Fire Force S2E3 Review - Best In Show

Quick Summary • Best Moment • Setup • Delivery • Other Posts

Fire Force S2E3 Review – Quick Summary

In Fire Force S2E3, “A New Flashpoint,” Akitaru Obi asked the Chief of the Fire Defense Agency to use all of the Fire Companies to secure the Fifth Pillar and prevent another cataclysm. Unfortunately, with only Shinra Kusakabe’s testimony based on what might be described as a mental breakdown, there’s no consensus. The Eighth Company would have to be on its own in this battle. Which is unfortunate, because the Fifth Pillar is about to be “born,” and they’ll need all the help they can get. As flames and Infernals spring up at an insane pace, a schoolgirl who can tell where flames will start is shocked to see Charon appear suddenly before her. She’s even more shocked when he demands she join him. Can Shinra arrive in time to save her? Even if he does, without the Evangelist’s blessing, can he take on Charon?

Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.

Best in Show Moment for Fire Force S2 E3

Fire Force S2E3: Arthur almost skewers Shinra because Shinra was "agreeable."

For a second, Arthur was afraid Shinra was being possessed. Why? Because Shinra was polite! Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

Setup: Shinra Scared Himself Last Episode

I like the character development in Fire Force. Sometimes, it’s so subtle that I don’t even notice it until I sit down to write my review. In this episode, Shinra got to show us some growth, and it almost got him killed! Or at least stabbed.

Early in the episode, Shinra apologized to Captain Hague. After all, the First Pillar (possible spoilers at that link) almost tricked Shinra into burning down Fire Company 4, and maybe a lot more. I think the event made him take a long, hard look at himself. He even offered to submit a written apology. Captain Hague waved off his concerns, mostly because Shinra had given him another “glimpse of Adolla” (04:08).

I have to believe that Shinra also felt chagrined that Arthur Boyle played a pivotal role. Without Arthur’s help, Shinra had to know he likely would have lost to the First Pillar. But instead of giving into despair, Shinra decided to do something more productive.

Fire Force S2E3: Shinra's grown enough that he can apologize.

Shinra could have let the incident with the First Pillar shatter his confidence. He decided to go in different direction. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

Delivery: Arthur’s Paying Attention

As he and Arthur walked home, Shinra felt introspective. He worried about the First Pillar’s influence, and he worried that the Evangelist’s forces might get to the new Fifth Pillar before the Fire Companies could. It’s hard to know what Arthur’s thinking, but he may have been trying to cheer up Shinra when he said (05:04), “You really put me out. What would have happened if I hadn’t been around?”

This is where the character development came in. The old Shinra would have responded with a fiery retort. This time, he just said, “Yeah. This time, at least, it was my bad.”

Before I could even think, “Wow, Shinra’s growing,” Arthur’s eyes had widened and he slashed at Shinra with Excalibur. He couldn’t believe Shinra had said something so “agreeable!” Was the First Pillar back in control?

Fire Force S2E3: Arthur's a little twitchy about changes to Shinra's personality

As soon as he heard Shinra being “agreeable,” Arthur assumed the worst. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

Bent over backwards to keep his neck away from Arthur’s plasma blade, Shinra’s old fire seemed to come back. “Huh?” he said (05:20). “I am so agreeable! To anyone who isn’t as as awful as you, anyway!”

Arthur put away his sword, satisfied that Shinra wasn’t being possessed. I know that this episode had some amazing moments (especially towards the end with Charon and Inca). But I have a soft spot for little character moments like this.

What did you think of the battle at the end? What was your Best in Show moment? Let me know in the comments!

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3 thoughts on “Fire Force S2E3 Review – Best In Show”

mattdoylemedia says:

July 21, 2020 at 3:21 pm

That did make me laugh with Arthur. Inca was definitely the star IMO though. Her power is an interesting one.

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1. tcrow says:
  
  July 21, 2020 at 8:10 pm
  
  “Inca was definitely the star IMO though.”
  
  Honestly, I can’t argue with you! What kept me from choosing one of Inca’s moments is that the last half of the episode was one long amazing Inca moment! I didn’t have to space to do it justice. There was so much to love: Charon’s brutal punch, the tutorial that came with Inca’s power… I could go on.
  
  She’s going to be an interesting addition to the cast. At least, based on the OP, I think she joins the cast….
  
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  1. mattdoylemedia says:
    
    July 22, 2020 at 1:41 am
    
    I hope she does join. Being able to sniff out fires before they start would be really useful for Company 8.
    
    Your right too, it was indeed a long awesome Inca moment. It was a great way to introduce her.
    
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Fire Force S2E3 Review – Best In Show

Fire Force S2E3 Review – Quick Summary

Best in Show Moment for Fire Force S2 E3