[Spring 2026 Anime] Save the people from the mystery of suspicious fires in the Edo period! “Hikuidori: Ushuu Boro Tobi-gumi” depicts the way of life of former firefighters!

There were many firefighters in the city of Edo, but one man stood out among them. He was Gengo Matsunaga, a firefighter-samurai whom people called “The fire-eating bird” (Hikuidori). It is said that he earned this name because he would plunge into even the fiercest flames without flinching, stopping fires as if he were a bird devouring them. However, when the story begins, Gengo has already quit firefighting and is living quietly as a ronin. Why did the man once praised as the best in Edo leave that world? He has his own past and circumstances, and those shadows add depth to the entire story.

One day, Gengo receives an unexpected offer: he is tasked by the Shinjo Domain to rebuild their firefighting unit. However, this unit was far from a proud organization. With no funds, a shortage of personnel, and tattered uniforms, the people of Edo mockingly called them the “Boro Tobi-gumi” (the ragged steeplejacks). Normally, no one would want such a role, but with the support of his wife, Miyuki, Gengo decides to rebuild this crumbling group. What begins here is not just a story of firefighting, but a tale of rebirth as a group that lost its pride rises once again.

The companions Gengo gathers are far from what one would call an elite squad. They are a group of eccentrics, including Torajirou, a former sumo wrestler; Hikoya, an acrobat; and Seijurou Kaji, a scholar with a talent for reading the wind. These are people who would never be hired by an ordinary firefighting unit, but Gengo sees through to their inner strength and trains them while making the most of their individualities. The process of this ragtag bunch gradually acquiring the skills and resolve of firefighters is incredibly stirring, making you naturally want to cheer for them.

Although the Boro Tobi-gumi was initially laughed at, their work at fire scenes gradually changes their reputation. Their dedication to leaping into the flames and saving everyone without abandoning a single soul moves the hearts of Edo's citizens. Eventually, the name “ragged steeplejacks” stops being an insult and turns into a term of endearment. The scenes depicting the bonds and resolve between comrades in the extreme conditions of a fire are very powerful, which is one reason why this work is so compelling as a human drama rather than just a simple period piece.

The story doesn't end with just the firefighting heroics. A mysterious series of suspicious fires known as “foxfires” (kitsunebi) breaks out in Edo, enveloping the town in anxiety. These aren't just accidents; there are hints of grudges and conspiracies lurking behind them. Gengo and his team must pursue the truth while battling the blazes. The development of closing in on the truth while investigating the dark side of these incidents is extremely thrilling, making it a page-turner.

What I felt reading “Hikuidori: Ushuu Boro Tobi-gumi” wasn't just the intensity of the fire scenes or the fun of a period drama. It is a work that strikes a chord through the figures of people who never bend their conviction to “save lives,” no matter how much they are mocked or how disadvantageous the situation. Gengo Matsunaga's resolve, the growth of his unique companions, and the pride of the firefighters trying to protect the city of Edo resonate more deeply as you read. This tale of men living amidst the flames is not just a historical manga, but a powerful piece of entertainment that showcases the strength of the human will.