Fire Force Season 3 Episode 14 (Episode 62 Overall) Review: "With the Sun at His Back"

Aired January 17, 2026. Tonight, we witnessed "legendary animation" that will go down in history and a soul-stirring bond between master and student. This episode marks a defining moment in the story of Asakusa's destruction king, Benimaru Shinmon.

Overall Impressions: The True Essence of Fire Force! Perfect Animation, Direction, and Story in the "Sun" Episode

Episode 14, "With the Sun at His Back," was a masterpiece that gave me chills throughout. The battle scenes in the second half deserve to be called "animation violence," depicting the clash of fire wielders with overwhelming contrast of light and shadow.

The Doppelganger of his predecessor Hibachi—the greatest wall and trauma for Benimaru. Watching him face this not with mere hatred but with "gratitude and a proper greeting" showed his tremendous growth as both a person and a firefighter.

The staff's passion was incredible, perfectly elevating the almost absurd coolness of the source material with anime-specific pacing and sound design. Many viewers must have teared up along with Konro in his crying scene.

Episode 14 Summary

The story accelerates when the "Demon" of predecessor Hibachi Shinmon appears beside the seventh pillar that suddenly emerged in Asakusa. With his town and his comrades hurt, Benimaru challenges his master to a one-on-one fight.

• Nine years ago, Hibachi posed the question of "the resolve to bear death"
• He was mocked for failing to grasp the sun (nichirin) and running to the moon (kogetsu) instead
• The answer Benimaru, who has loved and protected Asakusa, finally found on his own

As a Doppelganger, Hibachi repeats destruction, but it also seemed like final passionate guidance from beyond death, saying "Show me the real sun."

The scene where Benimaru drops low and bows deeply to his predecessor in greeting. Then his roar of "Let me show you our firefighting!" The direction of the Asakusa crew throwing matoi banners and igniting them was truly a "festival."

And finally, the unleashed "Nichirin Kogetsu" (Crimson Moon of the Sun). Swallowing both sun and moon, and all the weight his predecessor carried, the moment Benimaru lit up the world with his own power, the screen was overwhelmed with blinding radiance. Hibachi's final smile of "Not bad" before exploding was the coolest possible farewell between master and student.

Next Episode Preview

Episode 15 is titled "Birth." Benimaru's battle has shortened the distance to Adolla, and the world's laws begin to go even more haywire. Meanwhile, Sho finally begins to investigate his own past and the Kusakabe family's history.

It looks like we're heading into tense developments that will touch the story's core!