Hikari no Ou Episode 1 Discussion

What did you think of this episode?

DO NOT discuss the source material beyond this episode. If you want to discuss future events or theories, please use separate threads.
DO NOT ask where to watch/download this episode or give links to copyrighted, non-fair use material.
DO NOT troll/bait/harass/abuse other users for liking or disliking the series/characters.
DO read the Anime Discussion Rules and Site & Forum Guidelines.

Jan 15, 2023 2:42 AM

#51

Kayro

Offline

Feb 2008

4416

Really liked the art style used and the show has a really interesting premise.

Jan 15, 2023 3:56 AM

#52

ZXEAN

Offline

Sep 2020

5334

Looks good but I don't like Touko's high pitch voice.

Jan 15, 2023 5:40 AM

#53

AhLekz

Offline

Mar 2018

I liked it so so much.

Jan 15, 2023 6:03 AM

#54

snowman_builder

Offline

Dec 2009

3343

Finally! I really enjoyed this episode, caught me as a pleasant surprise. I'm really hyped and want to know how the story develops! And it still has relatively low ratings with very little viewers. I hope this changes soon.

Jan 15, 2023 6:53 AM

#55

SoraSenpai

Offline

Nov 2011

3805

Bored out of my mind watching this. Honestly was not that good. We'll see if the upcoming episodes show promise.

Listen to my podcast
https://anchor.fm/waifusandweeaboos

Follow my twitch.
https://www.twitch.tv/sorasensei1

Fall 2024 Waifus on Profile

"You can have multiple Waifus" -me

Jan 15, 2023 7:05 AM

#56

davidyodo24

Offline

Oct 2019

7389

I missed this kind of artstyle so much.

Wow that Opening is a BANGER!! Amazing Visual.

Interesting premise, what a good start.
but damn why they all so harsh to Touko.

Jan 15, 2023 7:56 AM

#57

gophercg

Offline

Mar 2012

4110

Quite peculiar animation style & nice face detailing.
nice OP.
feel like half the dialogue makes little sense, or is it the subs.
Dont get why everyone's mean to Touko, & she barely speaks.
Interesting worldbuilding on flames, village religion, cool auger trains etc.

Jan 15, 2023 12:04 PM

#58

queenbananya

Offline

Nov 2013

Probably my favorite first episode so far this season, not counting sequels.

Jan 15, 2023 12:05 PM

#59

Miragee

Offline

Sep 2014

1282

That was a compelling first episode. I adored the attention to detail. Here I am, praying it won't fall flat in the upcoming episodes by introducing terrible characters or anime tropes.

BlichoBoy said:
How even should Touko had introduced Kanata? Like "This dog who isn't mine and I dont know, whose name is Kanata"?

I'm pretty sure she gave the dog a name (Kanata), which isn't the dog's real name. Another option would be that the fire hunter shouted the dog's name during the fight and she caught it.

Jan 15, 2023 5:12 PM

#60

Alkimia

Offline

Aug 2019

1166

Awesome first episode! This is a pretty interesting world and setting and I just hope it gets expanded on and explored more as we go on. Human burning from the inside just from being near natural firing is a pretty interesting and tragic concept. Yet another weekly saturday show for me. This season is pretty sick

Jan 15, 2023 7:17 PM

#61

PerryTShipman

Offline

Jul 2021

124

I would score this as an 11!!! Great pacing, beautiful artwork and very interesting characters in a mysterious setting. Ghibli studio’ish.

Jan 16, 2023 12:33 AM

#62

GakutoDeathGlare

Offline

Sep 2018

5220

Very curious first episode, didn't realize it Oshii was doing the script, oh god. Now we gotta deal with his obnoxious fanboys...

Jan 16, 2023 4:50 AM

#63

Tsarko

Offline

Feb 2017

2710

Miragee said:
That was a compelling first episode. I adored the attention to detail. Here I am, praying it won't fall flat in the upcoming episodes by introducing terrible characters or anime tropes.

BlichoBoy said:
How even should Touko had introduced Kanata? Like "This dog who isn't mine and I dont know, whose name is Kanata"?

I'm pretty sure she gave the dog a name (Kanata), which isn't the dog's real name. Another option would be that the fire hunter shouted the dog's name during the fight and she caught it.

Rewatch the very first scene. The fire hunter told her the dog's name before dying. It's the first line of dialogue in the episode.

Jan 16, 2023 5:14 AM

#64

Vindicater

Offline

Jul 2016

3121

Kayro said:
Really liked the art style used and the show has a really interesting premise.

AN interesting world concept has me hooked rightnow.

Jan 16, 2023 7:35 AM

#65

Farabeuf

The Shrike

Offline

Nov 2009

11580

Interesting world building and an ominous atmosphere make for an interesting for an intriguing start. Looking forward to this which might end up being the best show this season if it keeps this up. Like they said in another thread, massive Shinsekai Yori vibes too.

"Perhaps there is a universal, absolute truth. Perhaps it justifies every question. But that's beyond the reach of these small hands." Mamoru Oshii

There is a cult of ignorance (...) nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that “my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.” Isaac Asimov

Jan 16, 2023 7:41 AM

#66

PaulFFX

Offline

Jan 2022

This is my type of anime

Loved the animation style, the soundtrack, the lore, the openings and endings

One small complaint is the narrator info dump but it was done better than many others

5/5

Jan 16, 2023 7:47 AM

#67

Miragee

Offline

Sep 2014

1282

Tsarko said:

I'm pretty sure she gave the dog a name (Kanata), which isn't the dog's real name. Another option would be that the fire hunter shouted the dog's name during the fight and she caught it.

Rewatch the very first scene. The fire hunter told her the dog's name before dying. It's the first line of dialogue in the episode.

Ah thanks! I guess I didn't pay attention right then.

Jan 16, 2023 9:08 AM

#68

PHNika1

Offline

Aug 2022

Wow.
What!, A fantastic first episode!

I was drawn here by the animation style and glad I did.
Really hit my interest damn hard.

And, I was really surprised when I heard the OP song "Usotsuki".
I am a big fan of "Leo Ieiri" from a long time, and it's my first anime ongoing, where she is giving her voice.
So, it has become more special for me.

And, Maaya Sakamoto is doing ED.
Goddamn, it's fantastic.

Also glad that 'Kuno Misaki' is doing the MC, she is an amazing voice actor and she had done some great and mind-blowing performances last year like Faputa and Haine.

So, I really like the atmosphere, the aesthetic and setting of the anime.
But, best I like is art-style.

Let's see where it goes.

Jan 16, 2023 11:12 AM

#69

JiangHaoyi1979

Offline

May 2018

2190

Geeez, I don't get this anime's title "The Fire Hunter" why would the people even need such entity when they have been genetically modified to be allergic to fire?

Jan 16, 2023 12:17 PM

#70

Acctra

Offline

Jan 2021

1036

This is looking like it's gonna be pretty dark, so I think I may enjoy it.

Jan 16, 2023 1:21 PM

#71

Dark_Reunion007

Offline

Sep 2019

The first episode was really great, opening is pretty good too. Idk what the art style is called but it somehow looks clean.
The characters showed in the episode are pretty concervative but they are indeed realistic and not much extremist.
As for the story it's just the first episode for now but i hope it will get even better.
I'd recommend peoples who can't find thoughtful and logical in respective Sense.

Jan 16, 2023 6:26 PM

#72

Rexnihilo

Offline

Oct 2020

3525

I like how this is going so far. I hope that it doesn’t disappoint and I don't think it will

Jan 17, 2023 12:03 AM

#73

Mr_Eccentric777

Offline

Jul 2019

Interesting start I have good faith that this will be one to remember considering Mamoru Oshii is taking the reigns on this show can't to see how it plays out.

Jan 17, 2023 4:18 AM

#74

Puff46

Offline

Oct 2020

This first episode did a great job of balancing it's exposition. There was just enough showing through moments like Touko looking at the goddess statue or Rin wearing the mask and watching Touko leave. But at the same time, we got told about certain aspects, which explain more of the "rules" of the world they are living in. They knew which things needed to be shown and which things needed to be told to give us a good balance, and then we also got excellent moments like when Touko had the lantern, and Rin tells her she is wasting the "fire" that she had. That scene also had Rin stating quite bluntly why she hates Touko. Both of these bits of information are then reinforced through later scenes, like when we see the machines arrive with the fuel and the abovementioned scene with Rin and the mask. It helps reinforce the world building, adding proper layers.

I also really enjoyed the small detail stuff like how this society has started naming their children using fire and red related terms as a way to bless and protect them from real fire. That just seems really realistic. Also, the narrator makes it clear that the past used to be more "modern" and we can still see remnants of this in things like Koushi's umbrella and a girl in the city wearing a more Western style outfit.

When it comes to the visuals, mood, and atmosphere, I almost got a bit of an Ookami vibe to it. The music, I think, really helped in this area to provide a feeling of a modern day folktale or lore, but with touches of more modern technology, which is an interesting mix. The art style also has this slight sketchy look to it, which also fits in with that whole atmosphere and really does make the series feel like a novel, which this is based on (iirc) come to life.

The last thing I want to comment on is the character writing. This first episode did a very good job of simply establishing the characters. From the way the papermaker talked about Touko, we can get a sense of how the village, as a whole, likely feels about her right now. From the grandmother's brief words about Fire Hunters, we can get an understanding of how the world these characters live in view that line of work, and from the two men's brief interactions with Touko on the machine we can see their difference in approaches to Touko (a gentle, soft touch approach vs a hard love type of approach).

We also have some extremely good female character writing with the aunt. She has a stern look about her and knows how to use that, as well as her knowledge of the world, to get the paper that Touko would need from her journey. She is never shown being intimidated and is very intellectually bright. But, we also see her being very understanding and gentle with Touko over the mistake Touko made. This is a great level of complexity for a female character, especially for one that may not even being a returning and major character. It leaves me feeling very hopeful about Touko's future growth and development as a character too. It helps that I also think they did a good job of showing how she is a nice and kind girl - respectful - but she is determined to make amends for her mistake and won't back down or show fear, even when it is made clear that she may die on the way to the capital. There a solid foundation for her character, with room for her character to grow and develop a more distinct personality along the way. I am really excited and interested in seeing that!

Jan 17, 2023 4:19 AM

#75

JustBlve

Offline

Sep 2016

I came into this Anime with little expectations but was pleaseantly surprised by its use of subtle facial and body language to convey half the dialogue, something i hardly see these days. Episode 1 was a joy to watch as it arrested my full focus throughout its runtime. Its a very Good pilot episode

Jan 17, 2023 4:19 AM

#76

Puff46

Offline

Oct 2020

[font="\"Noto Sans\", Arial, sans-serif"]This first episode did a great job of balancing it's exposition. There was just enough showing through moments like Touko looking at the goddess statue or Rin wearing the mask and watching Touko leave. But at the same time, we got told about certain aspects, which explain more of the "rules" of the world they are living in. They knew which things needed to be shown and which things needed to be told to give us a good balance, and then we also got excellent moments like when Touko had the lantern, and Rin tells her she is wasting the "fire" that she had. That scene also had Rin stating quite bluntly why she hates Touko. Both of these bits of information are then reinforced through later scenes, like when we see the machines arrive with the fuel and the abovementioned scene with Rin and the mask. It helps reinforce the world building, adding proper layers.[/font]
[font="\"Noto Sans\", Arial, sans-serif"]I also really enjoyed the small detail stuff like how this society has started naming their children using fire and red related terms as a way to bless and protect them from real fire. That just seems really realistic. Also, the narrator makes it clear that the past used to be more "modern" and we can still see remnants of this in things like Koushi's umbrella and a girl in the city wearing a more Western style outfit.[/font]
[font="\"Noto Sans\", Arial, sans-serif"]When it comes to the visuals, mood, and atmosphere, I almost got a bit of an Ookami vibe to it. The music, I think, really helped in this area to provide a feeling of a modern day folktale or lore, but with touches of more modern technology, which is an interesting mix. The art style also has this slight sketchy look to it, which also fits in with that whole atmosphere and really does make the series feel like a novel, which this is based on (iirc) come to life.[/font]
[font="\"Noto Sans\", Arial, sans-serif"]The last thing I want to comment on is the character writing. This first episode did a very good job of simply establishing the characters. From the way the papermaker talked about Touko, we can get a sense of how the village, as a whole, likely feels about her right now. From the grandmother's brief words about Fire Hunters, we can get an understanding of how the world these characters live in view that line of work, and from the two men's brief interactions with Touko on the machine we can see their difference in approaches to Touko (a gentle, soft touch approach vs a hard love type of approach).[/font]
[font="\"Noto Sans\", Arial, sans-serif"]We also have some extremely good female character writing with the aunt. She has a stern look about her and knows how to use that, as well as her knowledge of the world, to get the paper that Touko would need from her journey. She is never shown being intimidated and is very intellectually bright. But, we also see her being very understanding and gentle with Touko over the mistake Touko made. This is a great level of complexity for a female character, especially for one that may not even being a returning and major character. It leaves me feeling very hopeful about Touko's future growth and development as a character too. It helps that I also think they did a good job of showing how she is a nice and kind girl - respectful - but she is determined to make amends for her mistake and won't back down or show fear, even when it is made clear that she may die on the way to the capital. There a solid foundation for her character, with room for her character to grow and develop a more distinct personality along the way. I am really excited and interested in seeing that![/font]

Jan 17, 2023 6:09 AM

#77

winddevil1

Offline

Nov 2013

3158

yay starting with a death right away, good thing i don't care about the guy who died, otherwise i'd be sad lols
that being said, at least we get to know where she gets the dog and the sickle

i like this opening song, the visuals no so much, apart from that little moment where the guy with a sickle kept jumping around

damn sending a small girl all the way to the capital is hard
all she wanted was some medicine for that woman's eyes, indeed her eyes look very lifeless

i wonder why humanity changed to being ignited like that, does it even make sense? unless some God did it...
damn, the way that village, including mc parents died... geez

that "i promise we will be waiting for you to come back" sounds like a bad omen lol reading people talking about red flags all the time might be starting to get to me

these trains don't even need tracks, they just go wherever they please

oh , not only it works as a fire truck, but then it works as a market as well, that's cool
wonder why the sister wanted that mask ... she actually got it, wtf ... she also wears it and no one cares lol ok then

2 years is a long time away, but i guess what needs to be done needs to be done lol
wonder if there will be some good views and stuff or if the traveling will be boring apart from when visiting a village

at least the ending song visuals are nicer than the op

favorite "new girls" from summer <3 ... click sig for older seasons and more possible picks (rip all the other choices)

Jan 17, 2023 11:29 AM

#78

twomatsideologue

Offline

Dec 2017

The character designs and art style are really good. I also liked the adaptation choices. The world-building isn't heavy-handed and the voice-acting and dialogue are quite different from your typical anime. I have been hoping for a unique anime and this definitely scratches that itch.

Jan 17, 2023 9:41 PM

#79

Streamy_Imp

Offline

Apr 2021

161

very interesting story, wonder what happens next

Jan 18, 2023 12:04 PM

#80

Dreadogastus_F

Offline

Jan 2017

292

I'll keep this comment short. I have rarely seen an anime this well made. The art, characters, world and story are awesome. Saw a comment that said, "Hope they don't blow their wad on first episode".
With the elite team behind this anime, I have no worries about that.

Jan 18, 2023 2:38 PM

#81

BetaMaleUltra

scientia exitus

Offline

Mar 2020

5995

Could end up being "meh". Could also be a modern masterpiece in the making. Will give it at least 3 episodes

NYANPASU

whiskey tango foxtrot

Jan 18, 2023 7:47 PM

#82

snowthemuscle

Offline

Feb 2021

It isn’t on crunchroll :(

Jan 18, 2023 8:53 PM

#83

landofthekwt

Offline

Mar 2015

13466

Feels like we are in the middle of a Miyazaki post apocalyptic dystopia

Jan 19, 2023 3:16 AM

#84

Toucanbird

Offline

Mar 2012

2838

JKKH said:
This seems like it could be promising but also could be a dud, like I'd give it a 50/50. I think the first episode has the problem of using too much exposition. It was sorta boring, nothing much to get invested in character wise. I'll stick it out for a few more episodes because it'd be cool if it manages to get going, fantasy series like this aren't that common. The setting is kinda interesting, I just want it to be shown and fleshed out more organically.

Well, I think when you have a show like this, you need to do a little world building before diving into character development, or else you’re not really going to know what’s going on. This is why I always go with a three episode rule when watching new anime because you can’t expect characters and plot to be completely fleshed out and introduced in a 20-minute episode.

Jan 19, 2023 3:18 AM

#85

Toucanbird

Offline

Mar 2012

2838

snowthemuscle said:
It isn’t on crunchroll :(

Yes it is. If you search The Fire Hunter or check the simulcast tab, you’ll find it.

Jan 19, 2023 12:57 PM

#86

yhunata

Offline

Apr 2011

13802

As far as visual styling goes, this is a 10. By far the best of the season and nothing else comes close. The premise is very interesting and I can see this being a sleeper hit.

Jan 19, 2023 1:14 PM

#87

Ten

Offline

May 2015

3227

You know it's not your typical anime when there are so many folks being aggressive towards a little girl.

It seems really interesting, especially the part that it isn't a story of the past but something that happened to a civilization at some point.

Jan 19, 2023 3:45 PM

#88

HalfbreedOtaku

Offline

May 2019

Sephir7 said:
man this ones a hidden gem this season, imagine the whole episode animated like op, well we don't need to, 1st episodes already that and more, gives me major Mushishi vibes.

I feel the same too

Jan 24, 2023 11:46 PM

#89

RedfoxAkame

Offline

Oct 2015

288

First scene got me already.

Now, this is looking like a contender for my favorites this season. I love the animation and I am really interested in the story. I wanna know more of this world.

HuaLian <3

Jan 25, 2023 7:00 AM

#90

Parvo12

Offline

Feb 2021

one of the good eps ever made

Jan 26, 2023 9:42 AM

#91

MaxNGO

Offline

Jun 2021

I've expectate this show would be the revelation of season but after this episode... i'm disapointed. the animation is terrible. although the History remains intersting.

Feb 9, 2023 9:45 AM

#92

Etherius_ZS

Offline

Oct 2018

2717

Some of the storyboarding here is crazy, nice to see an anime like this exist although I fear just like Mars Red, it will fall apart after the 1st episode. The writing does a good job trying to tell her story as well as giving pieces of exposition throughout the episode.

Feb 18, 2023 2:06 PM

#93

JoexySun

Offline

Jul 2021

283

good start. the art style is striking but animation is so so.

Aug 5, 10:45 PM

#94

WolfWood37

Offline

Jul 2008

10987

Well this was something quite different than I've seen lately, intriguing and yet refreshing. i'm curious to see how this goes.

See All Discussions

Poll: » Do people really think the animation quality is bad? ( 1 2 ) EmmyMoomin - Feb 7, 2023	74	by CyStarkman »» Oct 3, 1:42 AM
Poll: » Hikari no Ou Episode 10 Discussion KANLen09 - Mar 18, 2023	47	by WolfWood37 »» Aug 8, 10:58 PM
Poll: » Hikari no Ou Episode 9 Discussion KANLen09 - Mar 11, 2023	27	by WolfWood37 »» Aug 8, 2:03 AM
Poll: » Hikari no Ou Episode 8 Discussion KANLen09 - Mar 4, 2023	28	by WolfWood37 »» Aug 8, 1:30 AM
Poll: » Hikari no Ou Episode 7 Discussion KANLen09 - Feb 25, 2023	18	by WolfWood37 »» Aug 8, 12:52 AM

Hikari no Ou Episode 1 Discussion

More topics from this board

Poll: » Do people really think the animation quality is bad? ( 1 2 )

Poll: » Hikari no Ou Episode 10 Discussion

Poll: » Hikari no Ou Episode 9 Discussion

Poll: » Hikari no Ou Episode 8 Discussion

Poll: » Hikari no Ou Episode 7 Discussion

MoreTop Anime

MoreTop Airing Anime

MoreMost Popular Characters