Fire Force Season 3 Episode 2, “Prisoner,” sees Station 8 on the run as they attempt to elude the authorities and prepare to mount a rescue effort for the imprisoned Captain Obi (Kazuya Nakai, Xenoblade Chronicle X: Definitive Edition). The Fire Force members are great at their routine jobs but lack experience moving secretly, forcing them to make an unexpected alliance.

The opening moments of Fire Force Season 3 Episode 2 see Shinra receive a message from Captain Leonard Burns (Taiten Kurunoki, Sonic X Shadow Generations) warning him of the White Clads’ plan to infect Obi with an insect, transforming Obi into an Infernal. This opening sets the direction of the entire episode’s narrative, as Station 8 now knows the clock is ticking.

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Setting up the episode’s main narrative isn’t the only thing this opening does. It also begins raising questions concerning Burns and his current allegiance. Despite claiming to side with the White Clad, there is something off about all of his interactions. A possible double meaning to his words creates uncertainty about him.

Much of Fire Force Season 3 Episode 2 continues to set the foundation for the future.

The writing brings this to the forefront in Fire Force Season 3 Episode 2 when he encounters Haumea (Rie Kugimiya, Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name) again. The choice of words is extremely clever here. As Burns responds to her inquiries, Haumea can sense no deception with her telepathy. However, when his words are deeply examined, you can see how he could not be lying but not saying what she thinks. This creates a ton of intrigue and tension as the question of where Burns stands remains uncertain.

Meanwhile, Station 8’s side of the story centers on how they are being forced to step out of the light they are used to operating in, being relegated to the darkness and shadows. The cinematography utilized to highlight this critical shift in roles is effective, if a little heavy-handed. Seeing the group take their first steps out of the sunlight does deliver the most necessary element, though: that there is no turning back for them. Once the step has been made, the group begins hasty preparations to save their captain.

Fire Force Season 3 Episode 2 also takes some time to showcase how Station 8’s situation is being explained to the people of Japan. The Station’s “betrayal” is being told to everyone, quickly sowing disfavor amongst the populace, who have no reason to suspect they are being deceived. This sequence brings a bit of sadness to the episode. Seeing the citizens turn against Station 8, despite all the good they’ve done, hurts deeply.

This moment builds up the emotional tone of Fire Force Season 3 Episode 2, with enough speed to avoid slowing down the pace of the story. Interspersed with more personal reactions, seeing how the larger populace responds creates a greater scale to Station 8’s struggle. Making the world feel more complete a setting rather than something that only exists within their line of sight.

Emotional stakes are established, setting up some battles ahead.

But while the masses are duped, others are not so easily tricked. Benimaru (Mamoru Miyano, Persona 5 Tactica), Princess Hibana (Lynn, Oshi No Ko), and Ogun all observe the reports with far more critical and concerned eyes. Their understanding of this situation leaves them with nothing but anger at the reports about Station 8. Even the often selfish Hibana is concerned, despite doing her best to hide it. These momentary visits to familiar faces serve the combined efforts of building up the emotional stakes of the problem while also reestablishing these familiar characters within the plot.

As Fire Force Season 3 Episode 2 crashes to a close, Shinra and an unexpected ally arrive at the prison where Obi is being held. With all the emotional setup and story prep out of the way, it feels like the series is ready to get reacquainted with the one element of its storytelling it has yet to showcase: its fiery combat.

Fire Force Season 3 Episode 2 delivers strong emotional moments, story setup, and well-thought-out, if sometimes heavy-handed, thematic elements at a fast pace. All that’s left is to see how the fires burn as the battle begins.

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• 8.5/10 Rating - 8.5/10

8.5/10

TL;DR

Fire Force Season 3 Episode 2 delivers strong emotional moments, story setup, and well-thought-out, if sometimes heavy-handed, thematic elements at a fast pace. All that’s left is to see how the fires burn as the battle begins.

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