REVIEW: ‘Fire Force’ Season 3 Episode 4 — “Golden Secret”

Fire Force Season 3 Episode 4, “Golden Secret,” centers on the troops of Station 8 as they try to unravel the mystery of Gold’s powers. But even as they struggle with their newest foe, time runs short for Captain Obi (Kazuya Nakai, Persona 3 Reload) as the White Clad put their plans for him into effect.

If one element stands out front and center in Fire Force Season 3 Episode 4, it’s creativity. As the battle unfolds, the heroes demonstrate a versatility in their approach to their opponent’s mystifying powers, highlighting their greatest strengths. Once more, the narrative is generous with its time, allowing each protagonist in the group their moment to shine.

Fire Force Season 3 Episode 4 blends each character’s moment with generous helpings of both action and comedy. While the shifting tone can occasionally undercut the dire straits of the team’s situation, it mostly works. From Viktor’s (Daisuke Sakaguchi, Star Ocean: The Second Story R) mad ramblings to Tamaki’s (Aoi Yûki, Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising) terror at having her fire-tail used as a culdron, the laughs are frequent and earned.

Unsurprisingly, the one area where the comedic elements hit a bit of a gray area is with Tamaki. That her lucky lechery lure takes effect here isn’t the problem; it even works well into the plot; the problem is how egregious the camera is with her once it happens.

Fireforce Season 3 Episode 4 has far too much fan service.

How close the camera hovers on her panty-clad rump, and how frequently it finds itself there, is utterly unnecessary. There is no need to push up that close on her in these moments. Going so hard with it isn’t just in bad taste, but also undercuts the revelations last season brought about her history with her strange affliction and the emotional toll it takes on her.

The action that plays out alongside the humor has no caveats to its quality. Gold’s early battle dominance creates a powerful aura for the strange foe, allowing her threat to persist even through the jokier moments. How the Fire Force’s powers come into play keeps the clashes feeling frenzied and exciting, leaving plenty of room to wonder how exactly the battle will conclude.

The animation employed by David Productions keeps the visual presentation as varied in style as the attacks themselves. Fiery projectiles and flame constructs are each given their look, allowing both to feel right for their chosen purpose. Since the series’ narrative consistently pushes the boundaries of what its cast can do with fire, the animation willingly embraces this push through its visuals, focusing on the final effect over how recognizable as “fire” the finished product may be.

The end credit sequence shines in Fire Force Season 3 Episode 4.

While the majority of the episode focuses on the group, Fire Force Season 3 Episode 4 does make a little time for Shinra (Gakuto Kajiwara, A Sign of Affection) and Joker (Kenjirô Tsuda, The Ingenuity of the Househusband) as they stare down Captain Burns (Taiten Kurunoki, Romantic Killer). Some words are exchanged, and a crucial moment plays out at the end of the episode, setting up what’s to come. The lack of presence for this side of the story feels fine, as it allows the other half of the plot to unfold.

The final element that must be mentioned here is the end credits sequence. The painterly way the sequence presents the entire extended cast throughout the credits is absolutely gorgeous. Music is usually the focus of these sequences in anime, but this one shines just for its glorious visuals alone. It feels like a tribute to the show’s entirety.

Fire Force Season 3 Episode 4 does a lot right. It handles its action well, turning up the heat as hot as the flames its heroes wield. Combined with strong humor, the episode manages a near-flawless entry, if not for the ever-persistent nagging problem it refuses to handle better.

Fire Force Season 3 Episode 4 is streaming now on Crunchyroll.

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