Like most lighthearted anime, Kaze no Stigma has characters that play predictable roles. Ayano
Kannagi is a rash and hotheaded, though she harbors an attraction to Kazuma.
She provides the comedic relief through her anger, normally lashing out at
Kazuma when inappropriate thoughts or other girls invade the scene. Her cousin
and Kazuma’s teenaged brother, Ren Kannagi, has an uncanny similarity to Mokuba
of Yu-Gi-Oh! He always acts out the
middle man role, trying to diffuse any conflicts between Ayano and Kazuma.
Although just a child, Ren is surprisingly smart and informed with a strong
source of fire power to back him. Finally, Kazuma is a relaxed guy, though his
selfish streak runs pretty deep as he only works for money and constantly uses
Ayano as bait.
Although I appreciate the creator’s effort at creating an
anime with action, magic, and incestuous attractions, what makes Kaze no Stigma more average than
anything else is the random acts of stupidity the characters do throughout the
anime. Ayano doesn’t think things through—that is a given, taken the type of
personality she has—but she persistently puts her life in danger. For someone
resolved to inherit the strongest magic user clan, Ayano is not just rash; she’s
downright idiotic.
The first six episodes deal with Kazuma facing his past as
members of Kannagi clan are mysteriously murdered. Ironically, the murderer
uses wind magic, making Kazuma a prime suspect. Though he cares very little
about what happens to his former family, Kazuma becomes the Kannagi clan’s only
hope in finding the real culprit. The following six episodes chronicle various
battles with magic users that have grudges against the magical clans and its
members. While Kazuma plays detective, Ayano tries to understand her true
feelings towards her cousin and Ren continues to follow his elder cousin and
brother with dog-like loyalty.
The premise of the first volume is enough to keep the audience watching Kaze no Stigma for the twelve episodes contained in the FUNimation pack. However, I believe that everything about the anime has been done before. The animation is as average as the character development. The dialogue between the characters is predictable. Somehow, Kaze no Stigma pulls off enough elements to create an anime that is watchable.
Rating: C+
Anime 3000
reviews anime, manga, and games based on specific criteria designated
by each medium's respective editor. Anime is reviewed on a scale from F
to A+. Series or movies that receive a score of A- or above are
considered outstanding, B- to B+ recommendable, C- to C+ average, D- to
D+ unrecommended, and F terrible.
