Fire Force Review: Is it Worth Watching?

Fire Force (En’en no Shōbōtai) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Atsushi Ōkubo. An anime television series adaptation by David Production aired from July to December 2019 on the MBS’s Super Animeism block. A second season premiered in July 2020.

As of June 2020, the manga had 7.3 million copies in print.

The series is based on a superhuman firefighter force is formed to deal with supernatural fire incidents.

1. Quick Review

The story takes place in the Year 198 of the Solar Era in Tokyo. The introductory scene shows Special Fire Forces fighting against a phenomenon called Spontaneous Human Combustion where humans beings are turned into living infernos called “Infernals.”

These so-called Infernals are First Generation cases of spontaneous human combustion whereas the later generations possess the ability to manipulate flames while retaining their human form.

Shinra Kusakabe is an adolescent who gained the nickname Devil’s Footprints for his ability to ignite his feet at will. As the story progresses, we see him joining the Special Fire Force Company 8 which consists of other flame users.

As a team, they work to extinguish any Infernals that they encounter. Meanwhile, a faction that is creating Infernals appears and Shinra begins to unveil the hidden truth behind a mysterious fire that caused the death of his family twelve years ago.

Fire force is a tasty slice of shonen action. It has good character writing and design that makes them all stand out immediately.

The concept of a world filled with both tragedy and mystery is interesting as well. The anime carries out its story with smooth transitions and there are some great action sequences.

2. Info Card

3. Is It Worth Watching?

Fire Force is absolutely worth watching. With a unique storyline, great animation, and some insanely good fight scenes, this series has got a lot to offer.

The show has a healthy mix of humor and action that continues to keep things interesting. If you’re looking for a show to binge-watch with no regrets, look no further.

Fire Force | Trailer

I. Plot

Shinra Kusakabe is a third-generation pyrokinetic teenager who gained the nickname “Devil’s Footprints” for his ability to ignite his feet at will.

He joins Special Fire Force Company 8, which features other pyro-kinetics who are dedicated to ending the Infernal attacks while also investigating Companies 1 through 7 for potential corruption in their ranks.

As the story progresses, Shinra begins to learn that his younger brother’s abduction and his family’s tragedy 12 years ago is caused by a mysterious doomsday cult that is behind the Infernal attacks.

Company 8 and their allies oppose the White Cloaks and their Knights of the Ashen Flame.

The White Cloaks seek certain individuals like Shinra and his brother Sho to repeat the Great Disaster which is an event that happened two hundred and fifty years before, with a majority of the world consumed in flame, many nations destroyed, and most of the planet rendered uninhabitable.

II. Characters

Shinra Kusakabe is introduced as the main character of the series. He is a third and fourth generation pyrokinetic and Fire Soldier for Special Fire Force Company 8.

Whilst achieving his goal of becoming a hero and defeating infernals, Shinra begins to uncover the truth behind his family’s death 12 years ago.

He is shown to have good judgment and prioritized what is important rather than having personal emotions come into play.

As the plot develops, we are further introduced to the other members of Special Fire Force Company 8. Shinra is joined by warm and understated Captain Akitaru Obi; stoic and logical Lieutenant Takehisa Hinawa, Maki Oze, who can manipulate fire and Sister Iris who is a medic.

Shinra is also joined by his nemesis from the Academy, Arthur Boyle, who ends up being a part of the Special Force Company 8 as well.

The main antagonist of the series is the White Cloaks and their Knights of the Ashen Flame.

The White Cloaks seek characters such as Shinra and his brother Sho to recreate the Great Disaster which is an event that occurred long ago with a majority of the world consumed in flame, many nations destroyed, and most of the planet rendered uninhabitable.

III. Setting

The storyline is set in Year 198 of the Solar Era in Tokyo. Due to a phenomenon called Spontaneous Human Combustion, the world consists of two groups of people.

The Infernals are the first-generation effects of Human Combustion who were once ordinary people who were randomly transformed into flaming, violent creatures.

The second and third generations became known as pyrokinetics. This group consists of people gifted with the ability to manipulate and control their flames while maintaining their human form.

This group formed the Special Fire Force who is solely dedicated to stopping the Infernals.

IV. Theme Songs

The opening theme is “Inferno” by Mrs. Green Apple. The song is super catchy the more you listen to it. The first ending theme “Veil” by Keina Suda has a funky vibe to it that wraps up the episode nicely and carries on the pulse of the anime.

The second opening theme is “MAYDAY” by Coldrain feat. Ryo from Crystal Lake from their album The Side Effects. The music has a combined genre of heavy metal and hard rock.

The second ending theme “Nо̄nai” by Lenny code fiction is an inspiring call-to-action. The visuals of the song depict the journey of the Special Fire Forces.

For the second season, the opening theme is “SPARK-AGAIN”, performed by Aimer. The song has a powerful tone to it with a very catchy tune and an exciting beat drop.

The ending theme “ID”, by Cider Girl is different from the other music used in the series with a more light-hearted rom-com feel to it.

V. Action Sequences

Fire Force is home to some awesome art styles and great fight scenes. Through some great direction in how the scenes are played out, we get to witness the various fighting styles of the characters.

The action sequences shed light on the character’s mobility, use of ignition abilities, and really good animation which can be seen through the infernos and out-of-this-world explosions.

4. Grade

5. Final Thoughts

Fire force contains great animation and a fantastic soundtrack. The series is well written and there is hardly a moment that doesn’t take the viewer through a dramatic scene adding depth to the whole storyline.

The show is like a beautiful symphony with the perfect balance of great art and killer action sequences.