Season 1, Episode 11: The Formation of Special Fire Force 8/ The Mightiest Hikeshi

This episode is split into two. The first half, the Formation of Special Fire Force 8, focuses on Takehisa Hinawa’s time with the Tokyo Imperial Armed Forces. He’s actually even more cold and detached. We meet his friend, Toji. Hinawa isn’t religious and doesn’t believe in baptizing guns. Toji asks him, “Between a gun that was baptized and one that wasn’t, you’d rather be shot by the baptized one, right?” That night, Toji transforms into an infernal. He begs Hinawa to “kill him while he’s still conscious.” Hinawa can’t do it. After Toji’s death, Hinawa claims his baptized gun. Hinawa learns so empathy from this tragedy.

Obi, now a rookie fire fighter is standing by waiting for Fire Force members to end the suffering of two Infernal. The members of Company 3, have made a game of killing Infernals, assigning points to each one. Of course this causes Obi to get angry. They lack the concern necessary concern for the family of Infernal’s. Obi decides to take matters into his own hands. Hinawa recognizes the kind of man Obi is and offers to aid him. They decide to put the Infernal to rest. Unlike most of the recent scenes with Infernals this one is more reserved like the first episodes. Fire Force once again is reminding us of the costs. Killing Infernals aren’t fun and games, these are real people, that suffer. After this, Obi decides that he will create his own company, with Hinawa as his first hire.

The Mightiest Hikeshi

The second half of the episode introduces us to Shinmon Benimaru and Company 7. Located in Asakusa, the feels like the Edo era Japan. Benimaru is rude to the towns people that all seem to love him. When he returns to Company 7, it seems like there’s only four members. Their are the twins, Hikage and Hinata, along with Konro. As we saw in the previous episode, Benimaru doesn’t trust the Government or the Church. This includes Company 8. Before we get a conflict between Shinra and Benimaru, an Infernal emerges. Benimaru springs into action, beginning the “festival.” He has the ability of both the second and third generation. This makes him a unique fire fighter, able to create and control fire.

The battle scene is amazing, with Benimaru using matoi flags to destroy rows of homes. At first this is seems ridiculous, but it’s explained that the destruction of the homes are part of the ritual. This was the best episode of Fire Force in a while. Benimaru is a bit of an ass, but also a wildcard. Based on his attitude I don’t think that he’s corrupted. However, he may not care enough to be of any use. I do think that Shinra will likely convince him to join the fight. I’m uncertain if this is the start of more consistent writing from Fire Force, but this episode shows that this series is great without the unnecessary fanservice and with a touching story.

---

• Review: Fire Force Episode 1: Shinra Kusakabe Enlists
• Review: Fire Force Episode 2: The Heart of a Fire Soldier
• Review: Fire Force Episode 3: The Rookie Fire Soldier Games
• Review: Fire Force Episode 4: The Hero and the Princess
• Review: Fire Force Episode 5: The Battle Begins
• Review: Fire Force Episode 6: The Spark of Promise
• Review: Fire Force Episode 7: The Investigation of the 1st Commences
• Review: Fire Force Episode 8: Infernal Insects
• Review: Fire Force Episode 9: The Spreading Malice
• Review: Fire Force Episode 10: The Promise
• Review: Fire Force Episode 11: Formation of Special Fire Force Company 8 – The Mightiest Hikeshi