WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Season 2, Episode 23 of Fire Force, "Firecat," now streaming on Crunchyroll.
During Fire Force's recent journey into the depths of the Nether, Shinra was reunited with the treacherous Dr. Giovanni. As their rematch flared up, the Evangelist-loyal Giovanni caused the young Fire Solider to question an Adolla Link he experienced in Season 1. With links only possible between those with an Adolla Burst or who have been in contact with Adolla, Shinra wonders how Company 7's Konro could connect with him.
After informing Captain Obi about his previous Adolla Link with Konro, Shinra -- along with Captain Hibana -- heads to Asakusa to question the lieutenant of Company 7. Though Hibana is initially suspicious of Konro, despite him not knowing he and Shinra shared a link, his experience with the Adolla and an apparent doppelgänger pique her interest. With White-Clad assassins targeting Konro, Shinra plans to get to the bottom of why he's a target.
Konro Recalls His Encounter with a Doppelgänger Demon
Konro suffers from a condition known as tephrosis, caused when a pyrokinetic overuses their Ignition Ability. Once the disease takes effect, their bodies char, making it painfully difficult to use their abilities. When Shinra and Hibana arrive in Asakusa, they find Konro on the outskirts of town as a White-Clad assassin attacks him. After quickly striking them down, the three Fire Force soldiers discuss the night Konro encountered the Adolla.
Konro's tephrosis occurred years prior when an Infernal Demon that he describes as his mirror image attacked Asakusa. With identical Ignition Abilities and similar body structures, the Demon looked like a version of Konro if he became an Infernal. At the moment he defeated his hellish doppelgänger, Konro briefly appeared in Adolla, witnessing the blackened landscape. Like others before him, Konro carries the scars he picked up from his brush with the otherworldly plane.
Sister Iris and the First Pillar Point to a Doppelgänger Revelation
As Shinra theorizes why the White-Clad would target Konro, Hibana dives into the mythos of doppelgängers and explains that they often aim to kill their counterparts. While Shinra doesn't realize it at the moment, he's encountered another potential doppelgänger in the First Pillar and Sister Iris. Throughout this season, the First Pillar has been mentioned as the sacrificial Adolla user within Amaterasu, and she appeared early on while briefly controlling Shinra's body.
Iris and the First Pillar's connection hasn't been investigated but will likely be something the series explores in upcoming seasons. Since Shinra's the only member of Company 8 to have seen the First Pillar, he's the only one aware of their striking similarities. However, it could be the key to uncovering another aspect of the Evangelist's plan and unlocking the truth behind the doppelgängers.
A Game of Tag Pushes Tamaki to New Heights
Pushing those mysteries aside, Shinra is joined by Arthur and Tamaki for additional training from the 7th's captain, Benimaru Shinmon. As Shinra and Arthur take part in a strange rite of passage, Tamaki plays a high stakes game of tag with the youngest members of Company 7 -- Hinata and Hikage. As the twins chase Tamaki, she starts facing her past shortcomings and people's perceptions of her that have affected her confidence.
Tamaki throws away the doubt that has stopped her from reaching her fiery feline best, hopefully making way for her to realize her incredibly exciting potential finally. With the Evangelist always a step ahead, the Fire Force will need everyone firing at their best to stop the next Great Cataclysm.
