REVIEW: ‘Fire Force’ Season 3 Episode 7 — “Sleeping Truth”

Fire Force Season 3 Episode 7, “Sleeping Truth,” sees the current fight end thanks to timely intervention from one of Station 8’s few remaining allies. But as they regroup, Princess Hibana (Lynn, Engage Kiss) leads a search into the mystery of the infernal doppelgangers. The search begins in a familiar setting.

Picking up right where the last episode left off, we see a poorly disguised Benimaru (Mamoru Miyano, Undead Murder Farce) arrive to extract Station 8 and their newly freed Captain Obi (Kazuya Nakai, Dynasty Warriors: Origins) from the clutches of the White Clad. Benimaru’s arrival hits a sweet spot of ridiculous and awkward, as even he seems aware of how poorly his disguise protects his identity. With his trademark flaming standards flying through the air, even Arthur could piece together who the masked savior is.

Before the group departs, some brief skirmishing occurs between Benimaru and the White Clad. The impressive power the Fire Captain wields is once again displayed as he can casually keep the group of powerful pyrokinetics at bay, including Dragon himself.

While it reestablishes the character’s place in the pecking order for the new season, the moment lacks significant pop. Coming after the dazzling fire visuals of the prior episode, what we get here feels underwhelming. Given the brevity of the clash, it would’ve been nice to see something catchy visually, allowing the most to be made of the clash.

Fire Force Season 3 Episode 7’s embrace of the sinister goes far.

Even as the heroes make their timely exit, Fire Force Season 3 Episode 7 lingers with the White Clad. It seems the escape isn’t a hindrance, but rather all part of the plan laid out by Haumea (Rie Kugimiya, Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name). This narrative decision feels minor, but could impact the story negatively later on.

Once the heroes arrive at Asakusa, the wounded are treated, and Obi takes some time to catch Benimaru up on what they have learned concerning the alliance against Station 8, the White Clad’s current plans, and how Captain Burns’s “death” will undoubtedly fuel public opinion against them.

The discussion works narratively in a couple of ways. It builds up the ominous tone of the situation. The White Clad’s plans continue to move forward, and even when they seem to fail, they manage to progress their agenda against their foes.

It also works as a convenient bridge to shift Fire Force Season 3 Episode 7 to its second half. Moving away from the core cast as they catch their collective breath, the story moves on to focus on Princess Hibana, along with Huo Yan Li (Satoshi Hino, The Kingdoms of Ruin) and Karim (Kazuyuki Okitsu, Sakamoto Days) of Station 1 as their investigations into the doppelganger mystery bring them all to the same place: the orphanage where Hibana and Iris (Mao Ichimichi, Granblue Fantasy: Relink) were raised.

Narrative pushing discussions set the stage for future plot points. 

Interlaced with the search for answers is a striking exploration of life at the orphanage before the fire that consumed it. Told with lovely water-colored visuals, the light-hearted presentation of the orphanage doesn’t warm Fire Force Season 3 Episode 7 but rather takes on a sinister tone. Knowing that there is more than what meets the eye, the welcoming presentation highlights the lie beneath the warmth that it initially presents.

This unease filters into the core of the second half of Fire Force Season 3 Episode 7. As the trio explores the orphanage, Hibana learns terrifying things about the sisters who nominally cared for her and Iris. The way the visuals and voice acting relay the impact of her discoveries is excellently done, especially given the generally aloof and cold persona that Hibana has crafted for herself.

Seeing the Fire Captain’s near-permanent commanding presence shattered and reduced to tears, struggling not to vomit at the secrets she uncovers, is all the more impactful given her general control and dominating presence. For a brief moment, she isn’t a princess upon a throne but a scared girl, learning things held dear weren’t what she thought they were.

Fire Force Season 3 Episode 7‘s mix of momentary resolution and chilling discovery makes it a powerful entry into the season. Just as it feels like a break has been earned, new revelations set the stage for another conflict. The only question now is whether those caught in the trap will survive what comes next.

Fire Force Season 3 Episode 7 is streaming now on Crunchyroll.

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