Amidst all the ruckus going on in Fire Force right now, Episode 2 felt rather distant. Who knew we’d get Benimaru’s backstory all of a sudden? Not just any backstory, but one telling how he became the Hikeshi, head of Asakusa. So, it sure was an exciting watch. Well, not in terms of the main plot, though, because the animation carried it all.
Still, what we got to learn from the episode was a real treat for Benimaru stans: his resolve, why and how he became the head of Asakusa, and his relationship with the previous clan head, Shinmon Hibachi. It all came to make sense and was a good side story.
The Backstory of Benimaru: Asakusa’s Hikeshi Who Defied Logic
Fire Force Season 3 Part 2 Episode 2 kicks things off right from Benimaru’s past. First, we see his relationship with Konro as a kid, then how weak (not in the conventional sense) he initially was. Beni used to believe he wasn’t on the same level as the clan head, Hibachi. Why? Mostly because Hibachi kept criticizing him, calling him a knucklehead.
However, it turns out it was a compliment. Yes. Hibachi secretly explained to Konro that he knew Beni had potential, potential to even surpass him! But to become the head of Asakusa, a Hikeshi, one with a rational mindset can never achieve it. Only a knucklehead can be worthy of that title. Why? Because of the things they are destined to go through, like causing the deaths of others!
Killing will become a normal part of their lives. Be it an Infernal or not, death shows mercy to no one. Hibachi knew that the responsibility of taking hundreds of lives cannot be easily withstood. Someone who thinks rationally may never pull it off while staying sane. Heck, even Hibachi’s death was a fate that being a Hikeshi brought upon him.
So yeah, it’s understandable why Hibachi was always strict with Beni. If he couldn’t gain the resolve to take lives (to save others) by himself, he would never be ready for the position. No teaching can prepare you to get over killing lives without it affecting your mental health. Thus, when Beni found his resolve, Hibachi could finally rest in peace. But now he’s back again, as an Infernal this time, with his same old personality.
No One Expected David Production to Cook This Hard in Fire Force
Benimaru in a still from Fire Force Season 3 Part 2 | Credits: David Production
I never questioned David Production for their animation. Maybe they’re not the best in the industry, and sometimes their quality has dipped, but overall, they do their job really well. But in Season 3 Part 2, they’ve been on a wild run. Especially in this episode, David Production just went above and beyond. The animation, art style, SFX, & literally everything were at their peak, all of which carried the episode.
Sure, the fight itself had heavy narrative weight from Beni’s perspective, but for the main plot, it didn’t contribute much. Hibachi’s return as an Infernal felt more like a test to show how far Beni has grown. But his eventual defeat at Beni’s effortless hands, of course, took away some of the episode’s impact.
So all in all, only because of its phenomenal animation and action, I’d have to rate it higher than I initially would have. But this also hints at what future Fire Force episodes may have in store for us. You have my full attention now, David Production. Please make this a success!
Fire Force Season 3 Part 2 is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.
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