The fan-favorite manga and anime series from the 2019 season, Fire Force was beloved during its original run. Creating a complex world of characters and ideals, the world recreates an Earth that has been devastated by fire 250 years ago. Fighting against a spontaneous human combustion phenomenon occurring in the Tokyo Empire, which turns humans into flaming fire creatures, the story focuses on the adventures of the newly-founded 8th Special Fire Brigade and their new recruit Shinra Kusakabe.
However, not everything is as it seems in the anime series, as audiences learn more about all of the main characters in the story and its overall conflict. Here is everything that readers should know about each main character in Fire Force.
Updated on April 13th, 2022, by Scott Vengel: Anime remains an incredibly popular medium in Spring 2022, with new adaptations like the spy-comedy series Spy x Family, and manga-favorite Komi Can't Communicate. This comes in addition to new seasons for old favorites, like One Piece, Kaguya-Sama: Love Is War, and Date A Live. However, among the many new continuations, many eager fans are still waiting for a confirmation about Season 3 of Fire Force, the last season concluding in December 2020. Recognizing the continuing popularity of the series, this article will be updated to include more information on the most popular characters in Fire Force.
Shinra Kusakabe
- Age: 17
- Height: 5'8" (173 cm)
- Birthday: October 29th
The newest recruit to the 8th Special Fire Brigade at the start of the story, Shinra Kusakabe is the main character of Fire Force. With an incredibly strong ability that releases fire from his feet, Shinra is a third-generation fire-user. During the events of the anime, Shinra Kusakabe is often nicknamed Demon, due to the sinister grin often found on his face and the mysterious nature of his abilities.
Don't let his grin mislead; Shinra Kusakabe has a lot to learn in being one of the youngest members of the force. That said, audiences will enjoy every moment of Shinra Kusakabe's journey, as he learns new strengths (in addition to his standard kick-based fighting style) in his pursuit of becoming a hero.
Shinra Kusakabe is also well-known for the tragic past of his family. While not much is known about Shinra's father, his mother and brother mysteriously died twelve years before the events of Fire Force. His journey in the anime largely revolves around learning the truth behind these events.
Akitaru Obi
- Age: 31
- Height: 6'2" (189 cm)
- Birthday: March 27th
Every brigade in the story has an incredibly interesting commander; Akitaru Obi is the company commander for the 8th Special Fire Brigade. As a leader, Obi rallies his brigadiers with his sheer charisma and determination.
One of two members without a fire ability at the beginning of the anime, audiences shouldn't let this fact mislead them. Adhering to strict exercise routines, Commander Obi makes quick work of fire people using his incredible super-strength. Because of the commander's determination, Akitaru Obi would seek to create the 8th Special Fire Brigade with his friend, Takehisa Hinawa, before the events of Fire Force.
Takehisa Hinawa
- Age: 28
- Height: 5'11" (180 cm)
- Birthday: September 23rd
The world of Fire Force goes a long way to ensure that the power balance of its fire abilities is complex, with second generations regulating existing flames and third-generation users starting fires. Hinawa is one of the first second-generation users that anime fans meet, using guns to start sparks to use his abilities.
The battalion captain of the 8th Brigade, Hinawa uses his experience in the army to control the battlefield. Nonetheless, despite his serious demeanor, Takehisa Hinawa is a kind soul that loves to wear weird hats, cook, and protect his teammates in the 8th Brigade. Nonetheless, Takehisa Hinawa is a voice of reason for the gung-ho Commander Akitaru Obi, often using intimidation to keep the company in line.
Maki Oze
- Age: 19
- Height: 5'6" (167 cm)
- Birthday: September 16th
Also in the army with Hinawa, Maki Oze comes from a family with close ties to the military. Joining the 8th Special Fire Brigade at Hinawa's recommendation, Maki is a second-generation fire user that can control flames across long distances.
Her kind looks hide a strong female character (both physically and emotionally) that audiences will grow to love throughout Fire Force's story. More than a few times, Maki will protect her fellow brigadiers with her witch-like fire abilities.
Maki Oze is best known for her connection to Takehisa Hinawa, who was a member of the military like her before the creation of the 8th Special Fire Brigade. Though she is related to an important official in the military's headquarters, it was Takehisa Hinawa that recruited Maki — Maki Oze was the third member to join the 8th Special Fire Brigade in Fire Force.
Iris
- Age: 16
- Height: 5' (154 cm)
- Birthday: April 10th
The Holy Sol Temple is a crucial part of the world in Fire Force, providing the brigades with priests and nuns trained to help fire people pass on to the next world. Iris is one of these nuns from the Holy Sol Temple, also a non-ability user like Commander Obi.
Nonetheless, Iris shows fierce determination in the field, with more bravery and love for her work than most other characters in the anime. Regardless of her lack of abilities, she also joins the 8th Brigade on the frontlines, initiating combat with a prayer for her team's opponents.
A large influence for Iris' actions in Fire Force is due to an event that occurred in her early childhood, after the burning down of her originally nunnery, an event shared with Captain Hibana of the 5th Special Fire Brigade. Caused by the sudden appearance of fire people, it is an important plot point for the nun in Fire Force.
Arthur Boyle
- Age: 17
- Height: 5'8" (174 cm)
- Birthday: July 10th
The next member of the 8th Brigade to join after Shinra, Arthur Boyle is a plasma-user that enrolled with Shinra during training. Likewise, the two third-generation fire users are often paired during missions, having a frenemy-type relationship.
One of the more creative characters in the 8th Special Fire Brigade, Arthur Boyle views himself as a "knight king" and the people he saves as his loyal subjects. Like any good knight, Arthur always uses his trusty plasma sword to protect his teammates and civilians alike.
Tamaki Kotatsu
- Age: 17
- Height: 5'1" (156 cm)
- Birthday: February 22nd
A newcomer to the 8th Brigade, Tamaki Kotatsu wasn't originally a member of the main cast in Fire Force. Rather, she became a member after being transferred from her original brigade; Tamaki Kotatsu started out as a member of the 1st Special Fire Brigade during the initial episodes of the anime.
Tamaki is also a third-generation fire user like Shinra and Arthur, growing cat-like features and increased endurance. In addition, Tamaki Kotatsu has increase flame resistance that has saved both herself and her teammates on multiple occasions.
Viktor Licht
- Age: 23
- Height: 6'1" (187 cm)
- Birthday: March 14th
The head of the 8th Brigade's chemistry and research department, Viktor Licht plays a very mysterious character in the Fire Force anime. Actively working with a strong anti-hero named Joker, audiences will consistently question whether Viktor Licht is on the side of the 8th Brigade or working for other factions.
Nonetheless, Viktor is an integral member of the main cast, using his intellect to solve major incidents. As a non-ability user, Viktor uses strategy and science to organize other ability users to extinguish even the biggest of fires.
Vulcan Joseph
- Age: 18
- Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
- Birthday: April 18th
In addition to a research department, all Special Fire Brigades also have a technological department in charge of maintenance and development. For the 8th Special Fire Brigade, this position is held by Vulcan Joseph, an adept prodigy in robotics.
As the plot goes on, audiences will be intrigued by his family's history with the Tokyo Empire, as well as his brilliant personality. With long-going ties to the field of mechanics in the Empire, Vulcan works to uphold the legacy of his family and recreate the Earth before it fell to disaster; a perfect character for anime fans that love sci-fi.