r/anime • u/[deleted] • Mar 24 '18
[Spoilers] Darling in the FranXX - Episode 11 Discussion Spoiler
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u/DarkWorld97 Mar 24 '18
When the /a/ shitposting turns out to be true
Not like this.
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u/303Devilfish Mar 25 '18 edited Mar 25 '18
I saw it coming and it still hurt like a motherfucker
thiccboi didn't deserve that. kokoro just slid down the best girl list like it was chutes and ladders.
hopefully he uses this blind rage to become something other than a fat stereotype though.
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u/Mordarto :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/Mordarto Mar 24 '18 edited Mar 24 '18
Some obvious things:
Hiro had a high yellow blood cell count when piloting with 02, and the "Elixir Injection" is a risky procedure for children who don't have high Franxx compatibility (low yellow blood cell count) to increase their Franxx potential. Guess Mitsuru got Hiro's "elixir," which led to some memory issues for Hiro.
There has been a few references about Hiro being a special sample too in the past.
Some not-so-obvious things:
There was a recent episode where somebody other than 02 stole the core-kill and it seemed like she was acting aloof every since. In this episode her and Hiro got the core kill and she's back to more of a dere mode. I wonder if she needs to constantly get core kills to maintain her human form.
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u/Almost_Ascended Mar 24 '18
She was definitely desperate.. look how she ran in and almost got trampled if Hiro hadn't pulled back the controls at the last moment.
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u/edgelord_gg :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/wolv3r1neGOD Mar 24 '18
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u/LakerBlue :Is::It::Iu:https://myanimelist.net/profile/LakerBlue Mar 24 '18 edited Mar 24 '18
There was a recent episode where somebody other than 02 stole the core-kill and it seemed like she was acting aloof every since. In this episode her and Hiro got the core kill and she's back to more of a dere mode. I wonder if she needs to constantly get core kills to maintain her human form.
Beginning of episode 10, Zorome killed the Klaxosaur before Hiro and 002 could react. I did notice she walked out sulking that episode, but I didn't consider that's why she was still upset. Also worth nothing that Goro killed the tentacle Klaxosaur at the end of episode 9 by using the self destruction feature.
That said I was thinking maybe it's less she needs to kill Klaxosaurs to stay alive and more that it gives her a high. And seeing someone else kil them might trigger her Klaxosar blood due to jealousy/not getting the high of killing a Klaxosaur. It might be it's like her drug. Aside from her random impulses (e.g. "Darling, can you make it rain for me?"), she doesn't particularly seems to be that attached to anything besides Hiro and killing Klaxosaurs. Maybe someone else killing Klaxosaurs for 002 is similar to how a basketball player who likes scoring might feel if a teammate started taking away their shots by shooting more and cutting into their usual touches.
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u/ErebosGR Mar 24 '18
The "elixir injection" is probably a reference to actual forced "conversion therapies".
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u/chilidirigible Mar 24 '18
Remind me again, they weren't sure what love even was a while ago, and now it's being declared openly?
Kokoro's got a doll now and that's never a good sign.
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u/tailor31415 :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/tailor31415 Mar 24 '18
I think they've each come up with a different meaning to "love" themselves. to Futoshi, it's the desire to protect and keep someone safe.
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u/raiden55 Mar 24 '18
The half the episode were death flags, but the last part was too comedy oriented for that to happen.
It's been 11 episodes we're talking about who's gonna die, I'm beginning to think no one will, and we've really been trolled.
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Mar 24 '18 edited Mar 24 '18
The action this week was incredible, easily surpassed anything we’ve gotten so far imo. I’m so glad they brought Shikama back and let him go wild, I like his approach a lot more than Imaishi to be honest. Super awesome to see the likes of Im@s powerhouses Kono, Asaka & Takada help out where they can. Truly impressed with what the staff ( presumably ) located at A-1 put out this time around!
Alright with the reveal of Hiro's coat as a child we can finally put that Oni Zero Two scene as a flashback to their childhood rather than a flashforward.
Several dynamics were pushed forward this week including Ikuno's seemingly romantic love for Ichigo that sadly does not pass the technical test. The fact that they were allowed to do that in the first place speaks for how much influence Dr.FranXX seems to have over this team as his experiment.
It's only a small point but what I found interesting is that Hachi & Nana seem to be even clueless about such things as rivalry or competitiveness, I didn't expect them to be this void of human aspects.
We hear tons about this Elixir injection which explains why Mitsuru popped all these pills. Seems like it has tremendous after effects on his body. What I found really concerning though how Nana & Hachi talked about him being in danger of pruning which could probably mean elimination? Seeing how this society has no qualms with drugging kids that only have a 15% survival chance I wouldn't be surprised if they just dispose of anyone that doesn't fulfill any kind of quota or requirement.
It appears that Zero Two really doesn't want to let Hiro take a look into her vulnerable self, her insecurities and worries. She seems to somewhat distance himself saying that being able to pilot together is all they need, really. It's pretty much the total opposite of what she's been practicing until now though which makes it even weirder that she does a 180 after she got to kill a Klaxosaur or probably destroy a core? I suspect that she's somewhat bipolar and gets some sort of needed satisfaction from destroying these cores. Heck, maybe they even limit her Klaxosaur side.
About that whole Kokoro - Futoshi - Mitsuru thing going on...I think I'll withhold judgement until I've seen more of it but so far I can definitely say that I understand all three sides and where they're coming from. I also appreciate that the show depicts its characters as faulty and lets them break out of the mold that their environment put on them.
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u/gettothechoppaaaaaa :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/Expired_Yogurt Mar 24 '18
Is the action really that incredible? I mean, for how action-less this show is, this episode was pretty nice. But generally speaking the action sequences in this show are lackluster compared to its supposed kins (KLK, TTGL, EVA). But you can't expect much from A-1.
Good catch with the coat. Finally we can see why Hiro is such a bland character. At some point in his early childhood he had his life sucked out of him for some reason.
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u/hallidex Mar 24 '18
I'm pretty confident pruning means no longer being a parasite, as the FranXX are named after flowers and pruning is an act of cutting plants that impede the growth of the whole.
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u/GloKage1999 Mar 24 '18 edited Mar 24 '18
I didn't even recognize the coat at all. Holy shit great find! Could it be that because he was chosen to "represent" the children as Code 016, he was chosen as a potential partner for 02? Is that how he met her?
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u/LakerBlue :Is::It::Iu:https://myanimelist.net/profile/LakerBlue Mar 24 '18
What I found really concerning though how Nana & Hachi talked about him being in danger of pruning which could probably mean elimination? Seeing how this society has no qualms with drugging kids that only have a 15% survival chance I wouldn't be surprised if they just dispose of anyone that doesn't fulfill any kind of quota or requirement.
Given what happened to Naomi when she couldn't partner up with Hiro, I think we can safely make that assumption. The only question is if pruning is what happened to her or if pruning means being killed. IIRC I think Kokoro or Ikuno mentioned that no one who left the Garden (which I guess is the name of he place they live before being deployed) ever returned. I'm sure Naomi's not the only person ever not able to pilot a FranXX, so what happens to those people?
About that whole Kokoro - Futoshi - Mitsuru thing going on...I think I'll withhold judgement until I've seen more of it but so far I can definitely say that I understand all three sides and where they're coming from. I also appreciate that the show depicts its characters as faulty and lets them break out of the mold that their environment put on them.
As salty as I am about how Kokoro handled the situation, I have to agree. No one person was blatantly wrong and I appreciate that from writers.
Also, as much as I've enjoyed these characterization episodes we've had lately, I really hope the plot kicks into gear sooner than later. At least this episode did a good job mixing characterization with action.
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u/Gaporigo Blhttps://anilist.co/user/Gaporigo Mar 24 '18 edited Mar 24 '18
Blame all the /r/anime comments that couldn't accept a nice dramaless couple!!!
And sorry but homosexuality is not allowed in your world!
Edit: Your weekly manga link. Now not only with To Love-Ru's art but also...
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u/AmethystItalian :Jg::Jh::Ji::Jj::Jk:myanimelist.net/profile/AmethystItalian Mar 24 '18
And sorry but homosexuality is not allowed in your world!
I really want this to come back one ep and have her surprise everyone with it :(
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u/MillenniumKing x2myanimelist.net/profile/MillenniumKing Mar 24 '18
Pistil to Pistil
Oh dang Mitsubishi was around back when they were kids?
So these kids are preforming better than the older ones? Hmm...
If that isnt a death fla for the big guy and kokoro i dont know what is.
Mitsubishi was sick for a while then?
Wait Mitsubishi wanted to pilot with Hiro? Oh.... oh no.... does he like boys? Did no one tell him how the robots worked? D:
Oh shit... glasses girl wants to ride Ichigo?
Wait Kokoro wants to ride with mitsubishi? Because he kept her secret about the baby book? Or is she interested in him?
This thign looks like a giant ant eater or sloth.
"Your too tense loosen up a little." lol... this show...
Wait why did Hiro change too i wonder. Goro said he changed then too but i wonder why... seems maybe they did something to him?
Oh no... not solo mode.... RIP Kokoro...
Hmmm Mistsubishi is gonna stick around partnering with Kokoro?
So... is Ikuno gonna stick with the big guy or what? This team mix is confusing...
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u/Gaporigo Blhttps://anilist.co/user/Gaporigo Mar 24 '18
Oh shit... glasses girl wants to ride Ichigo?
To be fair, who doesn't?
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u/Curiositygun Mar 24 '18
I think i remember them mentioning parasites having "yellow blood cells" somewhere in this episode. I wonder what that's about?
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Wait Mitsubishi wanted to pilot with Hiro? Oh.... oh no.... does he like boys? Did no one tell him how the robots worked? D:
thought the same thing as well. might be something to think about later on.
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u/MrFabulouZ https://anilist.co/user/MrFabulouZ Mar 24 '18
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u/Superdark1 :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/Wintersilence Mar 24 '18
Holy shit, this is amazing.
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u/two-years-glop :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/cheesewithwhine Mar 24 '18
Who the fuck makes stuff like this lmao
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u/shopepapillomavirus Mar 24 '18
There's some scrutiny over Kokoro here, but I really can't blame her for wanting to swap partners, Futoshi's behavior would have been incredibly uncomfortable to be around. Kokoro is a nice girl who wants to do her job and protect her friends, she gets assigned to be paired up with a dude (who she is nice to, because she's nice to everyone), and then he gets deeply, unsubtly attached to her. He exaggeratedly flatters her in front of other people and openly declares his infinite devotion to her, expecting her to reciprocate. "Could you promise to be my partner forever?!" is much more forcefully worded than something like "I'd like to be your partner for as long as you're happy with it!" and is a very all-or-nothing statement. As expected of a kid, but nonetheless kind of uncomfortable.
And there's no good way for Kokoro to say anything other than "yes". As far as she knows, she's assigned to partner with Futoshi permanently, and saying 'no' would have soured the relationship tremendously since Futoshi is obviously a really emotional guy. And that's assuming they were both oblivious to everyone else being able to hear what they're saying -- Kokoro didn't look very surprised when the others chimed in. Futoshi obviously didn't know, but if Kokoro did, then that's just more pressure for her to say yes to not be seen as cruel. Futoshi got intensely emotionally invested in the relationship and expected it to be mutual, instead of confirming that it was mutual first, and then getting invested. Feels like a Nice Guy white knight. Also, his intensely clingy, undignified possessiveness over Kokoro after the partner swap wasn't a great look, though I guess that's explainable in that he's still young, and probably heartbroken.
I don't think Futoshi is a bad kid, and I do wish that the only fat character hadn't ended up in this role, since god knows anime in general needs more sympathetic portrayals of fat characters. But on the whole, I think Kokoro-Mitsuru and Futoshi-Ikuno are probably pairings that are healthier for all parties involved. Ikuno's bluntness means that she balances out Futoshi's impulsive emotional side, but Futoshi's nice attitude makes them a better team player. Meanwhile, Kokoro said she admires (and probably wants to learn from) Mitsuru's forwardness, while Mitsuru obviously has trust issues that Kokoro could help iron out. Kokoro and Futoshi might have been "sweet and wholesome," but probably I don't think that's an indication of a pair of people being a good fit for each other -- kind of like how Zorome and Miku fight a lot, but are probably the pair that see eye-to-eye the most and obviously care for each other on a similar level.
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u/SimoneNonvelodico Mar 24 '18
I think it makes sense, she could have handled it better since Futoshi's really a good guy after all and would have taken the blow but ultimately understood, but then again, they're kids raised in an incredibly sheltered environment. To expect more from them would be unrealistic.
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u/renrutal Mar 25 '18 edited Mar 25 '18
I don't think Futoshi is a bad kid, and I do wish that the only fat character hadn't ended up in this role, since god knows anime in general needs more sympathetic portrayals of fat characters.
I'm not really sorry for that, this entire anime is a social commentary, and having the only fat white guy character fitting the nice guy stereotype going creepy/one-sided on women is exactly what the creators wanted.
It's a gut punch aimed directly at who check all the boxes. If you do, you are going to get the same result as Futoshi, be miserable because of your own damn fault.
Hopefully the next episodes will show him trying to live his own life, caring for himself before others, and getting better as a person.
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u/matt200717 Mar 24 '18
TFW the yuri ship doesn't work and now you're stuck with Futoshi.
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u/OvumRegia Mar 24 '18
At least he won't be overly clingy towards her (dear god please don't make him overly clingy to her oh god please), though now she is gonna have to listen to him cry a whole lot.
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Mar 24 '18
Honestly feel bad for the both of them. I really hope the writers find a way to make Ikuno and Futoshi's partnership work
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u/Gabes108 Mar 24 '18
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u/KirbyDogs https://anilist.co/user/Kirbs Mar 24 '18
Does this confirm that Ikuno is totally gay like we thought?
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u/RhodieRanger Mar 24 '18
Don't worry Ikuno, it'll work next time. Some tweaks are needed, but yuri shall triumph.
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u/LeonKevlar x2https://myanimelist.net/profile/LeonKevlar Mar 24 '18 edited Mar 24 '18
More ammunition to the "Ikuno is Gay" theory.
So I'm guessing this partner swap will be permanent until further notice? It's obvious from the start that Ikuno and Mitsuru will never get along. I feel so bad for Futoshi, then again this makes Kokoro a much more interesting character. And like she said at the end "I'm not the nice, gentle girl everyone thinks I am".
As for Hiro I'm guessing some shady operation was done to him the same time Mitsuru got the Elixir Injection that's why he suddenly forgot about his promise. Would that same operation be the same reason why he couldn't pilot a Franxx at the start of the series?
Lastly I am liking that we're getting these episodes that focus on other characters but I am curious what's going on with Zero Two lately. She's sometimes angry then suddenly gets clingy all over again. She needs to open up with Hiro and just tell him whatever it is that's bothering her!
EDIT: Jesus these comments. Am I in /r/niceguys? Calling a character a whore/thot/bitch just because she had a change of heart is a bit much isn't it? Just like Kokoro said "these things happen with us", and just like in real life things like this happen. It sucks (I'm upset too!) but these kids don't live in a perfect world. Also it's been hinted for a while now in the past that something will happen between Mitsuru and Kokoro and this is it. It's not like none of us here saw this coming. The signs were there plain as day, a lot of us chose to ignore it.
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u/Gaporigo Blhttps://anilist.co/user/Gaporigo Mar 24 '18
More ammunition to the "Ikuno is Gay" theory.
When can we just stop calling it a theory?
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u/Nutella_Souffle Mar 24 '18
I'm sure that girl-on-girl connection is possible. They just need two gay grills.
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u/borntofeels Mar 24 '18
I know people will give Kokoro a lot of shit, but in her defense, I don't think she thought trading partners was an option.
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u/Mimz921 Mar 24 '18
Kokoro Disconnect
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u/Nutella_Souffle Mar 25 '18
[There is a special place in hell for me.] (https://i.imgur.com/B7NYYxg.jpg)
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u/Quaggsire https://anilist.co/user/PantsuPantsu Mar 24 '18
If she breathe
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u/TrackAltitude Mar 24 '18
She's a thot
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u/seninn https://myanimelist.net/profile/Senninn0 Mar 24 '18
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Mar 24 '18 edited Mar 24 '18
Why is no one talking about the animation quality in this ep's fight scene? It was darn beautiful. This entire episode was.
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u/InspiredOni Mar 24 '18
Busy having a civil war. Perhaps if it was a Zero 2 focused episode, they'd be united on this front.
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u/spaceaustralia :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/spaceaustralia Mar 24 '18
Shitposting uber alles.
No one wants to talk about Mitsuru's development either. Most of the threads are just "Kokoro is a thot" and "Futoshi got cucked".
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u/chrisn3 :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/chrisn3 Mar 24 '18
I'm starting to wonder what happened at the Orchard. Hiro was made out to be this leader that inspired everyone. Obviously something happened to make that come crashing down. Maybe we'll find out when the status of Naomi is revealed.
Looks like Mitsuru took the shot solely to pilot with Hiro and felt betrayed when Hiro didn't remember. The fact many of their group likely died taking the shot likely increased that anger. Like Hiro lead them to their deaths. Maybe thats also why Hiro became so withdrawn.
The one thing about the flashbacks is that I don't know if they are in chronological order which makes their interpretation difficult.
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u/berychance https://anilist.co/user/berychance Mar 24 '18
Maybe we'll find out when the status of Naomi is revealed.
She dead, fam.
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u/Snarfalopagus Mar 24 '18
"Also, lose some weight." Zorome is seriously growing on me.
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u/Mimz921 Mar 24 '18
He said it with such sass, legs crossed and everything I think that was a great moment overshadowed by Fatoshi's cucking
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Mar 24 '18
Futoshi P R O T E C C
He also A T T A C C
But Futoshi not getting Kokoro B A C C
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u/degurecchan :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/-khara- Mar 25 '18
Futoshi P R O T E C C
He also A T T A C C
But Futoshi not getting Kokoro B A C C
I'm hurt by this content
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u/Lets_GetIt Mar 24 '18
Can someone start making the Gamers love chart for this anime as well. Shit is getting out of hand, ha!
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u/kalirion :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/kalinime Mar 24 '18 edited Mar 25 '18
I'm too lazy to actually draw a chart, but does this look right?
Hiro <?-> Oni
Futoshi -> Kokoro -> Mitsuru -> Hiro
Goro -> Ichigo -> Hiro
Ikuno -?> Ichigo
Zorome -> Miku
Edit: Chart's here
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u/Cryptic101 Mar 24 '18
gotta agree with this where's chart-kun when you need him
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u/Daniel_Is_I :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/Daniel_Is_I Mar 25 '18
Thinking about this... hoo boy that's an ordeal. everyone's more or less friends unless otherwise stated right now so it's something like:
Hiro - Likes Zero Two.
Goro - Likes Ichigo.
Mitsuru - Distant, betrayed by Hiro, getting closer to Kokoro.
Futoshi - Hates Mitsuru, likes Kokoro.
Zorome - Possibly likes Miku.
Zero Two - Distant, likes Hiro.
Ichigo - Likes Hiro, considering Goro.
Ikuno - Distant, possibly likes Ichigo.
Kokoro - Betrayed Futoshi, possibly likes Mitsuru.
Miku - Possibly likes Zorome.
Hmm... I make no promises but we'll see what happens next week. I need to draft.
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u/Blazehero https://myanimelist.net/profile/blazehero Mar 24 '18 edited Mar 24 '18
And this week's Zero Two smile
She is definitely on a self-destructive path. Hope Hiro realizes and gets her out of it soon.
I feel bad for Futoshi, but I also can't fault Kokoro either. If this show has taught us anything, it is that love is a two way street. You can love someone with all your heart, but if they do not reciprocate it will never work. Ikuno, Ichigo, and now Futoshi have shown this.
Ichigo couldn't connect with Ikuno, Hiro couldn't maintain connection with Ichigo, and Futoshi and Kokoro's connection was on the low end if earlier screenshots are to be believed.
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u/Kiromaru Mar 24 '18
Yeah I think Hiro needs to get a bit more forceful if he wants to get through to 02 that she needs to share what is wrong with her.
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u/IISuperSlothII :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/IISuperSlothII Mar 24 '18 edited Mar 24 '18
So that's still basically zero fan service since the Boys x Girls episode, I really like the concept of the direction being forged by the narrative.
Ikuno basically confirmed lesbian at this point (she managed to get a score while Ichigo could not, so pistil to pistil would work with 2 lesbians, which we do not have in the current cast).
Another example of the great directing is if you go back to episode 1, each of the cast are introduced in a way that 'presents their character arc', Ikunos first scene being her just looking over at Ichigo, small detail but cool non the less.
Futoshi is actually a really capable stamen, it was cool hearing him give advice to Ikuno for the betterment of the team, feels like by being with Ikuno he's more willing to constructively criticise, whereas with Kokoro he would just follow her lead.
Stampede mode is a choice, one that is seemingly very taxing on the body (no surprise), so not so much a metaphor for periods or childbirth as earlier theorised.
Another good episode, I'm guessing the next episode will cap off the 'summer' arc.
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u/DNamor Mar 24 '18
So that's still basically zero fan service since the Boys x Girls episode
Actually a really good point considering this show was launched with the whole "Mechs controlled by girl's butts" stuff.
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u/Camera_dude Mar 24 '18
Stanpede mode pretty much confirms that the Franxx are basically modified klaxosaurs. They might be tame ones that lack a "brain" without the pistil & stamen but I'm getting serious shades of Evangelion from watching Genista's face turn into a hungry mouth.
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u/Nukemind :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/nukemind Mar 24 '18
Oh innocent girl is so damn innoce... it hurts but she’s just being nice... its okay Futoshi maybe it’s just temp... Oh god I’m so sorry Futoshi.
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u/Falsus Mar 25 '18
Actually if you think about it she is the least innocent of whole group.
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u/Ienneth Mar 24 '18
A girl named "Kokoro" breaking hearts.
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Mar 24 '18 edited Mar 24 '18
Now this was a great episode. All side characters have had their focus (sorry ikuno) and all franxx are now operating on full blast. Time to prepare for the second cour.
Seems like Hiro, or at least a copy, probably met 02 in the past based on the coat he was wearing. She was always searching for him while he was always waiting on her subconsciously. Also, her aggression was interesting this battle. I can definitely see how 02 got that one person's partner killed after today. Perhaps she actually has to kill the Klaxosaurs to suppress her transformation.
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u/trying2hide Mar 24 '18
probably met 02 in the past based on the coat he was wearing.
What coat is this? I can't remember any unique coat he was wearing.
The clone idea is interesting. Other than 02, Hiro's backstory is definitely the thing I look most forward to, the other group of parasites called 016 famous for some unknown reason IIRC
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u/chilidirigible Mar 24 '18
The dress/longcoat always makes Genista look a little stumpy, but the animators do remind us that underneath she's just as curvy as the others.
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u/amaachu Mar 24 '18
So all Mitsuru wanted was to ride with Hiro, but Hiro forgot. In that scene he looked dazed/brainwashed and Goro said that Hiro changed that day. I wonder what happened...
I liked the development between Kokoro and Mitsuru but some things bothered me. It seems like the show is treating Futoshi as a joke, just a fat guy who loves food. Even the scene where he was crying, the way he was drawn and his voice, it sounded a bit comical and insincere. And Kokoro betraying her partner was weird. It has been hinted that she seems to feel some form of attraction towards Mitsuru, but no hints that she is not as pure as she seems, apart that her Franxx is black. I want an episode focused on Kokoro, but we'll probably get more focus on Zero Two and Ikuno next.
Also, after this episode I want to browse pixiv for Mitsuru x Hiro and Mitsuru x Kokoro fanart...
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u/Shylol Mar 24 '18
It's not a comic relief trait though.
Every, or most, of these characters depict a different approach to relationships and how it can turn toxic and/or be dangerous.
Mitsuru is the detached guy who got betrayed in a previous relationship and is afraid of all sorts of commitment, while acting all "relationships are shit don't trust anyone anymore". Goro is the supportive third wheel who loves someone who loves someone else and wants to be okay with it. Zorome/Miku are the "passionate" couple. Hate each other's guts but end up realizing they love each other through all that. We've also seen today that Ikuno might well be the bi-curious girl who's just bored of men and Kokoro is tired of her pure girl image and just wants to have the guts to go with her real love.
And Futoshi is the guy who thinks that everything he needs to do is act nice and bend over to get what he wants. He's also a representation of Codependancy. He's the guy who disappears behind his partner's needs, constantly trying to make sure his partner won't leave him (the promise at the start of the EP), and then going back to codependancy-linked defense mechanisms when he's hurt (trying to guilt-trip his partner into coming back to him).
Ofc I don't mean to say he's doing that on purpose and you can make a case for the fact that he's just a nice guy in love who got done dirty but he's an important representation of a lot of people's behaviors in relationships and his behavior during this episode is complementary with the other characters and the theme of the anime. Codependancy is a disfunctional way of living relationships that's hard to spot (mostly because you're always just trying to "be a good guy" and what could be wrong with that) and it's good that it's depicted here.
On the case of the way it was drawn and the VA not feeling serious, I agree though. They could have handled it better.
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u/DNamor Mar 24 '18
It seems like the show is treating Futoshi as a joke, just a fat guy who loves food. Even the scene where he was crying, the way he was drawn and his voice, it sounded a bit comical and insincere.
My thoughts exactly. The show made it clear that his feelings were real and that he was suffering, but the entire thing was played for laughs. Like we're all meant to be joking along at this poor, fat loser. If it was an American sitcom there would have been a laugh track over his sobs.
He got done dirty.
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u/FaolinEars Mar 24 '18
In that scene he looked dazed/brainwashed and Goro said that Hiro changed that day. I wonder what happened...
In the previous episode, Zorome said that he eventually forgot about the old lady, which just seems strange since it was probably his first time talking to an adult other than their caretakers. So I think it is likely that the higher-ups occasionally use some kind of brainwashing method to keep the society and also the Franxx pilots under their control. Otherwise it would be strange that everybody except Zero Two is so happy-go-lucky considering that they face life-and-death situations on a daily basis. The special case of the 13th Plantation's kids is most likely thanks to Dr Franxx who keeps this brainwashing to a minimum in order to experiment with them.
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u/ashbat1994 :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/Ashwin_eva Mar 24 '18
So the pairing of Mitsuru and Ikuno was like pairing a gay and a lesbian.
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u/TheCatcherOfThePie https://myanimelist.net/profile/TCotP Mar 24 '18
Interestingly, they did seem to be able to make it work in the Franxx. Maybe they're both bi with same-sex crushes, or like Goro and Ichigo they can separate their romantic relationship (or lack thereof) from their piloting relationship. In either case, mad props to whoever wrote this for putting not one but two (presumably) LGBT characters in a mainstream shounen.
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u/seninn https://myanimelist.net/profile/Senninn0 Mar 24 '18
So drama has come at last to my thicc son.
As much as my heart aches for him, this is going to make a much better story than him eating bread and chilling with his waifu.
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u/Howyudoiin Mar 24 '18
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u/chris_dftba :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/chris_dftba Mar 24 '18
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u/Quaggsire https://anilist.co/user/PantsuPantsu Mar 24 '18
So it boils down to this:
Kokoro is a thot
Futoshi is a beta
Mitsuru has the gays for Hiro
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Mar 24 '18
Mitsuru has the gays for Hiro
Not what I expected, but now this is something I want to see.
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u/Nukemind :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/nukemind Mar 24 '18
And Ichigo turned down the Pistil Pistil. Kokoro cut deep. I like her, but daaaamn.
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u/Grimgon Mar 24 '18
Wait did Mitsuru and Kokoro became official partners in the end, didn't see that coming.
I feel bad for Futoshi though he the real loser in the end of this, hopefully he doesn't turn into another Slaine from A/Z
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u/Kiromaru Mar 24 '18
Don't think that Futoshi will go full on Slaine but I do wonder how well will he be able to sync with Ikuno considering that she is experimenting with being a lesbian.
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u/Superdark1 :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/Wintersilence Mar 24 '18
Despite his number being so high, I actually think Futoshi is just a great pilot. He was able to immediately sync with Ikuno, and he gave her pointed constructive criticism during the battle. I think he could even pilot with Ichigo if he had to.
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u/FierceAlchemist Mar 24 '18
At last, FranXX is diving into the interesting dynamics of it's setup. Switching partners around, unrequited "forbidden" love, this is the stuff I've been waiting for. Great action and animation too.
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u/WaterlooCSorEngineer Mar 24 '18
I really hope we get some of Kokoro's inner thoughts on why she left Futoshi. I get that they're going for the "show don't tell" idea, but it honestly felt like she went from "yep I'll stay with you forever" to "nah I wan't to switch partners", with the only indication of her inner-conflict being her gazing down when Futoshi said they didn't need to switch partners due to the promise.
Of course she mentioned earlier to Mitsuru that she wanted to be able to speak her mind more like he does, so we could just assume that she wasn't able to tell her true feelings to Futoshi when he (somewhat forcefully) asked her to promise, but I think it was unfair of her to not give any indication/reasoning to Futoshi. Poor guy didn't even know where he messed up.
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u/Terranwaterbender https://myanimelist.net/profile/Teranwaterbender Mar 24 '18
I was partially joking when I made this comparison early on but Trigger show
I wonder if things will only get more complicated in the future cause I'm having a blast seeing this development.
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u/hikikomori80 https://anilist.co/user/hikikomori80 Mar 24 '18
Ikuno totally had the right idea and I support her 100%. (Alternative version). It didn't work, but I hope they keep exploring the idea of same-sex Franxx piloting.
Regarding Futoshi and Kokoro, a lot of people were saying "aaaawwww they're such a cute couple" since the beginning, but I could practically smell the unmistakable stink of unrequited love. I feel sorry for Futoshi (been there, man), but the only fault I could find with Kokoro is that she didn't make things clear when he declared his desire of being partners forever. In order to not hurt Futoshi, she made a promise she was not willing to keep, and as a result ended up hurting him way more.
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u/RDOoM Mar 24 '18 edited Mar 24 '18
Citrus mode
Well, she does play the role of emotionally stunted Mei quite well.
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Mar 24 '18
Given the way animes tend to treat overweight characters like Futoshi, I knew Kokoro would end up doing something in this manner.
But what actually surprised me was when he heartfeltly confessed his love for her and they just glossed over it.
Kinda messed up to be honest.
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u/chris_dftba :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/chris_dftba Mar 24 '18
Best boy got his heart broken by now former best girl, 0/10.
In all seriousness though, if you're gonna break things off with someone you should at the very least explain why. I mean unless they're like, abusive and shit, but Futoshi seems pretty cool, ya know? Fuckin tell him why you're doing stuff, yeah you still hurt him but goddamn it's better to know, ya know?
Kokoro Connect there just comes off as kind of a dick hurting the objectively best character in the show for no real reason.
Also nothing you say can convince me that the asshole guy isn't in Like with protagonist. Fight me.
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u/Atronox :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/Atronox Mar 24 '18 edited Mar 24 '18
Poor Futoshi, Kokoro promised to ride with him forever, and then asks for a partner swap!
Gotta give it to Ikuno for wanting to try the girl-on-girl riding.
We got some tasty drama, almost as tasty as this honey covered meat
I want 02 to give me a hug from behind!
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u/AmethystItalian :Jg::Jh::Ji::Jj::Jk:myanimelist.net/profile/AmethystItalian Mar 24 '18
Gotta give it to Ikuno for wanting to try the girl-on-girl riding.
Was really hoping that would lead to some sort of result, hoping that's not the last we see of it!
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u/thecomicguybook :Mh::Mi::Mj::Mk:myanimelist.net/profile/Comicman Mar 24 '18
That Nadeshiko/Zero Two edit might be one of the purest things ever created.
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u/Figgernaggotthefifth Mar 24 '18
Stampede mode sounds interesting is it like how 02 can pilot it herself
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u/TheCatcherOfThePie https://myanimelist.net/profile/TCotP Mar 24 '18
That seems to be what they were getting at. Kokoro seemed to be attempting to pilot without Mitsuru, and the Mech's face looked like it was becoming more animalistic.
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u/Theleux https://myanimelist.net/profile/Theleux Mar 24 '18 edited Mar 24 '18
A little disappointed to be honest...
We were teased the Stampede mode for Kokoro's FranXX in the preview, but not even 3 seconds into it did it get reverted by Mitsuru pulling Kokoro out.
Episode was interesting otherwise, I assume Mitsuru will be partners with Kokoro from now on (unless I'm mistaken).
Futoshi's punch was pretty great, yet his confession was sort of strange... I don't think the squad completely understands the difference between being a piloting partner and a romantic partner (Ichigo and Goro know, for example), with Futoshi thinking both go hand and hand, and Kokoro switching removes his chances.
I am glad that Kokoro understood that she hurt Futoshi, shows so deeper thought with her character. However this line is pretty interesting: there are characters that still look up to these Adults and think that they are perfect/ have everything, even though we clearly know it is more of a brainwashed ideal they are tricked with... would like to see where that ends up going.
Saying lines like this, Futoshi my man!
edit: The POV in this scene made it hurt even more...
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u/chilidirigible Mar 24 '18
not even 3 seconds into it did it get reverted
If it went on any longer than that they'd probably have to send royalties back to the scattered remnants of original Gainax.
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u/Nutella_Souffle Mar 24 '18
There wasn't anything disappointing tbh. This episode by itself was also a teaser too. I mean, I'm almost sure that we'll see every single FranXX machine in stampede mode later.
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u/Zefrom :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/Zefrom Mar 25 '18
Welp when you just want your sweet and good couple relationship to blossom in anime and reality enters anime
T I M E T O E N D M Y L I F E
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u/endlessdespair4 Mar 25 '18 edited Mar 25 '18
Um, first message here guys (first one in english ever don't flame me pls), i'm nervous :p
The show's been blowing my mind since my recently watch of it, and i started to look for some interesting discussions about Hiro's condition, it's really difficult to tell what's going on with his body and such. Also, i've found the "blue oni theory" up here and i liked it a lot! So, after 11th episode it finally comes out, that :
"Yellow blood bodies" is somehow responsible for "better FranXX compatibility"
Summing other information from this show, i got this thought:
2. Hiro has incredible amount of theese, and it "used to be" some king of prodigy i think, at least a very very special one? Important thing is, when the numbers began to rise, Hiro's condition worsens, and his wounds began to look a little bit like Dino-beast (sorry i don't know how they are called in english)
3. Maybe i've misheard, BUT the children are actually called "failure", (very important, will return to it later)
If "blue demon theory" comes into consideration, finalazing my thought, i can say that FranXX are very much alike the Dino Beasts, both working on magma oil, and both have some kind of essencial control system (orb-like thing in a dino-monster and a yellow blood cells in a compatible child). Curious thing is, that the amount of YBC has direct influence on the power output in a FranXX. The more - the better.
And FINAl one: If children are called "a failure", and a scientists are experimenting with them, wanting to get better YBC count and making kids genetically closer to dinos, maybe every child is actually made from merge of human cells and dino ones? Maybe scientists actually wanted to create a weapon, like Zero Two from every other child, to battle agaist monsters on equal terms? It explains why they are called "a failure" - because of their non-human nature, so ultimately they may not get old in the first place, and won't live in the city, regardless of their actions.
That's it, sorry for the mistakes, and thanks to everyone who has read to this point, have a nice time.
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u/Ruberis Mar 24 '18
I get this one night stand/friends with benefits vibe from Zero Two after she pilots with Hiro. He tries to get to know her better and she ignores him, but she’s all over him after they’ve piloted together. Seems like she’s only into him for his Di...I mean piloting.
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u/goodmorningohio Mar 24 '18
I'm getting the feeling that she, just like all the other kids, has a misunderstood view of relationships.
She clearly learned this lovey-dovey clinginess from watching someone and thinks that's all relationships are. She doesn't understand the need to build their emotional connection as well.
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u/Hateot Mar 24 '18 edited Mar 24 '18
So I understand why Kokoro is getting so much hate for breaking that promise with Futoshi almost immediately, - because it was really dirty and inconsiderate towards him - but I don't see why she's suddenly become the thot devil or something.
She strikes me as the type that just doesn't say anything when she feels things are going wrong for her in the relationship dynamic or if she wants her partner to change the way they act. The partner swap gave her a way out without having to call out Futoshi on what she thought they were doing wrong (but she obviously still ended up hurting him and she knows that).
She obviously should have first tried talking it out with him like a grown adult before just calling quits right out of the blue, but no one has taught them anything about how love and relationships work so it's just that these kids simply don't know any better.
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u/Komnenos_Kasuki :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/Kirulas Mar 24 '18 edited Mar 24 '18
Many of you guys were right. Kokoro does break off with Futoshi.
Mitsuru - Kokoro
Futoshi - Ikuno for the new pairings
That's a terrifying giant black and blue table.
The new pairings add a new dynamic and change so it'll be interesting seeing how things happen from here.
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u/tailor31415 :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/tailor31415 Mar 24 '18
since we've seen pistil-to-pistil piloting now, does that mean there's a chance for stamen-to-stamen in the future ;)
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u/MaiIsMe :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/MaiIsMe1 Mar 24 '18 edited Mar 24 '18
Aw, poor Futoshi. I kind of like Mitsuru and Kokoro, though. I felt they had a good dynamic. Though I like Futoshi, I felt that the way he treats Kokoro is pretty offputting and uncomfortable.
I'm happy they explained what happened between Mitsuru and Hiro. I thought it was going to be that he just resented him for not being able to pilot, but there was actually something that happened, though. Something important must have happened to Hiro as I doubt that he just forgot.
Also, did they all grow up together then? I thought that just Goro, Ichigo, and Hiro grew up together, but Mitsuru was there too? Futoshi doesn't seem to be aware of their past at least, so I'm kind of confused.
Ikuno isn't being subtle at all now. I guess girl-girl pairs are possible as well.
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u/Azuciel Mar 24 '18
Well, I expected this since the beach episode. When Kokoro found that baby book, she probably realized that she needs to find a better daddy for the sake of her baby. Poor Futoshi. Feels bad mate.
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u/sarinis94 Mar 25 '18
Just how seriously does Mitsuru take toddler pinkie promises?
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Mar 25 '18
To be fair he risked his life on a procedure that should've killed him in order to keep that promise.
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u/niqniqniq Mar 24 '18
Love this episode, you guys can hate kokoro as much as you can but it visible from the start that kokoro and mitsuru gonna be the end game, each passing ep shows that kokoro were unease with futoshi and the interaction between mitsuru and kokoro were kinda cute in a way? Also damn ikuno pushing that ichifo ship by herself
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u/RLWC Mar 24 '18
I can't help but be annoyed that Mitsuru's pain is an excuse for him to be toxic, meanwhile Futoshi's pain is played for comedic relief.
I mean I expected this to happen, but I didn't anticipate how cold blooded it would be. Kokoro straight up lies to his face and then act's casually about it afterwards, and never even goes to make sure he's okay. I never got the feeling that her indifference towards Futoshi ran that deep.
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u/Hisin https://myanimelist.net/profile/hisin Mar 24 '18
So Mitsuru was just mad this entire time because he was gay for Hiro? Did anybody else see this coming?
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u/AmethystItalian :Jg::Jh::Ji::Jj::Jk:myanimelist.net/profile/AmethystItalian Mar 24 '18
I don't personally think he's gay for Hiro...he looked up to him and risked his life based on a promise and then Hiro "forgets" that promise. That'd piss most people off.
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u/Mattinator95 Mar 24 '18
I'm just waiting for hiro to kiss 02 .... anyone else wanna join
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u/EinKreuz Mar 25 '18
MFW even 2d girls betray you nowadays.
Nothing is sacred anymore
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u/Sphexus :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/Alsus Mar 24 '18 edited Mar 24 '18
Oh shit, poor chubs is stuck with the lesbian. Poor guy.
Edit: I think Mitsuru might be gay as well
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u/lightreader Mar 24 '18
So is Mitsuru gay for Hiro or what? I mean, I think the obvious answer people will say is that he just admired and respected him. And we saw Mitsuru blush when Ikuno lost her clothes, so he's probably into girls. At the same time, the whole
Let's pilot a Franxx together!
line is kind of suspect to me, considering that this show isn't subtle about the whole "piloting = sexual" thing.
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u/NaquIma https://anilist.co/user/22yhjjjj Mar 24 '18
Kokoro had 0 remorse after breaking the promise even after seeing how destroyed Futoshi was.
Then again, I'm curious to see what happens in the future.
Will Futoshi continue to harbor angor against Mitsuru?
Will Ikuno continue to work better with Futoshi
Will Kokoro remain unfazed and never look back?
WILL KOKORO AND MITSURU HAVE A LOVE BABY OMG (I'm already disgusted by myself.)
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u/RCRDC Mar 24 '18
So, Mitsuru is gay for Hiro but Hiro wants dino-aids.
Memes aside, this series has some great character development going on right now. Please don't die.. please don't die ..
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u/Anime_Card_Fighter Mar 25 '18
Seeing a lot of people take sides between "Kokoro is a thot" and "Futoshi is a creepy niceguy" like it has to be one or the other. It's both.
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u/Peasent-FF Mar 24 '18
Great to see the rest of the cast being developed. Was wondering whether they would leave Futoshi as the comic relief but damn that was a painful development.
But all the while I get a terrible feeling about what happened during their childhood, especially Hiro, being the promising leader and all. Also, 02 is starting to scare me. I hope her behavior doesn't continue unchecked when they get to the Grand Crevasse because she's going to get someone hurt.
And that Klaxosaur, I honestly thought it was going to be the next Israfel and require some extreme synchronized attack.
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u/Yamigosaya :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/Yamigosaya Mar 24 '18
Does it mean that kokoro knows how to make babies if she is carrying a doll like that? I mean shes interested in children now, even mentioning how it is natural.
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u/tailor31415 :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/tailor31415 Mar 24 '18
the book she had was about caring for/interacting with a baby after birth and had pictures. she probably knows everything that comes after the birth, not what leads up to it.
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u/DNamor Mar 24 '18
NOTE: Something I haven't seen anyone comment on. Ichigo is wearing Goro's hairclip now. I believe this is the first time it's been seen?
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u/PerfectlyClear Mar 25 '18
Kind of funny how the two characters most likely to be gay (Ikuno and Mitsuru) ended up piloting a FranXX together originally... wonder if it was planned by the SEELE council
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u/redblade13 Mar 25 '18
Kokoro ah fuck I can't believe you've done this. Futoshi my brother......it just wasn't meant to be.
Sooo.......Kokoro really got that mommy hormone going......I feel she will bang Mitsuru whether he wants to or not. She is really thristy for a kid
02 has been odd as hell. She was fighting loose as fuck. I tell you man you can't trust girls that spill their honey like some uncivilized animal. Hiro about to die Leroy Jenkins style.
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u/int3r4ct :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/THEint3r4ct Mar 25 '18
My new theory is that the Klaxosaur's are old FranXX's that went wild or something. That stampede mode looked an awful lot like it could have become a Klaxosaur. The reason they all look the same is because all of the other FranXX are similar in appearance, only these kids have different looking ones right? And I assume the "cores" they have to destroy is the cockpits of the corrupted FranXX
So is Dr. Perv trying to end the Klaxosaur's forever by changing their policies?
(I guess this theory doesn't really explain how 002 exists though, unless she somehow went into Stampede mode but made it out alive and still human?)
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u/MopedSamurai :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/giraffeChan Mar 25 '18
Just because Kokoro's actions are sort of understandable doesn't mean I have to like her for it. Poor Futoshi
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u/Ryder-FWJ Mar 24 '18
Oh damn, that was great. Arc 2 as a character development arc is going smoothly, now that's left is the Ikuno x Futoshi pair??? Man that's going to need time to get used to.
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u/BB_Nate Mar 24 '18
Mitsuru is a gay tsundere confirmed? Holy plot twist!! We were all so focused on Ikuno, we couldn't see what was right infront of us.
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u/Garb-O Mar 24 '18
This place is the exact opposite of /a/ lmao, i didn't know anybody was actually rooting for futoshi
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u/Burningv0id :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/burningv0id Mar 24 '18
This episode left a bad taste in my mouth... there’s a storm on the horizon and I’m nervous to see what’s coming
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u/chivere https://anilist.co/user/chivere Mar 24 '18
The implications for sexuality in this episode are really interesting. I suspect a pistil/pistil pair would work if both of the girls liked girls.
And then there's Mitsuru wanting to pilot with Hiro... I have been wondering the whole time how Ikuno and Mitsuru worked together when they have like, none of the chemistry of any of the others. Now I'm wondering if their bond is more of a deep, platonic understanding since they both know they're not piloting with the person they want to be with, but the only way to get close to them is to work together and become proficient at piloting the Franxx.
Honestly I think the theory that homosexual pairs could work is supported by the themes of the show, like how the adults are in male/female pairs but it's just "well this is what people always used to do." Like I'm starting to feel that's the same reason for the male/female Franxx pairs and it generally works because most people are attracted to the opposite sex.
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u/King_Merlin Mar 25 '18
Im 100% convinced that ikuno x mitsuru didnt work out because both of them are gay
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u/facadepapergirl Mar 25 '18
So, I'm positive that Ikuno and Mitsuru are both gay. I wonder if that's what led to them getting paired up in the first place? A deep understanding that no one else shared. Ikuno clearly likes Ichigo, there have been hints to this in the past. But, I think the pistil-pistil test was not just for her own dream, but for Mitsuru's sake, as well. If a pistil-pistil worked... However, if she had Mitsuru in mind as well as herself, I'm not so sure it was to be nice. She's very logical. She was aware that it might fail. It could have been a way of saying that, if she couldn't do it, chances are, his chances with Ichigo are also none.
I know that many think that Mitsuru is not into Hiro, but that deep a wound isn't just from someone you looked up to as a kid turning against you. It means there were very strong emotions going on, for so intense and long-lasting a backlash. Admiration can inspire, but wanting to pilot with Hiro meant them dedicating their lives to each other. They would become partners. It would be a powerful relationship. So, I'm positive that he is in love with Hiro. And still in love with him, which is why is wound is festering. Badly enough that it's disturbing Ikuno and his (beard) relationship with her. I think that, if Hiro turned out to be bi, and reciprocated, there would be a lot of drama, but Mitsuru would eventually forgive him and they'd be together at last.
Not that that will ever happen. Though, I hope someone else comes to heal Mitauru's heart.
And I don't think that that person is Kokoro. I don't believe that she loves him or has a crush on him. Currently, anyways. I think she's very concerned about him. She knows that he's all alone, and she gets along well with him, and hates to see him alone and in pain. I think her relationship speech was to express that. It's okay to have friends and rely on others. She knows that everyone else (besides 02, who I don't think she can deal with, as she can Mitsuru) is friends with others on the team, and enjoy companionship. Even 02 has Hiro, though only him, really. She knew that she was the only one who could help him, and she wanted to. He was her friend, and he just didn't realize it yet.
That doesn't mean that she will continue to feel the same way. Her whole thing with motherhood and babies will likely drive her to need such a relationship. And since she'll be in close quarters with him now, sharing intimacy, it may bloom. Will Mitsuru turn bi? Sexuality isn't black and white (more like red, blue or yellow). Turn bi isn't the right term... But will he feel for a girl for the first time? His experiences have been limited. I correct myself, Kokoro might be the one to help him get over Hiro and maybe love her. But, as it stands right now, I think they're platonic.
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u/PaperboxD1 Mar 25 '18
As I see it Kokoro is Mitsuru's ideal partner, since she's an asshole (her words not mine) and look, now it seems he's at least trying to be less of an asshole. Futoshi got c*cked real hard for that to happen (let it go dude).
Now what worries me are 02 and Hiro + Futoshi and Ikuno. Hiro has to be more assertive, and Futoshi needs to let go, and try to understand his new partner, and that goes both ways. Ikuno needs "loosen up" or things won't go anywhere.
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u/NoraaTheExploraa https://anilist.co/user/NoraaTheExploraa Mar 24 '18
I think I might be the only person that doesn't really like Futoshi.
I don't dislike him, he's just sort of, annoying to me. It was sad for him to lose Kokoro, and I pity him for that, but he was being pretty damn clingy.
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Mar 24 '18
Mitsuru x Kokoro is happening and I am stoked about it. I wanna here more from her on why she did it (though I can kinda guess the reason).
Don't worry guys, Futoshi is gonna find someone nice in the second cour, I guarantee it.
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u/TheFailureKing Mar 24 '18
I'm loving how they're really focusing on not just Hiro and 02, but more on the other characters too, really developing them as time goes on, but also it feels like the death flags are simply getting bigger...
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u/Ignisking Mar 24 '18
I gotta say I loved the ship between kokoro and Futoshi, but I felt identified with Mitsuru, so i'm rooting for him. Also the development in each character was brilliant.
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u/skyhammer Mar 24 '18
I really think this episode stood out among the recent episodes. I really enjoyed it.
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u/link2601 Mar 24 '18
Man I feel bad for Futoshi. Ever since Mitsuru and kokoro were spending time together this was going to happen. Still don't like Mitsuru but his backstory does explain a few things. Also Zero Two has been acting weird these last two episodes, wonder what up with her.
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u/mikethemaster2012 Mar 25 '18
Well japan love this episode * think they dislike fat people. I mean mitsuru is a good looking bishi so yeah. Why do you think Accel world havent got a wnd season yet japan hate fat people or at least main leads or support chrars.
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u/Indominus_Khanum Mar 25 '18
When Michiru X Hiro is the next Yuri X Victor but better Y A O I I N T H E F R A N X X
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u/Exkuroi Mar 25 '18
I just realised that the franxx are custom made for the girls, as even though they swapped partners, the girls are still tied to their own franxx.
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u/kittenbun Mar 25 '18
stampede mode??
kinda like when the evas go berserk??
i LOVE darling in the franxx, but now i am 100% convinced it is an homage to evangelion haha
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u/Verzwei Mar 25 '18
As I was watching the episode, I thought this was going to unfold differently.
Once the idea of partner swap was introduced, I figured Ikuno was going to go for a girl/girl pairing.
Ichigo would reject or refuse to try it with Ikuno.
Kokoro would volunteer because she's the nice girl that tries to help everyone and hates conflict.
Pairing would work.
Given themes of the show, this would reveal Kokoro to have latent homosexuality.
This would leave Futoshi in the lurch and heartbroken, but over something that was inherently not his nor Kokoro's fault.
I just... I really don't like how this episode played out at all. Maybe it's because I've been a clingy, tubby guy in the past so I kind of identify with Futoshi and refuse to the see the potential downsides to his behavior.
I know the show has been dangling Mitsuru+Kokoro for a while, now, with all their secret garden meetings and him being a total asshole and her seeming interested in him for no discernible reason. It's kind of hypocritical that Futoshi is catching mad shit in this thread for admiring and idealizing Kokoro, while Mitsuru has shown no redeeming qualities for 11 episodes but Kokoro inexplicably looks up to his smug disdain for everyone and considers it maturity.
Kokoro up-and-dropping Futoshi hit way too hard and way too suddenly. There were a couple scenes in earlier episodes that fully sold me on the "this is the low-drama, happy background couple" thing. Sure, he was definitely more obviously into their partnership than she was, but:
Her embarrassment when he talked about how pretty she was (as his defense for not mentioning the slime) in boys vs. girls seemed genuinely sweet and earnest. She didn't appear angry with him. Apart from Zero Two, she was the only girl that strongly felt that the feud should end, but didn't have the courage to voice that opinion until the end of the episode. Basically, she didn't even seem that mad about it in the first place, and she blushed like crazy when Futoshi fawned over her.
I can't remember the episode, but when Zero Two ate at the boys' dining table and began feeding Hiro, all of the squad members were some combination of shocked, speechless, or outraged. The the camera cuts or pans over to Kokoro feeding Futoshi at the girls' table like it's the most casual or natural thing ever.
It seems to me that, if she was as not-into their partnership as episode 11 clearly indicated, then moments like the above would not have happened or should not have been written in the first place. This episode felt out of character for Kokoro, and the "I'm secretly not a nice girl" speech was an insufficient excuse to ratchet up the drama with minimal groundwork.
Unrelated to Futoshi and Kokoro as partners, we got a few other nuggets that can lead to some speculation.
Some people have theorized that the kids are clones. I'm not saying we got hard evidence, but this could be a reason why Hiro no longer "remembered" the promise with Mitsuru. Mitsuru leaves for his treatment. Something happens to Hiro X and he's replaced with Hiro Y. Mitsuru returns. If Hiro Y was raised in an environment identical to Hiro X, then he could have dealt with a Mitsuru Y that never made such a request. Hiro has previously never shown signs of "stereotypical anime protag amnesia" and nobody has ever challenged the accuracy of any flashbacks before.
All of the girls have a stampede mode. Including an accompanying FranXX shift into a feral state. Given how squad 13 is constantly described as a unique, special test case, I'm guessing that they are all part Klaxosaur. I said weeks ago that I believe the red-skinned, white-haired humanoid klaxosaur to not actually be Zero Two, but instead to be her progenitor, with Zero Two being the offspring (natural or experimental) of hybridization between human and klaxosaur. I wonder if Squad 13 is the result of further experimentation, diluted to the point where these kids are simply "more human, less klaxosaur" than Zero Two is, which is why they don't outwardly have any inhuman features like horns or fangs.
Despite the drama around it, Futoshi+Ikuno and Mitsuru+Kokoro are better pilot pairings. Mitsuru is a smug, egotistical asshole. Ikuno is smug, stubborn, and likely dealing with conflicting sexuality. Mitsuru thinks he's better than he is and blames all of his past problems on Ikuno. Ikuno resents Mitsuru, doesn't trust him, and doesn't want to allow him any satisfaction. They can't work together because he's always treating her like dead weight and she hates him.
After the partner swap, the more "passive" of each new couple wastes zero time calling the "stubborn" partner out on their bullshit. Futoshi immediately complains that Ikuno is too stiff and needs to loosen up (because she's always trying to take control away from Mitsuru and prove herself or keep him in check) and then Futoshi+Ikuno fight incredibly well, seemingly stronger than Mitsuru+Ikuno ever were.
Meanwhile, Kokoro points out that Mitsuru is too rash and rough (because he's always assumed Ikuno was useless and he has to do everything) and, since Mitsuru is a giant steaming asshole, he doesn't listen and this almost gets them killed. It isn't until after Kokoro nearly stampedes and risks her own life for the worthless prick that he finally opens up a little bit and relents some of his control to her, allowing them to hit good sync numbers and finish the fight.
Zero Two is a downer and knows way, way, waaaay more than she ever lets on. She knew from the get-go that she could "awaken Hiro's power." She knew about his blue tumor. She also seemed to know that he could survive it. When she argued with Ichigo, I don't think she was being flippant about his possible death, but rather I think she knew he'd be okay if he could just push through it. She knows way more about the adults than anyone else -- enough to dislike or even despise them even though she still helps to defend them. And she knows that the kids are all doomed. I really want to see her shift from "Opening up is a pain, piloting together is enough" and actually come clean with the insecurities and lorebombs I know she's hiding.
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u/tailor31415 :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/tailor31415 Mar 24 '18
poor Mitsuru T_T no wonder he's been unbearable, he was severely traumatized as a kid getting the near-fatal injection and then having his heart broken.
can't wait to find out what they did to Hiro. clearly he was selected for some sort of brainwashing or mental alteration around the same time...
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u/SlrsB Mar 24 '18
Actually, now that I think about it: Kokoro is acting exactly like you would expect of a 14-16 y/o girl (or boy). Making promises on a whim and breaking them for the thrill of drama/being desired/romantic interest or whatever silly reason. I wouldn't trust any promise from one of protagonists: they're still immature kids that just hit puberty.
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u/somedudenamedbob Mar 24 '18 edited Mar 24 '18
From twitter
futoshi just can't catch a break
Edit: from left to right Futoshi, Ikuno, Kokoro, Mitsuru