Sakai Yuuji, a high school student who expected his normal life to last forever, is dead. When he was on his way home he witnessed a shocking view as the world suddenly froze: people were engulfed by blue flames and a monster resembling a large doll swallowed them. Just as the monster prepared to consume Yuuji, a sword-wielding girl in black attire with flaming red eyes and hair that burns like embers saved him from the monster. The girl called herself a "Flame Haze" who hunts the "Guze no Tomogara", creatures from another world. As Yuuji noticed a blue flame in his chest, she called him a "Torch", a temporary replacement, saying that the "real" Yuuji's existence had already ended. Unfazed, Yuuji befriended the strange girl, named her "Shana", and joined her fight against Tomogara and other Flame Hazes.
Now, I will have to say that this anime has placed first in the list of anime that I watch that are not naruto, bleach or any other widely known anime. The story is practically the only place where I find any fault at all; the romantic part of the story takes a back seat far too much to the explanation of enemy characters. The fight scenes between the opposing sides are a spectacle to behold, especially for 2005 animation. The best part in my opinion just happens to be CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT. Generic ideas can be very useful in creating a unique character, much to the masses chagrin. But the overall profile for each character radiates a creative ambiance. In other words, a must see!
