Since my first and only analysis of the series, almost 2 months have passed. We have seen the children, the city of adults, their appearance and reality, more discovery of feelings between Goro and Ichigo, such as Kokoro, Futoshi, Mitsuru, etc. The betrayal of Kokoro, the secret of Zero Two and the past that unites them and Hiro.
For some it will seem only filler, but they are important things in the story so that everything makes sense later. Don’t you want to understand the characters and their world so that everything makes sense? We are facing a double season anime, it is more or less normal to use the first part more of intro to present all the action and outcome during the second. Although in Darling in the Franxx we cannot say that it has been boring, having many intriguing and exciting moments.
In this new analysis I will review the new information we have, the explanations, the details and what awaits us, without focusing so much on making a “review” of each episode, since if you are here, it is because you have seen it.
Quick review
Since Episode 5 where I stayed in the previous analysis, we have been able to see and confirm that Squad 13 is an experimental squad. In this episode and the next they had a joint defense mission while two “plantation” exchanged resources. The “normal” squads have identical Franxxs and are used to teamwork, while Squadron 13 is a disaster even at an individual level and Strelizia was forbidden to enter combat unless it was necessary since Hiro’s life was in danger.
Seeing Strelizia in action leaving a disaster in its path is the best of each episode, and ridiculing teamwork in which they have to work 4 or 5 franxxs together to surround and end small groups of klaxosaurs.
Now, let’s go to what I want to comment on. With these episodes and the following, we saw how the Franxx really work, being the pistil, the girl, the one who connects to the robot in conscience union mode, so the robot is the girl literally, and it is linked to the yarn, who handles part of her movements. This also explains the “stampede” mode, in which the girl forces her mind to control the Franxx completely, even reaching a state of madness and lack of control (Zero Two).
The “yellow balloons”
Hiro, who was dying, how did he recover? The answer is in the experimental vaccine they received from children to increase their “yellow balloons”. These cells, and in general the vaccine, what seeks is to improve the physical and mental abilities of the patient, but this yellow vaccine is developed from klaxosaurs, which is why its survival rate is so low. For all this we must go even to the latest episodes in which it is discovered that Hiro and Zero Two know each other, because Hiro “drines” his blood, something that I think also influenced Hiro’s response to this “virus” and that he is also infected and has More Zero Two compatibility. What these yellow blood cells do is act like a virus that tries to seize the subject’s body, so the feelings, acts and state of mind would influence its control. And it is not something strange, since it is scientifically proven that there is a greater risk of contracting diseases and that our defenses are reduced, favoring their spread, when we have negative states of mind (depression, sadness, resignation, conformism, etc).
In Hiro’s case, he was in a state of concern and fear before he got worse and in a state of resin when he saw that he was “dead”, accepting his end. But everything changes when I see Zero Two desperate and alone, remembering what she and he went through, and that he can’t leave her alone. It may seem like half an excuse and recovery for “art of magic”. But the desire to fight again and continue to the side of Zero Two, is what allowed him to control the “virus” and recover and normalize his body.
The theme of the yellow globules also occurs with Mitsuru, a more “weaker” stamen, as indicated by his code (something that I will talk about below), due to his anger with Hiro, distrust and discontent with his partner, Ikuno, and other circumstances in one of fighting, falling ill with high fever and other symptoms.
So the “yellow balloons” in addition to influencing their abilities and “humanity”, also have an important function in the control and connection of the “parasites” with the Franxx.
Changes and stories in teams
From episode 8 to 11 many things happen, putting different semi-main characters at risk. The first is Goro x Ichigo. An episode in which Goro sacrifices himself for the team without telling him what Ichigo feels like, which leads us to make Ichigo also begin to feel that he needs him and going after him, ending with another confession that ends in the Friendzone, but in which we can see An evolution in the relationship between the protagonists, beginning to understand what the feelings they have mean.
This brings us to Futoshi x Kokoro, the “perfect couple”. Futoshi is clear about it, he’s in love with Kokoro-chan, but we already smelled something between Kokoro and Mitsuru, which finally ended up happening.
In the episode of the city, in which Zorome is lost, we were able to see a little the reality of the modern world and of adults. Focusing on the subject, we could see what Zorome thinks of her partner, Miku, realizing that behind all the “hate”, who hates her, they fight and others, loves and appreciates her.
And well, the one who went unnoticed and received a weeping chubby award, was Ikuno, a girl still quite reserved and serious, who stays somewhat apart and who is only a victim of all the love mess of others. Although some already labeled her that she is going to the scissors for when she said to try pistil equipment with Ichigo.
the children
“Zero Two, or should I say, Nine Iota.”
I don’t know if this name has any meaning, but Iota comes from the Greek, being the ninth letter of the Greek alphabet and represents the numerical value 10.
The Nines, Special Forces Unit of the APE. Despite reviewing all the episodes in which they appear, none seems to say their number, always referring to “the nines”.
The dwarf who appears to be the leader of the nines is a pimple in the ass, self-centered and believed. I like Zorome, and that’s saying a lot.
Something is more than clear, this squad will surely have the codes from 001 to 010 or 000 to 009, that is, the strongest. Which brings me to the next topic.
the codes
That children are experiments was already clear, that they were subjected to tests and experiments as well, but the codes believed that they were a simple identification code given by order of birth, arrival or test subject. But these codes actually indicate their survivability and as parasites, I mean, their worth to pilot the Franxx and be useful to the world.
Let’s remember, Hiro has code 016 and Ichigo has code 015. This makes them the best of Squad 13. But with this same rule we can understand why Mitsuru (Code 326) received an injection of yellow blood cells that almost It costs him his life.
Let’s keep reviewing, Miku (Code 390) with Zorome (Code 666) represent the weakest team, something that shows in their lack of maturity and apparent younger age to the rest.
The following would be Futoshi (Code 214) and Kokoro (Code 556). Although now this team has already separated.
Ikuno (Code 196) and Mitsuru (Code 326).
We finished with Goro (Code 056) and Ichigo (Code 015).
Reviewing his codes, it is understood by Hiro, Ichigo and Goro being the most “proactive” and in command, while Zorome represents a type of impulsive person who could end up in trouble with Miku, without forgetting Kokoro-chan, a girl too quiet with his feelings and with difficulty in making prudent decisions on his own (simply seeing the one that got involved with the change of teams and his attitude).
CURIOSITIES
In the last episode all the theories and possible outcomes were gone to the trash, making it very unpredictable what will happen. More than discarding theories, now these are multiplied in countless possible ones. But hey, here’s the first curiosity.
The “Team Ichigo” was born dead. In the small introduction of the first episode we can see Hiro and Zero Two walking through a forest of cherry trees, totally healthy and she is happy. So take spoiler, they end up alive and together. Although this does not rule out that we lose others along the way.
Second curiosity, relative to Zero Two. Also in the introduction of the first episode we could see a demon girl walking towards a tree, on which they focus their steps and in which we can see for less than a second (you have to pause and advance frame by frame to be able to review it), that the bracelet of your foot indicates that you have code 002.
The characters in Squad 13 are similar to those of Anohana, representing them both physically and in a way of being. Although this has a simple explanation, they share the same character designer. It is something almost normal to take characters already created and modify them.
More than curiosity, theory. By how they refer to others, the “parents”, those who lead, could not be human, although basically humanity is no longer the same, but these could have more differences from the humans who live within the plantations (plantations).
Nana and Hachi (the instructors) apparently are more than a professional couple, having a relationship between them. I couldn’t find the episode/moment when this seemed to be hinted at, but I remember some of this.
Hiro did not forget his memories, they erased them. That’s why he didn’t remember Zero Two, even though something attracted him to her, his horns and gaze. That he forgot his promise with Mitsuru was something collateral.
The anime has not changed openings, but it has changed ending 4 times.
Theory of future deaths
Yes, to finish, and letting go of my madness, I’m going to try to give possible deaths and the reasons and outcomes they would have.
To begin with, we have practically already had all the protagonists in a “risk” situation, with the exception of Zorome and Miku, the weakest team. And as we have been ahead of us and it was shown in the last episode, now they are going to installations full of strong monsters.
This team lives in trouble, and they are the weakest. Following a theory of discarding by participation and its codes, we would be facing the possible death of Zorome or Miku, opting more for Zorome, being Miku the one who loses control and enters the enemy in a stampede, all full of tears and pain, with some last ones. Words of confession of Zorome, turning into revenge and fighting to death. Basically, the death of one will lead to the other’s death.
In the event that it happens the other way around and Miku dies, it is possible that they manage to save Zorome, who would also end everything between tears and pain, especially now that Zorome really appreciates his partner, who can flee with the escape capsule. A stamen cannot control the Franxx, only the pistils.
The other possible death is that of Kokoro-chan. And I totally dismiss Mitsuru, who was about to die twice. Kokoro, under the codes, is the second weakest, but in this case my theory is more unlikely, since I am comparing it with Anohana, in which in the similarities of characters, Kokoro represents Menma, who we know is dead (it is a conspiracy of the Character Creator :v). In addition to this vague comparison, his possible death is more due to the impact it would generate, something that affects both Mitsuru and Futoshi, making these two fight well hardcore with a knife with a chest in the air to death… Nah… we know perfectly well that Futoshi would use A Mitsuru from punching bag xD Although apart from the fight of the two of them, it would be what would happen at the time of Kokoro’s death, which if it is in combat, would make Futoshi reckless in combat, also endangering Ikuno or That he lost his connection with Ikuno, also being in danger, or outside the battlefield, that he would commit some madness, from the suicide (unlikely) to try to kill Mitsuru (most likely).
My third theory, which is the least likely of all, is Goro’s death, sacrificing himself to save Ichigo, something that we already saw and that ended well in that case, but this theory would apply more to the “final battle”. At some point in the battle in which Goro and Ichigo are defeated, Goro will cover Ichigo from an attack that will go through, for example. Why his death? His death would affect everyone, especially Hiro, who would lose someone who is like his brother, making his battle with Strelizia against him or the bugs of the last battle totally frantic and bloody, which would give a spectacular and epic ending for this series.
ending
Outside of my theories of deaths and details that are being revealed, the series begins to become very serious in its second arc, it will hurt, unexpected things will happen and very intriguing and desperate moments.
The theme of the stampede mode I have the feeling, by reactions and comments from the instructors, that it is a state that could be controlled if it is intentionally provoked by both parasites, so we could see some battle with the Franxx in stampede mode, possibly being Strelizia. I do not put it in curiosities because it is more of a theory of mine than something probable.
And what more to say, I think I left some things, but I have reviewed the most important thing related to the characters and the story. I hope you liked it.
Don’t forget to tell us about your theories and what you think of the series so far 😀
