Everyone knows that Wojtek (like many, many other children) wanted to become a firefighter, and yet pop culture rarely provides us with content about firebenders. The most important among the few is the novel Fahrenheit 451 and its adaptations. Now this group is joined by the manga Fire Force by Atsushi Ohkubo.
I also remember Bradbury for another specific purpose. In his work, firefighters do not put out the flames, but use them to burn books. In the manga Ohkubo (known, among others, from Soul Eater ), there is also no point in finding firefighting scenes. Instead, the comic focuses on Special Fire Forces ( firesoldiers as opposed to real firefighters). Their role is to fight the demons that appear as a result of spontaneous spontaneous combustion. Most of the officers of this service can either start or control flames. In these conditions, we meet Shinra Kusakaba, who, as a recruit, ends up in the modest but effective number eight. As a child, the main character witnessed a fire in which he lost his mother and younger brother. Since he himself can strike flames with his feet, the blame for the tragedy fell on him. Joining the SSP is to guarantee his redemption and show the world that he is not a monster.
There is fire
I like that the action is fast forward. It happens even faster than in another modern shounen – My Hero Academia – Academy of Heroes . In just two volumes there are trainings, fights with demons, field maneuvers, a duel with a human antagonist and a siege of a competitive firehouse. There are flashbacks to Shinra’s past involved in all of this. A lot is happening, but the story is conducted so efficiently that there is no feeling of chaos.
Similarities to MHA are also visible in the protagonist’s construction. Shinra and Deku share intelligence and common sense. Thus, they stand out from the good-natured but goofy heroes of other shounens : Goku, Luffy or Naruto. An interesting element is the ailment of Shinra, who in nervous situations uncontrollably grins his sharp teeth, which is why others call him a “demon”. This is used in both comedic and dramatic moments.
However, the other heroes did not win my sympathy. The most space is devoted to Arthur Boyle, who is supposed to be a kind of Sasuke or Vegeta here. Unfortunately, Ohkubo gave him a rather annoying hobby in the form of “chivalry”, so the hero constantly comments on the reality as if he lived in the Middle Ages. This joke does not make you laugh the first time, and repeats itself on many pages of the comic. The rest of the team is pretty standard. The captain is an understanding mentor (interestingly, he has no power), his deputy is a strict servant, and the evil with an original nickname – Joker – is chaotically angry (what a surprise). Nothing new in this topic, although their development may follow in the next volumes.
God of flames
It is worth mentioning that the manga presents a rather loose approach to Christianity, typical of Japanese productions. In each ward there is a nun whose role is to pray to absolve the demons, while the firehouses themselves resemble cathedrals. I suspect that the author used such iconography because he liked it stylistically – in the depicted world itself, people pray to the god of flames. It does not bother me, but I prefer to warn the more sensitive people on this point. Especially that in the comic there is a scene of breaking the habit of a nun.
Since I’m on this topic. Yeh, the wretched element of ecchi . I knew Fire Force was advertised this way and I was wondering how much eroticism I would get. I have nothing against strip scenes, as long as they are served with taste. Here they are woven into the plot in silly or disturbing ways. All pantyshots and other nudes are always uncomfortable for the protagonists. This is especially problematic in the case of Tamaki – a girl who is tormented by an “amazing ailment” of constantly exposing herself to accidental touching. The fan service in the first two volumes has no effect on the plot and it might as well not be. It only spoils the reception.
There is no demon without fire
The graphic style is very neat. The characters and action scenes are clearly drawn. Almost all powers are related to fire here, which is not easy to draw in black and white, although it worked out smoothly. Firefighting suits and accessories look great – it’s surprising that their potential is so rarely used in pop culture. It would seem that service uniforms would make the characters blend into one, but Ohkubo has lots of ideas on how the SSP is supposed to wear them to stand out.
Demons burn and rustle
The first two volumes are solid manga, pleasant to read, but with a few problems. Additionally, apart from the firefighting element, it is in vain to look for fresh ideas. Virtually all threads and treatments that can be found here have already been found in the kings of the genre : Dragon Ball, One Piece, Naruto or My Hero Academia . May the next editions add fuel to the fire of originality.