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Fire Forceis an anime that subverts expectations, but Tamaki Kotatsu consistently proves that some characters could stand to stay out of the spotlight. With a cast ofunique and interesting heroes and villains, it’s somewhat perplexing that a character like Tamaki gets as much attention as she does. Not only does her penchant for showing skin put off potential viewers, but she adds very little else to the story. It’s hard to figure out whyAtsushi Ohkubo, the series creator, would put such a one-dimensional character front and center so often. WouldFire Forcebe a better story if she was cut out of the picture entirely? Some character development, at the very least, certainly wouldn’t go unappreciated.
The tale ofFire Forceis one of mystery, action, and the importance of forged connections. While the story starts out somewhat light, considering it revolves around the macabre topic of human immolation, things only get darker and more complicatedas the plot moves forward. With heavy concepts such as religious fanaticism, childhood trauma, and the constantly looming threat of death, potty-gags seem a bit out of place. At the center of the majority of such moments is Tamaki Kotatsu, the self-proclaimed bearer of the Lucky Lecher Lure. This affliction causes a bevvy of wardrobe malfunctions and unfortunate collisions for the ever-clumsy Tamaki, typically resulting in bared skin or accidental fondling. While these sequences can sometimes elicit a chuckle or two, they often feel a bit jarring, disrupting the pacing of the story.
February 22nd
17
156 cm
41 kg
What Does Kotatsu bring to the Table?
Luring the Lechers With Luck
At times, Tamaki’s baffling condition can be beneficial to the third-generation pyrokinetic. Her encounters with Assault would likely have ended very differently if her luck hadn’t caused the assassin to withdraw time and time again. So far, in the anime, these were the only major battles that the cat-girl has been able to leave as a victor. It makes one wonder what purpose she really serves at all. Outside of battle, her knack for getting herself into awkward situations takes up the majority of her time on screen.Even the other charactersare tired of her frequent accidents. Although, admittedly, the cast’s increasingly blasé reactions to her mishaps can be entertaining in themselves.
Leaning Too Hard On Her Support System
The most frustrating thing about Tamaki by far is the fact that she could be so much more. Her status as a weak, clumsy girl, perceived by many to be flippant and conniving, puts her in a perfect place for some real character development. How satisfying would it be to watch her finally pull out all the stops, stand up for herself, and actually win? It seems like every time she’s put into a make-or-break situation, she falters, only coming out alive thanks to the help of others. She hasan interesting application of powerthat could be utilized for some amazing moves. Why doesn’t she use them? With hercompleting her training to become a nun, at least she can assist in ways other than combat. Though, even then, it’s hard to get a prayer out when she’s fighting with her own wardrobe.
There’s Still Time for Tamaki to Shine
I know it’s not going to be that easy for me to change,
-Tamaki Kotatsu
The Will to Grow Stronger
Perhaps, in the manga, she’s finally had her day in the sun, but so far in the anime adaptation, Kotatsu has failed to deliver. Despite Tamaki having one of the more underwhelming backstories and motivations in the series, she does seem to genuinely want to get stronger. Her “training” with Hikage and Hinata may have been somewhat laughable, but according toCaptain Benimaru of the 7th, she had unlocked power that she had been unconsciously holding back. Could season three be Tamaki’s time to shine? Will Company 8’s catty fire soldier show viewers her wild side, or will she be relegated to the role of sex-kitten for the remainder of the story? Even fans of the Lucky Lecher Lure must admit that the former would be a delight to see. Here’s hoping she puts those cat-like reflexes to good use and shows fans of the series what she’s truly capable of!
