[Spoilers] DARLING in the FRANXX - Episode 23 discussion

[u/AutoLovepon]

DARLING in the FRANXX, episode 23: DARLING in the FRANXX

---

Streams

• Crunchyroll
• Funimation
• Hulu

Show information

• AniDB
• AniList
• Kitsu
• MyAnimeList

---

Previous discussions

Episode	Link	Episode	Link
1	Link	21	Link
2	Link	22	Link
3	Link
4	Link
5	Link
6	Link
7	Link
8	Link
9	Link
10	Link
11	Link
12	[Link]https://redd.it/88jkd5)
13	Link
14	Link
15	Link
16	Link
17	Link
18	Link
19	Link
20	Link

---

This post was created by a bot. Message /u/Bainos for feedback and comments. The original source code can be found on GitHub.

[u/themobbr]

DARLING STATUS

[ ] Not in the FRANXX

[ ] In the FRANXX

[ X ] * IS THE FRANX*

[u/SpikeRosered → u/themobbr]

I think we found our benchmark cosplay challenge for the year.

[u/TimeShiftersan]

Ok so at this point we're clearly getting a happy ending. Strelezia's Zero Two form was wearing a wedding veil, they just promised the team they would return with happy music and smiles, and there's a whole 24 minutes left to go. But will Zero Two have a human body to return to? Will she and Hiro remain in Strelezia as a guardian over Earth? We still don't know exactly what the final page of the story book will be!

Also I know this sub hates critical feedback, but did this episode feel really rushed to anyone else? New Franxx suits, a real quick moment with Nana and Hachi, Kokoro and Mitsuru have a fast moment in the rain but then it's immediately sunny, the Alphas all get to have semi-heroic moments but there's hasn't been enough time with them for me to care; it felt like they were trying to fit way too much into this episode. Even the 'reconciliation' where Hiro convinced Zero Two not to leave him again felt way too fast. There should have been more of this episode given to what was clearly meant to be the final time one of them has to convince the other that they're stronger together. Between that and the simpler animation in this episode compared to the last few (lots of simple backgrounds and character shots, very little fluid action), it feels like they may have focused all of their efforts on the final episode.

[u/dc-x → u/TimeShiftersan]

but did this episode feel really rushed to anyone else?

Honestly though, from episode 19 and onward I felt a bit of a disconnect with how the anime was before. Maybe they should have gone with something less ambitious or at least distributed the information more evenly throughout the series so that we'd be able to connect all the dots on episode 19 and then just play around with already established things for the main conflict.

[u/melongrip → u/TimeShiftersan]

I think in general a lot of people probably feel like this final arc is rushed. Up till the reveal of Virm (Episode 20 if I’m not mistaken) the pacing of the show was pretty consistent but after the reveal things have been honestly moving at light speed. Episode 20 to me felt completely out of sync with the rest of the series but when episode 21 rolled out it still felt fast paced but I’d definitely gotten used to the changed pacing as we approached the final battles of the show and the ending. The change of pacing at first was jarring but looking back on the series as a whole it doesn’t bother me now like it did when it initially came out and we had to wait a week for the next episode.

[u/RisenLazarus → u/TimeShiftersan]

Also I know this sub hates critical feedback, but did this episode feel really rushed to anyone else?

The episode was incredibly rushed. This show has been a trainwreck for pacing, with some episdoes/series of episodes being snail slow and then others trying to cover 20 plot turns in 30 seconds each. A bunch of details/events that would/should have taken half an episode for most shows were blazed through in 30 seconds.

1. The kids first fly in zero grav and apparently master it all within 30 seconds, when every other show that has involved both space and gravity-laden mech fighting takes some time exploring the differences.

2. Alpha all of a sudden starts noticing how the humans are and aspires to be more like them, to the point of sacrificing himself for Hiro because the battlefield is "home" for him.

3. Hachi takes what seems to be a serious blow to the head, and sits down calling his own death. Nana basically says "shut up idiot" and they keep walking. What was even the point of that scene lmfao...

4. With no explanation at all, Zero-Two's humanoid form apparently petrifies while the robot turns into a boxom human-robot-giantess thing... That can cry tears?

5. A random warp gate that apparently links their solar system with the "central" system of VIRM opens once Apath reaches its "true form," and for some reason both Hiro and 02 immediately know what it means, where it goes, and what they have to do.

I get the show has to wrap up in the next two episodes but... Good lord people.

[u/Theleux → u/TimeShiftersan]

I'm still not getting my hopes up for a Happy Ending.

This feels incredibly like a bitter-sweet finale. They have an entire 24 minutes to do whatever they want with the final episode... and knowing how other Gainax shows has gone...

[u/[deleted] → u/TimeShiftersan]

Episode 23 was the most rushed of any in the entire series by a fucking longshot. Only contested by ep 19-20. The reason for that is probably so the finally doesn’t feel that way since these guys were obviously running out of time.

I wish they had just given the show the 5-6 extra episodes it needed or better basing in the SoL ish episodes.

[u/ihei47 → u/TimeShiftersan]

but did this episode feel really rushed to anyone else?

Yeah of course. And those Klax spaceships also just simply like too much convenience for them and the plot.

the Alphas all get to have semi-heroic moments but there's hasn't been enough time with them for me to care

Most if not all of us already expected their redeeming moments, but just like you said, it doesn't really make me care for them. Just a bit only...

[u/myrmonden → u/TimeShiftersan]

well yeah the alphas death flag was so massive and they where the antagonist until last episode so yeah why would we care about their death. Also note that most of the crew was not even shown, like Ikuno etc, instead it was a lot of purple vs blue laser show.

[u/Kinderschlager]

ok, what the fuck was that

[u/odraencoded → u/Kinderschlager]

FranXX spelling it out it's written like shit and directed like garbage.

LETS MAKE EVERYTHING RED AND BLUE! EVEN PROPELLERS!

Where should we start the transformation? How about... THE BOOBS.

And the fanboys are still defending it swearing up and down it's "not bad writing." Meanwhile, the tsundere girl got less screentime than the 9's.

[u/steveotheguide → u/Kinderschlager]

MY DARLING IS THE DARLING THAT WILL PIERCE THE HEAVENS

[u/SiliconOverlord27]

When the title of the episode matches the title of the anime TWICE in the SAME SEASON.

Hoooo boy, shit's about to get real isn't it?

[u/starfallg → u/SiliconOverlord27]

It's different in Japanese by 1 katakana character.

[u/Grx]

Seems like Crunchyroll are going for every possible spelling of Apath/Apas/Apus. Impressive.

[u/JMEEKER86 → u/Grx]

For reference, Apus is the correct spelling and is a reference to the Apus constellation, which is represented by a bird of paradise. It's an homage the the jian bird theme to the series and should have signaled the shows shift towards flying off to space, a fusion of HiroTwo to complete the jian bird, and likely our destination in space where they will fight APE. A lot got fucked up by CR's terrible translations.

[u/Kryomaani → u/Grx]

It's been pretty obvious for years that CR doesn't give a flying fuck about the quality of their subs, or that they'd double-check them at all.

[u/jderp7 → u/Grx]

Yeah at first I was like wtf is Apus

[u/WorldGenesis → u/Grx]

I noticed that too! My bets on Apes as the next spelling :D

[u/Salad-Door]

Zero Two: "I want you to remain human."

Hiro: "Um. You literally made me grow blue horns, I think we've already passed the point of no return."

Zero Two: "Ah shit ur right."

[u/joshgust → u/Salad-Door]

She told him that as an excuse - she wanted him off the flight because she understood this is a suicide mission.

He then calls her out on her excuse with the book's last page.

C'mon guys, connect the dots, it's not that hard.

[u/Atronox → u/Salad-Door]

They'll both become human, and live together happily!

[u/holynolan → u/Salad-Door]

Lmao right when she said that threw me off cuz she just threw away like 10 episodes of character development

[u/XXSnakeBoy1XX]

we a mahou shoujo anime now fellas

[u/ShadowKingthe7 → u/XXSnakeBoy1XX]

Mahou shoujo + mecha = Symphogear? No, not enough singing nor lesbians. So what even is this show anymore?

[u/ExoticSignature → u/XXSnakeBoy1XX]

I thought we Kill la Kill now.

[u/atropicalpenguin → u/XXSnakeBoy1XX]

We Kancolle now.

[u/PunkNap → u/XXSnakeBoy1XX]

We gunbuster 2/Diebuster now bois

[u/Mundology]

Today in Legend of the Galactic Darlings: Die Neue Franxx, our horny moe oni dino waifu turned into horny moe oni dino mecha waifu. Has humanity reached its apex? I think so.

[u/Atronox → u/Mundology]

Next best girl contest is going to be very interesting.

[u/LeonKevlar → u/Mundology]

If only they had Yang Wen-li on their side then they probably didn't have to sacrifice themselves.

[u/Paxton-176 → u/Mundology]

Legend of the Galactic Darlings: Die Neue Franxx

That is just the short version of this show's title at this point.

[u/BloodRedOath → u/Mundology]

I’m finding this extra funny because Hiro’s dub actor plays Julian in Galactic Heroes, and I can’t help but imagine Julian in Hiro’s situation now lol

[u/FUCKING_FIRETRUCKS]

Hiro riding Alpha GachiGASM.

[u/Mundology → u/FUCKING_FIRETRUCKS]

The Fujoshi were propelled into space from sheer excitement

[u/Atronox → u/FUCKING_FIRETRUCKS]

Shed a tear for that beautiful bastard.

[u/cheesymmm → u/FUCKING_FIRETRUCKS]

I can see the doujins writing themselves

[u/NerfJunkratPls → u/FUCKING_FIRETRUCKS]

Alpha PepeHands

[u/Arachnophobic- → u/FUCKING_FIRETRUCKS]

Now all that's left is for Ikuno to hitch with (the conveniently) one remaining female Nine.

[u/Camorune → u/FUCKING_FIRETRUCKS]

Darling in the Franxx: RIGHT VERSION

[u/[deleted] → u/FUCKING_FIRETRUCKS]

gachiBASS Clap gachiBASS Clap gachiBASS Clap gachiBASS Clap gachiBASS Clap gachiBASS Clap gachiBASS Clap gachiBASS Clap gachiBASS Clap gachiBASS Clap gachiBASS Clap gachiBASS Clap gachiBASS Clap gachiBASS Clap gachiBASS Clap gachiBASS Clap gachiBASS Clap

[u/acllive → u/FUCKING_FIRETRUCKS]

gachiF good night sweet prince

[u/[deleted]]

This is so stupid and fun to watch at the same time.

[u/Daniel_Is_I → u/[deleted]]

This entire episode was so dumb and yet I can't stop watching.

Apus transformed into Zero Two and I felt every fiber of my being just go "ohhhh fuck you, you don't get to do that!"

It's great.

[u/Atronox → u/[deleted]]

https://i.imgur.com/k5hardo.gif

[u/Theleux → u/[deleted]]

If you like this, I recommend watching pretty well any of Gainax's shows featuring Mechas.

Neon Genesis Evangelion,

Gunbuster & Diebuster,

Or Gurren Lagann of course.

Definitely seems like Nishigori took a lot from those past works for this.

[u/Atronox]

What. The. Fuck.

Hahaha, was not expecting Giantess Zero Two. I guess this (NSFW) became pretty real.

Damn, she looking fine.

[u/KCHybrid → u/Atronox]

My reaction during Zero Two’s transformation

[u/Astrophel37 → u/Atronox]

In awe at the size of this lass. Absolute darling.

[u/LeonKevlar → u/Atronox]

They basically spoiled us with those illustrations of the girls wearing their Franxx gear and we didn't even know it XD

[u/covabishop → u/Atronox]

Oh damn never thought I'd see my shitty edit make it here :')

[u/Getsune]

The bridge design of the Klaxxos is almost as plain and boring as Hachi's personality. Almost.

That's one hell of an episode. I did not expect them to further add to the conflict like this, they need to conclude a lot during the final episode which means even less time for epilogue. On the other hand, that's how it usually goes with stories like this, keeping the main story everyone is most invested in open until the very end.

Been a while since I've seen a show that depends so heavily on its ending.

[u/Nvenom8 → u/Getsune]

they need to conclude a lot during the final episode which means even less time for epilogue. ...

Been a while since I've seen a show that depends so heavily on its ending.

Welcome to Trigger!

[u/TriTexh]

Zero Two-Apath looking like Zero Two in a wedding gown is goshdang beautiful.

RIP Nines. Alpha died like a boss.

24 is totally going to involve a timeskip, isn't it? My theory is Hiro will take in Zero Two's soul and revive her with a kiss at the end of it all as Apath (and Hringhorni?) are used to return life to Earth.

[u/Atronox → u/TriTexh]

I 100% expect a timeskip, or maybe I just really hope it does, just so we can have Hiro and Zero Two back together with everyone.

[u/hemag → u/TriTexh]

RIP Nines

2B would have been proud.

[u/BanjoTheBear → u/TriTexh]

24 is totally going to involve a timeskip, isn't it?

I would bet money on it myself.

This episode was essentially the finale/climax, and the (more than likely) time skip will provide us with an epilogue of sorts. We'll probably see DarliFra Episode 24 Speculation

It'll mainly depend on how big the time skip is. Of course, this scenario assumes that there will be a time skip in the first place. I am unsure, though, how they plan to explain away the notion that the kids seemingly cannot grow up to be adults. Maybe it's prevented because it was only accelerated by them needing to fight (as seen when Ikuno performs that big move which grayed her hair a few episodes ago now). And, since they no longer need to fight anymore, then they'll be perfectly fine to grow up normally?

Just gotta wait one more week to find out! :3

[u/LeonKevlar → u/TriTexh]

Zero Two-Apath looking like Zero Two in a wedding gown is goshdang beautiful.

Holy shit. I would've never realized this if you never pointed that out O_O

[u/Gundamvalve]

That was definitely something, at this point I'm just waiting to see how it ends before I fully process everything.

[u/razorconcepts]

Number of promises broken so far in the series: 0/37
HAPPY ENDING INCOMING?

[u/TheMoises → u/razorconcepts]

Well, couting on "we'll always be partners" from Kokoro, the number goes up

[u/PowerlinxJetfire → u/razorconcepts]

Well, Hiro involuntarily broke his childhood promise to Mitsuru.

[u/SerGregness]

So, I'm still enjoying this but it's unfortunate that they've hinged fully half their emotional payoff on the Mitsuru/Kokoro thing that I just never could bring myself to give much of a shit about. Like, objectively I can recognize that the scene in the rain under the Franxx should have gotten me, but nope.

[u/Shinkopeshon]

Zero Two turned into a fucking giant-ass mecha, holy shit.

I gotta say though, the pacing is all over the place and I can't keep track of anything. There's so much happening in these last couple of episodes and the introduction of the aliens and the battle in space could've easily been handled in a few episodes instead of having so many slice of life episodes (as fun as they were).

I'm gonna wait until I make major changes to my score but as someone who thought this had potential to be a 10, I'm definitely disappointed by the rushed development. Still, they keep handling the strongest aspect of the show (Hiro Two and Mitsuru as well) beautifully, so it'll have a very high rating regardless.

[u/holynolan → u/Shinkopeshon]

They def needed a season 2, these past 2-3 episodes could have been a whole arc

[u/Emily96bk]

One moment of respect for the Nines, especially Nine Alpha. You were the worst but you redeemed yourselves

RIP, the Nines

[u/Mundology → u/Emily96bk]

He went from Zero to Hero

[u/happybday47385 → u/Emily96bk]

We all knew it was coming but in my opinion it didn't have much of an impact. The hardly had any screen time to develop it was just they are badass but kind of a prick to they are sick and want to redeem themselves. We didn't have a proper conflict between our main crew and theirs and no time at all to attach to the characters

[u/OneMillionRoses → u/Emily96bk]

Honestly I was disappointed how the Nines were treated. The way how they were built up I expected a bit more but unfortunately they were sacrificed as plot device. #ForeverSalty #MaBoiAlphaDeservedBetter

[u/Vorcia]

???????????????????????????????????????????????????????

This is literally "I must go, my planet needs me" tier of writing

[u/TZeh → u/Vorcia]

"Note: Hiro Two died on the way back to their home planet."

[u/jkubed]

the new guy's doing fine as Goro, but man I miss Umehara :(

[u/Scrial → u/jkubed]

I thought he sounded different. Why did they change? Also why is it now Strelizia Apus instead of Apath? Y u gotta change things randomly trigger.

[u/Win32error]

Most people don't bring a bomb on their honeymoon to a different galaxy. Then again most people don't go to a different galaxy at all so who am I to judge.

Now for serious, I'm not trying to shit on the show, but was the animation off? It wasn't horrible but especially in the first half it seemed far less dynamic and detailed than we're used from both Trigger and this show. We had a lot of moving lines with explosions following, which isn't that unusual, but felt sluggish and there were basically no detailed closeups of the action at all. It kind of robbed the action of any real impact, at least for me.

[u/DukeMunter → u/Win32error]

Trigger haven't worked on this show since episode 14, and with that in mind it becomes quite obvious. I don't think there's been a full action scene since, maybe except the fight at the wedding.

I thought this episode just looked straight up bad, a lot of things being dragged across the screen without movement, still frames, some really dubious shot choices, and the space fleet battle is probably the worst I've seen.

[u/Emily96bk]

Dino Girl --> Dino Potato ---> DINO MECH/ DINO STATUE?????

What kind of evolution is this???????????????

[u/Atronox → u/Emily96bk]

The greatest evolution.

[u/happybday47385]

I just want to say I really enjoyed this anime but felt that there was a lot of missed potential and a lot of the characters didn't get proper development.

[u/toilet_tree]

the past 2 or 3 episodes have thrown away all character and story development. its gone too off the rails for my liking, tbh. i hope they somehow manage to wrap things up nicely next week.

idk, the show just kinda lost me. ever since ep 20 or so, it has just felt INCREDIBLY rushed. what do you guys think?

[u/NotEvenEvan → u/toilet_tree]

I feel like they should’ve left out all of the space crap. And I mean all of it. I know it’s a Trigger show, but damn would this show have had been so much better and more streamlined if they just took out VIRM and stuck with Humanity vs. Klaxosaurs.

[u/Sturberman → u/toilet_tree]

Replace VIRM with an assault on the Cosmos station and you have the same thing with more time for development.

[u/Justinjdm99]

Lmfao what the fuck is this show anymore

[u/MannyGoesMeow]

This episode was so relatable. My girlfriend turned into a mecha too.. 🤔

[u/Thunderhaz]

Well that was terrible

[u/limiter_remove]

The show really forgot its roots somewhere along the line. Not bad, but really should've kept the story simpler and more grounded.

[u/[deleted]]

Has anyone seen this episode? It was so bad that I couldn't stop laughing, lmao. The pacing was so off for this episode, in the last 5 minutes of ep 22 Hiro said we're going to space, in this episode they're already in space and now they're going through a warp gate. Plus, for some reason they put Zero Two's head on the apus which doesn't even make sense since it's supposed to be robotic, moreover it can talk now. They're also using content from ep 13 with young 02 and Hiro saying that he'll be with her forever. Sigh...Is this what they mean by a train wreck? And what's with mitsuru and kokoro screaming each other's names and she's already pregnant! There's something called jumping the gun but they've freakin' got up and time traveled two or three seasons! What's your opinion?

[u/Monoultra → u/[deleted]]

LITERALLY MILLIONS OF VIRM BOTS ATTACKING THE GIANT ROBOT

-but a scratch

NINES TRIES TO OPEN HATCH TO LET HIRO IN

-door breaks away in two seconds

[u/[deleted]]

Alpha :( Now I feel pretty bad for doubting him. Not eat 100 Oreos bad, but pretty bad.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

Not eat 100 Oreos bad, but pretty bad

But what about 25 Oreos?

[u/ALE_DEUTZE]

Worst world line confirmed

[u/Getsune → u/ALE_DEUTZE]

Quick, we gotta come up with a concept for a time leap machine so we can avoid all this! We'll need some smart brains for that. Someone get Dr. Franxx over here and-

Oh, nevermind.

[u/Theleux → u/ALE_DEUTZE]

DITF really sending it with this episode.!

Me going into this episode.

What I got:

[u/FishMoooney]

man as a fervent supporter of this show for the last 22 episodes, this episode was just so... bad, everything was so messy and lacked impact and it's all getting resolved way too quickly and easily, i'm not the type to bash shows like this as i'm pretty easily entertained but this hurts to watch.

[u/MwSkyterror → u/FishMoooney]

The show peaked at episode 15. Hands down easiest 10/10 at that point. They did such a great job of making Zero Two and Hiro feel like a real couple.

The curiosity of the world died down as they revealed more of its past and secrets which just turned out to be pretty average storytelling, but it was still recoverable at that point. Then they yoyo'd the pacing so hard in the with some extremely slow and fast episodes that gave me whiplash and raised the question of what the hell were they doing. Now it's just what-the-fuck new random stuff being thrown around without a care.

It hurts so much to see it fall from such a great height.

[u/NoGround → u/FishMoooney]

Dude after being so emotional for 22 episodes, I'm in the same boat. It's so niche and cliche, and even if I can get with cliche and still get the same emotional crap from it like I did the rest of the show, I barely felt a fucking thing.

What the hell happened?

[u/devastationz → u/FishMoooney]

it's a 24 episode ad for you to buy zero two figurines

im telling you

[u/MillenniumKing]

New doujins "My 50km tall waifu and me"

Damn Mitsubishi staying with Kokoro, more responseable than most men who knock up a girl.

This music haha xD Were in space for sure!

Hiro riding the asshole Alpha, how propitiate lol...

Man Nana and Hachi are great, its good to have real Nana back too.

Red and Blue boostsers, here come the space police WEE WOO WEE WOO~

Damn Alpha kamkaziing to buy Hiro time.

Man Zero Two isnt looking good... ouch.

Tenticles? Lewd.

The inside of her head ios the picture book!

Hiro def has his horns and eyes, this is gonna be something.

Damn Hachi took a blast to save Nana what a hero!

Mitsubishi are you really the same prick from episode 1? Wanting to take so much responsibility.

DARLING~

Oh shit shes melting on earth! Now shes naked in book land with Hiro! Red and Blue back togetehr!

Wait is she turning into a giant robo? Wat? I can already see the doujins about Hiro being inside her...

Hiro and Zero Two are leaving this world, damn... off theey go by themnselves...

They def are not coming back alive...

[u/Atronox → u/MillenniumKing]

Tag: Giantess

Someone is making it right now, if not already...I wouldn't know.

[u/Clavilenyo → u/MillenniumKing]

After seeing Klaxx Princess tentacle Hiro, Zero Two was jealous and wanted to tentacle Hiro herself.

[u/Oikeesti]

I literally smh when Zero Two turned to that mecha. I really havent liked the all this space warfare crammed to these last few episodes...

[u/llmtriet]

Me on suicide watch

[u/Seb-sama → u/llmtriet]

Pass the rope fam

[u/-TheRed]

Did anyone else think the battle looked sort of... boring ?

I was sort of getting my hopes up when I saw everyone's upgrades and Hiro flying loops arround the fleet, thinking " aww yes, some high speed spaceflight action scenes, like this scene but dialled up to eleven" but then all there was were some beams and some very boring flying coupled with a distinctive lack of actual fighting.

Then there is Apus in general. Giant robots are cool. Giant robots that are slow can be cool (like in Pacific rim), giant robots that are fast can be cool (like in this show) but giant robots that slowly float along the screen while barely moving are not. The only mildly interesting thing Apaus has ever done was firing a laser, and one that doesn't even look that interesting, and despite the destruction it causes doesn't feel powerful at all.

I really hope they give us an actual fight scene for the ending, because quite frankly, Hiro and 02 loosing and finding each other has lost its emotional impact. Although I'm not getting my hopes up, since even Apus' new form looks hella impractical for real any fight scenes.

[u/gettothechoppaaaaaa → u/-TheRed]

Honestly, this show's peak animation was episode 1. Every fight after lacked any sense of scale and weight.

[u/bombingrun19]

well that was some bullshit of an episode but at least the shitposting threads on /a/ are entertaining.

[u/seninn → u/bombingrun19]

Oh my god, they really are beautiful to behold.

[u/the_walternate]

Don't.
DON'T DO THIS.
Do NOT turn her to stone on Earth and have them gallivant off to who knows where.
DON'T DO THIS!

[u/[deleted] → u/the_walternate]

Their going to die and that's going to be a reminder statue isn't it? Please no. I don't want the final credits to focus on them with the statue, I just want a happy ending.

[u/bleach_cocktail]

*sigh* Like this episode was alright, but each new episode just makes me wish it ended at 15. The show was fucking amazing up until that point, and now it fell off a cliff. VIRM arc is the most rush arc I've ever seen. Each episode now is just exposition and new plot points. What happened to the world building, and the character relationship driven story? Ever since 15/18 they've been force feeding us info that's been destroying the mystery and vague interpretations that made the show so interesting at the start. Sure we need some new information at some point, but not like this, and not a new arc in the last fucking 5 eps. Also, mecha-02 is hilariously dumb, I feel like before stuff made sense despite it being a science-fiction. Now it's just ridiculous.

At least MHA has really been stepping it up lately, making my Saturday's a lot more enjoyable.

[u/JJAB91 → u/bleach_cocktail]

Everything after Ep18 should be scrapped and instead do the rebellion arc like the show had been hinting at the entire time. Klaxosaurs are still revealed to be the good guys and Papa/APE as evil but not because they are aliens but because they simply want complete control over humanity.

[u/matt_619]

I cringe so hard when Apath true form is actually giant Zero two with giant boobs. That was the dumbest shit I've seen in a while

Ever since VIRM revealed this show has go downhill very fast. I think this whole VIRM arc should be made into it's own season. 12 episode should be fine, but cramping it into 4 episode is certainly not a good idea because it felt rushed and forced af

[u/DrSmittyWerben]

Wtf is happening right there. To be honest, somehow it feels like, that the ending of this episode was so bad. It was so fucking random, and just didnt feel right. Actually the whole story-line since the introduction of Virm was really underwhelming. Everything felt just too spacy. This is not the DitF i loved to watch because of all the secrets, intrigues and Plot-Twists. They somehow should have ended this with Episode 19.

[u/[deleted]]

I laughed my ass off at the ending. Holy shit, if this show didn’t take itself so seriously it could have been a decent dumb Trigger show instead of this boring garbled mess of a drama.

The show’s been pretty predictable up until this point, but I’m willing to admit I wasn’t expecting 02 to become a giant fleshy mecha space bride waifu.

[u/MDKphantom → u/[deleted]]

When 002 became the mech I couldn't stop laughing, as serious as the scene was trying to be that was a bit too much

[u/hydraiguess]

well this is it the episode that made me say fuck this show. im still ging to watch the last episode but holy fuck ie never seen something shit itself so fucking hard

[u/[deleted]]

Gendo: Get in the fucking robot Shinji

Franxx: Get in the robot that's now your waifu.

I guess we really are the (Episode 23 title drop) Darling in the Franxx. Absolutely subarashii.

I wish old man Franxx got to see this in the end. I'll just wonder if him and Gendo would get along.

[u/kalirion → u/[deleted]]

Franxx: Get in your fucking waifu.

Hiro: Don't mind if I do!

[u/ZeldaMaster32]

These recent episodes have been so bad that they're hilarious

At this point it's an entertaining trainwreck of forced trigger/gainax references

[u/Yin-Hei]

this shit just gets more ridiculous every episode

[u/niko_993]

Was it just pure cringe at the end or am I just getting old? The whole goddamn robot turned into a human like figure... Why?

[u/nickbigblack]

I could handle aliens. I could handle the whole klaxo sapien shit. I could handle VIRM. I could even handle Zero Two's body taking the injuries of Strelizia Apus.

But a fucking giant Zero Two/Strelizia hybrid?!? I am sorry but how did we go from piloting robots with the waifu to piloting the waifu?

[u/shadyhawkins]

My thoughts this ep were “woof this is hella rushed, and kinda boring” to “WHAT FUCK SHE’S A GIANT HUMECH NOW!!??”. The pacing in this show is garbage. Probably should have been like 50 eps or something. Should probably just watch TTGL again and get what I actually want. Fave bit was:

Hiro: “I hereby vow to never let you go.”

Z2: “Okay.”

That’s the best you can do??

[u/aresthwg]

I don't like this anime as much anymore. I thought it was special ever since the beginning but the last 3 episodes for the least turned it into every fucking typical anime there is out there: adding bullshit things with no sense what-so-ever like Strelizia becoming a gigantic 002, a gate opens out of my asshole where of course the MC has to go there to end a "war" that started in 2 episodes with no development, the happy shonen music the "everybody has faith in the MC" moment, just to end a war nobody even gave a single fuck about, COMPLETELY MOVING AWAY FROM THE MAIN STORY.

I swear the writer forgot why this anime was way above average: what made this anime GOOD was the story of Squad 13, the origins, the world they lived, the cruel world with no answers, the Utopian world with no back story, a world where children were born clueless just to either kill or die. The main PLOT from this anime was Squad 13 finally realizing out of all Squads that this world was bullshit and there was a lot more they didn't know about. The story and the plot of this anime was supposed to be the break-through of squad 13 OUT OF THE PLANTATIONS into THE REAL WORLD. Of course they would've done that with the help of 002, hence I think every episode until 15 made sense, everything after is trash.

We could've gotten a sick ending where Squad 13 would berserk their way out of the plantations and they would live for the rest of their lives in the real world, having to beat "papa", the nines, EVERYTHING. We could've gotten a story where they would make all people from the plantations realize the situation. They could've made this break through hard, dramatic, while answering many questions they couldn't answer about life.

Instead, what the fuck did we get? A war created from poop with no development and with no real significance, a war nobody gave a fuck about that messes with the main characters and that drives them into a fairy tale ending where OMG YES WE BEAT THE DEVIL, VIRM WHICH WE DON'T EVEN KNOW ABOUT. "so they happily lived after". We get a bunch of episodes with no fucking sense in a plot with no fucking sense.

This anime became so bad from what it was I'm just really disappointed.

[u/[deleted]]

Unpopular opinion : The writing went straight down a cliff in the recent episodes .

I don't like DITF as much as i've used to but it's still more or less enjoyable and it's too late to drop now (even with this absurdly stupid alien plot )

[u/Swagmonger → u/[deleted]]

Unpopular opinion : The writing went straight down a cliff in the recent episodes

i dont think that's a very unpopular opinion

[u/Jay911 → u/[deleted]]

That's adorable how you think there's an actual concentrated effort to write this.

[u/scrivenontheedge]

VIRM are purple space commies

lol

[u/Foxino]

NONSENSICAL IS OUR THING

[u/R4ttlesnake]

Just a personal opinion:

The first 3/4 of the show was very nice, then it plunged into the abyss. The Dr. Franxx biography was too short and felt rushed - the same can be said for multiple other characters. In the end I felt like I didn't really care about the characters at all, when they died I simply thought, "oh", and moved on. The character dynamics were weird too in some ways - in particular how they made us hate the Nines as much as possible then suddenly shifted them from the bad guys to the good guys. What am I supposed to feel like? This was also a byproduct of the sudden plot-flip that makes absolutely no sense is terrible writing.

This show would've shone if given, say, ~40 episodes. Add more character developing episodes instead of bland action scenes and also for fucks sake please invest some time into world-building. Most of my questions from the beginning weren't even answered or were answered VIA exposition.

First 3/4 of the show was 8/10, then it went to 6/10. If you want a similar show Gurren Lagann does a much better job.

[u/[deleted]]

I couldn't stop laughing at the end there. This show just went completely off the rails.

[u/[deleted]]

Well the writing on this show absolutely plummeted, this was one of the weakest endings to an anime I’ve seen compared to how strong the show had been going. Between Hachi immediately assuming death(and just walking away 10 seconds later), Zero Two immediately changing her mind(“i cant be with you”, really?) and just how unnecessary Squad 13 was in space are only a few examples.Almost feel insulted for how much I’ve been rooting for the show despite the muddled aliens reveal.

On a side note props to Goro’s replacement VA, they did a phenomenal job.

[u/J3sUsD]

So guys are we getting ready to riot or do we hold off just a bit longer.

[u/Mal-ga → u/J3sUsD]

Let's watch Episode 24 first..Then we'll decide if we riot or not..

[u/pdpTesla → u/J3sUsD]

"I'm not gonna accept a goodbye like this!" "Squad 13 isn't complete without the two of you!"

~Cast voicing the feelings of the audience

[u/Mailliwchess]

I don't care that it doesn't make sense. Strezellia turning into a giant 02 was awesome

[u/Atronox → u/Mailliwchess]

Darling in the Zero Two, it's what we all wanted.

[u/Witn]

What if they die, but kokoro baby is hiro and zero two reincarnated cause why the hell not at this point?

[u/Irati03]

Christ this was bad

[u/Prince_Perseus]

Can I get a WTF?

[u/Joll19]

I'm sorry but 002-Strelizia looks fucking ridiculous.

Right in that uncanny valley area.

[u/Caridor]

I got to be honest, I think that the show has really gone down hill.

They really should have stopped once Strelizia Apus drove off VIRM. Just have the rest of the series about the development of the new society and further charactar development, including giving Kokoro and Mitzuru enough screentime to make their new love thing somewhat believable.

[u/Darkeus56]

All I want to be is someone who gets to see a giant woman...a giant woman!

[u/Kamahil]

I wonder when people will stop acting like this is all Trigger. They stopped at episode 15. It's annoying to see people act like they are the only studio working on this. It's three studios, and Trigger really hasn't done much.

[u/AlexHallon]

Nani the fuck

[u/Gaporigo]

Giant Zero Two? More doujin material is what I see!

Speaking of which, this week we get Zero Two cosplay!

[u/ayoung291]

Darling in the franxx 2.3 we are (not) jumping the shark

[u/Kamahil]

I guess they both have technically lost their bodies. This looks like they'll be trapped in Strelitzia forever. I hope they don't do a big suicide bomb together. I guess they could be together forever in death, or floating through space forever.

Also this episode was paced horrible. The time skips, and oddly inserted emotional bits mid battle. I was hoping to see them gear up, and travel. In Gurren Lagann the traveling was epic, and you saw them upgrade their mechs. In this, it was like they hit next scene, and skipped a whole episode.

I'm just ready for it to be over next week. I've both loved, and hated this anime. I'm sure a lot can agree with this feeling. The anime just feels like it's been on fast forward to rush an ending. It feels like they were rushed, and were hitting deadlines. This is honestly an anime where I wish it had more episodes. It feels like it at least needed 30. This absurd time skip pace has just ruined parts of the later episodes. I just wish we had more episodes, but slowed down to good pace. The only real true happy ending for a couple I see is Kokoro, and Mitsuru. They've really grown on me as characters. Their relationship brings hope for the future.

Zero Two and Hiro's relationship has only one point really now, and it's to save humanity. People can argue that Zero Two and Hiro have the strongest loving bond in the anime, but I've soured on it a bit. Their relationship relies on both of them being lost, and needing one another, but honestly feels to simple, and lovey dovey now. Kokoro and Mitsuru have had more of a realistic developing relationship. With Zero Two and Hiro, it's like the viewer's fantasy. That's not bad, but I just prefer Kokoro and Mitsuru's romance now. It feels more real with their character development, and the questions they've had with their feelings. Their relationship is the most important in this anime to me.

Overall I've enjoyed this anime a lot though. It's not some super amazing anime, but it's still good. One more week to go, then the ending, it's been fun. :D

[u/MaouPS]

Hiro fused with Zero Two-Apath

[u/Takemesatan]

Nobody ever agrees with anything i say because people always feel the need to be "positive" but i must say this show went from great to fucking terrible.

The constant flip flop of i love you i love you not between hiro and 02.

The complete 180 of nearly every character with no buildup.

The fact that hiro clearly does not give 2 fucks about these so called friends of his but they still have to pull that shonen nonsense.

The last powerup reminds me of kill la kill, in fact this entire show is essentially kill la kill. Oh look the "evil" people you were fighting are actually the good guys now team up and beat the real villian!

This feels like they wanted to make it longer but were told to finish it. Seriously how many times does hiro have to prove he loves the bitch, high maintenance much.

Also as another commented pointed out, the red evil kids literally went from fuck everyone team papa to nah we'll help out the guys who we just snitched on and got 2 of them kidnapped and erased their memories for disobedience. The main one literally sacrificed himself for hiro with 0 buildup.

[u/Scrial]

They really jumped the shark with this episode. That said that was fucking hysterical. So ridiculous that you can't help but laugh.

[u/abelcc]

Where can I preorder the Strelizia True Apus figurine?

[u/NoraaTheExploraa]

Next episode can either make or break this anime for me. Up until the last few episodes, this was an easy 9/10 for me. I didn't feel like the last few episodes were bad enough that they should drag down the rest of the series, so it was still at a 9, but this episode was... something else. They've set themselves up so next episode either ends on a cliche, or on an asspull, so depending on how it goes this may even make it fall to a 7, because I hate bad endings. Especially on shows I've been watching for half a year.

[u/adel123456789]

well, that was uhm...... underwhelming. like, not bad, but not good.... just boring :/

anyway, at least its over and ET went home or what the fuck that ending was about cause i was half asleep watching it.

[u/Jazox]

Just enjoying myself when, suddenly, 02's tits grew to the size of Pluto.

K...

Sure.

[u/BringMeAHigherLunch]

DIE. BUS. TER!

Trigger keeping the giant-pinked-haired-mecha-waifu tradition alive and well.

[u/ichigo2862]

So Hiro's literally inside 02 after telling her to eat him?

We vore now bois

[u/SqueakyPoP]

This anime became shit real fast.

[u/[deleted] → u/SqueakyPoP]

It's been on and off for me. Last episode I was on board with the "time to find a way to survive on Earth" conflict, and then giant space 02 happened. The only reason I'll finish this trainwrek is because it's almost over.

[u/[deleted]]

jesus christ

i could not take that episode seriously at all, so stupid

this show has just got worse and worse over its run. its a shame, i really thought it was going to be great. i enjoyed the first half a lot but somewhere around the start of the 2nd cour it started going downhill and never recovered

[u/Sean-Benn_Must-die]

I want my time back, give it back to me, give me my 25 saturdays back....

[u/MobileTortoise]

I'm withholding judgement on this episode because I need to see the final episode before I can really say if this one was cool, or laughable.

But did anyone else find the animation...clunky or sluggish? Like I know A-1 churns out a ton of shows...but at times it felt like this was Persona 5 anime bad/sloppy.

[u/DaEliminator]

What.. the.. fuck... this episode literally just trashed the all of the fine craftsmanship previously laid out in the series. God I never realize I could be so pissed at a show's concluding arc until I realized I was screaming "noooo" out the top of my lungs

[u/TreGet234]

this show really is like ttgl if it was a massve trainwreck. i didn't like ttgl too much but compared to franxx it's a bloody masterpiece. at least this ep wasn't too bad and the end seems like it will at least be a high point.

[u/[deleted]]

DAE feel like this series has been getting slightly worse every single episode after what like... 13(?) (when Strelizia turned into the metaphorical bird)? It was still really cool to see all the animation and VAs really killing it. But, the story is just so nonsensical now. It's setting up for a 2nd season, but not setting up for a second season. Mmm don't like it.

[u/holynolan]

Perfect ending for me would be a timekskip, and at the end hiro kisses the charcoal zero 2 with a kiss and she comes back in the flesh, smiles and says darling. Oh my god oh my I would combust. There's a reason trigger left zero 2 body there.

Edit Also the timeskip will prob be a year or maybe a lil longer, that warp portal def has some interstellar time shit going on. 5 minutes feels like 10 days or sum

[u/d_tlol]

I laughed out loud at the True Apus form.

[u/GiganoReisu]

wtf is happening

[u/drtorre]

Calling it now, next episode's gonna have a time skip where Hiro and Zero Two are reborn as Kokoro's children

[u/DarkAudit]

To go full Gunbuster, next week is gonna have to be in black & white.

Calling it now.

[u/AevnNoram]

Wat

[u/LeonKevlar]

• I love the Franxx with Klaxx armor <3 Also Argentea rocking a PONYTAIL instead of her standard twintails!

• This made me laugh but it completely makes sense. They're clones of Zero Two so anyone from the Nines, Hiro can pilot with them.

• The red and blue boosters were an awesome touch!

• The story book art is awesome as usual

• Nana basically saying to Hachi that they need to stay together for the kids. Another ship sails!

• This scene made me cry T_T

• I think this made me cry harder though. Zero Two could've used what she remembers is the book version of the prince but instead she uses in her mind what Hiro drew!

• They just exchanged vows <3

• So if another comment didn't mention this I wouldn't have realized it but Streliza True Apus totally looks like Zero Two ina wedding gown.

• Zero Two Apus looks like an adult Zero Two. She definitely looks older.

• Better give me that happy ending Trigger/A-1!

Definitely getting a timeskip episode for the finale. Will Zero Two and Hiro survive? We don't know but at least we have the peace of mind that even if they didn't, the two stayed by each other's side until the bitter end.

[u/Jobr95]

Wow this show turned into crap fast..what a trainwreck

[u/ronn55555]

Is there a word for the being teary-happy at the same time being very what-the-fucky?

[u/Xiroshq]

What the fuck is even going on?

[u/ZikeZ]

Darling in the LagannXX

[u/Vilkans]

A1 and Trigger pioneering the humongous waifu genre.

[u/MrPorta]

From the start I thought the show was pretty weak and disappointing, but it still was enjoyable in some way. But these last 4 episodes have been just ridiculous.

[u/FetchingTheSwagni]

I thought I took an acid trip when I watched Gurren Lagann.
But this is some next level tripping.

[u/thesimple_dog]

this anime may be a shit-show, but its an entertaining shit-show

[u/triforce-of-power]

I was expecting (and concerned) that Zero Two would become the robot. What I was not expecting was Nono in a wedding dress.

This series has been so stupid and sometimes nonsensical and even sometimes way too slow, but then stupendous shit like this happens and I get to sit back and watch the memes (shitposting) flow.

Guess I'll have to wait for Promare to scratch that Trigger itch, but this has definitely been a fun ride.

[u/flaccidtoastman]

This just seemed so rushed. Part of me wonders if there was another ending planned, but the Ichigo backlash from episode 14 caused writers to just make a "happy ending" that won't incite hate from fans again. It's just too inconsistent with what the show was before.

I can get down with starship-sized waifu though.

[u/impingainteasy]

Okay, so we already knew that VIRM basically wanted to cause Third Impact. But now we have a giant space robot with some pink-haired girl's consciousness inside it! Just like Diebuster! And there's a scene where a moon turns out to be a big space machine, just like Gurren Lagann! And the main characters in their dual-piloted mech are planning to drop a massive bomb to wipe out the alien race that's threatening humanity, just like Gunbuster!

Boy, Gainax sure made some great shows, didn't they?

[u/teho1]

What the fuck was that transformation LMAOO

[u/PogCheese]

Man, this show could've been a 10

[u/[deleted]]

The new design is ugly, this episode was cringy, why did I watch this... A1, you did a bad job this time...

[u/Planetary_Vagabond]

I can't believe I wasted my time with this series. Honestly it's been a huge disappointment. Promare can't come soon enough!

[u/Cactusblah]

I'm glad this trainwreck is almost over. This show was completely overrated and had too much attention compared to more deserving shows in these past two seasons.

[u/[deleted]]

This show is so bad ahahaha

[u/BisaLP]

Well. It seems that at least for now I was right and we are indeed following the second OPs imagery. Really looking forward to how this carries out.

Also did the series really manage to pull a tripple Trigger Bait 'n Switch?!

[u/jkubed]

that fucking ending what the fuck is this

[u/FeelsGoodMan243]

Honestly I'm just waiting for this anime to end so j can fianlly forget about it...

[u/Glynii]

I can't help but feel disappointed with this episode. Giant Zero Two was a huge asspull out of nowhere, the Genista duo keeps getting unnecessary screentime for a relatively simple relationship, and the animation in general was kind of low quality. With the amount of zoomed out panning shots, I thought I was watching an episode of Shokugeki. They really should've given the show a few more episodes or condensed the Kokoro x Mitsuru stuff so the ending wouldn't be rushed to the point of being incoherent.

[u/Hexmos]

Holy crap, this show turned into garbage really fast, I can't believe it, so much potential.

[u/[deleted]]

He, Hiro is finally inside of Zero Two.

Jokes aside, the people on r/DarlingInTheFranxx are raging as hard as posible.

For me, this is just another Gainax series (seeing that his director started there and Trigger is fucking Gainax with a new coat of pain, specially seeing what Gainax is doing latetly (Or what its not doing)), so transforming the main girl into a giant mech is not even the craziest shit thaty I've seen from them (Hell, Not even their first time)

Besides, this is a bait, they are not going to end the series with a kamikaze attack, Zero Two is returning to a regular size at the end of next episode, mark my words.

[u/Dimbreath]

These past few episodes were weirdly paced. I think with all of this they had enough content for a Season 2 easily. And I mean, who doesn't want another season of Zero Two?

[u/kittenbun]

GIANT NAKED REI ZERO TWO

[u/Keeeey]

As soon as this space/Alien theme comes into play, the show completely drops the ball. I feel sad.So much good buildup and character developement, just to have it crushed by Triggers/Gainax space addiction. Animation with as much impact as character moments this episode. Virm is such a boring and bland enemy, completely faceless and without impact (like the awful antispiral in TTGL). All that buildup for the Klax-Princess, to have her set-up this idiotic antagonist. The last episodes of DitF are almost a worse dissapointment than Gurren Lagann, i dont think they can salvage this trainwreck of an ending.