Quick! Someone pull up the Admiral Ackbar “It’s a trap” meme and insert it here!
Fire Force Season 2 Episode 20 Review
Fire Force Company 2 and 8 have walked into a trap in the Nether. The White-Clad were expecting them to come down there and arranged everything accordingly. With the Fire Force taking as many casualties as they are it’ll be a miracle if they’re able to make it out without further losses.
Tamaki struggles to protect Juggernaut. From our perspective, it looks like Juggernaut died while protecting Tamaki in the previous episode. I don’t see how he makes it out of the Nether. Tamaki is pushed to her limit by the infernals and finally comes to the point of her demise when two more white-clad show up. Thankfully, Captain Obi, Vulcan and Captain Honda show up and save her.
Dr. Giovanni makes his grand reappearance for the first time since we last saw him take the key to Amaterasu. Giovanni reveals that he’s been experimenting on his body with bugs and has since grown several appendages that have their abilities. He’s a creation straight out of a horror movie. His goal is to capture Shinra. Dr. Giovanni appears to be too much for Shinra when Arthur shows up to help.
Maki Oze’s brother, Tagaki, has an ongoing argument with Lieutenant Hinawa while fighting with a professional wrestling look alike. In Tagaki’s mind, Hinawa lured Maki away from the military and brainwashed her. Tagaki believes his sister to still be a delicate flower who needs to be kept out of harm’s way.
The two argue while also complimenting each other in their fight. Tagaki is able to extinguish the flames of Mr. Heavyweight Wrestler and allow Hinawa to aim for the joints. Mr. Wrestler can’t harden his joints and is therefore defeated. This allows the argument to continue.
The big reveal of the Fire Force season 2 episode 21 is that Ritsu is going to use her Necro Pyro ability and have infernals detonate themselves at intervals underground. This will cause the Tokyo Empire to collapse on itself. Now the name of the game is to stop Ritsu before Shinra gets captured. That’s the signal to commence the destruction. And of course, that’s what we’ll have to wait and see next episode.
There’s action everywhere in this episode and to me it’s a little disjointed. Having so many different stories play out make me wanting to see one or two go a little more in depth before switching to the next. Of course, I want to see more of Shinra and Arthur vs. Dr. Giovanni. That’s going to be one of the fights that determine the battle in the Nether.
I think Fire Force season 2 episode 21 encapsulates how I feel about Fire Force season 2 as a whole. Overall it’s enjoyable, but there’s still something holding me back from wholeheartedly diving into this anime. It’s like I have to force myself to like the anime.
What I think causes that is the humor. I think Fire Force has the ability to be an outstanding anime. When I think back to episodes like Fire Force season 2 episode 18 where Iris was doubting her faith I can see excellent storytelling. I was drawn in by an anime trying to provide us more than just cheap thrills in its action.
Unfortunately, the humor of Fire Force falls flat. Take this episode for instance. Licht’s grand arrival involves him feeling up Tamaki. Tamaki’s “Lucky Lecher” ability is the cause but the whole time I was watching it I wanted to move on to something else. Worse yet, it makes me want to pull out my phone and start playing a game. I think Fire Force can be an exciting anime when it takes itself more seriously.
Is Fire Force Season 2 Episode 21 Worth Watching?
Yes. Despite my thoughts on the anime as a whole, Fire Force season 2 episode 21 is worth watching. There’s enough good here that will keep you interested. This anime episode also sets up the big challenge for the Fire Force in the next couple of episodes. Will they be able to stop Ritsu and Dr. Giovanni? We’ll have to wait until Fire Force season 2 episode 22 comes out!
Now go watch some anime!
-Nathan
