I was actually intrigued when I watched the first episode. The introduction of the Infernal train scene and Shinra rushing in to help was quite epic, I have to admit. That raised my hopes a little that we might just get a good anime. But that hope was short lived. Episode 2 had a different vibe all together. I was stuck on episode two - not quite wanting to continue to episode 3 - despite there having been 5 episodes released at that time. I wondered why I couldn't keep watching? Now that I have finished 7 episodes, the answer became clear. It was because I knew I wouldn't enjoy this anime.
Let's get started on this review because there are key factors why I couldn't enjoy this anime.
Story - Intriguing idea for an anime. I like it. But execution. It's all in the execution, the flow, the direction, the story telling. You can't plop an idea down and expect it to take off. There needs to be care and dedication. I felt like this anime didn't have that flow. Fight scenes are bland, characters are bland, the fire in Fire Force is dim. I also didn't care for the link between religion and the Infernals. I've watched plenty of anime that utilize religion as part of the plot but it wasn't as extreme as this. Human Combustion sounds more like a scientific discovery rather than a religious liberator.
Character - Shinra introduces himself as a Hero outright in the beginning. Look, that title is earned, not claimed. Repeat after me, the title is earned, not claimed. Shinra is a strong person but you can't call yourself a Hero. It's so cringy. This "Hero" thing is the theme of the anime so I can't give it too much crap. The boy wants to be a Hero because he has lived his entire life known as the Devil. Speakng of the nickname Devil, that too is cringy. Seriously? There are people who can create fire in that generation, people who can even control fire, you can't be telling me just because the kid was grinning wickedly while his entire house burned down that that was the exact moment everyone dubbed him the Devil. Come on, seriously. It's really pushing it to the point I find myself scoffing every time they call him the Devil. Another thing I find an odd factor to the anime is Shinra's Devil grin face. They explain that he shows that face when he's uncomfortable, anxious, embarassed, etc. I don't understand why that face would be a good idea. I think viewers can connect to the characters better through the expressions they show on their faces. We humans are like that, we communicate like that. But here we have Shinra, just grinning away at the most serious moments. It ruins the moment, the flow, the seriousness of the scene. Why they thought that face was a good idea is baffling.
Sound - Holy shi - the sound quality in this anime is bad. The background music is alright, I dig it. But the fighting sounds, the sound of Shinra's feet fire, all those sounds sound so weirdly produced. I don't get it. Something is off about the sound quality, that's it and it ruins the fight scenes even more for me.
Art - The art is alright for me. It's fair, watchable. I do like how the fire is drawn and animated in this.
Overall, not very enjoyable. The fanservice doesn't bother me that much, but for some off reason, this anime gives off the harem vibe and I'm not into that either. We already have 3 female characters introduced with sexy bodies, even the church girl had a moment, and they all seem to be drawn to Shinra on a sprirtual level. Not my thing. I've put this on-hold for now but I don't even know if I will come back to it in the future. Dis da end, bye.
