Kaze no Stigma

About Kaze no Stigma

Meet Kaze no Stigma (風のスティグマ), an action, drama and fantasy anime by GONZO (2007). Here is the premise in a nutshell. The setup: Yagami Kazuma was originally part of the Kannagi family, a respected family of fire users who have an affinity to fire. However, after being easily defeated by his cousin Ayano and having no talent whatsoever in fire magic, Kazuma is banished and casted out from his family.

Also worth knowing: 4 years later, Kazuma finally returns to Japan, this time as an exceptionally formidable wind user. A series of murders on Kannagi family members have occurred with his arrival. While most of the family including Ayano is convinced Kazuma is the culprit, he honestly isn't.

As an action title, fight choreography, pacing and sound design carry much of the weight. Voice work is led by Akeno Watanabe as Kazuma Yagami and Ayumi Fujimura as Ayano Kannagi. If you count yourself among viewers who like fast, high-impact fights, put it on your list. The run is 24 episodes in total, so you know what you are signing up for.

Production & Appeal

GONZO is the studio behind Kaze no Stigma, and its direction shapes everything from character design to motion. Within the action category, fight choreography, pacing and sound design carry much of the weight. Its 6.7/10 score suggests opinions are split, so it suits viewers who already like the genre. Voice casting, including Akeno Watanabe as Kazuma Yagami, adds to the appeal for fans who follow seiyuu. Released in 2007, it competed with that season's other new series for attention.