Koi Kaze: The Reunion, Vol. 1

Koi Kaze is a strong relationship drama, excellent in every particular (writing, directing, animation, music, English dubbing), but its taboo subject matter is bound to disturb. After his girlfriend leaves him, 27-year-old Koshiro, who lives a gray and passionless life, by chance meets a 15-year-old high school girl, and ends up hanging out with her at an amusement park. Her story of unrequited love for a boy she likes touches his heart, but then he discovers that she's actually his long-lost sister Nanoka, and she's coming to live with him and their father. Nanoka seems happy to be reunited with her big brother, whom she hasn't seen since she was three, but Koshiro is very uncomfortable around her, and he struggles with, um, impure thoughts, which lead him to some shameful private behavior (the dual-language disc's 16-up rating is warranted). It's impossible to make a definitive recommendation at this point, without knowing what direction the story will take in the remaining two discs; for now, this portrait of an awkward man in a tremendously difficult situation will have to be an optional purchase for adventurous collections. [Note: Koi Kaze, Vol. 2 is slated for release on May 31, with Vol. 3 debuting on July 26.] Aud: P. (S. Raiteri)