#and i usually love the filler episodes!!! that's the beauty of 18 episode seasons!!! we have time for that!!!

[epiaphany]

And another thing. I get that they had to make the victim "annoying" in some way to """""""""justify"""""""" Rookie (no I can't be bothered to learn his name) feeling threatened and pulling out his gun taser. But implying that she was annoying because she wanted to record her interaction with the police was unnecessary. I get that she also wasn't collaborating before she started filming, but you get my point.

Not surprised though, as this isn't the first time the show has done this. In 5x03 a woman records Jeffrey and Harry as she gets a bad feeling, and when Michael tells Captain Maynard that May gets alerts for videos of cops acting out, Maynard says

"Well, I never thought I would say this, but thank God for nosy Karens and their Twitter accounts." And Michael just..... doesn't correct her? As if this "Karen" didn't just indirectly save Harrys life?

People insisting on filming interactions with the police is a good thing. And trying to draw a comparison between a civilian filming on their phone and the cops wearing bodycams is ridiculous. As if one doesn't have a history of conveniently "loosing footage" or "not being turned on".

[secretive3amramenmaker]

New Favourite Fire Force Episode!

Everything about one of the newest episode of Fire Force Season 2, Episode 18: “The Holy Woman’s Anguish/The Man, Assault” was amazing!

Warnings: Fire Force spoilers beneath the cut, mentions and discussion of religion?

Okay, first off. The colouring, just everything about the Baptism Church? The sunflowers and cemetery??? *chef’s kiss* So pretty. I already loved the aesthetic and architecture of the Baptism Church in the manga, but seeing in colour was another thing altogether! The turquoise, gold, and white definitely gave me Greek temple vibes, especially with the worship of the sun. The idea of sunflowers being part of Holy Sol religion is such a nice touch, and the colours!!! The cemetery was so picturesque, with the graves, flowers, and statues. It was just an overall beautifully done episode!!

I read in a comment from the Fire Force manga that the cemetery for the Sol clergy was based on this cemetery in France called “Père Lachaise”, where many famous people are buried, such as Oscar Wilde, Edith Piaf, and CHOPIN!!!! (I just really like classic music artists, okay?) I searched up photos of the cemetery, and it looks so beautiful! It’s kind of poetic, in a morbid fashion, that there are so many beautiful cemeteries where the dead rest peacefully, yet so many places that aren’t beautiful for the living.

Anyways, onto the content of the episode!

I really liked that the author portrayed how devote followers like Iris struggle with doubt about their religion. It is a natural thing to see in belief, and I’m so happy that the author portrayed belief as not something that is never wavering, but a series of doubting, reaffirmations, and CHOOSING to believe once more. 

I was also really happy to see that Ōkubo didn’t go for the often reiterated idea of “all religion is bad” that seems to be portrayed in pop culture. I agree that religion CAN be bad by religious people using their religion as a reason to oppress others, forcefully “evangelizing” others against their will, indifferent of others’ opinion, morals, or the fact that everyone, no matter their belief is HUMAN, and shouldn’t be treated as anything lesser because their religion or belief doesn’t match with yours. One of my friends made an interesting comment regarding this idea: “When it comes to human rights, it’s not an opinion anymore.”

However, Ōkubo also showed that religion can also be just as good as it can be bad. Religion can influence others through the actions of its believers, giving you the strength to do what is “right” and protect others, keeping sight of your original goals. 

This episode really portrayed this idea well, and it’s definitely my favourite episode of Fire Force so far! 

I also loved the extra details the anime added, like when Iris saw one of the clergy turning into an infernal, the sisters turned Infernals from her convent appeared in the reflection of her eyes, and how Shinra’s kick (which was much more fancy than in the manga, with flips and stuff) legit disintegrated the Infernal, only leaving behind ashen remains. We know how strong Shinra is, being a Pillar after all, but that little detail was such a neat way of reminding us how strong Shinra truly is. 

It would’ve been interesting to later see what happened to that sister who questioned why Sol let the priest die via SHC (Spontaneous Human Combustion) when he was so devout, now that Iris is steady in her faith once more. More spoilers from the manga, but they haven’t addressed that particular sister’s question in the manga, but it would be an interesting idea for a filler episode! 

As for the second half of the episode, focusing on Tamaki’s and Assault’s continued relationship?? (is that a good label to put on... whatever they have going on?), I... actually didn’t mind it. 

I usually do not enjoy Tamaki’s purpose as sole fanservice, though I do understand that this is also an ecchi anime, but the fanservice can undermine some amusing moments or serious fight scenes, and leave her character solely underdeveloped. 

However, I don’t mind fanservice on the side when it doesn’t interrupt important plot points or moments, such as during this filler episode. I just rolling my eyes and going along for the ride (I did the same thing for the naked calendar episode). 

Even after reading Tamaki’s training arc in the manga, where we FINALLY get to see some development and backstory for her, I feel like Tamaki could be developed.. better? Further? The backstory just seemed so mediocre to me, and could definitely portrayed Tamaki with enough depth that I would actually FEEL something, any emotion, when she appears on screen.

As for Assault, I honestly found it funny that the rest of the White-Clad doesn’t know that Assault’s greatest nemesis beats him through the power of Ecchi 😅

I’ve never seen Soul Eater, but I do know that there was a Soul Eater reference in the cabaret, with Maika’s dad?? I will probably watch it later, since it’s on Netflix, I’ve heard pretty good things about it, and by Ōkubo.

Anyways, thank you for reading my brain vomit about this particular Fire Force Episode! Have a nice day :)