Episode 23 – “Firecat”
Fire Force episode 23 opens with Shinra debriefing Captain Obi, Captain Hibana, and Licht on what Dr. Giovanni said to him in episode 22. Shinra tells them about Leiutenent Konro and heads with Captain Hibana to the 7th. Captain Konro isn’t present, he is headed to a storage shed alone. When they arrive they witness Konro being attacked by a White Clad. Shinra is concerned as the White Clad assaults Konro with a series of fire swords. Due to his tephrosis, Leuitenent Konro is vulnerable. However, when he looks defeated, he K.O’s his enemy with a single sword slash. Konro recalls his encounter with the demon that appeared Asakusa. After he defeated the Infernal he was transported to another dimension.
Later, Shinra and the others return to Company 7th where Captain Shinmon offers to train the Company 8th, Tamaki, Arthur, and Shinra. He sends Hikage and Hinata to “play” with Tamaki. She not at the same level as Shinra and Arthur so I think it was appropriate. I’m hoping that Tamaki becomes more than just a fanservice vehicle for this series, so I’m excited about the possibilities. While Hinata and Hikage chase Tamaki around, Shinmon ties Shinra and Arthur to pits over a flame. Tamaki flashbacks to her childhood, when she discovered her powers and joined the Fire Force. She’s motivated to “show everyone” especially after Juggernaut’s injuries.
Tamaki’s breakthrough
Fire Force tries to make Tamaki’s “lucky Lecher Lure” more serious than I think it warrants. It’s a silly argument for fanservice, don’t try to make it into an actual complex. Anyway, Tamaki’s fire cloak adds a partial cat face, as she faces off against the fully cloaked Hinata and Hikage. The following case scene was more impressive than I thought it would be. When she reaches 45 sec. Tamaki has another flashback of her and Shinra. In it, he encourages her to have some self-respect. In her final ten minutes, Tamaki stops and charges the twins. The “unite” and turn into “mother fox.” Tamaki breaks through them with her Nekomata Fireball. Captain Shinmon stops the contest after a minute noting that Tamaki was “suppressing her power.”
