Fire Force Season 2 Ep 10 Review - Best In Show

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Fire Force Season 2 Ep 10 Review – Quick Summary

In Fire Force Season 2 Ep 10, “The Woman in Black,” The Benefactor told Shinra that she was so weak, she could only give him one second of Grace. He surprised her when he said it would be enough! As she prepared to transfer the power, Tamaki, Ogun, and Takeru Noto continued their fight to hold off the Demon Infernal Tempe-sama. Shinra finally launched his attack. As he did so, he became aware of several facts he had not known before, especially about the Evangelist. Can Shinra really defeat Tempe-sama in a second? And if he does, will he be able to recover from the new facts he learned — something that has profound consequences for him and all of Fire Force?

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

Favorite Quote from Fire Force Season 2 Ep 10

After Shinra delivered on his promise to save the forest and his friends using just one second of Grace, the Benefactor seemed almost stunned. He explained it was part of his duty as a Special Fire Soldier.

“It is because of that duty… that this forest… has been saved… Thank you… very much,” she said (12:27). She seemed genuinely grateful.

Best in Show Moment for Fire Force Season 2 Ep 10

Fire Force Season 2 Ep 10: Shinra just learned his true enemy was God's creator.

Shinra seems pretty chill for someone who just learned their true enemy was the creator of their deity. Looks like Shinra’s a very optimistic sort! Or maybe he found dealing with the Benefactor more rewarding than dealing with Inca? Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

Setup: Lore Insights

I’m still not sure how Shinra can violate Causality physics when he receives Grace (he can see backwards in time). We saw something similar back in episode 23 from the first season. In that episode, Shinra saw events about Shou that he’d never seen before.

In this episode, Tempe-sama was the subject of the vision. Maybe Shinra, under the influence of Adolla Grace (if that’s the right term), needs to be close to someone for the power to kick in? Whatever the reason, Shinra learned two things:

The Evangelist came into Shinra’s world from the other side of the spatial rift.
The Evangelist turned Tempe into a Demon Infernal with one of the firebugs we’ve seen before — or an insect that’s almost the same.

After defeating Tempe, the Benefactor let Shinra in on two more secrets:

Fire Force Season 2 Ep 10: The Benefactor was merely a human.

Shinra had begun to suspect that the Benefactor was something other than human. She said that no, she was merely a human. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

The Evangelist brought the Benefactor, a mere human, to Shinra’s world from the other side of the spatial divide.
The Evangelist used the firebug on her, too. But instead of flying into a murderous rage, she maintained her control.

But that wasn’t all!

Delivery: Shinra and Fire Force’s Real Enemy

The Benefactor’s Insight

The Benefactor asked Shinra if he’d noticed that almost all human mythologies had gods and devils. She asked him why there was so much similarity between the various belief systems. He didn’t know. Her answer seemed to have a profound and chilling effect on Shinra.

It was because those theological concepts were “something that she conjured up” (11:55). The Evangelist had been at work throughout human history, and she had manufactured humanity’s ideas of gods and devils.

As Shinra tried to absorb that, in her weak, halting voice, the Benefactor said that in effect, “You are trying to go up against… the being who created… your God” (12:04).

Shinra and Fire Force aren’t just trying to defy God. They’re trying to defy and overcome God’s creator!

Fire Force Season 2 Ep 10: The Benefactor wasn't happy about who Shinra really had to battle.

The Benefactor seemed almost awed at what Shinra and Fire Force were trying to do. Or maybe she was quietly terrified on their behalf. And wow, doesn’t she look like she could have stepped right out of Soul Eater? Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

And the Best Part Is…

That wasn’t the best part. The best part was Shinra’s reply, which I thought was a wonderfully human thing to say. He said (12:16), “God, huh? It is a Fire Soldier’s duty to stop anyone who is trying to bring calamity to this world, no matter why they are.”

One of the better angels of our nature is our drive to be free. Doesn’t matter if the oppressor is another human or a deity. The best of us will still struggle to be free. Seeing how Shinra reacted to his new understanding was inspiration to me.

I love mythology and theology. How humans attempt to deal with the transcendent and/or divine is a source of endless fascination for me. Fire Force is trying something very dangerous here. If they fail, it’ll probably be catastrophic. Universal themes have a tendency to get vindictive if you don’t treat them with respect!

But if they pull it off? This series could turn into something really special. Do I think they can do it? Let’s just say I’m cautiously optimistic.

What did you think Victor Licht’s insights into what’ll happen if the true nature of the First Pillar gets out? What was your best in show moment? Let me know in the comments!

Fire Force Season 2 Ep 10 Review – Best In Show

Fire Force Season 2 Ep 10 Review – Quick Summary

Favorite Quote from Fire Force Season 2 Ep 10