Fire Force’s Newest Episode Makes Giovanni a True Monster in Amaterasu

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Be warned: the following discusses major plot points from Fire Force Season 3, Episode 18, “Incantation of Destruction,” which is currently available on Crunchyroll.

The anime Fire Force is clearly heading towards its climax, with the eight Pillars emerging from the sea and the moon changing into something fans of Soul Eater will recognize. While the series has always delivered exciting action and heartfelt moments – like Shinra’s battle with Sho – the latest arc, “Incantation of Destruction,” raises the intensity to a whole new level. Both the personal struggles and the physical dangers are reaching their highest point, making for a truly captivating watch.

Episode 18 is packed with action, keeping up the fast pace of recent episodes. However, it stands out thanks to the surprising truth about the villain, Giovanni, and some unexpected details about how Amaterasu was created centuries ago. Add in a fun and quirky side story, and you have what is easily the best episode of Season 3 so far.

Fire Force Episode 18 Thrives on Charon’s and Vulcan’s Emotional Stakes

Both Are Fighting For Someone Who Needs Them

Image via David Productions.

The Fire Force anime is at its best when it balances lighthearted, quirky humor with intense, dangerous situations for its characters – like when the massive Pillars appear, or through the unique personality of Arthur Boyle. Many episodes deliver classic shonen fun with comedy and exciting action. Importantly, the show also manages to create genuine emotional connections for its heroes, though not quite as effectively as series like My Hero Academia or Demon Slayer. Still, Fire Force does this well enough throughout each season, with Episode 18 of Season 3 being a particularly strong example.

Episode 18 is primarily driven by intense action and a bit of humor, though the characters’ personal struggles don’t get as much focus as they could. Considering the season’s fast pace and complex plot, the personal stakes are still effective. A prime example is Vulcan and his close relationship with Yu, which is severely tested when Yu is taken over by Giovanna’s insects. This turns a gentle and innocent boy into a pawn of evil, potentially leading to his destruction or being used to further the White-Clad cult’s plans. This creates a particularly impactful challenge for Vulcan, a typically resourceful hero. A flashback also reveals how Lisa fits into this close-knit group.

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This episode offers a touching explanation for Charon’s strong opposition to Company 8. While it’s common for villains to fight for the sake of the conflict itself, we learn Charon is specifically fighting for Haumea. He believes the upcoming disaster is directly linked to her suffering – she’s been burdened with all of humanity’s emotions for a very long time – and hopes reverting humanity to flames will finally end her pain. This adds a new dimension to his protective feelings for her. It remains to be seen how long he can continue to fight for her as Hinawa continues to attack.

Giovanni is the Weird Star of Fire Force’s Latest Episode

This Leads to One of the Series’ Most Memorable Battles

While Charon’s loyalty to Haumea is impressive, Giovanni truly steals the show. He’s been acting strangely since revealing his powers and battling the fire soldiers, and this latest development is even more extreme. Previously, he seemed cold and mechanical in combat, but now he’s genuinely terrifying. Staying with the insect-based imagery of Adolla and the Infernals, Giovanni has transformed into a swarm of flying insects acting as a single entity—almost like a menacing Oogie Boogie. This transformation perfectly suits his character as a researcher and creates a frightening and resourceful fighter, promising some clever battles ahead.

The fight against this terrifying enemy falls to Vulcan and his friend Lisa, who combine their powers of heat and intellect to push back. It’s great to see them work so well together, and it’s a nice change of pace to see Viktor Licht contribute his ideas and help keep hope alive – he’s usually just there to explain things. This teamwork is a strong contrast to the battle happening with Charon, which is a mix of physical strength and clever strategy. Hinawa needs to use force to keep Charon occupied, while someone with real intelligence is needed to outsmart Giovanni. The combination works really well, and Fire Force could benefit from more fights structured like this one.

Giovanni’s unique, fragmented body isn’t just unsettling and threatening – it’s key to his plan to control Yu and create real emotional tension. He feels appropriately disgusting and relentless, making him a difficult enemy to defeat or escape. The episode concludes with a smart and exciting battle that leaves viewers questioning how – or even if – the heroes can save Yu from Giovanni’s possession. Interestingly, Arthur Boyle’s ongoing journey as a knight might unexpectedly become important in resolving this conflict. The seamless transition from the action-packed fight to this dramatic cliffhanger sets the stage for another strong episode, with Episode 19 promising more compelling developments.

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2026-02-14 22:37