In the future shown in Fire Force (Japanese: En’en no Shōbōtai), spontaneous human combustion is the most horrifying cause of death. All that needs to happen is for it to catch fire and blow up. No, a demon can take possession of you in this world and ignite your body, turning you into an Infernal. The only people who can stop this threat are a group of scientists, military personnel, church officials, and some pyrokinetics who have various fire-based abilities and have also been trained to fight fire.
As you can see, while the exact cause of this human combustion is still unknown, many individuals are certain that it isn’t a naturally occurring phenomenon. It is believed that these Infernals must be being created by someone(s) for their own sinister intentions.
Shinra Kusakabe, our main character, is a Third-Generation Fire User who can shoot flames out of his feet. He lost his mother and sibling in an unexplained fire years before the main plot started, and he is now committed to rising to the heroic level and solving the enigma of human combustion. Fortunately for him, Captain Akitaru Ōbi’s Fire Force Company 8 is where he is stationed. Although Akitaru is a common person, he is a strong and capable leader, and equally determined to finding the cause for all the death in his city. Rounding out Company 8 initially.
Takehisa Hinawa is a second-generation fire user who controls the course of bullets by adjusting their flames.
Arthur Boyle, a fellow new recruit and third generation fire user, is created by Maki Oze, a second generation fire user who can manipulate fire into spire form, and who can produce a plasma sword (*cough cough* lightsaber *cough cough*). Possibly the silliest anime character as well. His right hand was forgotten.
The Holy Sol Template Sister Iris is in charge of interceding for the souls of the Infernals.
The first three episodes are your typical “meet the party” shenanigans, with the new recruit competing in the Rookie Games where we meet other members of other Fire Force Companies, including Captain Burns, the firefighter who was present when Shinra’s family perished, and Tamaki Kotatsu, a Third Generation Fire user who has the ability to create an aura of fire around her in a way reminiscent of a cat and who also has an inherent inability to put herself in compromising situations in an anime-like manner. This is actually one of the series’ disappointments, but we can overlook a few things in the name of “fanservice.” Eventually, Shinra, Arthur, and Tamaki face off against a man known as the Joker, who starts wreaking mayhem.
The true story really starts when Shinra finds out that Company 8 was established in order to look into Companies 1–7 when the actual and figurative dust settles.
“We’re surrounded by warmth, but time can be annoying at times.”