[US DVD] Kaze no Stigma Part 2

[Chris Beveridge]

Review by Chris Beveridge

Mania Grade: B-
* Audio Rating: B+
* Video Rating: B+
* Packaging Rating: B+
* Menus Rating: B
* Extras Rating: B
* Age Rating: 14 and Up
* Region: 1 - North America
* Released By: FUNimation Entertainment, Ltd.
* MSRP: 59.98
* Running time: 325
* Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 Anamorphic Widescreen
* Disc Resolution: 480i/p
* Disc Encoding: MPEG-2
* Series: Kaze no Stigma

In Summary:
The first half of Kaze no Stigma was a lot of fun and it had me really interested in seeing this second half. Unfortunately, it feels like it lost a lot of its steam and then had a less than interesting top level plot for the storyline. People gaining powers and acting out like they’re in video games, leveling up and so forth? It didn’t work well and it even felt like the leads were talking down about it. There are things to like throughout this set simply because the characters are fun even when they bring in someone new like Catherine. But the small stories and the background material for Kazuma can’t sustain the whole thing. The Pandemonium story gets twisted around a few different ideas before it reaches for a big city-ending idea that lacks a real impetus on the part of Pandemonium. That said, I do like the show overall because I like the characters, but everything felt a bit weak here compared to the first set. It’s not bad, but it lost its way some.

[Damius]

Well, I was on the fence with this title. My decision was depending on this review, so I would say it's a no now.

[WTK]

Originally Posted by Chris Beveridge

The first half of Kaze no Stigma was a lot of fun and it had me really interested in seeing this second half. Unfortunately, it feels like it lost a lot of its steam and then had a less than interesting top level plot for the storyline.

I totally agree with this. I like the first half the series. The second half of the series just wasn't as good. I don't regret buying the series, but it feels like it could have been better.

[pathos]

Originally Posted by WTK

I totally agree with this. I like the first half the series. The second half of the series just wasn't as good. I don't regret buying the series, but it feels like it could have been better.

I liked the second half fine, except for the end of the show itself. More specically, the last half of the last arc.

Didn't ruin my view of the series overall, but it could have finished better.

[Suwako Moriya]

Ah, so one of those series that was decent, but could have been better? I might consider checking some episodes out if ever put up for streaming, but beyond that I can't really say yet.

[Shirou Emiya]

This was an awesome series, everyone should check it out, especially the english dub .