Joker

is a Second Generation and a wanted criminal for his assault on the Special Fire Force.

Appearance
Joker is a tall young man with long, black, stringy hair that falls below his neck, and a spiral-shaped iris in his right eye. Joker's outfit resembles that of a cowboy. It consists of a black top-hat, a patterned black bandanna across the left side of his face which covers his left eye, an old-fashioned shirt with a black waistcoat, as well as alternating white and black trousers and shoes. He is commonly seen smoking a cigarette, and usually carries a menacing grin on his face. Later on, Joker is seen wearing dark jumper with two hearts on the left side of his chest. He has also donned a dark overcoat and a lightly coloured scarf.

Personality
Joker is a mischievous man who works behind the scenes to accomplish his goals. Shown to be very sneaky and somewhat intelligent, he always tries to play the cards his own way, going as far as involving innocent people. Joker can be manipulative in the sense that he will use other people's interests as a way of unconsciously leading them to where he wants. Most notably when it comes to Shinra Kusakabe, during their conversations Joker seemingly  speaks with sincerity especially when discussing the fate of Shinra's mother. In some respects, Joker is lackadaisical and can get caught up in the moment, where he forgets his original goal. He is considerably a sadistic individual who enjoys hurting people and toying with their emotions. He's also willing to offer information to his opponents, in exchange for entertainment. He is charismatic and knows how to sway people to join his cause. Joker also has high expectations for Shinra and wants him to become a "Devil" to uncover the truth of his past, potentially hidden by the Special Fire Force.

Abilities
He is skilled in hand-to-hand combat, as demonstrated by effortlessly dodging most of Shinra's fiery kicks with ease, as well as keeping the boy on his toes the entire time they fought. Joker is also fast, capable of catching up to Shinra, who was using his ability to accelerate himself. In the midst of battle, he can notice movement as simple as change in trajectory, making him observant and sensitive to his surroundings. Joker has adapted to Spontaneous Human Combustion by becoming a Second Generation and was granted the ability to manipulate flames. He uses his lit cigarette to create various shapes in the form of letters, suit of cards or card-shaped projectiles that can cut an inflammable coat. With the use of his ability as a Second Generation, he also uses powder, made of Infernal ashes, that instantaneously cause explosions or burst things into flames at command, as an offensive maneuver.

Background
Having been born in Tokyo, Joker strived to unravel the truth the empire was hiding. After Victor Licht published his thesis about Spontaneous Human Combustion, Joker approached him again and questioned the scientist's pursuit for justice.

Introduction arc
After the Special Fire Force Company 8 finishes their assignment, Joker uses a powder-like substance he received earlier from Victor to force the building's ceiling that the 8th were in to collapse, but the brigade, fortunately, manages to escape unscathed. Joker later intrudes on the Rookie Fire Soldier Games, where he assaults two members of an unspecified brigade in the building. He gets spotted by Shinra, which leads him to taunt the boy about his past and truth behind his family's death. When the man threatens to kill the innocent bystanders, Shinra attacks him with a barrage of kicks, but Joker manages to dodge them all with relative ease.

Soon after, he then reaches into his pocket to reveal the same powdery-substance as before, and unknowingly to Shinra, uses it to cause an explosion which he is blown back by, which Joker uses as a diversion to head in for an attack. The man throws card-shaped projectiles, injuring Shinra. Without giving Shinra moment to react, he closes in on him and elbows him in the chin. As Shinra is on one knee unable to stand, Joker steps up to him, wondering whether he should kill Shinra. Shinra puts on a sadistic smile, realising his death may be upon him.

Taking notice of this unusual expression, Joker is impressed with how he is able to smile under such circumstances, leading him to reveal to Shinra as a reward that Shō is still alive. Joker informs Shinra that the Special Fire Brigades are potentially hiding something from him, however, Shinra attacks him, but does not manage to connect a single kick. When Tamaki Kotatsu and Arthur Boyle show up, Joker attempts to get rid of the two, but to no avail. He then uses an explosion as a diversion and flees, encouraging Shinra to show his dedication to becoming a hero by saving everyone and offering him the chance to join his cause instead of the Special Fire Force. The next day, Joker becomes a wanted criminal and discusses the events of the tournament and the 8th Special Fire Brigade with his associate.

Preacher Pursuit arc
Joker later appears in an unknown location, listening in on the conference of the Captains via a device. After the conference when the Companies disperse, Joker surprises Shinra by greeting him in the middle of an alley while he was alone, insisting that instead of fighting, he'd like to reveal some information to him as a reward for coming so far. He then speaks about Shō Kusakabe, exposing his alliance with the Preacher, and swiftly leaves before giving Shinra a chance to question him about it.

Vulcan's Workshop arc
As Victor drives Hibana, Vulcan, Yū and his fellow brigade members away from Vulcan's Workshop to escape the White Hoods, Joker intercepts Shō attack on them using his card, saying the hero has appeared to save the day. Dodging Shō's katana, joker notices Victor's group had escaped, leading to him fleeing the scene as he had to reason to stay there. Afterwards in a forest, he comments that Shō is a monster.

Meeting with Victor, Joker concludes that even if Company 8 is able to locate the White Hood's base of operation, they simply aren't strong enough to defeat them. Speculating on Shō's abilities, Joker concludes that he has established a connection with the Preacher. When Victor asks him what they need to do, Joker says that Shinra must become more powerful, and hopes Victor will be able to help Shinra grow to match Shō.

Fifth Pillar arc
As Victor prepares to depart to the Chinese Peninsula to investigate the Adolla Burst for the Fire Force, Joker expressiveness his disappointment that he cannot travel there, while Victor jokes that he should just join the force.

Post-Chinese Peninsula arc
After Victor returns to Tokyo, Joker approaches Benimaru Shinmon to tell him dangerous information involving The Holy Sol Temple. Questioned about his identity, Joker says he's a dark hero. Though Joker comes across as suspicious, he intrigues Benimaru. As the pair observe the The Holy Sol Temple – Holy See from a rooftop, he tells Benimaru he wants to uncover the truth the empire is hiding. Setting his eyes on the true sacred scriptures that contain the empire's history, Joker follows Benimaru as he arrives though the compounds front entrance. Defeating the church's elites, Joker looks on as Benimaru is subdued by a member of the church.