Irishchatter I quite enjoyed this anime, Kazumas English dub actor was the best i have to say. He has that likeable, determined and cool voice. That does suit the character so much! I know people were saying on Animelist that Ayano's character was pretty annoying but, I personally thought she was pretty cool and badass with her fire sword! The character Ren who was Kazumas brother, was pretty cute and funny the way he goes on.I honestly laughed my head off at the scene where Kazuma beat his father up while the father trying to talk to him, Kazuma called the ambulance to tell him where he is and just left his own father there xD I know that isn't funny but since his pop abandoned him for not being powerful enough, I think he did deserve a slap on the face back tbh..I would've loved to have seen more of Ayanos and Kazumas realtionship develop even further, it was totally cute that he smelled her hair but then it kinda escalated when he started to smack her bum and she fell in the pond. She began chasing him all over the place and of course he didn't mean to smack her arse. I hate the fact there isn't another season of this because it would be great to see how their romance develops. Unfortunately I heard the creator of this anime died which is unfortunate :( He did a really good job on making this anime!I'll give this anime a 8/10 :)

SoulfulFX Kaze no Stigma is quite a fun and endearing anime despite the description of the manga as being significantly darker. Seeing Kazuma and Ayano grow closer as the series progresses is a lot of fun especially considering how exasperating and hot headed Ayano can be! Its also interesting to watch how Kazuma's brother Ren grows to be a kindler, gentler version of his older brother.Plot wise there are few wasted moments with plenty of action of the magical variety from end to end. One matter that the anime could have explored in another episode or two was what happened between Kazuma and Tsui Le, as it is you only get a few flashbacks of the events that drove Kazuma to become a contractor/wind magic user.The intro song "Blast of Wind" is really beautiful and there are two or three ending songs that are nice as well.Overall, I recommend the series.

playmkr278 This is not the greatest anime that I have ever watched but it is not the worst either. I believe as the first user to review this series that the characters are good. Another thing to consider is that this series is currently on Netflix instant stream so you do not have to purchase the DVD before viewing it once if you have Netflix instant stream. Kazuma is a character much like Spike from Cowboy Bebop. I think Kazuma makes the series. Ayano and Ren give great costar power backup to Kazuma's main star power. Having made only one season I do not know what to make of the sexual tension between the main characters as it continues to be a comedic, more than a romantic, twist throughout the season. But again while this is on instant view Netflix users should check it out for themselves.

Daniel Becile Ayano is the heiress to the house of Kannagi, which ties to the spirit of fire and whose members are all fire users. All except for her cousin, Kazuma. After he was defeated by Ayano, his father banished him from the house in disgrace. Kazuma ran off and changed his surname to Yagami his only wish became to achieve great power. He formed a contract with the spirit of wind and becomes a powerful wind user. Four years later, he returns.This is when the story starts. Kazuma made a name for himself as a demon-like wind mage, who does not hesitate to hurt others as long as it helps him to complete a task. However, his personality begins to turn for the good again after returning to Japan and meeting a now 16-year-old Ayano. Through a series of events - the different families are constantly fighting with each other and also it is Anyano's duty as a heiress to investigate supernatural happenings - they start to work together. However she is arrogant and irrational, usually taking action by herself. Despite her claims to hate Kazuma, Ayano develops a crush on him, but is often irritated when he makes a move on her and erupts in anger when he gets close to another woman. Kazuma is also the only person she sees as stronger in power and presence than the leader of the family clan, her own father, who always tries to hook them up with each other. He thinks Ayano's hot-temper needs someone as calm as Kazuma. Of course Kazuma sees right through this and doesn't seem too averse to this idea, however Ayano is absolutely oblivious of her father's attempts.Yes I know. It has all been done before. The story is not groundbreakingly new, but what makes this anime work is that it is so character driven. You don't have endless stares and shots of nothing really happening. The 24 episodes are full of action, a good main story arc, fully developed and likable characters (girls will love Kazuma, the ultimate badass, while Ayano is entirely from another world). On top of that you get a lot of slapstick humor (I love Ayano ^^) and you get a small dose of romance. So Studio Gonzo definitely doesn't show us something we haven't seen before, but the anime is still very well done and enjoyable throughout. A respectable work, one might say. It maybe won't become you No. 1 favorite anime, but I assure you, you will nonetheless have enjoyed a fun ride. It's definitely worth checking out and because of the likable and well rounded characters and the overall setting (great chemistry all around) it is worth adding it to your anime collection.The genre is difficult to pin down. While the light novel series the show is based on is published in a seinen magazine (for adults), the anime is definitely not as dark and violent. However in Japan - although undeservingly IMO - it still was aired in a late night slot. So expect some violence but it is nowhere near let's say Elfenlied or Black Lagoon, more in the league of Darker than Black.