Search - Koi Kaze, Vol. 3: The Decision on DVD

Decision Indeed...

Thomas Lent | Hayward, CA United States | 02/04/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I've watched this series in its entirety four times and I'm still trying to find a way to react to it... Maybe I can describe it as a disturbing masterpiece.

There are millions of ways that this series could have easily and foolishly ended. But what we got was the most honest result of the situation. We weren't deliverd a "wait for the OVA" cliffhanger. There was no "Haha! Just kidding! They weren't actually related!" moment. What we get as an audience is "This is what happened, now deal with it." The final episodes mark a firm punctuation at the end of a masterfully paced story. The few loose ends are so well placed that I myself don't care about what I haven't yet learned. After each viewing I'll be spending weeks pondering what it all meant. Why all of the focus on the signs? Why the focus on smalltalk? What kind of symbolism is trying to come across?

For me, that is what a great story is supposed to do. Good storytelling delivers the audience to a world away from their own and, for the scope of the story, allows the audience to spectate for a while. Great storytelling infuses itself in the observer's mind, affecting one's thoughts long after the story itself comes to a close. Technically, Koi Kaze is 325 minutes of an odd love story depicted by simple Japanese Animation. For me, it has been months of pondering, soul searching, love, loathing, joy, and pain. Any time I've watched or re-watched an episode, I've experienced new joys and chills from different scenes.

Koi Kaze has been an intense diversion from normal for me. I usually stay with simple romance-comedies or other up-beat type stories. Once in a while I lean toward the scary or bizarre but this series sways into the bizarre with a seriousness unfound in any context. Add to that, it's all handled tastefully. Part of me is wondering why this series hasn't been a scandal for Geneon. I'm sure that if Anime were a more popular medium in America, this kind of show would spark spark a huge uproar.

I'm sure that this series maintain a fringe status and highly polarized audience for quite a while.

Recommended for open minds only."

Outstanding! Incredible!! Super Terrific!!! I need more s

V. Russell | Plainsboro, NJ | 11/22/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What else can I say?

I wish I could take back one of the stars I gave the previous volume so that I could set this volume farther apart! It was THAT GOOD.

I really didn't know where they could go with this after the end of the second volume. With Koshiro moving out, I thought that maybe he really would keep his relationship with Nanoka as purely siblings (especially with the way he kept torturing himself over the "self-love" episode). And I'm sure I'm not the only one who shed a few tears when he broke down in the alley in front of Chidori. What a perfect moment in the story. The seiyuu for Koshiro expressed such pain, such desolation. (I should have mentioned earlier that I have been watching this whole thing in Japanese. I think I'll check out the English Dub this weekend.) I sat there thinking "Well, this is definitely rock bottom for him. It just can't get any worse."

But, although I feel that we the viewer got a GREAT sense of Koshiro's feelings throughout this entire anime, I end this series feeling like I never really got to know Nanoka. Even though there was that little bit in the previous volume where she got all flushed on the train while Koshiro was standing close to her; that seemed like it kind of came out of nowhere to me. I know she wasn't interested in other guys and she did have a serious brother complex. But it would seem natural that she would be attached to the older brother that she had not seen for umpteen years. And I didn't at all understand why her brother hugging her was such a huge issue that she didn't want to come home. (Or was it that she was more upset about his reaction to her declaration of love?) I understand, I think, that in Japanese culture perhaps those affectionate displays between siblings are not typical but, considering this is the guy who got off on the smell of her bra, I thought his little hug was pretty tame. I confess; when Koshiro asked her if she wanted to sleep with him, for a fraction of second, I wanted Nanoka to say yes right then (he looked kind of sexy lying there on the bed...even with that stupid razzle-frazzle beard on his face). Then I thought "Icky, icky you pervert! That's your SISTER!!!" Speaking of, wasn't it just a little icky the way Nanoka kept calling him "oniichan" when they were moving towards the romantic love? I kept thinking "Why won't you call him by his name you sick freak?!" It was like they never wanted the audience to forget, not even for a moment, that this is not just an ordinary older man-young girl love story. Because of that, I found myself flip-flopping back and forth between wanting them to get together and then being terrified that they might.

My only other complaint is that I would have liked more scenes with Chidori. For a two-dimensional character whose only purpose was to be the voice of reason for Koshiro (and provide a little comic relief), she made me want to get to know her more (but I guess that would have changed the focus of the story and I certainly didn't want that). Was I the only one whose mouth was hanging open in shock from that scene between Chidori and Nanoka in Koshiro's apartment while he was at the grocery store? Wow, look who grew a backbone! I was impressed (and I think that is one of the few times I genuinely like Nanoka. Not that I disliked her but most of the time I found her so unfathomable.) And, yes, I did laugh when she, somewhat predictably and definitely childishly, threw Chidori's train pass into the garbage. (but then again, that childishness is what made Koshiro falling in love with her seem so far out...and icky...) The only other character worth a name drop is Nanoka's friend (oops---forgot her name but her sister had big boobs...last name was Anzai...I think). Anyway, she was pretty useless for the whole series until she had her one brilliant moment in preventing Nanoka's other friend (her name is not even worth trying to remember because her character is not worth remembering) from following Nanoka when she is going to meet Koshiro---Good move, Anzai-Girl. No one likes a Nosy Nelly.

I don't want to spoil the ending for those who have not seen it but I thought, considering the subject matter, it was perfect. I don't see how it could have gone any other way...

It really was painfully uncomfortable at times to watch this show. But it was painfully uncomfortable in a delicious sort of way that makes you long for more of the same discomfort (3 cheers for the little masochist in us all!) I knew I was hooked when I found myself yelling at the TV like Koshiro or Nanoka could hear me. And the fact that this anime was soo good that I am going to watch it again (in English) right after I have just finished it in Japanese is a rare treat for me (there aren't that many that have hooked me so completely). I would stick with the suggested audience of 16 and up. It's not especially explicit but, it IS about an incestuous love affair between two siblings. And there IS the aforementioned Koshiro-on-Koshiro love scene.

As for me, I am running out to get a copy of the manga and start this whole painful process over again..."

Touching, tearful, = a true masterpiece...

Carol Nichols | USA | 12/25/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This review is actually very overdue, I got this in August (its now Christmas Eve...) but I finally have time to wrap up some reviews.

As I've said last time, the ending of the last vol. makes us want to watch the last one ASAP. Koshiro realizes he is hazard to her just by living with her and also knows that he, no matter what, can think of her only as a sister and nothing else. He quickly moves out, surprising his father (who has noooo idea...) and deeply saddens Nanoka, but grudgingly accepts the promise. I myself was proud of Koshiro, for finally moving out, but I knew Nanoka would be sad.

Koshiro lives about two months alone, making out a very depressing existence, burdened with gifts reminding him of everything he loves about her. When he recieved his gift, I thought he was going to give up but all he did was cry. I thought it was funny that Chidori assumed that Koshiro was asexual. Heh heh. Though it SUCKS it had to be her to find out the truth... I felt moved by everything!

The 12th episode is really something. I can't find a word for how profound it is... After all this time they come into contact, and Koshiro is scared that all of his progress is for naught. Nanoka is also brave and is careful not to disrupt the mood that gradually makes both of them feel at peace. And who else but Chidori spoils it all by giving Nanoka a reality check demanding that land on earth and realize the immaturity of her situation. I wanted to slap that &%$*@!, but brave Nanoka stood strong and defended her cause. When Koshiro returns all is well, until the final moment... which I won't reveal...

The last episode is a great closer. Basically the ending ep just convinces you that those two will be all right.

Whew what a series, i seriously wasn't that hyped about a series since Elfen Lied! Koi Kaze tells an impossible as realistic as possible. As an anime this one is probably underrated, which is a shame 'cuz this was very moving and made me cry multiple times, seriously. Definately not a series for everyone, it is a perfect gift for those who love powerful romance anime."