However, above all themes in the anime, religion stands out due to its uniqueness and importance. First and foremost, religion is a core part of the Tokyo Empire – the setting of the story. Furthermore, in the last season of Fire Force, it was subtly hinted that the followers of “The Evangelist” are closely connected with the Tokyo Sol Temple, meaning religion is a controversial theme in Fire Force. So, how does religion play a central in Fire Force?
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Látom – A Prayer & More
“Látom” is a treasured religious word in the world of Fire Force, used for different, important reasons. The word is not a one-function term but a multi-faceted one. The most relevant use of látom is for the death of infernals that has been laid to rest by the Special Fire Force. A Fire Force Company is not complete without a Sister/Priest that completed training in the Holy Sol Temple. For Company 8, Sister Iris is the individual in charge of performing rites of passage for infernals. Religion is often used as a coping mechanism, so the word “látom" might be a tactic to lessen the guilt that comes with killing infernals since they were formerly humans.
Fire Force characters also use látom as a good luck charm. Since the term is a sacred one, Tokyo’s citizenry believes that voicing it out may help them avoid unpleasant scenarios. This was clearly depicted in the anime’s first season, where the mascots wished Shinra & Arthur about to go on a mission “good luck” using the word látom. Látom also serves as a term that hardens the resolve of characters. In several instances, fire soldiers use the word as a physical affirmation of their determination to carry out a mission or important task. Lastly, it can be used as a blessing. Individuals that use látom this way are often Sisters – they bless the missions and some of the necessary actions carried out by the Special Fire Force.
The Theocratic Holy Sol Temple
The Holy Sol Temple is the foremost religion of the Tokyo Empire. The religion is based on the worship of Sol the Sun God. Surprisingly, the religion is also a dominant authority in the Tokyo Empire. The theocratic government, led by the suspicious identity “Raffles the III”, has displayed its importance on several occasions. In season one of Fire Force, the Raffles the III was able to summon the eight captains of the different Fire Force companies, proving that his power was absolute, visibly exceeding Tokyo Government and the Imperial Army. After all, the Holy Sol Temple was part of the three founding organizations that created the Special Fire Force Brigade.
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The principles shared by the Holy Sol Temple are believed without question by Tokyo’s citizens. One of the leading teachings is that the Great Cataclysm wiped out the former cultures of the world. Raffles the First then discovered the “Adolla Burst”, a flame considered sacred by the Holy Sol Temple and used it to create “Amaterasu.” Unarguably, the Amaterasu is the heart of the Tokyo Empire since it generates power for its citizens. Consequently, the Holy Sol Temple’s affirmation that its creation is tied to them significantly raises its authority. The Holy Sol Temple is tied to the major developments and activities in Fire Force. While their hidden actions are downright suspicious and dark, the power of the religious organization is not one that can be easily upturned.
The White Clad & The Evangelist
The Evangelist is the final antagonist of the Fire Force series. The religious entity has been a pain in the ass for the Special Fire Force through the nefarious White Clad. Presently, in the anime, the Evangelist hasn’t been revealed much; however, her negative inputs have been at the very center of nasty developments in the series. The Evangelist is not an earthly being; she arrived on Earth from Adolla, a different dimension, through a hole in space. Based on this fact, she is revered as “God” by the members of the White Clad and other followers.
The Evangelist’s goal is to create another sun with the earth as its core ingredient. She plans on doing this by gathering the eight pillars with Adolla Burst – to trigger another Great Cataclysm. However, what makes the Evangelist closely linked to religion in Fire Force is through the Raffles the First identity. In the final season, it has been hinted that the identity “Raffles” is a controversial one, linked to the Evangelist. If this turns out to be true, then it means that the religion of the Tokyo Empire is a massive ploy orchestrated by the otherworldly “Evangelist.”
Religion may be the cause of the Tokyo Empire’s downfall. However, there is still a sliver of hope in the form of “Company 8” and the protagonist of the series, Shinra. Since Fire Force manga has ended, fans can only wait and see how the full story plays out in the animated version.
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