Ep 23. Smile

After a lot of intense episodes in the first season of Fire Force, episode 23, "Smile," shifts focus to some of the more light-hearted members of the team. Specifically, it centers around the Company 8 members Tamaki and Maki, as well as the unique character Rekka. While there are still hints of the darker plotlines running throughout the episode, "Smile" is a refreshing change of pace that gives viewers a chance to catch their breath after some of the intense events of the previous episodes.

The episode begins with Rekka, the captain of Company 1 and a self-proclaimed hero, using his pyrokinetic abilities to put out fires in the city. He's very public about his work, frequently appearing on television and using his status to encourage people to donate to various causes. Tamaki and Maki, who are both big fans of his hero persona, are out shopping when they spot him in the street, and they convince him to come hang out with them at Company 8. Meanwhile, Shinra, Arthur, and Sho are still dealing with the aftermath of their battle with the White-Clad and are recovering at Company 8's base.

When Rekka arrives, he quickly takes over the room with his larger-than-life personality. He's a bit of a goofball, and it's clear that his heroic persona is partly an act he puts on for the public. Despite this, Tamaki and Maki are completely smitten with him, and they follow him around like starstruck fangirls. His antics even manage to win over gruff old Vulcan, who's initially skeptical of him.

As the group hangs out, they start to notice a strange phenomenon happening in the city. People are suddenly collapsing for no apparent reason, with strange blue veins appearing on their faces and bodies. Company 8 is dispatched to investigate, and they soon discover that the culprit is a group called the Holy Sol Temple, which has been using a mysterious substance to brainwash people into committing acts of violence. Rekka is shocked by this revelation, as he had donated money to the temple in the past, thinking it was a legitimate charity. Maki is similarly shaken, as her mother was a priestess at the temple before she died.

The team sets off to take down the temple, and they're joined by Rekka, who wants to make up for his unwitting involvement in their activities. The resulting battle is intense, with a lot of flashy pyrotechnics and cool fighting moves. Despite some setbacks, Company 8 is ultimately successful in defeating the temple and putting an end to their nefarious plans.

One of the standout moments of the episode is a conversation between Maki and Rekka near the end, as they reflect on their past experiences with the temple. Maki is clearly wrestling with the idea that her mother might have been involved in something so sinister, and Rekka tries to comfort her by telling her that everyone has moments of weakness and making mistakes. The scene is really touching and gives a nice bit of depth to both of these characters, who have been mostly side characters up to this point.

Overall, "Smile" is a great episode that serves as a bit of a breather between some of the more intense storylines of the season. It's nice to see the more lighthearted side of the characters, and the battle with the Holy Sol Temple is a cool change of pace from some of the more straightforward villains the team has faced so far. If you're a fan of Fire Force, this episode is definitely worth checking out.