Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.5

Fire Force: Season 1, Part 2 Blu-ray Movie Review

Fire Force: Season 1, Part 2 is the second-half of the action-packed anime series. The series is based on the original manga by Atsushi Ohkubo (Soul Eater). The production is top-notch and features superb animation from production studio David Production (Monster Hunter Stories: Ride On, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure). Originally broadcast on the Japanese television network MBS, Fire Force is one of the best anime series currently in production. Season 2 can't arrive fast enough.

Shinra Kusakabe (Gakuto Kajiwara) faces new threats as Fire Force: Season 1, Part 2 takes the series in to an even darker and more mysterious second-half. As the season progresses, the issue of spontaneous human combustion continues to plague the world. Fire Force Company 8 remains dedication to continuing its mission to fight for human beings and against the vile villains attempting to thwart humanity. As things heat up, Shinra and the rest of the gang must go up against the Evangelist. Can Shinra be the hero everyone needs and ultimately save his brother Sho?

One of the most impressive elements of the series remains the exquisite animation. The production team clearly treats the series as a labor-of- love and the art work is stellar throughout. Featuring the outstanding efforts of art directors Yoshito Takamine (Matoi the Sacred Slayer) and Toshiaki Amada (Digimon Adventure), the team pulls out all the stops in the second half of the season. The fight scenes were particularly impressive and manage to make an even bigger splash than during the first half of the season. Almost every episode seemed to be firing on all cylinders and there was a feeling of the series becoming non-stop as it reached the last batch of episodes.

The second half of Fire Force: Season 1 mixes up the music playlist: the opening theme becomes MAYDAY (as performed by Coldrain feat. Ryo) and the end-credits music is now “Nonai” as performed by the group Lenny code fiction. The new music tracks give some added blasts of excitement to the season as the intensity ramps up throughout the second half of the set.

The music score composed by Ken'ichirô Suehiro (Goblin Slayer) continues to prove to be one of the most essential assets of the program. The music heightens the action scenes and gives the series an even larger scope to work from. The canvas of the series is all the better as Suehiro delves in to the production. There is room for both the heart of the characters and the drama to be balanced by the composer.

The scope of the story seems even more ambitious during these episodes. Given that the storyline was crafted by Soul Eater creator Atsushi Ohkubo, anime fans seem to be in for a real treat as the series continues to develop its voice. The characters are all given ample opportunity to shine in the set. Meanwhile, the storyline never seems to give viewers more than a few moments to breathe: the intensity of the action and dramatic tensions are further heightened. This is a well-written series, particularly because it has so much fun with the concept.

Yuki Yase (Ground Control to Psychoelectric Girl) is the head director of Fire Force. The anime develops and expands even further in the second half. Yase should be commended for being so talented behind-the-scenes. The action scenes are truly remarkable and the season dynamics become so intense that there were few episodes that failed to give full-body chills. Fire Force is easily one of the most entertaining anime series currently in production – it is even better in the second half and one can't help but wish for more the second the season ends.

Fire Force: Season 1, Part 2 Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from Funimation Entertainment, Fire Force: Season 1, Part 2 is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition in the original television broadcast aspect ratio of 1.78:1 widescreen. The picture-quality on the release is downright superb. The animation looks just as breathtaking as it did during the first half of the season. The line art is extremely detailed. The impressive special effects blended in to the animation give some extra depth and detail to the fun action-packed sequences.

The encode quality by Funimation remains top-notch as well. This is an amazingly slick and cool looking production and each episode manages to make a solid impression throughout the run of episodes. There were no egregious issues to report with regards to compression artifacts or banding. The animation is rock-solid and Fire Force proves to be an exceptionally good looking anime production.

Fire Force: Season 1, Part 2 Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release is presented with two audio options: English Dolby TrueHD 5.1 surround sound and Japanese Dolby TrueHD 2.0 with English subtitles. Either one of the included lossless audio tracks delivers fans of the series a presentation which is free from compromise. The high-resolution audio is fantastic and manages to bring audiences in to the story with ease. The second half of the first season is constantly ramping up the action and the music score manages to emphasis this with splendor: the top notch encoding by Funimation reflects that element and the experience is thereby heightened to even greater depths.

One can't help but become enthralled by the amazing music and the clear high quality sound that the track presents. Regardless of selection, fans are in for a good time. However, it remains worth noting that the surround sound presentation on the English dub option is fantastic. It manages to deliver a worthy surround experience and the rear speakers are actively used in order to enhance the fight scenes. There is a good balance between the sound effects, the music, and the high quality dialogue reproduction. Fans will be thrilled.

Fire Force: Season 1, Part 2 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Please Note: The release is a Blu-ray + DVD + Digital combo pack. The set includes a nice o-card slipcover with a shiny effect that gives the art work more pizzazz.

The collectors edition of Fire Force: Season 1, Part 2 includes a premium art box with holographic effects, an art book, art cards, keychains, and a Fire Force badge replica. These are fantastic set collectibles for enthusiasts of the anime series. The art cards are presented on quality card stock and look quite impressive. The keychains and badge are a nice touch. Many will find the inclusion of a art book worthwhile enough (while the holographic art box seals the deal). This is a cool set that is worth the extra cost for the additional pack-in bonuses. Funimation has assembled an impressive package.

On disc extras are as follows:

Fire Force: Inside the Episode – Episode 16 (HD, 12:00) is a behind-the-scenes featurette with the English dub cast. The interviews include Jason Liebrecht (voice of Vulcan) and Elizabeth Maxwell (voice of Lisa). The VA's discuss working on the program. Viewers get a special glimpse of both of these voice-actors inside the recording booths.

Fire Force: Inside the Episode – Episode 20 (HD, 11:54) is another behind-the-scenes featurette including the participation of members of the English dub cast. The interviews include Marcus D. Stimac (voice of Giovanni) and Christopher Wehkamp (voice of Hinawa). Between the interview footage and clips selected from series episodes, viewers get an inside look at the two performers working to make the dub a reality.

Fire Force: Inside the Episode – Episode 24 (HD, 9:55) is the last inside-the-episode included on season one. The piece features ADR director Kyle Phillips and voice-actor Derick Snow (who brought Shinra to life). The duo discuss working on Fire Force. There is more behind-the-scenes footage of the recording sessions.

Textless Opening Song (HD, 1:32)

Textless Closing Song (HD, 1:32)

Fire Force: Season 1, Part 2 Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The conclusion of Fire Force: Season 1 amps up the action considerably and every episode will have fans on the edge-of-their-seat. The animation is stunning and the storytelling becomes even more complex and mysterious. This is one of the best anime series currently in production. Season 2 is going to be an event: one can't help but be excited. The Blu-ray release from Funimation features an outstanding video-audio presentation and some supplemental features aimed at fans of the English voice-cast.

The collectors edition of Fire Force: Season 1, Part 2 is an even more impressive package. The set includes a deluxe art box (with an outstanding holographic effect), an art book, art cards, keychains, and a badge replica featuring the impressive Fire Force emblem. The quality of the set is fantastic and serious fans won't want to miss out on these extra goodies. After taking out the pack-ins box, fans can also slide in the first collection (available separately). Highly recommended.