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Summary

The story is rich in religious themes, with the Sol Church and Company 7 having unique practices.
Flaming matoi serves as a respectful send-off for infernals in Asakusa, blending tradition and communal values.
Benimaru, the Destroyer, executes infernals with depth, showcasing a strong bond and respect for his community.

In the narrative of Fire Force, there’s a strong emphasis on religious motifs. The Sol Church serves as a significant institution where many firefighting units are stationed, and they incorporate various rituals into their duties, which aren’t solely for worship but are also utilized in the process of exterminating characters who have transformed into infernals within the storyline.

In my observation, Company 7 stood out distinctly, for they didn’t adhere to the teachings of the Sol Church, which was unusual. The creator of the Fire Force series drew inspiration from traditional Japanese culture during the Edo era in his work. This peculiar blend made the inhabitants of Asakusa an exceptional and intriguing group.

Flaming Matoi

A Word Of Caution

Benimaru
Age	21
Rank	Captain
Techniques	Fire Moon • Sun Wheel • Breath of Life • Moonlight • Iai Hand-Sword • Crimson Moon • Daybreak • Red Sun • Sunset • Crimson Moon’s Sun Wheel • Velocity Control • Trajectory Control • Dusk • Hysterical Strength

Drawing inspiration from historical symbols, Matoi (纏/まとい/) is a flag that once signaled fires during the Edo era for firefighters. The author creatively adapted this idea to incorporate it into the burning human phenomenon in the narrative of Fire Force.

Currently residing as Captain of Company 7 located in Asukasa, Benimaru carries out the elimination of every infernal within their locality. The fiery Matoi technique isn’t merely a combat method; it symbolically bids farewell to the former humans transformed into Infernals, echoing the Sol Church’s prayers. Whereas the Sisters recite final blessings, Benimaru enacts destruction as a tribute. This ritual acknowledges the human essence of those who have become Infernals, functioning simultaneously as a memorial and a means for purification.

The Asakusa Send Off

A Tradition

It’s clear that the residents of Asakusa embraced a more traditional way of life. Their dwellings and attire were reminiscent of olden times. Similarly, Company 7 adopted this tradition, opting to wear “yukata” during their duties involving combustion processes.

People worldwide were constantly dreading the possibility of transforming into a being known as an Infernal. However, the people of Asakusa stood out because they flocked together, with a unique wish: to perish at the hands of Benimaru, the Ruiner of Asakusa.

When Was It First Shown?

First Impressions

On their trip to Asakunsa to meet Company 7, Company 8’s employee, Benimaru, was spotted returning home. Along his walk, locals greeted him warmly and presented him with gifts. An elderly man named Kentaro even extended an invitation for a drink later that evening. Not much time passed before Kentaro himself suggested having a drink with Benimaru, marking another human interaction.

In response to the ringing bells and the crowd’s shouts, Benimar swiftly leaped into motion, carrying out the fiery matoi ceremony. Already, the people had hoisted the matoi flags, and Benimar proceeded to demolish the houses that bore those flags. In doing so, he was revered as the Destroyer. Prior to performing the Infernal, Benimar displayed the devastation he had inflicted on the nearby region, and then laid him to rest.

What Was The Significance Of The Send-Off?

Through The Eyes Of The People

It might appear excessive or confusing to some readers when characters in Asukusa frequently cause destruction of property as they transform into infernal beings. However, the author carefully explains how these events contribute significantly to the narrative, particularly amidst global apprehension and dread related to the threat of burning alive (human combustion).

Homes may be reconstructed numerous times, but when a person is reduced to ashes by fire, their life cannot be restored. (Fire Force Manga Chapter 39)

To these people, the worth of a human life was not overstated; this notion was universally held among them, elevating the significance of the flaming matoi even more. Their ceremony served as a public recognition that the condemned infernal had once belonged to their group, warranting a dignified send-off and commemoration.

Through The Eyes Of Benimaru

In Asakusa, the feeling of camaraderie is strongly emphasized, and while Benimaru may not have appeared to be overly sociable, his connections and relationships with the locals were profound and brimming with respect. It appears that he shared a deep bond with each one of them, and though it wasn’t definitively proven, it seemed likely that he knew every resident by name.

In the series, one key character bears the heavy burden of the role as an executor, doing so with a somber gravity. Constantly honing his abilities to safeguard and carry out this ritual whenever citizens from Asakusa were transformed into fiends was no simple feat; however, he carried out these responsibilities with focus and determination.

2025-05-22 16:56