English Dub Review: Darling in the FranXX “Darling in the FranXX”

Hiro and 02 find their wings in a slightly-underwhelming sixth episode.

Overview (Spoilers Below):

With a Gutenberg-class Klauxosaur approaching the base, the Parasites are dispatched to take it out. Goro and Ichigo do their best to keep Hiro on the sidelines, but when the enemy is tougher than expected, Strelitzia has to soar as it never has before.

Our Take:

I’ve got mixed thoughts on this episode. While the overall concept of Hiro finding a new reason to pilot was written well, it feels like something we should be passed already. It was only a few episodes ago that he told 02 that he wanted to pilot a Franxx with her. Covering this same ground again struck me as strange and unnecessary.

Putting aside this, the episode itself was a pretty solid examination of the Parasite’s purposes. Ichigo seems to be gaining a new mission in life as she comes to grips with her feelings for Hiro. Hiro, on the other hand, starts the episode by saying that his “entire purpose in life (is) to protect Papa and the other adults”. This kind of thinking causes him to be satisfied with going out with a bang, having piloted successfully once again. As he sits on the edge of life and death, he comes to the realization that protecting Papa isn’t the only duty he cares about. 02 is his new reason for existing. Without him, 02 leads a very lonely life. This new way of thinking makes for an exhilarating finale of the episode, as Strelitzia spreads its wings and delivers a death blow to the huge Klauxosaur.

Though the episode covered a bit of new ground, Hiro’s newfound motivation felt like a repeat. There are still so many questions about the world of Darlifra that I sure wish the show hadn’t wasted an episode treading water. 02 especially needs to be fleshed out further, and soon. Does she genuinely care about Hiro, or is he just another tool she will use up until she has to find another? These are the kinds of questions I hope the series will address in future.