Review - Koi Kaze: Budding Attraction
Reviewed by Richard Brownell on 11.12.2007.
Score: 7/10
I was harsh on the first volume of Koi Kaze, moreso than other reviews I've read since publishing ours. But I still feel my criticisms are warranted. After all, the premise of a man wanting a romantic relationship with his teenage sister does not appeal to me. I don't necessarily want to experience a story about it. But if that story is good enough, it may still pull me in. The first volume had a few scenes that were compelling enough to accomplish that, but most of it was held back by uninteresting scenes, an artistic style that is too subtle for its own good, and an overall atmosphere that just doesn't grab me. However, the second volume moves the story towards the inevitable conflict Koshiro and Nanoka must face which makes this anime much more interesting.
The story of Koi Kaze is that of a forbidden love. But volume 2 probably carries the least baggage in terms of it being about a brother and sister. It focuses almost solely on that both know they can't have each other but are gradually learning about their true feelings. Koshiro already decided in the first volume that he simply needs to ignore his true feelings and act like a jerk nearly all the time. It's Nanoka this time who realizes how she really feels. She may seem like a naive teenager who has never really dated before, but she can still learn to read her own feelings. However, she has a tougher time understanding why they are inappropriate.
One of the arcs in this volume has a lot of scenes involving Nanoka and a potential relationship with a boy at school. Her classmates play a much bigger part in this arc than in the first volume which is quite refreshing. Nanoka ends up walking home with the boy from school only to find Koshiro waiting for her. Instead of things simply being fine -- after all, being walked home is safe -- Koshiro blows up at her. It's fairly obvious that jealously abounds, from this encounter to when Nanoka asks him for love advice. But Koshiro simply can't handle it.
Things come to a head when Nanoka tells Koshiro she loves him. Of course, this is done in a sisterly way, but this scene sticks out as the turning point of the relationship much like Koshiro breaking down and crying in the first volume was the start. As volume 3 comes to a close, the choice that Nanoka and Koshiro must make is right around the corner. Will the story have a "happy" ending that may leave some viewers a bit disgusted? Or will it have a sad ending where love does not survive?
In one scene this volume, Koshiro meets with his mother for the first time in years. It captures very well the awkwardness this situation would have. And it's surprisingly realistic in terms of how it can be to visit relatives after many years. Of course, Koshiro has that typical stone face and poor outlook on everything even in this scene.
Koi Kaze is considered by some to be one of the great romantic anime of the past five years. I don't see it so highly, but it's also certainly not a bad show. For some, the subject matter makes it unwatchable. There's almost nothing I can't watch, but even with the sensitivity the subject matter is handled with here, it's not anywhere near the top of my list. Still, there's potential for the ending to be good if it is handled well. We'll find out in the third and final volume.
Special Features
DVD Features
· English Dolby Digital 2.0
· Japanese Dolby Digital 2.0
· English Subtitles
· Run Time 125 Minutes
· 16:9 Anamorphic Widescreen
Special Bonus
· Promotional Trailer
· Commercial Collections
· Geneon Previews
