Kaze no Stigma Episode 6 – The Price of Power

Screenshots

Summary

Previously, we’ve seen Misao asking “Tenshi-sama” (Michael Harley) to grant her wishes, and the first thing she tells her to do is to gather up energy by collecting the life force of several [young] people. Misao had this little doubt if what they’re doing is indeed right, and Michael assures her that ‘god’ will certainly grant her justifiable wishes. Meanwhile, Ayano goes to the hotel where Kazuma’s staying to discuss something with him, and her friends tag along with her, concerned about what would happen to her, considering that the “late-bloomer Ayano” is going to the room of the guy she likes. Ayano becomes defensive and explains that she’s only there for some business matters, to which Yukari and Nanase says that this kind of scenario is but common, where at first the girl will say that she’s simply there for “work”, when in fact there’s something else.

Before going to Kazuma’s room, Yukari and Nanase cheers Ayano to do her best, and advises her not to feel nervous even though it’s her “first time”. Kazuma was surprised by Ayano’s unexpected visit, and as she enters and curiously looks around his place, Kazuma teases her that she must be feeling nervous because it’s her first time to enter a guy’s room. Ayano throws the envelope she’s carrying right on Kazuma’s face as a gesture of making him stop joking, since she’s there for work. Ayano discusses the case that her father wanted to ask his help for, relating to the death of people in their teens or twenties. Ten people have been killed in the span of one week, and there are probably more than a hundred victims already, according to Ayano.

Soushu tells Ayano that they need Kazuma because the Kannagis no longer have the Fuuga clan to help them out in searching. Ayano was at first against the idea, but then Soushu challenges her to do this on her own if she can. Ayano knows well that she couldn’t, and was left with no choice but to work with Kazuma. She tells Kazuma to thank him because she’s going to help him out in this case too, but he simply ignores Ayano and talks about how all the victims were killed by a ‘life-force-sucking youma’. Ayano was annoyed by the fact that Kazuma’s not paying attention to what she’s saying, and then takes notice of the coat he was lending Misao in their previous encounter. Ayano can’t help but feel sad as she recalls this incident, and wonders why he only showed such kindness and warmth to Misao.

Ayano snaps out of her thoughts when Kazuma tells her that he accepts the job, but refuses to work with her, thinking that she’ll only be a burden. Ayano was infuriated with this and leaves the hotel, lashing out her anger on some ‘nanpa’ who is trying to hit on her. Ayano is well-aware that she’s weaker than Kazuma, but couldn’t get over the fact that Kazuma considers her to be a hindrance to the job. “Well, sorry for being weaker than you, [Kazuma]!”, Ayano says, as though speaking to Kazuma in her mind. Nanase thinks that Ayano must have been dumped by Kazuma, that’s why she’s in such a bad mood, and Yukari wonders if going to the hotel was going “too fast” (in the relationship). Unknown to Ayano, Kazuma’s actually keeping watch over her, and comments on how Ayano stands out too much because she’s already getting fired up when she’s not even in a battle yet. “The perfect bait”, says Kazuma.

Just as Kazuma expected, Ayano and her friends become the next target of the slimes, and gets trapped in this vacuum created by Misao. Ayano struggles to get rid of the slimes, but barely manages to do so as they keep on increasing even after each blow. They were close to becoming victims of Misao as they were already surrounded by the slimes, but Kazuma senses the situation they’re in and comes in time to help out Ayano. The slimes however retreats before the fight is finished and Kazuma was finally able to track down the source of its power. Ayano thanks Kazuma for saving them, and Kazuma thanks her back because he couldn’t have located the source if not for her ‘help’ (as a bait). Ayano couldn’t believe that she was (once again) used as a decoy, and follows after Kazuma who is on his way to perpetrator’s location. Ayano has completely forgotten about Yukari and Nanase, but they were just happy that Ayano’s currently in this state of romance since they can constantly tease her about it, and swears to watch over their friend’s ‘love’ with all their heart.

Kazuma finds the perpetrator, Misao, sitting by the bench in some park, and confronts her regarding what she has done, asking if she went to this extent just to have her revenge on him. Misao says that is indeed so, but she never thought that Kazuma would find her, admiring wind-users’ reconnaissance abilities. Sensing the ‘youki’ Misao possesses, Kazuma questions if she knows what she’s gotten herself into, to which she replies with all certainty that she has sworn to do anything (even sell her soul) just to defeat him – the one who killed her brother. Misao even declares that she could certainly win against him, since Kazuma’s but human. By collecting the life-force of hundreds or thousands of people, Misao believes she can surpass his strength, and tells Kazuma that defeating him will be enough.

Ayano comes into the scene, telling Misao that just the sight of her ‘youki’ is enough for her to know what she’s done, and both Kazuma and Misao makes her stay out of ‘their’ problem. Ayano couldn’t care any less if Misao wants to kill Kazuma, but she can never forgive her for involving the lives of innocent people in her revenge, and prepares for to attack her. Kazuma tries to stop her from doing this, but Ayano insists that this is her responsibility as the next clan head, and was determined to face Misao despite his protests. Seeing as to how Kazuma and Ayano are ‘busy’ with their argument, Misao retreats, knowing that her current strength is not enough to defeat Kazuma.

As Misao leaves, Ayano turns to Kazuma, confronting why he let Misao get away, because he wouldn’t have done so if he was serious in not letting her escape. Ayano declares that she’ll gather up the strength of the entire Kannagi clan to fight against Misao, and will not allow Kazuma to hinder her plans. Kazuma then dares her to use her power instead of bare words if she really intends to stop him, telling her “Prepare yourself to face me, before I become your opponent”, leaving Ayano confused as to what she’s supposed to do.

Meanwhile, inside a church, Michael Harley is declaring himself an “angel”, the very person sent by ‘almighty god’ to fulfill Misao’s wishes, and gets on with their ritual for Misao to infuse into her body the life-force of the people who became her victims. As the slimes run up Misao’s body, screams of her victims could be heard from it, startling Misao who was still not used to the ritual. Michael once again assures her that what she’s doing is not a sin – her wishes are justified, and thus the ‘means’ is justified as well (or, ‘the end justifies means’). Misao gets enveloped by these slimes, and Michael was impressed that her body is able to withstand all this, realizing that the blood of a Kannagi shouldn’t be underestimated. He then mentions something like “Looks like she’ll really be able to achieve it” (referring to being able to ‘fulfill’ Misao’s wishes perhaps).

At the Kannagi residence, Soushu is instructing Ayano not to lay her hands on Misao anymore, as he decided to let the Oogamis deal with the matter instead. Shoushu adds that he can’t cut off the Oogamis (from the Kannagi clan), making her conclude that they’re simply going to ‘wipe out’ the very existence of Misao (as though she never existed), who Masayuki (Misao’s father) no longer considers her daughter but rather someone who went astray. Ayano can’t believe Masayuki could do this, considering how un-fatherly-like his actions are in terms of dealing with his ‘daughter’.

Masayuki himself was the one who decided to kill Misao for the sake of the Kannagi’s name and honor. Soushu informs them they’ve also asked help from other people to investigate on Misao. He actually removed Kazuma from this job already, but Kazuma himself insisted on continuing investigating on the matter. Seeing as to how Kazuma is so hung up on Misao simply makes Ayano wonder if Kazuma likes Misao, that’s why he’s doing things to this extent. Masayuki however, was against the idea of Kazuma continuing with the investigation, since he might prove to be a hindrance to their plans, and Ayano volunteers to stop Kazuma from getting in their way.

It seems that the one Soushu was referring to as the ‘other people’ he asked help from is no other than the police department itself, headed by Kirika, who has already gathered up information regarding Misao’s whereabouts. She informs Masayuki that Misao is currently inside a church, where they can form a blockage within five minutes, and make a barrier so that no one else can enter the place. It was only after this discussion that Kirika takes notice of Ayano and Ren, and formally introduces herself as Kirika Tachibana, the head of the Police Special Investigation Unit. Ren was surprised that the rumors of the police having unit who investigates on spiritual (elemental) phenomenon was actually true. Kirika tells Ren that of course they do not possess the power to fight youmas like the Kannagis, but they have the capabilities at par with that of the Fuuga clan. Kirika also tells them that they’re in good terms with the Kannagi clan, and that Ayano and Ren are welcome to work for them anytime. This makes Ayano realize that Kirika must have made Kazuma work for her too, and Kirika teases Ayano that she seems to be hoping that they were doing nothing else but work (that time she saw them together). Ayano denies this, and Kirika also refuses to tell her any other ‘details’ regarding her and Kazuma, since she’s not really obliged to tell her both about her work and private life.

The Oogamis get ready to face Misao, and are now approaching the church where she’s in. Kirika tells Ayano if it’s alright for them not to go with the Oogamis, to which she replies that they’re there for a ‘different job’, and Kirika immediately understands that they were tasked to stop Kazuma from hindering their plans. Kirika wonders if she really intends to do so, and Ayano says that there’s no one else capable of lasting for more than 3 seconds against him. Ayano thinks that she’s probably capable of holding him up for 3 minutes, and Kirika tells them to be careful and not to die. Ayano is pretty confident that such a thing will not happen, especially with Ren by her side (who hesitantly agrees to go with Ayano due to her ‘pinch-pressuring’).

After all the surrounding areas have been blocked, Kirika gives Masayuki the ‘go’ signal to proceed to the church, as planned. Misao welcomes her ‘father’ in his arrival, and he tells her that he doesn’t have any right to call him her ‘father’ because she’s nothing but a shame to the Oogami clan. Misao looks around and sees that Kazuma and Ayano are not around, and says that she thought Ayano would be there because she even declared that she’s going to defeat Misao. Masayuki tells Misao that Ayano won’t have her as an opponent, to which Misao replies that Ayano actually seems to be jealous of her, because Kazuma doesn’t look at anyone else but her. This arrogant remark of Misao makes Ayano’s blood boiling (literally), and was about to rush to where Misao is, when Kirika tells her there’s no more time for that since Kazuma is fast approaching…

Thoughts >

Overall, I thought this episode was pretty good… a nice ‘bridge’ (somewhat of a cliffhanger) to the final stage in the battle with Misao. Just like in the previous episode, I was disappointed with Misao’s close-mindedness, and her being easily swayed by the likes of perv Tenshi-sama, although that can’t be helped given her lack of sanity. Her grudge has gone beyond normal, to the extent of making her sell her soul just to get her revenge. I’m still wondering if Kazuma’s kindness to Misao was simply due to the fact that he sees himself in Misao (the way he himself took revenge on the person who killed his loved one), or something else (related to that dream he had regarding an incident that happened 10 years ago…) This will more or less be revealed in the next episode, so I certainly hope it clears this up.

Kazuma once again uses Ayano as a decoy to make things easier for him :p To think that Ayano actually thanked him for ‘saving’ them, she probably regretted having done that after she found that she was simply used as a ‘bait’ But we know that Kazuma is not that shallow, and he actually did intend to save Ayano and her friends from peril… he was just “hitting two birds with one stone” Yukari and Nanase are actually chuckling in the background when Ayano was venting out her anger for having been used as a bait ^^;;;

Now that I think about it, much of the comic relief in Kaze no Stigma is actually from the teasing Ayano gets from just about every people (and her reactions to it). I especially love it when her best friends Yukari and Nanase teases her about Kazuma, since all the people around her must’ve already found out that she likes Kazuma and only she herself hasn’t come to realize that ^^;;; I especially love Yukari and her “naughtiness” (she’s not as innocent as she looks ). Telling Ayano things like, “Don’t be nervous even if it’s your first time”, Yukari of course meant this in a not-so-innocent way, although I don’t think Ayano was able to grasp what she really meant by that And with this episode, we can clearly see how Kirika was intentionally teasing Ayano in the previous episode, since she already knew who Ayano was even before that incident

I can say that Ayano has improved a bit in terms of controlling her ‘raging jealousy’ (except in situations where the person blatantly makes her jealous, like in the case of Misao’s remark regarding Kazuma not looking at any other girls but her ~__~). I found Ayano really cute when she was contemplating on why Kazuma does those things to Misao (his kindess and warmth), a little jealous and sad that he doesn’t treat her the same way… I know that Ayano still hasn’t realized that she likes Kazuma, but nevertheless I admire her sense of justice in this episode, determined as she was in facing the “guy he likes / loves” for the sake of justice.

It was great to see the different facades of Ayano in this episode… Ayano admitting that she is weak compared with Kazuma, being upset that Kazuma thought of her as a hindrance (it’s a mix of being upset and sad, I believe… because it’s as though Kazuma doesn’t acknowledge her [yet]), the sadness in her eyes as she thinks about the difference in the way Kazuma treats Misao and her, declaring that she won’t allow Kazuma to hinder in fighting against Misao, her confusion afterwards with her uncertainty of facing him (given the words he said), and finally her decision to face Kazuma and stop him from hindering their plans. I was glad to see that Ayano knows her own strength (with her approximation that she could hold Kazuma for 3 minutes), although I’d have to admit I didn’t see this part of her in the battle with Ryuuya… I mean, she died! X__x guess she learned from that already, and knows how to acknowledge her own limitations.

Now “Tenshi-sama” Michael Harley, gives me the creeps. He reminds me of these people who are part of this New Age Movement or some cult who’s spreading around blasphemous words which tricks people into believing that they are “holy beings”. And, did he just suddenly appear in front of Misao in that time of her distress, acted as her ‘savior’…? o_O I was thinking she met him somewhere else before that, but I’m not really sure =___= It’s just too sudden, even for a person who has lost her sanity, to just believe in some “Tenshi-sama” who appears right before her. But, Michael probably used some hypnosis on her… O__o In any case, I couldn’t disagree more with that Ayano said in the last part of the preview, about “Tenshi-sama” being a pervert… Honestly, the ritual scene makes you have these vibes like it came from an H-anime… *shudder* ><

From the preview, it seems that we’re going to have a ‘dramatic’ episode next week, especially with Ayano and Kazuma facing each other as opponents this time. More than the face-off that’s going to happen between Misao and Kazuma (whether they ‘fight’ each other or whatnot), I’m rather looking forward to what would come out of Ayano and Kazuma’s encounter. I’m thinking that Ayano knows Kazuma’s planning to save Misao (rather than fight her), and thus regarded him as a hindrance to their plans. I believe Ayano still trusts Kazuma, perhaps she’s just torn in between this trust and her responsibility of being the next Kannagi clan head.

Gotta love Ayano’s lines in the preview… ‘strong and powerful words’ coming from Ayano to Kazuma this time. At first she mentioned something like, “If Kazuma’s becomes serious about it, can I really stand up against him?” (she literally said, ‘can I stand up in front of him’), still having this little doubt if she can really face Kazuma as her opponent (because she doesn't really want to face him...). Ayano also said, “Don’t you want to save Misao?! Didn’t you say you’re going to protect me and Ren?! You’ve said that you’re going to protect everything, then keep your word [and do it until the end]!” Afterwards, I’m thinking Kazuma said something to Ayano again for her to say these next lines, “W-What are you saying?! I’ll definitely become a great woman (or become a ‘real woman’)!” Some words of declaration coming from Ayano :p And then after she mentions the next episode’s title, she leaves an afterword, “Tenshi-sama? Where did that ‘hentai’ come from?!”

On a side note, it seems that from the self-reference and 'pun' in the previous episode, the animators decided to give us lots of 'pantsu' shots this time... T___T It's not that blatant, and I only noticed how many the shots are when I rewatched the episode, but sigh... the animators and Tenshi-sama seem to be equal in pervness ><

want to know what you’re missing out in the novel that was deprived of us in the anime, suffer no more, and partake of our deep-frying analysis of episode 6!

Popularity: 7% [?]

No related posts.