Fire Force (Episode 8) – Infernal Insects
The investigation of Fire Force 1 continues, but so far they’ve not found anything. That is until a chance encounter leads Shinra and Arthur to suspect one of the Lieutenants.
What did you watch?
This is episode 8 of Fire Force which is one-third of the way through the season. It has a very distinct and impressive art style and a compelling story to boot. On top of that, there has been a lot of detailed world-building which makes it worth watching alone. In fact, any of those aspects alone would be enough reason to watch, so having all three is a big bonus. I’ll admit I was a little worried that Yomu had been caught by Hibana and turned into one of her slaves, but fear not, Yomu from Umai Yomu Anime Blog is here and ready to discuss this episode. There will be spoilers, otherwise, you’d just get a vague paragraph like the one you’ve just read…
What happened?
Captain Obi, Hinawa, and Princess Hibana discuss her research and the discovery that someone in the Fire Force 1 region was artificially creating Infernals and they were potentially using insects to do so. Well, luckily, Shinra and Arthur were on duty at an Infernal occurrence when they saw someone press a small glass canister against a person’s back. Almost instantly, they transformed into an Infernal. Shinra and Arthur chanced the person but ended up face to face with Rekka and Flam. Could either of them be responsible?
Their investigation continued, leading them to break into Flam’s room where they found an insect in a glass canister. Flam arrived to find them in his room and told them that he was looking for the person responsible for creating Infernals. He also deduced that they had already caught a glimpse of the culprit and believed it to be a Lieutenant. From that, he deduced that it was Rekka and planned to find him. Shinra and Arthur were determined to help, whether Flam wanted their help or not, but what if they were already too late?
Thanks for stopping by, Yomu. It’s always great to have someone remind who was in the shower and who wasn’t… Anyhow, I’m pretty sure it’s your turn to go first, so… and as always Yomu, you will be in bold.
What did you think?
This episode felt very steady to me. Just “average” throughout, although average, in this case, is pretty good considering the production quality of Fire Force. The investigation felt a bit too abrupt to me like everything has gone too well… makes me wonder if there’s really only one perpetrator to worry about when it comes to creating infernals. Other than that though, just a steady episode.
That is pretty much how I felt. We discover there’s an insect involved, Shinra and Arthur are standing watching and just happen to see a guy walk out of an alley and then a hand reach out and press a tiny jar with an insect in it against his back. Whoosh! Instant Infernal. It was definitely too convenient. Otherwise, I really enjoyed it, especially the final scene.
What was your favourite moment?
I’d say my favourite moment from the episode was Glasses visiting and embarrassing Shinra in the morning, where we find out he does it EVERY morning. Was a pretty funny scene overall, especially with Glasses completely unfazed by what he was doing, no shame. Overall though I don’t think any scene, in particular, stood out too much for me, which is why I went with that one this time around.
Yeah, that was good and the fact that you had Arthur asleep with his nightcap on and then Hibara was outside too.
For me though, the best moment was when Shinra finally spotted Tamaki from the sky and came shooting in like a flaming devil. It was an awesome moment and even after pummelling the lieutenant’s head into the ground, he just fired on more heat.
What was your least favourite moment?
I didn’t like the whole insect discovery moving as fast as it did. One moment Hibana is mentioning it to Obi who is going through her research, the next Shinra and Arthur are witnessing it happen right in front of them as you had mentioned. And then next thing you know they find an insect in Headphones’ desk, and next thing you know they are on the same side and all going after that zealous lieutenant. Mystery solved, I guess. It just didn’t feel satisfying at all.
I’d completely agree. They didn’t have to work for any of it. The answers just kept falling into their laps and it was all too easy. I hated how after seeing the insect pressed into the guy neither of them was surprised. If one of them had just gone ‘hold up! Did you just see that?’ it would have felt more real as I’m sure they hadn’t been briefed at that point about the insect.
Who was your favourite character?
I’m going to give attention to one of the side characters, with Takeru from Fire Force 2. The conversation over breakfast made me really warm up to him, he seems so innocent and kind. While he has all of these uncertainties regarding his purpose, and his pyrokinetic abilities, I have a feeling he’ll end up being a useful ally in the future.
Yeah, and he has a very noticeable figure. I remembered seeing him in the rookie games. For me, I’m going to go with Tamaki for continuing to fight back against Rekka. She was massively out skilled and overpowered but she wouldn’t give up even if it meant her death. Admittedly, she was kind of dumb to bring the children to the abandoned factory for him, but then he was quite charismatic.
Who was your least favourite character?
It’s hard to say because overall not THAT much happened, action-wise. I suppose I’ll go with Shinra, if only because it felt like he was just being led around everywhere. I was surprised that he bought Headphones’ story so easily, despite having found an insect in his desk. Personally I’m not convinced on Headphones, everything seemed too convenient. Either the anime is pressed for time and rushing through things, or there’s more going on than what we’ve seen so far.
That’s true, but I’m going to take the easy option and select the evangelist Lieutenant that was turning children into Infernals in search of the Pilot Light! I don’t know what that is, but it can’t be a good thing, especially how that one child was able to suppress the flames.
Would you like some more?
Yes. What I’d like to see is who the Lieutenant is answering to, who gave him the insects and had him searching for someone who was compatible with them. Are they trying to artificially create pyrokinetic soldiers or something? It certainly seems like something that a shadowy organization would do! Or perhaps, given his zeal, the church itself is working on this.
I think I say this most weeks, but there’s so much still to be revealed and it seems to grow every time. I love how developed this world is and even with twenty-four episodes, I wonder if we’ll see a conclusion.
The church seems like an easy villain, but then there’s the Hajime group as well. Hell, why not both of them. The question I really want to know is why? We’ve seen that most of the world has been destroyed so what is the goal? I can’t wait to find out.
Well, it seems like Japan, or the Greater Tokyo Area at least, is one of the last bastions for humanity right? So I guess it makes sense for there to be individuals looking to seize control of that. But yeah, it’ll be interesting to see where we go from here.
Yeah, I believe that’s correct. It’s going to be more interesting to see who and why it’s all going on. I’d like to know if it was intentionally started too and this is the last holdout on what might be world domination.
Got any predictions?
Nothing too crazy. My only immediate predication is that there is still more to Fire Force Company 1 than what we’ve been shown so far. Maybe it’s Headphones, maybe it’s their edgy captain, or maybe someone else…
Agreed, it’s hard to imagine that the Captain didn’t know what was going on. I’d like to see more Infernals and some more big fights, but also lots of plot development. Oh, and more visuals and showers…
Yes. More Hibana, and not just on the sidelines. Looks like we’ll at least get more Tamaki in the immediate future too!
So much to look forward to. I guess I can count on you coming back next week then unless Hibana catches you peeping and then you’ll be gravel…
Other reviews in the series
- Season One
- Episode 1 – Shinra Kusakabe Enlists
- Episode 2 – The Heart of a Fire Soldier
- Episode 3 – The Rookie Fire Soldier Games
- Episode 4 – The Hero and the Princess
- Episode 5 – The Battle Begins
- Episode 6 – The Spark of Promise
- Episode 7 – The Investigation of the 1st Commences
- Episode 8 – Infernal Insects
- Episode 9 – The Spreading Malice
- Episode 10 – The Promise
- Episode 11 – Formation of Special Fire Force Company 8 – The Mightiest Hikeshi
- Episode 12 – Eve of Hostilities in Asakusa
- Episode 13 – The Trap Is Set
- Episode 14 – For Whom the Flames Burn
- Episode 15 – The Blacksmith’s Dream
- Episode 16 – We Are Family
- Episode 17 – Black and White and Gray
- Episode 18 – The Secrets of Pyrokinesis
- Episode 19 – Into the Nether
- Episode 20 – Wearing His Pride
- Episode 21 – Those Connected
- Episode 22 – A Brother’s Determination
- Episode 23 – Smile
- Episode 24 – The Burning Past
- Season Two
- Episode 25 – A Fire Soldier’s Fight
- Episode 26 – Flames of Madness
- Episode 27 – A New Flashpoint
- Episode 28 – Groping Through the Fire
- Episode 29 – Corna (Sign of the Devil) / A Secret Plan
- Episode 30 – The Time to Choose
- Episode 31 – Road to the Oasis
- Episode 32 – Smoldering Malevolence
- Episode 33 – The Core
- Episode 34 – The Woman in Black
- Episode 35 – Dark Hero
- Episode 36 – Shadows Cast by Divine Light
- Episode 37 – A Pair of One-Eyes
- Episode 38 – The Ashen Reaper
- Episode 39 – A Three-Way Melee
- Episode 40 – Mind Blown
- Episode 41 – Boys, Be Weak
- Episode 42 – The Holy Woman’s Anguish / The Man, Assault
- Episode 43 – The Oze Family
- Episode 44 – Weapon of Destruction
- Episode 45 – Enemy Contact
- Episode 46 – Plot for Extinction
- Episode 47 – Firecat
- Episode 48 – Signs of Upheaval
- Bonus Posts
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