Karim Flam

Karim is cautious, suspicious and frequently rude to people he does not know. He prefers direct answers and can insult others without much concern for social niceties. His habit of repeating statements with nearly identical meanings gives his speech an unusual rhythm.

Beneath the harsh exterior, Karim is compassionate and conscientious. He becomes deeply concerned when evidence suggests someone within Company 1 may be responsible for artificial Infernal incidents, and he investigates rather than blindly protecting his brigade's reputation.

Karim also takes mentorship seriously. Although he is not outwardly warm, he evaluates younger Fire Soldiers fairly and acknowledges their progress when they perform well.

Karim is a Second Generation pyrokinetic who cannot generate flames himself but can manipulate existing thermal energy. His signature Thermoacoustic Refrigeration uses a large musical instrument-like device to convert heat into sound and then convert that sound into cold, producing ice.

This process allows Karim to freeze flames and immobilize pyrokinetic opponents. Because Fire Force battles ordinarily revolve around producing or controlling heat, the ability to transform that energy into ice gives him an exceptional countermeasure against other pyrokinetics.

His control is precise enough to suppress powerful attacks without indiscriminately freezing an entire battlefield. Karim combines this ability with extensive Fire Soldier experience and tactical judgment.

Karim is one of the Company 1 lieutenants investigated by Shinra Kusakabe and Arthur Boyle when Company 8 suspects that artificial Infernal incidents may originate inside the brigade. His hostile manner initially makes him appear suspicious.

In reality, Karim has also noticed irregularities and conducts his own investigation. His pursuit of the truth eventually converges with Shinra's when the source of the artificial combustions is uncovered.

Karim discovers that Rekka Hoshimiya, his close friend, has been using Bugs to transform people into Infernals while searching for Adolla Burst candidates. Although devastated, Karim acts against him and uses Thermoacoustic Refrigeration to immobilize Rekka.

He later remains an important Company 1 officer and ally to other brigades during operations against the White-Clad.

Rekka Hoshimiya is Karim's long-time friend and fellow lieutenant. Discovering Rekka's role in the artificial Infernal incidents leaves Karim horrified, but he chooses to stop his friend rather than conceal the truth.

Huo Yan Li is Karim's other long-time friend in Company 1. The two share a more restrained temperament than Rekka Hoshimiya.

Leonard Burns commands Karim as captain of Company 1.

Tamaki Kotatsu serves under Karim in Company 1 and regards him as one of her respected senior officers.

Shinra Kusakabe initially suspects Karim during Company 8's investigation, but the two ultimately pursue the same conspiracy.

Arthur Boyle trains under Company 1 alongside Shinra Kusakabe and likewise encounters Karim during the investigation.