“Fire Force Season One” (2023)

Television Anime

Twenty four Episodes

Created by: Yamato Haijima

Featurng: Derick Snow, Alexis Tipton, Eric Vale, Jeremy Inman and Christopher Wehkamp

Maki: “As a sister, and our lovable Iris, violence does not become you.”

Fire Force, also known as En’en no Shouboutai, has set the anime world ablaze with its unique blend of supernatural action, intriguing world-building, and memorable characters. Adapted from Atsushi Ōkubo’s manga of the same name, this anime offers a thrilling experience that keeps viewers hooked from start to finish.

The story of Fire Force is set in a world where spontaneous human combustion turns individuals into Infernals—malevolent, fire-wielding entities. Enter Special Fire Force Company 8, a group of pyrokinetic individuals dedicated to putting Infernals to rest and uncovering the mystery behind these fiery phenomena. Led by the quirky but determined Shinra Kusakabe, who aims to become a “Hero” by saving people from Infernals, the series follows Company 8 as they tackle dangerous missions and delve deeper into the secrets of Infernals.

The anime starts strong, introducing the world and its supernatural elements effectively. However, the story occasionally meanders and struggles to maintain its pacing. Some viewers may find the plot twists predictable, but the series more than makes up for it with its engaging character dynamics.

Fire Force boasts a diverse cast of characters, each with their unique abilities and quirks. Shinra Kusakabe, with his devilish grin and “Fire Soldier” powers, is a standout protagonist. His determination and sense of justice make him endearing to viewers, while the supporting cast members add depth and charm to the story.

Maki Oze, the strong-willed firefighter with an affinity for martial arts, and Arthur Boyle, the overconfident knight with a penchant for absurdity, provide comic relief and memorable moments. The series also excels in fleshing out its antagonists, giving them understandable motives and complex backgrounds.

One of Fire Force’s strongest attributes is its stunning animation and art. David Production brings Ōkubo’s unique character designs and fire-infused battles to life with vibrant colors and fluid movements. The pyrotechnic battles are breathtaking, and the character designs are both memorable and distinctive.

The world-building is visually impressive, with detailed depictions of Tokyo and its supernatural elements. The Infernals’ grotesque designs are a testament to the series’ visual creativity. The animation quality remains consistently high throughout the series, with epic battles that will leave you in awe.

The soundtrack of Fire Force complements the action and atmosphere of the series. The opening and ending themes, such as “Inferno” by Mrs. GREEN APPLE and “Natsu no Hi” by Lenny code fiction, set the tone for each episode. The background music, composed by Kenichiro Suehiro, enhances the emotional depth of scenes and heightens the tension during battles.

Fire Force explores themes of heroism, sacrifice, and the consequences of unchecked power. It also delves into the corrupting influence of fear and ignorance in society. While the anime touches on these themes, it could have gone deeper in its exploration, leaving room for more profound storytelling.

As of my last knowledge update in September 2021, Fire Force had released multiple seasons. The first season introduced viewers to the world and characters while laying the groundwork for the overarching plot. It was followed by a second season, “Fire Force Season 2: Fire Force (En’en no Shouboutai) – 2nd Season,” which continued to explore the mysteries surrounding Infernals, the Adolla Burst, and the Evangelist. This season built upon the characters’ development and relationships and added depth to the story.

The progression of the plot and character arcs is generally satisfying, with some surprising revelations and character growth moments. However, as with many long-running anime series, there may be moments of filler content or slower pacing in some episodes, which can be a downside for viewers seeking a tightly woven narrative.

Fire Force has garnered a dedicated fanbase and received positive reviews from both anime enthusiasts and critics alike. Fans have embraced its action-packed sequences, unique premise, and memorable characters. The series’ strong visual appeal and emotional depth have contributed to its popularity.

While not as culturally impactful as some other shonen anime series like “My Hero Academia” or “Attack on Titan,” Fire Force has made a mark in the anime community. Its characters, particularly Shinra and Maki, have become cosplay favorites, and the series has inspired fan art, merchandise, and discussions among anime fans.

As of my last update in September 2021, Fire Force had the potential for continued growth and development. With a dedicated fanbase and source material from the manga, there was room for more seasons and further exploration of the story’s mysteries. The world of Fire Force is rich and complex, leaving ample opportunities to delve deeper into its lore and characters.

The success of Fire Force also hinted at the possibility of more adaptations, spin-offs, or even a continuation of the main story. Fans could look forward to more exciting battles, character development, and uncovering the truth behind the Adolla Burst and the Evangelist.

If you enjoy anime with supernatural elements, intense action sequences, and a diverse cast of characters, Fire Force is a must-watch. Its combination of stunning animation and intriguing world-building offers an engaging and visually appealing experience. Whether you’re a seasoned anime enthusiast or new to the genre, Fire Force has something to offer, making it a solid addition to your watchlist.

As of 2023, Fire Force may have seen further developments in its storyline and additional seasons. The anime world is dynamic, and popular series like Fire Force often continue to evolve, expand, and surprise fans with new twists and revelations. If you’re a fan of the series, it’s highly recommended to check for any new episodes or seasons that may have been released since my last knowledge update in September 2021. The story of Shinra, Company 8, and the mysteries of the Adolla Burst may have taken unexpected turns, offering even more reasons to stay engaged with the series.

Additionally, the manga source material, created by Atsushi Ōkubo, may have progressed further, potentially providing insight into the story’s ultimate conclusion. Manga readers often have the advantage of experiencing the story ahead of the anime adaptation, and if you’re particularly invested in the world of Fire Force, exploring the manga could be a rewarding experience.

The Fire Force fan community likely remains active and vibrant. Social media, forums, and fan conventions would continue to provide platforms for fans to discuss their favorite characters, moments, and theories related to the series. Fan engagement with cosplay, fan art, and fan fiction would also be ongoing, further enriching the Fire Force experience for enthusiasts.

Fire Force is a visually stunning and action-packed anime that is sure to captivate fans of supernatural action and intriguing world-building. Despite some pacing issues and occasional predictability in the plot, the series excels in character development and animation quality. It’s a fiery tale of heroism that leaves a lasting impression, making it a must-watch for anime enthusiasts. Whether you’re drawn in by the pyrotechnic battles, the quirky characters, or the mysteries of Infernals, Fire Force is an anime that will leave you eagerly awaiting its next instalment.

Episodes

Shinra Kusakabe Enlists: On his first day with Special Fire Force Company 8, Shinra Kusakabe, a third-generation pyrokinetic who is able to produces flames from his feet, meets his fellow company members and begins to fulfil his wish of becoming a hero.

The Heart of a Fire Soldier: A new fire force recruit joins Station 8. This new recruit is Arthur Boyle and claims to be the Knight King. The relationship between Shinra and Arthur may cause some problems within Station 8.

The Rookie Fire Soldier Games: Shinra and Arthur compete in the Rookie Fire Soldier Games, a contest to test the abilities of each year’s newest recruits. However, they are interrupted at the goal by the mysterious man who created explosions at their last fire scene.

The Hero and the Princess: A call mistakenly comes in to Company 8 to rescue a dog out of a tree, to which Shinra and Arthur respond. However, when an Infernal suddenly appears at the district courthouse, the two must play catch-up to join the rest of the company.

The Battle Begins: While jogging, Shinra inadvertently disturbs Iris’s purification rite, and sees that she is troubled. When Iris later turns up missing, the other members of Company 8 rally to Company 5’s compound, to which Iris had secretly slipped away.

The Spark of Promise: Shinra confronts Hibana in an attempt to rescue Iris, and must once again deal with her ability to make his body shut down. The story of Hibana and Iris’s youth as orphans, as well as Hibana’s rise to prominence, is revealed.

The Investigation of the 1st Commences: The members of Company 5 and 8 get together for a cookout, ostensibly to celebrate a successful nighttime training exercise. Using the bylaws of the Special Fire Force, Obi gets Shinra and Arthur temporarily assigned to the 1st to investigate it.

Infernal Insects: Obi goes over Hibana’s research, and learns that the artificially-created Infernals she dissected all had traces of insect DNA in them. Shinra and Arthur’s investigation at the 1st continues, and they finally get their first lead on a culprit.

The Spreading Malice: Tamaki watches on as Shinra confronts Rekka over his actions, and reminisces about how she once looked up to the lieutenant. Rekka reveals his objective in seeking out compatible children, one which could spell disaster for the entire world.

The Promise: A captains’ conference is convened to allow the Special Fire Force to discuss the situation with the Evangelist and the White-Clad.

Formation of Special Fire Force Company 8/The Mightiest Hikeshi: While Company 8 searches for clues about the Evangelist, Hinawa recounts the tale of how the company originally came into existence. A lead prompts the crew to pay a visit to Company 7’s jurisdiction in Asakusa, and its captain, Benimaru.

Eve of Hostilities in Asakusa: Company 8 pitches in to help rebuild Asakusa after the latest Infernal incident, helping to gain the trust of its people. However, a White-Clad plot threatens to undo all of their goodwill, prompting Obi to take matters into his own hands.

The Trap is Set: With Konro’s help, the members of the 8th begin investigating events in the 7th’s jurisdiction. Chaos breaks out one dozens of cases of mistaken identity crop up, and the town’s people turn on each other. The 8th comes under White-Clad attack.

For Whom the Flames Burn: As Asakusa burns around them, Konro encourages Benimaru to step into his role as a community leader. Benimaru devises a way for the townspeople to foil the designs of the impostors among the crowd. Konro reaches out to Shinra for help.

The Blacksmith’s Dream: Viktor Licht is assigned to Company 8 as its forensic scientist, but he is viewed with suspicion, since the assignment came from Haijima. Obi sends Shinra, Arthur and Iris to speak to a man named Vulcan about joining the 8th as its engineer.

We Are Family: Vulcan teaches Yu a lesson in the importance of forging things that cannot be broken, and his hope to create similarly unbreakable family ties. Sensing a threat to Vulcan, the members of Company 8 take up positions to keep him safe.

Black and White and Gray: While Dr. Giovanni continues to search Vulcan’s workshop, Hibana comes to Shinra’s aid, allowing him to rush back to help Vulcan. Meanwhile, Arthur has his hands full trying to deal with Mirage’s illusions, and Iris resists in her own way.

The Secrets of Pyrokinesis: Vulcan gets settled in at the 8th, while Captain Obi meets with Hibana, Konro, and Karim to exchange data on the White-Clad matter. Konro proposes that Shinra and Arthur be given combat training in Asakusa to improve their fighting skills.

Into the Nether: Licht’s analysis of the attack on Vulcan’s workshop reveals that the Evangelist’s men have been in the “Nether,” the area beneath Tokyo. Company 8 proceeds underground in search of the White-Clad and the secrets behind human combustion.

Wearing His Pride: Hinawa comes upon an abandoned subway station, where he gets into a shootout with Arrow. Arthur and Mirage find themselves in a rematch, as Arthur gets the chance to put the training he received from Benimaru and Konro to the test.

Those Connected: Obi and Vulcan face off against Dr. Giovanni and Lisa, during which Giovanni tells Obi more about the nature of Adolla Bursts. Shinra has an unusual experience that leads him to find Sho

A Brother’s Determination: As Shinra and Sho continue to share their Adolla Link, Shinra learns a startling truth about the origin of his Adolla Burst flame.

Smile: Shinra shares his past with Sho as their bond deepens; the 8th seeks Capt. Huang’s help when one of their members is injured.

The Burning Past: Before being discharged from the hospital, Shinra is visited by Captain Burns, who offers to tell him all about the fire that happened 12 years ago, but only if Shinra can demonstrate that he is strong enough to hear the whole truth.