New Light Novel from the Kino no Tabi Team
Kadokawa announced on Friday that Sigsawa Keiichi and illustrator Kuroboshi Kouhaku, the duo behind Kino no Tabi: The Beautiful World, will launch a new light novel. The title is Drifted: John Smith no Edo Hyouryuu Kitan, with mobile online game developer coly credited for the original concept. The first volume is scheduled for release under the Dengeki Bunko imprint on November 10.
Kino no Tabi Publishing History
Sigsawa began writing Kino no Tabi: The Beautiful World in the Dengeki hp magazine in March 2000, with illustrations by Kuroboshi. Kadokawa published the first volume under the Dengeki Bunko label in July that same year. The 24th volume went on sale in September 2025.
Tokyopop originally licensed the light novel in English and released the first volume in October 2006. Due to issues with the licensor, the publisher could not release further volumes, and its license for the series later expired.
Anime Adaptations and Releases
The first television anime adaptation aired in Spring 2003. It was directed by Nakamura Ryuutarou (Serial Experiments Lain) at A.C.G.T. A prequel and a sequel movie were released in February 2005 and April 2007, respectively; the latter was produced by Shaft.
ADV Films originally licensed the first television anime in North America and released it on four DVDs throughout 2004 with English subtitles and a dub. Sentai Filmworks later relicensed the anime and streamed it on HIDIVE with an English dub and subtitles.
A second television anime adaptation, directed by Taguchi Tomohisa (Bleach: Sennen Kessen-hen) at Lerche, aired in Fall 2017. Crunchyroll simulcast the series with subtitles in multiple languages and an English dub.
Kino no Tabi: The Beautiful World ranked in the Best Light Novel category of the Kono Light Novel ga Sugoi! guidebook three times, placing 2nd in 2006, 5th in 2007, and 6th in 2008.
Synopsis
John Smith, a former American soldier, washes ashore in late Edo-period Japan. Shogun Tokugawa Ienari grants him samurai status and the name Sumisu Jion. His main duty is to investigate and recover modern firearms that have mysteriously appeared because of temporal distortions. The world also includes superhuman ninja, sorcerers, and spirits. Smith takes on these dangerous missions in the hope of one day returning to his homeland and reuniting with his wife and children.
Source: PR Times
