Arthur Boyle

is a Third Generation Fire Officer of Tokyo's 8th Special Fire Brigade.

Appearance
Arthur is a young man of average height, with shaggy blonde hair, which he tends to style upwards into a ponytail when in serious situations, such as a fight, so his vision would be clearer, and blue eyes. Arthur first appeared wearing a dark-coloured jacket, with buttons and the cross-shaped symbol on it, a white shirt, a belt and dark pants. He was later given a protective outer jacket and trousers. Arthur also carries a scabbard alongside him, in which he keeps his blade-less sword. He was also seen wearing a grey jumpsuit. Arthur is shown a numerous of times to be wearing a brown jumper with a hoodie, which he wears instead of the 8th Brigade helmet.

Personality
Arthur is confident in himself as a Third Generation, though he can be somewhat arrogant and full of himself, being disrespectful towards Takehisa as soon as he met him. He has a medieval-like complex, referring to the girls he meets as princesses and the 8th Special Fire Fighting Church as his castle. Arthur was also said to be inexplicably popular, and is mentioned to always have a silent and mysterious facade. He also bickers often with Shinra on who are superior: knights or heroes. Arthur talks to people in a very casual manner, even if such people are of a much higher rank than he is, which comes across as disrespectful at times. He is shown to be somewhat stubborn, and prefers to go his own way rather than what people think he should be doing. Arthur takes great pride in his Excalibur and was shown to not be bothered by human antics.

Background
Arthur attended the same training academy as Shinra, where the two were introduced to each other and often bickered over their beliefs.

Abilities
Arthur is a Third Generation, who has exceeded the abilities granted to him and is able to raise the temperature of the flames he creates, therefore allowing him to fabricate and control the fourth state of matter, plasma. Through this process, he uses the hilt of a sword to create an extremely hot, sharp and concentrated blade named Excalibur, which he uses as an equivalent to plasma cutting. The substance can resist being extinguished by the Second Generation, as shown when Maki wasn't able to extinguish the blade on her first attempt, unlike with Shinra and the flames on his feet. With his sword, Arthur is capable of easily cutting through metal. Arthur also possesses high physical strength, being capable of sending an opponent, bigger than him in size, flying with a single backwards fist.

Introduction arc
Arthur joins the 8th Special Fire Fighting Church as a new recruit, in his first day he meets Iris, Takehisa, Maki and Shinra. Takehisa informs Arthur about the Fire Officer Newcomer Tournament and orders Maki to fight both him and Shinra, in order to test the abilities of the two. Arthur manages to use his plasma sword Excalibur to his advantage, however, he is taken down by Maki's superior martial arts skills and control over fire, ending the fight in her victory.

Later, Akitaru treats Arthur and Shinra to some food at Ippudo Ramen and the three strengthen their relationship. Back at the church's armory, Arthur is offered a Seven-Style Fire Fighting Battleaxe to use by Takehisa, but he refuses to accept it and claims that Excalibur is the only weapon he requires. When the brigade is notified of a Flame Human spotted in Iriya District, they depart to the scene. While on route, Akitaru instructs Arthur and Shinra to conceal their weapons in public, much to his confusion. After arriving, Akitaru pulls the two boys aside for disobeying orders, where Arthur questions the instruction, leading Akitaru to justify his reasoning. Straight after, the conversation between the three is cut short, when a burst of flames emerges from the apartment. The team storms the building, where they find the Flame Human. Arthur volunteers himself to put the man out of his misery. With that, he ignites Excalibur and impales the being's core. Immediately after that, the ceiling begins to collapse, causing the brigade to escape.

Arthur participates in the Fire Officer Newcomer Tournament, alongside other new recruits, including Shinra. When the simulation exam starts, he charges towards the building and uses his sword to slice his way in. After one of the entrants bombards the building with his ability, Tamaki falls onto Arthur, which gets the two into an intimate situation. Following his knight code, the boy allows Tamaki to take the lead when exploring their current location, but when she does, Arthur instantly defends her from Joker's attack. Arthur, believing Joker to be a part of the exam, charges in, despite Shinra's warnings, but doesn't land a single blow. When the man uses an unknown explosive substance to put their lives in jeopardy, Arthur uses his sword to cut a hole in the ceiling, allowing Shinra to evacuate them all to safety, with Arthur being caught by his team-mates in a blanket.

The next day, Arthur goes with Shinra to rescue a dog, who was reported to be stuck in a tree, and afterwards, helps Mamoru hand out balloons to children. The two then learn of an accident in the courthouse from Takehisa, who was moving to the scene with the rest of the brigade. Grabbing a lift from Shinra, the two Fire Officers fight Setsuo, with Arthur hitting the opponent with a backwards fist and delivering a collaborative attack alongside Shinra.

VS 5th Special Fire Brigade arc
When the 8th Brigade catches up to Shinra, who went ahead after Setsuo fled from the scene, Arthur and the rest find themselves in a confrontation against the 5th Special Fire Brigade. As Tōru from the 5th mocks Akitaru for not having fire manipulation abilities, Shinra and Arthur jump in to pick a fight with the boy, but Maki and Takehisa carry the two away. The 8th then look intimidatingly at the 5th before they move out. The next day, everybody gathers in the church for a meeting, but Arthur ends up getting distracted on many occasions. Arthur spotted a small bird outside the window, claiming it to be a gryphon, and for it to keep away from his castle. Afterwards on the church roof, Takehisa begins training the 3 Fire Officers and later has Arthur spar with Maki to his exhausment. At night, Arthur is asked by Shinra whether he thinks Iris is acting weirdly lately, though he thinks she's acting normal, and refers to her as "princess", much to Shinra's annoyance. He then asks Arthur what Maki is if Iris is the princess, which he humorously refers to her as the ogress, coincidentally saying it at the same time of Maki bursting through the door, resulting in him being thrown off the bed by her. Maki then alerts the two that Iris has disappeared.

Time passes and the 8th Brigade arrive at the 5th Special Fire Fighting Industrial Complex to retrieve Iris and investigate their base. While following Shinra's Devil Footprints, Arthur comes across a strange looking man from the 5th who threatens him, telling him to leave. As Arthur mocks him for his weird appearance, a seemingly revamped Setsuo appears from behind the man, signifying his desire to fight against Arthur. Arthur readies himself by withdrawing Excalibur and attempting to say something cool before the encounter, but flops his lines.

Trivia

 * Arthur shares his name with Arthur Pendragon, whose weapon of choice was also called Excalibur.
 * Both King Arthur and Excalibur are inspired after a British medieval leader and his legendary sword.
 * Arthur was first seen on the cover page of Chapter 0, despite not debuting until Chapter 2.