Matsukichi is a central character in the anime short Combustible, set in 18th-century Edo. He is the childhood friend and next-door neighbor of Owaka, the daughter of a merchant family. From a young age, Matsukichi is drawn to Owaka, and the two share a close bond. However, his decision to pursue the dangerous life of a firefighter leads to conflict with his family: he is disowned after having his arms tattooed and joining the city fire brigade. This rebellious and determined nature defines his personality, as he takes control of his own destiny despite social and familial expectations. Matsukichi is described as handsome and strong-willed, and his occupation as a fireman requires physical courage and skill. His primary motivation is his love for Owaka, but their relationship is thwarted by the rigid social structure of the time, particularly the arrangement of Owaka’s marriage to another man. Matsukichi’s role in the story is that of the forbidden love interest, whose presence drives Owaka’s emotional turmoil and ultimately her desperate act of setting a fire that consumes much of Edo. In the chaotic inferno, Matsukichi and Owaka encounter each other once more, a meeting that forms the emotional climax of the narrative. Over the course of the short film, Matsukichi develops from a carefree boy into a dedicated firefighter marked by his tattoos and his commitment to his dangerous vocation. His notable abilities include his firefighting expertise and the physical endurance required to battle the massive blaze. His relationship with Owaka remains the emotional core of his character, representing a love that cannot be realized within the constraints of Edo-period society.