourists would stop a resident on the street and ask them how to get to Independence Hall and they’d blink back hemming and hawing because they didn’t know where it was because they’d never been there even though they were born there and lived there all their life. It doesn’t just apply to monuments and tourist attractions, but to everyday things that have grown invisible through familiarity. Looking at familiar surroundings with the eyes of a traveler is tough to do, but it should be something to do from time to time.
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Click image to enlarge or view on Flickr
Review of Kino from The GoodSmile Company
Maybe I missed something when I watched the anime, and maybe I am missing something by not having read the novels, but I never caught Kino trying to be sexy. This 1/8 scale figure from GoodSmile makes me laugh a little in just how there is a need to cater to figure collectors’ perverted human nature. They do seem to know us well.
The way Kino has her hip slung reminds me of a typical Swimsuit Issue pose. It’s a visually pleasing pose, but Kino never struck me as the S-curve type. However, the thing that made me laugh was how defined Kino’s butt is through a pair of pants and a riding jacket. I mean that’s serious wedgie action if the shape of her butt cheeks can be seen through that much fabric. Kino isn’t really a fan service character, right? Though I suppose gun otaku could dig her in that way. Anyway, the butt definition earns some sort of silly and sarcastic award.
Kino comes with a diorama base, sort of a roadside type of thing with tire marks being the only sign of Hermes her motorad. Adding Hermes would have made this a must have item for any big Kino’s Journey fans, but without Hermes this feels like something just for figure collectors, rather than something with wider appeal. Hermes would have probably set this well over 10,000 JPY, which would have been expensive, but well worth it.
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Click image to enlarge or view on Flickr
The smoke coming from her gun is supported with a post in the base and a peg in the back of her left leg. It isn’t actually attached to the gun. The smoke looks okay, which is good since the visible peg holes make the idea of not attaching the smoke unattractive. It takes a bit of force to move Kino’s feet onto the support pegs, which are somewhat contoured to her feet. Her shoes seem to be made of a harder grade of plastic, which seems common practice now.
Overall, I like the figure even if there’s some comedic value to the rear end service. The clothing details are good and the paint is also excellent.
Picture Blather
That bag of fake snow that I bought way back is now down to about 1/4 of what I had. This has to be like the fifth or sixth time I’ve used fake snow, so a little really goes a long way.
Down below I couldn’t resist having Kino in a field of red flowers.
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Click image to enlarge or view on Flickr
Kino doesn’t seem to be as popular as I thought or maybe hoped. Foo-bar-baz got their shots in really quick and then I don’t recall seeing any others. Hopefully, their shots or mine will push some of those fence sitters over.
I totally agree with you on the butt issue. That was one of the biggest turn offs of this figurine >_> But overall, if you overlook that, I felt that it was worth the money. Especially for that awesome “smoke”.
Oh, and I really liked how the second last shot turned out. Red and green’s a good mix.
Is it just me, or does something about her facial expression seem slightly off-kilter?
Otherwise, I like it. How much did she cost?
By having Kino by herself, it really does feel as if something is missing. She definitely needs Hermes with her to make it a complete figure.
While the smoke looks good, I found it a bit odd that the smoke is coming out while gun is pointed down. It would more natural if Kino actually aimed at something, so that she had just fired a shot at the target. Now I get the feeling that she just shot the ground.
I would have been much more interrested with Hermes. That’s a lovely figure, as expected from GSC, though I will only purchase it I can find it discounted, which has some chances to happen since it has not much success ^^;
Though this figure is not really expensive, compared to other 1/8 GSC models…
rraah anyways! I do enjoy the two pictures with brown background. The less “artistic”, but I think the lighting is amazing
hmm never heard her before =\ somehow her clothes look wet (especially from the picture that shows her back)
the fake snow is really nice, I like the way you use them, I need to get some of those
Nice use of the fake snow, flower and trees. I tried to get some of those red flowers for my shoot, but they sell it was quite expensive here. Not really familiar with Kino character, but yeah the figure does have a sexy butt, GSC should really have included her bike as well
Wow super rats… your pictures just blow me away. I especially love the dark ones with the brownish backdrop. Great pictures man ^^
double: red and green it’s like Christmas
Almost A Hero: Kino is ~4,500 JPY
Adun: Hermes should have been there.
Isok: I see that…now I have an explanation for the hole in the ground. Kino shot it!
lu-k, Johnny: The two shots on the brown paper are the first time I’ve used only one light and a reflector in a long time.
~ron: Yeah, the back of the figure ain’t so hot.
Valho: They can be pretty expensive at full price. I go to the craft store often enough and wait to get stuff when they’re on sale. Like the trees, I got them at 70% off two days after Christmas. Those flowers, I got them a few weeks ago at 50% off because it’s a slow period for weddings and they’re clearing stock for the new stuff coming in spring.
You really did identify the missing piece in this set! Perhaps Good Smile decided to compensate for the absence of Hermes with some sexfull fan service, seriously misplaced! ^_^;; Nevertheless, I was happy with her – delightfully petite but the upright support for the smoke trail is a little intrusive in the composition sadly. Lovely wintery shots of our little traveller!
Thanks for stopping by Priss. Apparently in some of the materials outside of the anime, Kino’s been striking some poses like in this figure. Compared with other things it’s pretty understated though. But, I think we agree on the goodness of this figure.
The conspicuous butt definition *is* pretty ridiculous XD Other than that the sexier styling (compared to the anime) has an understated grace and beauty about it. foo-bar-baz’s pics put her on my wishlist, your set pretty much sealed the desire to buy =)
Yay!
I have to agree with the whole butt thing. That’s just wierd considering I didn’t realize Kino was a woman until a good two or three episodes in. Although overall it looks interesting. But still, just kind of wrong.
One of my favorite characters – truly – I am totally in love with her apathetic personality.
now this is quite rare for Kino to be reviewed like this.
I loved the series and still long for more movies of Kino’s journey
Looks nothing like her. I mean, come on. The colours, the shape of her head. + that’s not even her main outfit. Meaning, i like her other one better. Nuf said.
I wasn’t too thrown off by Kino’s “sexiness” in this figure, since I have the artbook, and have a lot of Kino images on my computer. There are a couple of “sexy” poses among them. Actually, there is an image of Kino with her butt much like that. Hehe, I love this figure though, but I do wish that she came with Hermes
.
The smoke from her gun looks awesome.
(I thought she was holding a wand at first.)
Sweet! I think that Kino and Emiya make a great pair. In fact, that was one of the reasons why I decided to buy the pair! I already have a couple of photoshop ideas running though my head, as well as the photo prepared. Just gotta get to it as it’s being queued with my other projects.
Radiant, hope you get to it sooner rather than later. You’re doing some fun stuff with your photo compositions.
Oooh, this is a nice photo set, and I didn’t think Emiya would fit so well.
I’m quite surprised with this Kino, I didn’t realised how nice the figure actually was.