Why Fire Punch Deserves an Anime Adaptation Now More Than Ever!

Summary

Fire Punch offers a dark dystopian world with unique abilities and a vengeful protagonist.
The manga’s narrative and art style stand out for their raw, dark, and detailed portrayal.
Togata adds a comedic twist with her film-making aspirations, blending a strange sense of humor with an intense storyline.

Tatsuki Fujimoto is currently recognized widely, particularly among fans of anime and manga. The creator behind the popular manga series “CHAINSAW MAN,” one of the most notable shōnen manga titles of the 2020s, has already achieved great success with his previous works, such as “Look Back” which received an acclaimed anime short film for its exceptional storytelling. Another earlier work by Fujimoto, “Goodbye, Eri,” was anticipated to be adapted into an anime, but the director of “Look Back,” Kiyotaka Oshiyama, has stated that he currently has no intention of adapting “Goodbye, Eri.

Despite this, it’s undeniable that Fujimoto’s creations possess a unique “X-Factor” that sets them apart as fantastic possibilities for anime adaptations. His dark fantasy, Fire Punch, is no exception to this rule. Here’s why an anime adaptation of Fire Punch should be a priority without delay.

What Is Fire Punch About?

A Dystopian Manga Like No Other

In a chilling, dystopian manga titled “Fire Punch”, the story unfolds in a world where extraordinary individuals, known as the “Blessed”, possess unique abilities. The protagonists, siblings Agni and Luna, are among these Blessed, gifted with regeneration which allows them to heal from severe injuries. However, their world is under the control of an overpowering Blessed called the Ice Witch, whose icy powers have caused a perpetual ice age. This has led to a regression in societal values, as law and justice are merely relics of a forgotten past. To ensure the survival of their village and make the scarce non-perishable food supplies last, Agni selflessly offers his flesh for consumption, as his regenerative powers enable him to quickly replace severed limbs.

One fateful day, troops from a neighboring realm storm into our humble village, seeking to seize our provisions. They stumble upon an unsettling sight – signs of a peculiar tradition in every household, leading them to believe they’ve encountered a community of heretics who practice cannibalism. In the heat of the moment, Doma, a being gifted with everlasting flames, calls for the annihilation of our village, including my brother Agni and his sister. Little did they know, Agni’s body would continue to burn incessantly due to his extraordinary regenerative power, subjecting him to an eternity of torment.

Over nearly a decade, Agni learned to master his regeneration, enabling him to move around despite the agonizing pain. Driven by one powerful emotion – revenge – he vowed to make those responsible pay for their crimes against our people.

Your burning body is in so much pain that you’ve lost your mind.

– Judah, Fire Punch Chapter 13

Why Fire Punch Deserves To Be Animated

A World Darker Than That of CHAINSAW MAN

When diving into Tatsuki Fujimoto’s graphic novel “Fire Punch,” readers are immediately struck by the stark contrast between its art style and that of his renowned work, “CHAINSAW MAN.” Compared to the latter, Fire Punch exhibits a more intricate artistic approach, which effectively amplifies the bleakness of the narrative. The story unfolds in an icy and merciless landscape – a perpetual winter that has frozen the entire world, including the hearts of its inhabitants. While remnants of the quirkiness found in “CHAINSAW MAN” can be detected, Fujimoto’s distinctive style is still evident in the character development.

The characters’ eyes, particularly those of the villains, convey a hollow and desolate feeling that perfectly captures the struggle of surviving in such a dystopian world. The protagonist, burdened by both his Blessing and traumatic memories of witnessing the deaths of those he loved, embarks on a journey that is heart-wrenchingly compelling yet undeniably destined for despair. Unlike “CHAINSAW MAN‘s” Denji, Agni’s life offers no glimmer of hope for improvement, as his body carries the weight of past injustices, much like Denji’s does.

The portrayal of evil in this work could be described as somewhat crude, with villains being excessively wicked without room for the complex and empathetic antagonists often found in contemporary anime and manga. This is one area where the writing may seem a bit awkward compared to Fujimoto’s other works.

As a devoted admirer, I find it captivating to note the striking similarity between Agni, portrayed as a selfless savior enduring pain for his people, and Chainsaw Man’s unique role. Both characters transcend traditional boundaries, with Agni becoming increasingly deified and Chainsaw Man pushing the limits of logic in the universe of Fire Punch. The intensity and intricate exploration of human darkness that Fujimoto masterfully crafts in Fire Punch would be a spectacle to behold, especially if adapted into an anime by a studio with the financial resources and passion to fully capture the manga’s profound themes and Fujimoto’s distinctive art style.

However, it’s fascinating how Chainsaw Man‘s visual aesthetic and cinematic flair seep into Fire Punch, even as Fujimoto’s drawings in the latter maintain a certain rawness. The portrayal of insanity within the narrative, combined with characters who spew the most outrageous statements without regard for common human values like kindness or morality, adds depth to character interactions that’s both chilling and intriguing.

Suppose your sister was still with us, would you forgo the pursuit of vengeance, isn’t that so? Is that truly the end goal of your resentment?

– Togata, Fire Punch Chapter 13

Fujimoto’s Ridiculous Sense of Humour

It’s Always About Movies With This Guy

As a passionate fan, let me share my take on what makes Fire Punch truly captivating: The wildest twist for me is the arrival of Togata, an extraordinary cinephile with dreams of creating a blockbuster film. Equipped with a small handheld camera and aided by a young girl she rescued from danger in Behemdorg, this character blessed with rapid regeneration abilities becomes enthralled by Agni’s quest for vengeance.

Togata, in her relentless pursuit, views Agni as the lead actor in her movie, employing manipulative tactics reminiscent of some female characters crafted by Fujimoto in later works. The absurdity of Togata’s actions and beliefs is almost comical, yet it adds an essential layer to the series that feels inherent to Fire Punch.

What I find fascinating is how this character’s insensitivity serves as a reflection of the story itself, making Fujimoto’s unique perspective in certain aspects even more noticeable.

To get Agni involved in the movie, Togata exploits his emotional attachment towards Judah, a dog resembling and sounding like Agni’s deceased sister, Luna. To intensify his discomfort and sorrow, Judah possesses regenerative powers but has never interacted with Agni or been his sibling. Togata warns Agni that Judah will be harmed if he doesn’t comply with the role, creating an oddly amusing bond between them and the film enthusiast, causing Agni, for the first time since becoming eternal flame, to seem flustered, bewildered, and even unsure. Togata named the movie “Fire Punch” after rejecting several unappealing alternatives. Besides directing “Fire Punch,” Togata teaches Agni how to fight better and English, starting with anatomical terms and vulgarities, as any language learner should. Fire Punch, as a comedy, might not occur to a sane individual, but Fujimoto’s knack for inserting genuinely humorous moments into such a dark series without diluting its grimmer aspects, while maintaining a coherent and character-focused narrative, is a talent that people should enjoy more often.

Fire Punch is available to read on VIZ Media’s website.

2025-05-22 16:04