Is Fire Force anime worth watching?

When Atsushi Ohkubo’s Fire Force anime first aired in 2019, it immediately captured audiences' attention. It has engaging battle sequences, vibrant animation, and an interesting story to back it up. In a world that has an abundance of anime in the shonen genre, is Fire Force truly worth investing your time in? Absolutely, yes, to those who enjoy a good shonen anime.

Fire Force is about a world where humans can have spontaneous combustion. This has now become an uncontrollable phenomenon. Now, to fight against it, they have introduced special fire brigades, known as the Fire Force. What happens next is that the protagonist, Shinra Kusakabe, joins this organization and is part of Special Fire Force Company 8.

His mission is to become a hero while trying to uncover the truth behind spontaneous human combustion, as he lost his family to it 12 years before the main story starts. The concept alone sets this anime series apart from typical fantasy or battle anime.

Interestingly, Shinra starts as a typical underdog, and as the story continues, he becomes stronger and is respected by all. His past trauma and search for truth provide an emotional undercurrent that gives real stakes to his battles.

One of the best aspects of the anime is the stunning animation quality by David Production, the studio also famous for animating JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure. They have done a stellar job in animating fire. The flames in this anime feel alive, and achieving this is extremely difficult because animating fire to look realistic takes a lot of effort.

Also, what makes anime a major step up is its soundtrack, and this series did not disappoint. The opening theme, Inferno by Mrs. Green Apple, has become iconic. Additionally, composer Kenichiro Suehiro ensures that each emotional beat, triumphant or tragic, hits home.

One valid criticism about this series by fans is that some characters, especially female ones like Tamaki Kotatsu, are often reduced to fan-service moments instead of meaningful development. Sometimes, overusing a character for fan service can feel distracting in an otherwise serious narrative.

When it comes to the pacing of the anime, Season 1 might feel a little slower than Season 2 because the story is still setting its foundation. However, once the important arcs (like the Netherworld invasion and White-Clad conspiracies) start, the story accelerates dramatically. It is recommended to stick with the anime because it delivers some exceptional twists and emotional moments.

What are the themes in Fire Force?

Unlike many shonen anime that focus purely on strength and friendship, this series delves into deeper philosophical and spiritual questions. In the world of Fire Force, people are heavily religious. Yet some people are questioning their faith, and there is tension between spiritual belief and scientific explanation. It also covers the theme of finding one's identity as seen in Shinra’s journey, discovering who he is and what it means to be a hero.

Finally, it also tackles a complex theme of morality. Not all enemies are monstrous. Some Infernals retain a shred of humanity, leading to complex moral decisions. And some who come off as good guys, like the Fire Force companies and religious organizations, might not be who they show themselves to be, as they may have sinister agendas. This series is perfect for audiences who enjoy philosophical themes, which are beyond usual power-ups and tournaments.

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In conclusion, this series is the perfect anime for those who enjoy a visual treat. It has a combination of battles, complex worldbuilding, humor, and heroism that will surely provide a satisfying viewing experience. And if the viewer is interested in religious symbolism and philosophical themes or animation enthusiasts who appreciate top-tier production, then Fire Force belongs on your watchlist.

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