Highlights
The second and final volume of Kaze No Stigma provides 12 episodes that do help tie the series together but at the same time leaves us wondering… why? The first 5 episodes cover the budding relationship between Kazuma and Ayano. Or should I say, the goofy ways Ayano's Father try to get them together. They also introduce the new character, Katherine McDonald, who is also a Fire user from America out to prove that her family is tops in the Fire world.
Once we get to episode 18, "Tokyo RPG", the real plot begins and the story changes from a light hearted teen romp to a more serious action and adventure story. Kazume's past comes to Tokyo and gives out Yoma to unsuspecting gamers. Bernard, the old adversary, then uses those souls to try and destroy Tokyo. These villains were the ones who killed Kazume's first true love and awoke his powers. They managed to recreate Cui-Ling which drives Kazuma crazy and he loses touch with reality and is drawn back into the heartless killer/contractor he once was. This sets the stage for Ayano to bring him back and help him understand his feelings for her and everyone else around him. The Pandemonium arc covers the remaining episodes and give purpose to this last installment of the show.
Overall
Camille covered the first volume for ComicsOnline and was not overly impressed. I thought I should take the time to explore this story and see if I might find a diamond in the rough. This is exactly what I found. I was very worried after the first five episodes because they just floundered and gave me nothing but silly side stories about how Ayano's father was trying to set them up and how Kazume's Father was just as big a punk as Kazuma. Ok, I thought the series was dead, just another teen angst story that was just looking for ways to give us panty shots. This blatant shonen series had reduced itself to the boobs and butts syndrome that a lot of these half-hearted attempts often stoop to.
Once the Pandemonium arc began, the entire flavor of the show changed. It had meaning and focus. It also found a way to use these characters in an entertaining and useful way. They all found their voice and began to become something other than the two dimensional characters they were. I was looking forward to discovering the mystery and found myself rooting for the good guys again.
I wish the creators had understood what they had and not wasted our time with the filler episodes at the beginning of this volume. The story elevated itself from a flat out pass to a title that I can honestly recommend.
ComicsOnline gives Kaze No Stigma Volume 2: Fire 3.5 out of 5 foolish magic users.
