English Dub Review: Darling in the FranXX “Days of Our Lives”

Squad 13 enjoys living on their own in a mellow episode of Darling in the FranXX.

Overview (Spoilers Below):

One month has passed since the battle of the Gran Crevasse, and 02 has turned over a new leaf. In fact, pretty much everything has changed for the Parasites of Squad 13. Their home was destroyed, and their caretakers abandoned them, so it’s up to the kids to band together in order to survive. (They still get food delivered, but still.)

Everyone is still dealing with their individual issues, but having to work hard as a group to carry out the daily tasks and chores brings all the Parasites closer. They even begin to think that life wouldn’t be so bad if it continued on like this – but the future appears to hold more conflict that’s soon to arrive.

Our Take:

Forced to live together without any hint of adult supervision makes for an interesting episode this week. Staying in Mistilteinn without anyone to do the daily busywork for them may seem like a simple thing when the kids have spent their lives battling giant Klauxosaurs, but being in a more traditional home environment is a bonding experience none of them have had before. Even 02 seems to take a strange comfort in the orderly rules that everyone has put in place. (There’s even a chore wheel!)

Mitsuru and Kokoro’s odd little relationship makes me a little uneasy. While I’m glad that Kokoro is a kind and helpful friend to him, I’m wary about how the show chooses to deal with the romantic side of their pairing. After establishing Mitsuru’s childhood crush on Hiro, it would be in pretty poor taste for Kokoro to ‘save’ him not only from his darker tendencies but also from his sexuality. Darling in the FranXX is not the kind of show that can tackle this kind of subject in a tasteful, truthful manner.

This episode finally gives a voice to the Parasites personal worries over their unknown future. Despite his envy of the adults and his prior allegiance to Papa, Zorome is the first one to suggest doing away with the pre-supper benediction, which lays the groundwork for everything that comes after it – ending in the squad members confessing that they all have had doubts and worries about what the future holds. Apparently, the short lifespan of a Parasite has been suspected by all, but they kept it hidden in an effort to ignore their own fears. Even

The dub for this week’s episode was well-done, for the most part. Tia Ballard is definitely the standout. Her performance really sells 02’s change of heart, while still remaining true to the character fans have come to know and love. The only complaint I had about the English adaption was when one of the Parasites complimented their home-cooked food as being “totally edible”, which sounds more sarcastic than honest. Awkwardly-worded dialogue like this only serves to throw the audience out of the zone, and really distracted me from the viewing experience.

Days of Our Lives may not be the most heart-thumping adventure in the series, but it still made for a fairly decent half-hour. (Not sure how big a fan I am of the new OP and ED sequences, but it’s still nice to switch them up.) Hiro and 02 press on in their quest to become the cutest couple this season. 02 is learning how to be a real human. Mitsuru is gradually opening himself up to Kokoro, who is becoming more assertive and less meek herself. The members of Squad 13 are safe, healthy, and happy – but for how much longer? Next week’s episode promises the return of a radical-looking female from 02’s past.