Darling in the Franxx Episode 23 Review: DARLING in the FRANXX

Episode 23 of Darling in the Franxx aired on 30 June 2018 and in this episode, character Goro’s voice actor changed from Yuichiro Umehara to Daiki Hamano, because of Umehara’s hospitalization.

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Japanese title: ダーリン・イン・ザ・フランキス

Episode 23 – DARLING in the FRANXX

Mitsuru, Kokoro, Zero Two’s body, some parasites and Nana (the second one) are staying on earth while the rest of Squad 13, with the help of the Nines, dives into space and slowly reach Mars and Strelizia Apath (or Apus). Hiro pilots Alpha’s Franxx with his help. A horde of Klaxosaurs are fighting VIRM fleets and the VIRMs soon start to fight Squad 13 and the Nines in order to prevent Hiro getting closer to Strelizia and Zero Two. However, by following their plans and the sacrifice of Alpha, Hiro is able to enter Strelizia and talks to Zero Two. We dive into the scenery of the picture book and see little Zero Two in her child form with red skin and white hair trying to stay away from Hiro. She left him because she didn’t want to hurt him like the picture book ends. Instead of getting hurt by Zero Two staying beside Hiro, she hurt him by leaving as they promised to stay together.

In the meanwhile, Kokoro is next to Zero Two and Mitsuru joins them, although Kokoro tries to send him away even more than one time. He found a new purpose to live and that is Kokoro and their unborn child.

Hiro finally reaches out to Zero Two and Strelizia Apath transforms into its real form, destroys many VIRM fleets at once and is on its way to transport a giant bomb through a warp gate that suddenly appears.

My Thoughts

Episode 23 aired and the anime is slowly reaching its end. I felt that this battle could go on like forever or at least 5 more episodes. For me, it went a little bit too quick from Hiro getting into space to Hiro entering Strelizia and retrieving old Zero Two. It’s not that I’m unhappy that they are back together and are now able to fight VIRMs, but I think I’m missing something essential. Is it only me or did you feel the same way? The real form of Strelizia Apath is beautiful, but a little bit strange. How can Strelizia suddenly change its face, hair, and dress and look like Zero Two in a wedding dress?? This was a little bit too much. It was beautiful but too much.

And before Hiro even tried to launch into space, Klaxosaur’s Princess left him some big presents before leaving. They received upgrades for the main Franxx and an enormous ship, including a bomb… Could this little princess forecast what would happen? I mean how can there be additional parts or upgrades for the Franxx which the humans used? The ship was even similar to the ship of the humans because Hachi said it was easy to control. Did Dr. Franxx spy on Klaxo sapiens and copied all of their machines, or is it because the Franxx are made out of Klaxosaurs and are therefore similarly constructed?

After Strelizia changes into her real form a warp gate appears and she knows what to do- why do people in anime, movies etc. always know what they have to do? Is it because she is the clone of the Princess and inherited her thoughts or tactics of winning over VIRM? Did she reveal anything when they connected the last time? How is this bomb even going to end the war and where does this gate lead to…

In the meanwhile, we have Hachi, who is a real hero in protecting Nana from getting hit by the explosion and a very cool Mitsuru fighting for his Kokoro. Even though she sends him away and doesn’t want him to be bothered by her, he just can’t leave her side. It doesn’t matter how much it hurts calling Kokoro by her name, he will call her. He has found a new purpose in life and wants to protect it, or better them. After both felt useless, Kokoro because she is pregnant and can’t operate a Franxx and Mitsuru because -I don’t really know why- they finally found a reason in life. Even though they don’t have any memories of their past together, they are creating a loving future as a family of three. They also kept their wedding rings, which is quite a surprise.

My What-Is-Going-On? Moments

Zero Two leaving
Zero Two left Hiro because she was afraid of hurting or even killing him like it happened the end of the picture book. However, as they truly love each other and you cannot ignore the fact that she already made him into a monster with blue horns, it was not necessary to do so. She hasn’t been able to fight the VIRMs alone and so they would have won the war and might have come back to kill all survivors.

In the End

This episode was not as good as the previous one and therefore I didn’t have much to say except ‘Mitsuru is soo cool!’ and ‘Strelizia Apath is really beautiful in her real form’. Will they defeat all VIRMs and find a way to live in peace and at ease? Episode 24 airs on 7 July 2018 and will hopefully bring a happy end.