Kaze no Stigma
Kaze no Stigma Manga Ends with the Misao Arc. Short and Sweet.
bonus colored piccie in the tankoubon <3
Despite my long KnS-silence, I still kept myself updated with the series behind-the-blogging-scene (among the rare few KnS fans out there in the English-speaking blogosphere too). I read chapter 9 of the manga about 5 months back, then I no longer heard of any updates, until recently. Chapter 10 came out in the April 2008 issue of Dragon Age (and I only got to read it last month), much to my surprise that it marks the end of both the Misao arc, and the entire KnS manga too 
My hopes to see the Ignition novels in its manga form has been crushed. ;___;
But oh well, no use moping about it now. Perhaps the mangaka also found the succeeding arcs to be a trainwreck, and decided that ending the manga with the novel’s best arc would be best.
the “inner cover” of the manga, which I nearly missed out on had I not removed the manga’s outer flap
With all that said, here goes this KnS manga post, in memory of this trainwreck yet memorable series. Kazuma x Ayano <3 Quite some time has passed since I first wrote this post and now I have the manga tankoubon of volume 2 in my hands <3 (I still owe the KnS fans out there the novel reviews, I know, sorry for slacking off… this will do for now ^^; )
Take note that my intention with this post is to enlighten existing KnS fans about the manga, so you have to know happened in the Misao arc to fully understand what I’m talking about here. I’ll just be pointing out the differences I found in the manga (compared to the anime and novel), and my overall impression of it. The manga also assumes that you have some KnS knowledge since the manga’s story takes place sometime after the first Kaze no Stigma arc, so if this review will ever convince you to plunge into the KnS world, I suggest checking out the first few episodes of the anime (or read the first volume of the novel), at the very least.
Because I am such an Ayano pimp
I only have one word for the KnS manga: AWESOME <3. I really love it; even the novel author praises the mangaka Nekomiya-sensei, for making it live up to the novel, despite all the changes he did. Aside from its awesome artwork and level of details (which can be seen way back my first post on this), the manga also boasts awesome fight scenes, and more Kazuma x Ayano antics. Nekomiya made Ayano all the more tsundere, yet less annoying and more cute & sweet 
Kazuma was also made even darker, though still fitting to his image and not OOC.
First, let’s take a look at how the “battle” went between Ayano and Kazuma in episode 6 of the anime where not much of a battle really happened. To refresh your memory, it’s the scene where Ayano challenges Kazuma to a fight, unforgivable as she found it to be that Kazuma let Misao escape on purpose, defending a supposedly criminal.
Compare this “fight scene”:
with this:
…not even worth comparing right? The anime sticks closely to the novel for this one. Props to the manga for daring to change this portion of the story, showing us a semi-berserk Kazuma as early as this arc.
For fun here goes more piccies from this battle, featuring the grim Kazuma and Ayano at the brink of death.
After the horror of this life-and-death situation, it’s but natural for Ayano to fear Kazuma, moreso fighting against him yet again.
In the end, Ayano remembers how she vowed to use her power to protect the people she treasures, and gains the courage to face Kazuma, dragging along Ren with her this time 
“By this scar, I swear to defeat you!”
As Ayano and Kazuma comes face to face in battle, she gives this GAR speech which both Kazuma and Ren weren’t able to take seriously lol.
Unlike the anime (we’re now covering episode 7), there was no fancy “Flying from the Moon” entrace for Kazuma in the manga (same with the novel), hence the Kazuma x Ayano confrontation went a little different as well. There was no “Ayano ends up in Kazuma’s arms” scene, but still, I liked the manga’s rendition better. I’m a sucker for pretty pics, so sue me. I also liked the additional Kazuma teases featured throughout this chapter. And… the SD Ren is <3!! X3
As I’ve mentioned in a previous deep frying post for episode 7, there was supposedly [yet another] fight between Ayano and Kazuma after the Ren barrier scene (lol), and again, the manga made it EPIC WIN.
After this, Kazuma starts his countdown, awaiting the “happenings” between Misao and the Kannagis who were out to get her. They hear an explosion and heads to where it came from, only to find Misao who already slaughtered his father and some of his henchmen.
The details about Michael Harley’s brainwashing of Misao, which were left out by the anime, were also discussed in the manga. Michael knew well that there was no way the kind and gentle Misao could kill anyone for the sake of revenge, and hence he sort of sealed away that “gentleness” aspect of her temporarily, through hypnotism perhaps. That explains how he managed to turn her into Dark Misao.
Ayano’s sympathy for Misao, and her questioning as to whether Misao would be better off dying now that everything was taken away from her, which were in the novel (details of which I also mentioned in my deep frying), remained intact and beautifully expressed in its manga form.
The succeeding battles, Ayano fighting against the Vritra like a war machine ready to die in battle, and the final tag-team EPIC battle, were all great as well.
And to highlight one of my ultimate favorite Kazuma x Ayano scene(s) in the entire KnS (the HUG scene), which started out with Kazuma saving Ayano’s ass from her reckless fight, leading to this really sweet antic between the two lovebirds
With Kazuma and Ayano’s powers combined, they form one of the coolest couple tag-team EVER, and defeat Vritra with the power of love.
All’s well that ends well, as Misao gains a renewed sense of living, thanks to Kazuma.
Days after the incident, Kazuma and Ayano visit Misao, who surprises them with her decision to become a priest(ess). Kazuma also reveals why he wanted to save Misao so much, which was rooted to his scarred childhood past and how Misao helped him out once. The manga showed that Ayano understood full well what Kazuma felt, how he could be so thankful to Misao for that single act of kindness, which gave a glimmer of hope to his contemptuous life.
Before bidding goodbye to Misao, Ayano gives Misao some hard slapping, her unique gesture of cheering up Misao, which at the same time signifying her “challenge” of not losing to her (against Kazuma, most likely x3)
Kazuma and Ayano walks off, and Ayano becomes all deredere as she tells Kazuma that she would’ve done the same thing Misao did, if she was present during the time when he was bullied.
Ayano was certainly brought in a better light by the manga, as they showed her to be more mature, and not the annoying dense little girl she was in the anime.
So, to all Kaze no Stigma fans, as well as haters, even if the anime was a trainwreck I still suggest you go check out this manga. It ends with the BEST ARC, and retains the elements which made KnS such a memorable series.
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17 comments for “Kaze no Stigma Manga Ends with the Misao Arc. Short and Sweet.”
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Thanks a lot for the great review and pics!!!… But its not enough =(. Is there any info on how this really ends? We are still missing alot from KazumaXRin, what happens with Lapiz, how Kazuma got his power, killed the boss, how Rin was 100 times better than Ayano etc. I wont acknowledge Ayano till i know =P, and I wont be suckered into believing she would have defended Kazuma like Misao did… I find that too convenient.
The chick with pink hair annoys me >_>
The manga sounds great and a lot better than the anime *cough* It sounds like it has more Ayano/Kazuma moments *cough* I hope I get the chance to read it someday. As a fellow Ayano fan, thanks for reviewing it.
fumu…the anime was a pos since ep 1 so I didn’t bother but this looks interesting but I have to know: IS THERE KISSING? Cause if not I’m not interested.
@Pasta: I don’t know those details either… I’m just hoping the author will get well soon and tell us of the ending he has in mind. He’s still recovering from his illness, it seems
But heh, you Lapis supporter! 
@blissmo: she’s not as annoying in the manga and the novels, blissmo =/
@Earthstar: my pleasure! I just hope a group continues scanalating this! >_<
@Hinano: aww, how I wish there was kissing but there was none =/
wow i found an ayanoxkazuma fan!!! there are not that many you know, considering the americans’ idea of love between cousins as incest. I was shocked that the manga ends so fast though. Was hoping they’ll cover up the part that’s not in the anime
@ochi: yeah, we’re a rare breed (yay?) I was also hoping the manga will cover the fun stuff in the Ignition novels…
I do hope if they’re gonna make a spin-off manga series, but the possibility of that might be bleak 
Damn this was a great job showing what the manga covered. Its great yet at the same time sad since the manga stops there :(. Still appreciate the effort showing everyone this.
I knew from the deep frying posts, but this just shows how much better the anime could have been. Heck I realize that just by opening the episodes related to this arc and taking a look. Just how much different the scene where Kazuma just takes Ayano apart. Instead with the anime Kazuma just puts out her sword and walks away. But wow that dragon still is incredibly sad every time I see it.
Just reminds you what kind of impression the anime left in terms of Ayano. Yes you did see the growth as a person, but the novel and manga shows her in a better light.
Do hope the author recovers alright. Hopefully there will be a second season one day (never by Gonzo!), have the novels translated so I can read them, or put in the serious effort to learn the language.
@FlareKnight: seeing this great manga adaptation makes us fans all the more sad before it had to stop here!
As usual, I’m just hoping for the best for this series, but not expecting too much >_<
I friggin SPAZZED when I found out you made a Kaze no Stigma post!!!
The translators who started translating the manga stopped for some reason… 
I’m so glad you posted up the pretty pics from the manga!
I’m very thankful that you gave us info on what happened in the manga X3 I just really wish there was more though…
If only this anime/novel/manga was known more…*sigh*
It’s too short of manga series, but great job.
Ayano in manga (KAWAII~) more than anime.
But seiyuu who voice in anime (Fujimura Ayumi) is great too (perfect on Ayano voice).
woot
, a kaze no stigma post. yah
i too am one of the few english speaking people that actually read the novels before the anime so its so very wonderful to find someone else that has read the novels as well. the manga looks good so i will check that out thank you.if only the auhor gets better soon Kaze no stigma novels left off at a point where the next volume could make or break the current arc and i really want to see what happens.
Still amazes me how bad the anime made Ayano’s sword look. I mean come on it was a bloody stick. You get hit with it the worst thing you get is splinters. Then you include the fire which could be an issue :). Still love the manga making it look like a real weapon.
I agree with the general sentiment regarding the brevity of this manga… too short indeed. I’m also hoping and praying that the author will get better… it’ll be sad to see another series left hanging on air because of the tragedies that befall the author.
and I couldn’t really figure out why they had to make Ayano’s sword look like a stick (with matching stick sfx too! orz) Definitely love the manga for improving much about every aspect butchered by the anime.
I CAN’T BELIEVE I MISSED A KnS POST!!!!!!
That would teach me to come online more often.
Thank you, usagijen, again. Did I mention loving your KnS posts? It’s so good to indulge in some serious fangirling with a fellow fangirl.
I read the manga up to chapter 8, I think. And I couldn’t find the last chapter anywhere. Now I’m seriously looking forward to the end, even though it’s… well, the end.
I absolutely love the way they portrayed Ayano. Now that is what I call a real person, instead of that childish girl that is, although endearing, is rather irritatingly endearing. In the manga, she’s just plain interesting and strong, instead of pretending to be strong.
And Kazuma. I do so love the way the mangaka isn’t afraid to let him beat up Ayano. That is fair more feminist than the anime can boast.
I also like the character design. It’s sharper than the anime. Not necessarily better, but definitely easy on the eyes.
I normally don’t go for manga, being more for anime, but I do agree that the manga did a better job on the characters than the comparatively shallow anime.
And oh, I really, really, REALLY want to read that tag team you described.
I felt the first episode of the anime had so much potential and I was like “yes a good shonen to watch but slowly my hopes were sent to narnia” and it became so involved in mediocre battles and I was hoping to see more of shinto ideology and the battles would improve but to my dismay it didn’t I’m only on episode 13 and nothing has changed
*sigh* thats sad oh well I still have soul eater and code geass ^_^
ok, I’m getting old. I remember replying to Briar but apparently I didn’t.
@Briar: the manga is greattt! but, don’t keep your hopes up too much with the tag team I described, it’s not as awesome as I made it sound like, now that I think about it.
@Sunako-chan: Don’t watch KnS expecting EPIC fight scenes, or you’ll really be let-down. What I enjoyed most about it is the antics between the characters, and it made me endure all the mediocre stuff in the show ^^;