Kaze No Stigma: Wind, Vol. 1

Not everyone is cut out to be a part of the family business, as Kazuma Kannagi discovers the hard way. Kazuma's family is endowed with the power of Enjutsu, a magical art of fire that can literally incinerate anything or anyone. Kazuma, for whatever reason, never truly masters this craft. Worse, his younger female cousin, Ayano, defeats him in an incendiary match and usurps his birthright as the future leader of the clan. Disgraced and unwanted, Kazuma abruptly goes into exile, only to return after several years as a master of Fuujutsu, a rival skill that can control the wind. The crux of Kaze No Stigma is the love-hate relationship between Kazuma and Ayano, although neither character has the emotional depth to sustain the series, and while the animation is stylish, the weak stories quickly grow monotonous. Kaze No Stigma originally aired in 2007 and lasted for 24 episodes, 12 of which are collected on this dual-language disc, suitable for 14-up, that includes a bonus featurette. Not recommended. [Note: Kaze No Stigma: Fire, Vol. 2 is also newly available.] Aud: P. (P. Hall)