7 Years Later, Evangelion’s New-Gen Anime Successor Is Finally Ending

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When Atsushi Ohkubo’s Fire Force anime debuted in 2019, it quickly became a sensation. This action-packed series features characters who battle mysterious, fire-based demons called Infernals, using their own fire powers. The story follows Shinra Kusakabe as he joins Special Fire Force Company 8, and each season of Fire Force builds upon the previous one with even higher stakes and more intense action.

The third and final season of Fire Force really takes risks, building towards a possible end of the world as a devastating event seems more and more likely. While Fire Force has always been unique, its final episodes echo the intense, philosophical conclusion of Neon Genesis Evangelion. Season 3, Part 2 consists of 13 episodes that bring this excellent action series to a thrilling and satisfying finish.

Fire Force’s Second Great Cataclysm Evokes The Finality Of Evangelion’s Third Impact

The final season of Fire Force builds towards a massive, world-ending event – the Second Great Cataclysm, which threatens to destroy the Earth and begin a new creation. Season 3 Part 2 provides satisfying explanations for the mysterious phenomenon of spontaneous human combustion and answers many of the overarching questions about the Fire Force world. Meanwhile, Company 8 is forced to go on the run while confronting the enigmatic Evangelist, a key figure who believes in the coming Cataclysm.

While Fire Force always had a serious side, its first season is much more upbeat compared to the intense psychological horror of later seasons. As both Fire Force and Evangelion explore humanity battling overwhelming, religiously-themed threats, it’s easy to see similarities between them. The Infernals in Fire Force, particularly the Evangelist, are reminiscent of the Angels in Evangelion. Both anime also center around the idea of renewal coming through destruction.

The final battle of Fire Force, with Shinra facing the Evangelist, echoes the emotional journey Shinji goes through at the end of Neon Genesis Evangelion. While Shinra is incredibly strong physically, his real power comes from his inner peace and his ability to use that stability to help build a new world. This world doesn’t have to be defined by anger and sorrow – that lesson is just as vital as any display of fire power. Ultimately, both Fire Force and Evangelion share a similar, larger message about overcoming negativity and building a better future.

Wow, the writing in Fire Force’s final season is seriously impressive! Knowing this was the end really let the story take risks and get intense. But honestly, David Production absolutely nailed the visuals. I know Fire Force wasn’t always their biggest hit, but you can just feel how much love they poured into this. The animation is truly top-tier – they’re really showing off with this final season!

David Production is handling a lot of anime projects right now, but Fire Force still gets top priority. In fact, the incredible animation in the second part of Fire Force Season 3 is a great preview of what they’re capable of, and hints at the high quality we can expect from their upcoming anime, Steel Ball Run.

Fire Force Season 3 Part 2 Is Likely The Franchise’s End

The three seasons of Fire Force provided a strong conclusion to the anime. However, many fans believe there’s still potential for more stories within this world, perhaps through a spin-off, prequel, or a new take on the genre. Interestingly, Fire Force doesn’t have a lot of extra content. Creator Atsushi Ohkubo has chosen to keep things concise and has stated that this will likely be his last manga, as he’s looking forward to retiring.

Although the Fire Force manga has finished, a new anime series could still be made to continue the story. However, the ending of Fire Force connects directly to the beginning of Soul Eater, and a continuation through Soul Eater might be a better path. Rumors suggest a Soul Eater remake is planned for 2026, and this remake could officially recognize Fire Force‘s ending, expanding the connection between the two series.

It’s definitely possible for Fire Force to become very popular. Its success could even bring new attention to Atsushi Ohkubo’s earlier work, Soul Eater. Fire Force is a great series in its own right, and isn’t simply meant to promote Soul Eater. However, it would be fitting and meaningful if Ohkubo’s most successful anime ended up benefiting both series in a mutually supportive way.

Other Major Apocalyptic Shonen Anime Are Positioned To Fill Fire Force’s Void

After 73 episodes, Fire Force is concluding, and it doesn’t shy away from taking its core ideas to their absolute limit. It’s unusual for an anime – like Fire Force and Neon Genesis Evangelion – to be so daring and potentially controversial. Introducing concepts that challenge everything and might even split the fanbase is a risky move. However, for shows like these, it’s the only ending that truly feels right. We may not see another anime willing to take such big risks and explore such dark themes for quite some time.

Luckily, a few new anime series have the potential to follow in the footsteps of Fire Force, especially those that explore dramatic, world-ending scenarios. Gachiakuta is generating a lot of buzz as a promising shonen anime for 2025, mainly because of its distinctive and bleak setting. The story features rebels trying to overthrow the established order, which could lead to a similarly impactful and thought-provoking ending like those seen in Fire Force and Evangelion.

The latest season of Trigun Stargaze could lead to a huge, world-altering event, similar to the “July Incident” from the original Trigun, ending the series with a dramatic reset. Two other currently airing anime, Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End and Dandadan, are also likely contenders to fill the gap left by Fire Force, as both are building towards major consequences and changes that will heavily impact their main characters.

The new Ghost in the Shell anime from Science SARU, and the hinted-at Akira series, could be incredibly impactful, potentially changing the anime world dramatically. While Fire Force ending will leave a gap in exciting and daring anime, several other shows are poised to fill that void.

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2026-02-18 07:11