DARLING in the FRANKXX

[Munsu]

He knows he can pilot with Zero Two, he knows he couldn't pilot with someone else, yet he was okay with again trying with someone else to prove... what?

Pretty much the whole episode was about how he DIDN'T know. And you're talking about this as if he had a choice in the matter. He didn't. So he failed with previous partner (who was booted out, and he was requested to stay) and suddenly he's supposed to know that he's not compatible with anyone else?

Which at the same time, unless I missed something, it's odd that they seemingly (even Naomi) weren't tested with others... unless their test as partners proved them to be failures regardless of who the partner would be.

That aside, it's all good and well to "know" you can pilot with someone, but what then? What if she's not available? Is it enough to know you're dependent specifically on this 1 person? You want him to grow balls, to get better, yet you seem happy to leave him complacent to being Zero Two's darling and that's it. What is it, should he aspire for more or not? If in the end Zero Two is all he'll have, so be it.

By the same token, if he'd gone all out "I ONLY PILOT WITH ZERO TWO" in that scene, to me he'd been made to look like a bigger loser then.

Yeah, he's been shown to be a crybaby at times, depressed in others, etc., etc.

I get your complains, but I think you're taking it a bit to the extreme.

[David75]

As I feared that show only works for me thanks to Zero-2.
Everything else is garbage/useless. Fanservice is underaged and gender degrading, I mean that cockpit and female position and object transformation is retarded...

[Kraco]

What right did Ichigo have to oppose using Zero Two, with the excuse of 02 not being a part of the team, and nominate herself instead, even though she already has a pair? Hiro just went along. Why didn't he say he wants to run the test with Zero Two? He's a dude who was already resigning earlier with the intention of returning to whatever godforsaken place it was where he was brought up, because he had realised he's a total failure and there's no hope for him. Yet now he was suddenly okay with pairing with Ichigo. Zero Two is extraordinary. Ichigo is ordinary. That should have made the dude put 2 and 2 together, but instead he thought that when he managed to pilot with 02 (even though it was abnormal leaving him no memories of it) then surely he can pilot with everyone. Even though he was already resigning himself earlier because that's not the case.

In fact the staff should be able to connect the dots even if the dude himself hasn't got the brains for it. Which is why I said they should just use him even if it costs him his life.

In the first place we know the two pilots need to have a high degree of compatibility to be able to operate the vehicle. If that compatibility drops for whatever reason, it's game over. This means, I reckon, that you can't just be paired with anyone randomly. I just hope Ichigo's feelings for the MC won't affect her cooperation with her existing pair, Gorou.

[Munsu]

What right did Ichigo have to oppose using Zero Two, with the excuse of 02 not being a part of the team, and nominate herself instead, even though she already has a pair? Hiro just went along. Why didn't he say he wants to run the test with Zero Two?

That's not how that scene went about at all. The choice and order came from above their pay-grade. In fact, it was specifically mentioned that the choice had to come from within the team. They then defaulted into Ichigo who was who offered her services. In fact, Zero Two took herself from the running as it was, and in fact later told Ichigo to go for it herself.

He's a dude who was already resigning earlier with the intention of returning to whatever godforsaken place it was where he was brought up, because he had realised he's a total failure and there's no hope for him. Yet now he was suddenly okay with pairing with Ichigo.

And he should have a problem pairing up with Ichigo why? She's the team leader, and from all we have seen, they've had a good relationship.

Zero Two is extraordinary. Ichigo is ordinary. That should have made the dude put 2 and 2 together, but instead he thought that when he managed to pilot with 02 (even though it was abnormal leaving him no memories of it) then surely he can pilot with everyone. Even though he was already resigning himself earlier because that's not the case.

From what I gathered from that scene, compatibility aside, it seemed like he should've been able to pilot with just about anyone qualified if he was a legit pilot. He seems to be an exception to the rule. It was specifically stated that they were testing specifically for Hiro's aptitude, and it seemed in that context the partner was irrelevant. Heck, when the test began, it seemed like Hiro and Ichigo were well in-sync. Then whatever happened, happened.

In this context, man I feel terrible for Naomi... chances are that she would've been fine if she had taken the previous test with anyone but Hiro.

In fact the staff should be able to connect the dots even if the dude himself hasn't got the brains for it. Which is why I said they should just use him even if it costs him his life.

Yet in the Papa Group there were people objecting to having their precious Zero Two pairing with 016 because he would contaminate her.

In the first place we know the two pilots need to have a high degree of compatibility to be able to operate the vehicle. If that compatibility drops for whatever reason, it's game over. This means, I reckon, that you can't just be paired with anyone randomly. I just hope Ichigo's feelings for the MC won't affect her cooperation with her existing pair, Gorou.

Just the same, as mentioned above, in that specific scene it seems that being able to test for Hiro's aptitude who he partners with should be irrelevant, but this is a unique case it seems.

All this to say, I have no real issues with you having problems with this MC and your characterization of him, but you're also attributing a lot of his flaws to things he had no control over and actually immaterial all told.

[Kraco]

That's not how that scene went about at all. The choice and order came from above their pay-grade. In fact, it was specifically mentioned that the choice had to come from within the team. They then defaulted into Ichigo who was who offered her services. In fact, Zero Two took herself from the running as it was, and in fact later told Ichigo to go for it herself.

Zero Two tried to volunteer as well, but was overruled by Ichigo's loud objections and the order from the brass. However, I'd have still liked to see Hiro try to pair with Zero Two, not just anybody available. Sure, he did look at her at first, but then fell silent. I don't need to him be like Zorome, but he should throw his weight around at least a little. Otherwise nobody will ever listen to him, even if he actually had something critical to say.

And he should have a problem pairing up with Ichigo why? She's the team leader, and from all we have seen, they've had a good relationship.

It doesn't matter. He knows himself he's a failure. The only success, if you can call it that with his memory loss, is with Zero Two. He should have had a problem trying with anyone else if he really wanted to make sure he succeeds. Now the chances were he would show a performance similar to the ones with Naomi.

From what I gathered from that scene, compatibility aside, it seemed like he should've been able to pilot with just about anyone qualified if he was a legit pilot. He seems to be an exception to the rule. It was specifically stated that they were testing specifically for Hiro's aptitude, and it seemed in that context the partner was irrelevant. Heck, when the test began, it seemed like Hiro and Ichigo were well in-sync. Then whatever happened, happened.

Yes, should have been. It was already proven he can't, and thus he was about to hit the road in the beginning of the show. Now he, however, knows there are weird sort of people around, like Zero Two who will kill her pairs. Is it a long shot to think he might be another aberration? It seems to me more logical to think that way than to imagine he could now suddenly magically work with anyone like a regular pilot (which he is not).

In this context, man I feel terrible for Naomi... chances are that she would've been fine if she had taken the previous test with anyone but Hiro.

Indeed. Although I don't remember Naomi's number anymore, if it was said, but maybe it was a high one, so the organisation didn't bother to investigate too much, considering Hiro is a low two digit.

Yet in the Papa Group there were people objecting to having their precious Zero Two pairing with 016 because he would contaminate her.

Well, yeah, there will always be people like that. They would rather see a precious tool rot unused than let a person they subjectively deem unworthy use it.

Just the same, as mentioned above, in that specific scene it seems that being able to test for Hiro's aptitude who he partners with should be irrelevant, but this is a unique case it seems.

If they can't accept unique cases despite having Zero Two around, they should retire and let smarter people take over.

All this to say, I have no real issues with you having problems with this MC and your characterization of him, but you're also attributing a lot of his flaws to things he had no control over and actually immaterial all told.

Probably. It's because Zero Two is a jolly character and I desperately want her pair to be able to kick some ass as well, even a little bit.

[shinta|hikari]

I think you two missed the mention that 016 is special. That's the reason he might contaminate 02. Normal disposable pilots won't. The floating masked elders mentioned that he was a special specimen.

He's gonna super saiyan on us sooner or later.

[Munsu]

I think you two missed the mention that 016 is special. That's the reason he might contaminate 02. Normal disposable pilots won't. The floating masked elders mentioned that he was a special specimen.

He's gonna super saiyan on us sooner or later.

I misread that scene. I kept thinking "special specimen" referred to Zero Two herself.

[Kraco]

He's special just by being so low double digits. He's less than 10 from being a single digit. I didn't think it meant anything else, but maybe you are right and they were talking about something else. Not that I'd know what since it's more than likely those geezers have never even met the dude.

[Kraco]

Episode 3

- - - - - -




This show is really trying to make me hate the MC. I'd have forgiven him a little bit if he had punched Nana right in the womb sparing no strength after Zero Two and Mitsuru left. But of course he wouldn't do anything. If he had found a quiet corner and hanged himself, I'd have also forgiven him. He has a whole lot of work to do to earn my respect in the coming episodes.

[shinta|hikari]

He made the right call considering the situation though. He wasn't allowed to pilot due to regulations, and punching anyone wouldn't have changed that. He reined in his personal desires in order to save his friends, which is a lot more mature than Ranta v2 acting cocky, Ichigo acting jealous, and Semi-dead egoboy acting like a diva.

If he flat out said he didn't want 02 fighting with another guy, and she only did so because he pleaded with her (albeit with much hesitation and pain), all of his friends would be dead now.

[Kraco]

These guys and gals are basically treated like slaves who aren't even allowed to see the place they are defending (so that they wouldn't know to demand more humane treatment). If they fail at piloting, they are scrapped. They don't even have names, let alone parent figures or anything. Who the heck will defend their rights if they don't do it themselves? People hiding behind holographic screens are enjoying these kids sacrificing themselves to fight the monsters. It'd be about the time somebody told them screw you. It's not Hiro's responsibility they how they fix their mistakes. If they had sent Hiro+Zero Two outside in the beginning, there would have been no problems in the first place.

So, yes, I'd say punching someone would have changed a whole lot because he's being punched psychologically left and right all the time. If he doesn't man up, being punched is just going to continue ad infinitum.

[KrayZ33]

So, yes, I'd say punching someone would have changed a whole lot because he's being punched psychologically left and right all the time. If he doesn't man up, being punched is just going to continue ad infinitum.

I'm pretty sure you know yourself how silly that is.

As if punching or demanding something would change *anything*
He has absolutely *nothing* he can could use to bargain with.
If there is a person who could do something about his situation, it would be 002.

What could he possibly do? He can't even leave certain areas on it's own. It's not like he can hijack the mech or something will happpen if he's acting tough.


On a side note, the longer it takes for him to get his chance, the more hyped I get and his scene will have a bigger impact.

[shinta|hikari]

He's gotta man up, for sure, but punching someone in that situation is not the way to do it. He'd just be detained, disciplined, or even disposed of. Using 02 to get out of that place, on the other hand...

[Kraco]

Yes, I know, the punching part was just a joke in the beginning, but I stretched it too far.

By manning up he should defend his own stand. Now he is every now and then meekly trying to suggest he would like to pilot with Zero Two, but whenever anyone at all objects, he immediately gives up. This time he didn't even try to remind the brass that sending Mitsuru with Zero Two is very likely going to wound, or even ruin, a pilot that normally can work just fine with his established pair. Because that's an established fact: Zero Two has ruined her pairs before, the latest one very recently as they all saw. Yet somehow it was such a great idea to send him instead of the proven Hiro (who has no other value). Apparently for some mysterious reason they can't pair Zero Two with Hiro, despite that pair working, but they can randomly pair her with anybody else. That seems so unlikely that it's more probable it's all because Hiro doesn't push the issue.

If he had objected but they had still sent Mitsuru, at least Hiro could have said afterwards: "What did I tell you, huh? Huh?" And they couldn't have said anything in return.

[shinta|hikari]

Hiro's self esteem has taken a severe beating from his inability to pilot, which is their raison d etre. Being suddenly confident would be uncharacteristic of him. I understand your frustration about his meekness, but character development takes time if they wanna do it right.

Hiro was not allowed to pilot due to stupid rules. That was the bigger problem in that scene. They already know all the facts: that Mitsuru would be a disposable gas tank, while Hiro would likely come out fine. What is wrong with that military leader dude? He must be retarded. How is bending the rules a little to save lives worse than knowingly letting a pilot get hurt or die as a sacrifice?

Mitsuru totally deserved to get killed though. I'm kinda pissed he survived...

[KrayZ33]

Other than who we liked and who deserved to die.
Does anyone want to discuss the story of this anime, the symbols and the - right now - relatively hidden meanings?

The reference to different parts of a flower are obvious and also the way the cities are built and such but there are others

I'll start:



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamarckism

Def. "the theory that structural variations, characteristic of species and genera, are produced in animals and plants by the direct influence of physical environments, and especially, in the case of animals, by effort, or by use or disuse of certain organs"[2]

"Lamarck incorporated two ideas into his theory of evolution, in his day considered to be generally true:

Use and disuse – Individuals lose characteristics they do not require (or use) and develop characteristics that are useful.
Inheritance of acquired traits – Individuals inherit the traits of their ancestors."

[https://en.wikiversity.org/wiki/Lamarckism]



Parasite Numbers -> Also considered as "samples" / specimen -> they get scanned constantly, as seen, for example, in the beginning of episode 3 -> flower parts that are constantly being mentioned are reproduction parts -> they are trying to cultivate the perfect pilots/specimen? -> the top brass is absolutely not concerned with the well being of their specimen -> are they clones?

Clone theory:
Each "specimen/sample" has a number -> a sample with a higher number (666) would suggest that it's a "newer" sample compared to, for example, 002 or 016.
This however doesn't mean they are clones of the same original. If they are trying to cultivate a new "flower" it's not far fetched to consider the possibily that each sample has it's own original - and in a way, it's also worth considering crossing different samples (female + male pilot)

Lets take Lamarckism into account here:
The idea is to have them fight/match with different pilots/samples and in different enviroments - in a way, the theory implies that if a sample struggles with something, it will eventually use/develop something to overcome the obstacle and the offspring will inherit the new development. If we consider the possibility that lower numbers such as 002 and 015 etc. are "older" samples, it could mean that they are already several generations ahead of number "666".

What I'm suggesting is that 015 has already inherited several traits of it's former version -> 015a achieved high sync rate -> 015b achieved leadership traits -> 015c developed superior motor skills on top of that -> 015d is the current sample which has all of that.
While "666" is still in stage "666b"

They were concerned with retrieving the body of Mitsuru after all, but they didn't really care a whole lot about him most likely dying/suffering from piloting together with 002. Since in a way, this is the only way for that sample to develop and if he can't, they'll just make a new one out of him.

This could also explain why the top brass doesn't want 002 to "mix" with 016 at first as it might contaminate one of the oldest and thus most developed samples. It would also explain why 016 is considered the "special specimen" - obviously they know what his "sample" is capable of and that would also explain why he was being favored and allowed to stay if he wanted to.

On top of that, if you look back at episode 1, they mentioned that they never heard of a parasite "going back" - it seems they just disappear -> a failed clone/sample/version?

[neflight86]

You've certainly put more thought into this than I have or probably will.

I like what you have deduced from the naming of the elder council, and those seem like plausible future developments considering the disposable attitude they have toward the parasites.

I do have difficulty seeing past all of the clumsy sexual parody in this show: NSFW Crude content

[KrayZ33]

Episode 4


--------------------------------------


(spoiler) 02 is cute




(/spoiler)

the sexual innuendoes are getting out of hand

[shinta|hikari]

Not at all. It's good to see anime characters using innuendos like normal people do. They aren't holy virgins or anything.

Finally the MC regained his balls and made Ichigo swoon again. That cocky robot face as he pawned the enemy was great. Ichigo must've spurted all over glasses guy's face then.

[KrayZ33]

Not at all. It's good to see anime characters using innuendos like normal people do. They aren't holy virgins or anything.

Their way of talking is funny on several levels.

Hiro *is* a "holy virgin" - he doesn't even know what "kissing" is.
02 is probably making fun of Hiro by saying "you want to ride me?" because Hiro doesn't really understand what she is saying - while 02 on the other hand most likely does.

In the end, it's for us to guess wether they talk like that because they are innocent - or dirty.