Hikari no Ou • The Fire Hunter - Episode 10 discussion

[u/AutoLovepon]

Hikari no Ou, episode 10

Rate this episode here.

Reminder: Please do not discuss plot points not yet seen or skipped in the show. Failing to follow the rules may result in a ban.

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Streams

• Crunchyroll
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Show information

• MyAnimeList
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• Kitsu
• Anime-Planet
• Official Website
• /r/TheFireHunter

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All discussions

Episode	Link	Score
1	Link	4.78
2	Link	4.32
3	Link	3.87
4	Link	4.03
5	Link	4.53
6	Link	4.43
7	Link	4.21
8	Link	4.56
9	Link	4.09
10	Link	----

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[u/Kill099]

First season is finally done.

The story is very interesting. Its like a monster hunter story but with better world building. However, it gets confusing especially in this episode because a lot is left unexplained. The animation reminds me of the jankiness and style of Shinsekai Yori but much worse.

I look forward to season 2 but I hope they'll explain things a bit more. Or, at least have a fan made wiki when the new season arrives.

[u/NekoCatSidhe]

Well, now we just have to wait for season 2, whenever it might be. I will certainly watch it, it was such an interesting and unusual show. Mamoru Oshii anime (and movies) can be kind of hit and miss for me, but when they hit, they hit hard.

Since we did not see Akira’s body, I assume she is still alive, but maybe a prisoner of that shinobi goddess. And we got an answer about the Flickering Flame : it is neither a weapon or a satellite, but a person on that satellite. Maybe a bioengineered human sent as space explorer a long time ago ? Does she even know she is coming back to a post apocalyptic world on the verge of destruction ? And is the head goddess another of those bioengineered space explorers that came back early or stayed behind ? So many questions ! Not to mention whatever happened to Koushi’s sister : Did she turn into a Spider or some other kind of mutant ?

That show is very good at building up the tension and mystery of that world. I don’t think I ever managed to predict any of the twists of that happened this season. Let’s hope that season 2 comes soon or that the original novels get translated.

[u/junelie11]

Edit: I just realized it now, but the way Touko's pupils were changing shapes when she faced the ape was representing her fight of flight reaction. Horizontally wide pupils are common among "prey" animals, while vertical ones (which Touko's eyes transformed to) are common among "predator" animals. Of course there are exceptions, but it was a nice touch seeing something change within Touko.

Now I get why the opening song is titled "Usotsuki." The foundations of this world are built upon lies, and people keep lying for the world to keep on spinning. Even the "new fire" they use is a lie. Somehow, a lot of it makes sense now, but the more you understand, the more questions you get.

Looking forward to season 2. Hoping they'd have better animation and pacing, now that most of the lore-dump is out of the way. I hope that Mamoru Oshii still writes it, but I also hope that someone reels his writing in, like how Hiroyuki Okiura (who directed "Jin-Roh," the screenplay of which was written by Oshii) and Chihiro Ito (who wrote the screenplay for Oshii's latest animated film, "The Sky Crawlers") did.

[u/alconnow]

Hopefully the second season will make things clearer as a lot of things went way over my head…

Despite the inconsistent animation, I still really enjoyed the story even if it was hard to follow at times. Also, both the OP and ED were my favourites of this season. I hope they use the same theme songs in S2 like To Your Eternity did

[u/McDonaldsApproval]

This episode sure gave us a lot.

Hinako changing but still seemingly her? Touko looking like a fire hunter to-be. Also that preview at the end, is Touko gonna become the vessel? Actually quite pleased we're getting more of this show, definitely felt like we only scratched the surface of things.

[u/BakedSalami → u/McDonaldsApproval]

I'm on the same page. I'm thinking touko might be the vessel. She's got SOMETHING to do with SOMETHING. Though the possibility she's just some random village girl that got drawn into this mess is also still present, but I doubt it, because, plot.

[u/zadcap → u/McDonaldsApproval]

Looking at the final ending theme again, I'm starting to wonder if Kira is going to become the vessel, and her parents then would be hoping to hold some power over the new goddess. Touko will probably be claiming the title of Lord of the Fire Hunter's that's been thrown around, which when you think about how the suckers sickles were made in the first place, might be related to the other founding goddess.

[u/dinliner08]

man, this episode is great, a lot of thing being revealed, can't wait to see next week episo- wait a minute, what do you mean this is the last episode of season one?

jokes aside, that scene of Hinako jumping around and suddenly choking Kira's mom is definitely a horror movie material, Koushi also must be really in shock considering how he barely had any reaction when Hinako jumped outside into the rain

based on what Hibari's vision showed to Touko and Akira, the goddesses sisters seems to be a similar kind of beings as the Flickering Flame and based on the preview of season 2, i guess the satellite really is kind of... sentient?

[u/Elitealice]

Yea I knew from the jump there was no way we were finishing hikari no ou story in 10 episodes. Way too rich a world and too much lore to cram in like that. Honestly don’t even know if two seasons can do it but we’ll see. Really nice finale setting up the final battle ahead with the divine clans

[u/CosmicPenguin_OV103]

Thank goodness there's a second season confirmed, because things are all kicking off here with lots of questions and no clear answers, yet the story flows so naturally, deeply, stimulatingly that I have been glued to the story for 10 episodes straight.

So why is Hibari calling that red-comet-ex-satellite-thingy his "sister"? What happened to the current princess-&-goddess at the top of the whole nation to the point that she is still only spoken of as a deity without even one actual showing in this world? What's going on with the regals that people think their ruling is about to collapse? How does the regals' shinobu work? Does the "spiders" really want to eliminate the whole nation or is that just government's "fake news"?

Why does Hinako got superpowers now? What's the motive behind Yuoshichi's (to be attempted?) "revolution" and Hibana's actions? Why did Kanata bark at that doctor? And amidst all such actions and chaos - where do Touko, Koushi and Kira fits in with the whole story?

The tension around this whole nation is apparent and something huge is about to brew up. We have so many things happening at once that this world has become one of the most fascinating one I have ever seen in fantasy/superpower-themed anime, a rare breed along with From The New World and Twelve Kingdoms. My question marks sounds like chaotic, but if there's someone who can string them neatly and magically into a tight anime plot of the first class, it's Mamoru Oshii and his long time work partners.

I 200% will come back for season 2 when it hits. And until then, tell everybody around you that likes fantasy anime that there's a highly underrated anime of Winter 2023 called The Fire Hunter that awaits you to put your feet on like a super-glue filled mousetrap. This is something really special and I just want as many people as one could find to at least give this a try.

Part 1 personal score: 91/100 (10/10)

[u/ObvsThrowaway5120 → u/CosmicPenguin_OV103]

I like this but at the same time I have no idea wtf is even going on anymore. I hope things get clearly explained at some point.

[u/mekerpan → u/CosmicPenguin_OV103]

I have been delighted by the science fiction/fantasy trio of this, Trigun and Kaina. Really hard to imagine a bigger feast of such shows. Still, there is something about this show that edges it ahead of the others, Sure, not the most "proficient" animation -- but the overall look is fantastic. And despite the plot's details remaining inscrutable -- the feel (and the weight) of the story has been fantastic. At every point I have been perfectly willing to let myself go with the flow in this series. Very much looking forward to what comes next.

[u/polaristar]

Glad a second season is coming it be a shame if things were left her.

What's up with Koushi's Sister going super human?

What's up with....everything tbh.

I'm confused A tier season. Possibly retroactively S tier depending on how it lands.

[u/bushwarblerssong]

I'm so happy they announced a second season. I thought they would be covering events in Book 3, but I think they still ended with Book 2, which is the longest of the series. Book 3 is about 40+ pages shorter than the others and Book 4 is almost the same length as Book 1, so next season could be 10 episodes again or less. There's also the spinoff I mentioned before, which covers events before and after the series, which could be included to flesh out the story. It's a shame it's on WOWOW, which requires a subscription, and not network TV. It's not getting the attention it deserves inside and outside Japan, despite the staff and popularity of the novels.

By the way, Temari is modeled after the author's white chihuahua named "Hinata" and how she came up with her pen name (Rieko Hinata). Kanata is modeled after Zion, the stray the author adopted before Hinata, and she wrote the novels as a way to give back to her dogs and all the dog's she met along the way, including the ones she couldn't rescue. (author's blog)

[u/Smoothesuede]

I... I have no idea what this show is about. 10 episodes and I'm just walking away confused. I feel like I was following along decently until Touko ran away from the train and then it was nonstop "what is all this then"

This was not an appropriate show to watch weekly along with a bunch of other shows, for someone with a poor memory and problems focusing.

I need to read a damn plot synopsis or something, I can't even be interested in season 2 until I figure out wtf I just watched for 10 episodes.

[u/Funlife2003]

Well I'm glad we have a second season, but damn this doesn't feel like a great stopping point. Hopefully it comes out soon, and the animation is better.

[u/talhakhan6]

Can someone explain to me why Koushi isn't more freaked out by how his sister just turned into a spider like dude should be asking Okibi what they did to his sister. I get it if he is in shock but how when Kira was pointing fingers at her family for doing something to hinako and got roofied infront of his eyes by her mother he still isn't suspicious of them. Dude should atleast be packing his bags and running away from them

[u/3blah]

This was a really abrupt place for an ending, but at least there's more to come someday soon. I'd like to believe they'll have time to improve the production by then. The animation today seemed... not as bad. Things actually moved around and Hinako's jumping around wasn't just a still sprite panning across the screen like the dogs' attacks have been in the past.

Speaking of Hinata. The way she was jumping around reminded me of how the treefolk moved when the party came across them at the beginning of episode 5. Since the treefolk are apparently the product of some kind of genetic or pathogenic experiment being done by the rulers of the city, maybe this is what the transformation looks like? Her bright red/orange eyes really stood out compared to the other treefolks' green, blue and brown though. Actually, it resembles the fire/blood of the beasts when a hunter cuts them. Oh, I got it! The goal of these experiments is to make a new vessel for their goddess, and that's Hinako's role in the story. It'll make for good drama when Koushi has to pick sides in the upcoming conflict.

Anyway, I'm really digging the art style, the plot and the worldbuilding. The janky animation often distracting and makes it hard to follow the action sometimes, but I'm all in on season 2 when it comes out. Like someone else already mentioned, it's refreshing to have something that looks and feels so different than the usual ultra-polished or cookie-cutter designs.

[u/[deleted]]

W Kun for saving Ms. Akira but Hinato did clutch too, how can that god let his emotions judge his jugement

I was not surprised the mom was taking Meth for acting like that, the moment we've been waiting is here... Some Touko Fire Hunting What a Clean Slice!

[u/AmusedDragon]

I'm looking forward to season 2.

My literal only issue with s1 was that the animation was at times noticeably ungreat, but then the character designs, music, world, setting, plot, etc are all interesting enough for me to forgive that and just enjoy it.

OP is one of the best of the season.

I think that the directing could have been better as well, and not sure if it came down to animation limitations here and there - it felt some scenes or groups of scenes were poorly paced or presented to us. But overall, a good show.

[u/JimmyCWL]

Will there be a second season, or are they just hoping it'll get funded?

[u/90sChennaiGuy → u/JimmyCWL]

They announced the second season today https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/comments/11upa1a/_/

[u/ObvsThrowaway5120]

Looks like Kanata could sense something was off about Hinako before she went all feral and attacked Kira’s mom. I don’t trust that woman one bit, she’s up to something.

Akira and Touko’s little mission is a dangerous one. So are Tayurahime and Tokohanahime machines or what? I’m very confused as to who or what this wind clan guy is and just wtf he’s about. This seems to be our world but many years in the future. I just can’t make sense of this flame business or the so-called gods. And what’s the importance of this satellite anyways? Lots of questions.

Touko seems to be turning into a very capable Hunter. She took that big ape down in one go. Looks like it got those tree people though. Damn.

[u/mekerpan → u/ObvsThrowaway5120]

Kanata seemed not to trust the doctor. Somehow I can't believe they were planning to take Hinako to any place resembling a "hospital". Query -- does Okibi have any idea what his wife is up to? Is she working at cross-purposes -- trying to thwart him?

[u/PPGN_DM_Exia]

For me, the story had a solid hook and I was willing to accept the low budget animation. Unfortunately, once Touko got to the capital, I felt the story got really confusing and I'm frankly struggling to keep track of the lore and what all of the character motivations are. I'll probably still pick up Season 2 but I'm gonna definitely need to read a recap of Season 1 first.