Ep 2. The Heart of a Fire Soldier

In Fire Force season 1 episode 2 entitled "The Heart of a Fire Soldier," we are introduced to the main character, Shinra, who begins his journey as a newly recruited member of Company 8. The team is tasked with fighting against the Infernals, who are humans who have turned into mindless monsters due to the spontaneous combustion phenomenon.

Shinra and his teammates travel to the site of a recent outbreak, where they witness how their rivals, Company 5, hastily destroys and attacks the affected area without any previous preparation or proper coordination. Captain Obi from Company 8 explains to Shinra the importance of being a firefighter, not just an arsonist, as their mission is to put out the flames of the Infernals while also uncovering the mystery behind their creation.

As they enter the affected area, Shinra and his team are attacked by an Infernal, which they quickly extinguish in a coordinated group effort. With the area made safe, Lieutenant Hinawa orders the team to scout the area and keep their eyes out for any possible clues or survivors.

Meanwhile, Shinra encounters Iris, a sister from the Holy Sol Temple who prays for the souls of the Infernals. Iris reveals that the victims of spontaneous combustion are not always evil people, but rather it can affect anyone, even the innocent.

The two engage in a conversation about the meaning of faith and duty, and how it is important to have a pure and respectful heart when fighting against the Infernals. This discussion is very insightful for Shinra, who has struggled with his past as the sole survivor of his family's house fire.

As the team continues to explore the site, they uncover a mysterious shrine surrounded by mysterious and powerful flames. The members of Company 5 arrive, and it is revealed that they were responsible for the outbreak and the shrine that is causing the Infernals.

A battle ensues between the two companies, and Shinra shows off his skills as he takes on the powerful enemy. The episode concludes with a shocking revelation about the old friend, Arthur, who is revealed to be one of the members of Company 5.

In "The Heart of a Fire Soldier," we are exposed to the strong moral convictions of the members of Company 8, who believe that it is important to protect their city and its citizens, even if they happen to be monsters. The episode delves deeper into the series' themes of faith, duty, and sacrifice and explores the psychological impact of fighting against other humans, even if they have transformed into Infernals.

The episode is action-packed and showcases the powerful abilities of the Fire Soldiers as they take on their rivals. However, it also takes its time to develop the characters of Shinra and Iris and how their interactions and outlooks on life shape their role in the story.

Overall, "The Heart of a Fire Soldier" is an exciting and intense second episode that sets up the rest of the season with its intriguing plot and well-developed characters.