New continent, new characters and Fire Force has some new life breathed into it as the overall mysteries deepen. Let’s go!
I’m pretty positive on these two episodes. Some nice world building/expansion, acceptable (not great, but not terrible) humor, and – someone hold me – a decently choreographed fight scene.
I’ll list my complaints about “Road to the Oasis” first. I’m not sold on the talking mole/birds/whatever. That just feels a bit out of place in the fiery, humanoid world. I guess it’s okay to emphasize that infernals affect more than just humans, but it’s a bit of forced cuteness. I also didn’t think the laughing gas bit was that great – then again, they could have relied on Tamaki, so I’ll be grateful for small things. Otherwise, I think this episode hit the right notes – nice travel montage, the mystery of the oasis, and some personal potato connections. I liked the high mobility fight scene (foreshadowed in the OP) – good to see someone other than Shinra moving freely through the air.
While I enjoyed “Road to the Oasis”, I feel that “Smoldering Malevolence” was spot on and one of the better episodes this season. We have some additional revelations about the world, some believable foes, and a fairly fluid fight scene. Fire Force is at its best when it can rely on its beautiful backgrounds and environments – here, the fight in the shadow of the Tabernacle was dynamic, vibrant, and looked great. Choreography also moved well, without too much awkward standing around by the participants. Very interesting to also see infernals in Evangelist garb.
Finally, for some reason, I am delighted and not at all surprised that Arthur just randomly knows the digits of Pi. That’s a proper thumbs up from me.
Is every post going to involve bashing poor Tamaki? We get you do not like her! Leave the pooor girl alone
Wait that’s not true! I like her character design and she’s had some solid moments (being rescued by Shinra, even her progression to being a nun that can fight).
I just think she’s grossly misused as a provocative humor device for easy laughs – which hasn’t happened so far in the Mainland arc.
So instead of bashing her, I was actually trying to congratulate Fire Force for trying some different levity instead.
I don’t think I made it through this arc of the manga. I can’t remember how it ends or what happens next, at least. The show requires a heavy suspension of disbelief but I think this arc stretched it too far.