REVIEW: ‘Fire Force’ Season 3 Episode 10 — “Advent”

Fire Force Season 3 Episode 10, “Advent,” sees both sides continue to prepare for the coming cataclysm. But even as the hour draws near, one key component to the conflict goes rogue, searching for something he cannot fully describe.

Picking up with the last episode left off, Sho (Maaya Sakamoto, Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth) struggles with what to make of the brief Adolla Link he shared with Shinra (Gakuto Kajiwara, Romantic Killer). As he searches his mind for the cause of his confusion, he begins to suspect that Haumea (Rie Kugimiya, Zenshu) has manipulated his memories. With this suspicion casting a shadow over his thoughts, Sho resolves to meet with Shinra before the Great Cataclysm occurs.

While Sho manages to slip past most of his comrades, his guardian, Arrow, is not so easily eluded. Unable to convince them to go with the others, Sho is forced to accept the protector’s presence. This is due to Arrow’s singular belief that their only purpose is to watch over Sho.

Fire Force Season 3, Episode 10‘s delivery of Arrow’s mindless pursuit of their given goal speaks to the power of the White Clad’s manipulations. Despite Sho’s clear disregard for his orders, Arrow will follow him regardless. This feels like the result of an overly powerful suggestion implanted into Arrow. They were given the directive “protect Sho,” so that is what they will do. Period. Not try to stop or hinder him from disobeying, just protect. Mental manipulation can backfire so easily if you don’t give thorough instructions.

Iris starts to enter the limelight in Fire Force Season 3 Episode 10.

As the White Clad gather for the Final Mass, Station 8 and their allies also gather to take stock of the situation. With the help of Princess Hibana’s (Lynn, Arcored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon) research, the group draws closer to understanding what is coming. Hibana’s arrival also reinforces a potential plot line that some may have overlooked.

Almost immediately upon joining the gathering, Hibana asks Sister Iris (Mao Ichimichi, Granblue Fantasy: Relink) if she has been feeling strange. Iris responds that she is fine and dismisses the inquiry as a simple concern from her surrogate sister. However, her worry is born of much more than that, given the revelations from the orphanage in recent episodes. And even though Iris doesn’t seem aware of it, she has recently shown strange powers, resulting in her unconscious contribution to ending the recent battle with the White Clad.

This subtle reminder underscores that Iris will likely play a pivotal role in the coming conflict. Given that she has always had a strangely large presence in the show’s overall presentation, the entire ending credits of season one were devoted to her, it makes sense that this seemingly innocuous personality will have a moment to step into the limelight.

Hibana’s arrival also heralds the best comedic moment of Fire Force Season 3 Episode 10. With Hibana and Shinra in the same room, it is a given that a playful hint will fall from the princess concerning her affection for the young fire soldier. The moment of playfulness quickly spirals out of control, however, when Iris starts suggesting better pairings for people. This quickly leads to reactions ranging from panic to offense from some of the named individuals.

Scop’s appearance goes on far too long.

What sells this moment is Iris’ innocence. It feels like she is just trying to contribute to the discussion, but there is just enough of a hint that she is purposefully stirring the pot that you are never quite sure. And that makes the moment all the funnier.

While the moment of humor breaks the tension of the episode, the meeting sequence soon loses its way with the surprise appearance of Scop. The talking mole from last season has traveled to Tokyo to bring Station 8 the last words of the Lady in Black. Before the episode can get to that, though, it needs to waste some time on a long-winded story about how Scop fared on his journey.

This brutally long story lingers far longer than it should. If the narrative had cut off the segue sooner, it could have been cute, but as it stands, it just sucks all the energy out of the sequence, leaving a sense of frustration in its wake.

Once the meeting wraps up, Fire Force Season 3 Episode 10 returns to the White Clad as the Final Mass begins. The ominous energy and tension that grow through this sequence are exceptional. All of the emotion comes to the surface in a literal eruption as the purpose behind the mysterious earthquakes that have been plaguing Tokyo is revealed.

With only two episodes left in the cour, Fire Force Season 3 Episode 10 sets up the impending mid-season conclusion wonderfully. The threat feels powerful and real, creating an incredible sense of dread for how the heroes will combat what comes next. If not for one poorly implemented moment, the episode would be a perfect entry in the series.

Fire Force Season 3 Episode 10 is streaming now on Crunchyroll.

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