Enen no Shouboutai [Season 3 Episode 3]

Fire Force Season 3 Episode 3: A Fiery Clash of Loyalties and Power

Introduction
Fire Force (Enen no Shouboutai) has always been a wild ride—blending explosive action, deep lore, and a cast of characters who wear their hearts (and flames) on their sleeves. Season 3, Episode 3, titled “The Battle Begins”, cranks up the heat with high-stakes confrontations, emotional turmoil, and some jaw-dropping animation. But does it live up to the hype? Let’s break it down, with a little help from what fans are saying online.

The Plot: Loyalty vs. Betrayal

This episode dives straight into the chaos as Company 8 faces off against Captain Leonard Burns, who’s now fully aligned with The Evangelist. The emotional core? Shinra Kusakabe and Joker teaming up (yes, you read that right) to take down Burns, who was once a mentor and ally. Meanwhile, Gold, one of the White-Clad’s strongest, toys with the rest of the team, making it clear that this fight won’t be easy.

Fans on MyAnimeList and Reddit are buzzing about the moral complexity here. One user put it perfectly: “Burns isn’t just a villain—he’s a man who’s been gaslit into believing he’s saving the world. That’s terrifying.” The episode doesn’t shy away from showing how far Burns has fallen, and Shinra’s internal conflict is palpable.

The Action: Flames and Fury

David Production, the studio behind Fire Force, has always delivered slick animation, but opinions are split this time. Some fans praised the “Nova Voltage” sequence, calling Burns’ transformation “Super Saiyan-level hype.” Others, though, felt the animation was “stiff compared to previous seasons,” with a few jarring transitions.

One Reddit thread pointed out: “The fights are still flashy, but you can tell the budget isn’t what it used to be.” That said, the sound design remains top-tier—Burns’ flaming aura crackles with intensity, and every punch lands with a satisfying thud.

The Humor: Arthur Being Arthur

No Fire Force episode is complete without Arthur’s antics, and this one delivers. In the middle of a high-speed chase, he falls out of the truck—and no one notices. Fans couldn’t stop laughing: “Of course Arthur would pick the worst possible time to be a dumbass.” It’s these moments that keep the show from taking itself too seriously.

The Controversies: Pacing and Recap Fatigue

Not everyone was thrilled. A common complaint? The episode starts with a recap of last week’s events, eating into precious runtime. One frustrated fan wrote: “We just saw this! Give us more Burns vs. Shinra!” Others felt the pacing was sluggish, with too much villain monologuing.

Still, the setup promises bigger things ahead. As one MyAnimeList user theorized: “This is just the beginning. If they’re adapting the manga faithfully, we’re in for some insane twists.”

Final Verdict: A Solid, If Uneven, Entry

Fire Force Season 3, Episode 3 isn’t perfect, but it’s far from a misfire. The emotional stakes are high, the action is (mostly) thrilling, and the humor lands when it needs to. If you’re invested in Shinra’s journey—or just here for the spectacle—this episode delivers.

As one fan perfectly summed it up: “It’s not the best episode, but it’s setting up something epic. And honestly? I’m here for the ride.”

Rating: 7.5/10 – Flaming hot, but not quite inferno-level.

What did you think of the episode? Drop your thoughts below—let’s keep the fire burning! 🔥