After being defeated by Ayano Kannagi, Kazuma was disowned by his family for his inability to use fire magic. Finally returning to Japan after a self exile of several years, Kazuma is back to prove himself to his old man. With a chip on his shoulder and the new ability to wield powerful wind magic magic, he lending his powers out for hire. With the defeat of Kazuma,
Ayano is the next head of the Kannagi family. Wielding the legendary sword Enraiha, she is one of the most powerful fire magic users in the world. Spending her after school hours cleansing evil spirits, Ayano has become a brash young lady. When members of the Kannagi family are being found dead due to the result of wind magic, it’s only a matter of time before Ayano and Kazuma butt heads.
Kaze No Stigma is an action filled anime of modern day swords and sorcery. Forced to pair up as an investigation team, Kazuma and Ayano work as opposites. Taking on the role of the mentor, Kazuma offers a smug and intelligent point of vue. As quick to anger as the firey redhead she portrays, Ayano is as subtle as a hammer looking to kill first and ask questions later. After proving Kazuma’s innocents in the murders, it’s up to this pair to solve the magical murder mystery….if they don’t kill each other first. Sprinkle in some infighting with the rest of the Kannagi family and not to mention the face off with Kazuma’s father, there is a virtual powder keg waiting to explode. Can Japan survive their encounter? If that wasn’t enough to spark your interest, remember the old adage , opposites attract. All things are fair in love and war and Ayano’s father wants Kazuma’s power for the family. With the aid of Ayano’s friends and Kazuma’s younger brother. the traps have been set for romantic encounters. With high quality animation and a story that will keep you hooked.
The only true flaw in this anime like so many others like it is the ending. We find out why Kazuma has returned, how he got his new powers, and we get to see him confront his father. However, in the last story arc we get a resolution to the problem at hand, but not a definite ending to the encounter. Left lingering in the air like a stale fart, I was forced to choke it down with my mouths wide open and clearly confused as my head tilted to the side. Perhaps looking at the ending sideways would offer a second chance for comprehension. Unless there is more Kaze No Stigma on the way, I’ll have to accept it for what it was.
Ending woes aside, there are only a few flaws that keep me from falling in love with this anime. I can honestly say that the series is worth a chuckle and a small investment to get the complete series.
Special thanks to Funimation for supplying this review material.
-Nate Biller
Animation:A
Story:B
Soundtrack:B
Ending:C
Overall Score: B
Score Rating Suggestions:
A- A must have. Well worth the price of admission
B- Good. Worth owning if you can get it relatively inexpensive. Netflix this for sure.
C- Meh. Watch it if it’s free and you have NOTHING better to do
D- Trash. Not even worth having on as background noise.
