Episode 23

"If I look up, I see thousands of lives shining deep in the sky. So far away and although I try, I just can't reach out. Yet, even with broken wings, we'll fly away once again. For the promise we must keep. For the future we must pass on."

- Kokoro and Mitsuru

DARLING in the FRANXX (Furankisu) is the twenty third episode of DARLING in the FRANXX.

Synopsis
Leaving Kokoro, Mitsuru, and Zero Two’s body behind, Squad 13 departs into space to join the fight against the VIRM. With the help from the others, Nines Alpha partners with Hiro, who safely enters Strelizia Apus before Alpha goes on to sacrifice himself in the battle. The VIRM offer perpetual tranquility and peace to the humans, but Nana and Hachi reject this as an unreasonable option. Meanwhile, on Earth, Kokoro initially refuses Mitsuru’s support but he convinces her that they share a common bond through their unborn child and they reconcile. Aboard Strelizia Apus, Hiro slowly reunites with Zero Two’s consciousness and decide to fight together, converting the Strelizia Apus into the powerful Strelizia True Apus. After defeating the VIRM forces, a warp gate appears, created long ago by the klaxo sapiens. Hiro and Zero Two decide to enter the warp gate, carrying a bomb made by the klaxosaurs in attempt to destroy the VIRM, promising to come back to their friends.

Plot
Kokoro watches as the other parasites blast off into space. She asks Mitsuru why he stayed behind. He says he wanted to and it's his responsibility. She says she doesn't expect anything from him since they don’t remember anything. Zero Two blankly watches the sky.

The FRANXX fly into space and Miku asks Zorome if he's okay. The pilots say they feel natural in space and Nana and Hachi wonder if they were left with the equipment on purpose. Hiro and Alpha are able to connect, and he tells Hiro that the Nines can be both stamens and pistils. Hiro says that it feels like Zero Two, and he agrees that he's her clone after all. Hachi tells them to return to the ship.

Kokoro asks Zero Two what she sees as she bandages her fresh injuries. She says she isn't a parasite anymore as she rubs her stomach. Mitsuru works in the fields. Hachi is able to work the ship and wonders if klaxo sapiens were similar to humans. Nana finds that she wants to see the children prosper after using them as tools for warfare for so many years. Hachi asks if feeling like that is wrong but Nana isn’t sure.

Goro and Ichigo meet with Hiro. Goro apologizes for hitting Hiro. He playfully nudges him and says it's fine. They spot a VIRM fleet surrounding Apus. Zorome plows through the fleet to let Hiro through to where Apus is. However they are cornered by a massive VIRM and are unable to land a direct blow on it. Alpha says this is as far as he can go and launches Hiro into Stelizia and tells him that he learned a bit about being human, but his home is the battle field. He sends his regards to Iota before self destructing, killing himself and the VIRM.

Hiro begins piloting and recalls his promise to be with Zero Two forever. Zero Two falls to the ground and Hiro tells her to devour him. He enters her conciousness and finds that her mind is filled with pictures from her story back. She tells him they can't remain together because she needs to be human.

A VIRM fires an attack while Nana and Hachi run to another ship. The ship is hit by a blast and Hachi is injured for trying to shield Nana. He tells her to go on alone, but she refuses and they walk away together. As the battle between the VIRM and parasites continues, they hear the voices of Papa and Vice Chairman, who tells them to surrender and become one with them for the sake of ending a cycle of hatred and discrimination. Nana says adults would have found this euphoric but not the children, who have chosen their own destiny.

The effects of the battle creates a bad storm on Earth. Kokoro is holding Zero Two when Mitsuru tries to help her get inside but she refuses to leave Zero Two. When Mitsuru protests, she cries out that she is not a parasite anymore and has nothing left but she can only protect Zero Two. Mitsuru disagrees and says if she has nothing, he doesn’t either but he has found a reason to live: to protect Kokoro and their baby. He shows her his wedding ring and says even without their memories, they can start over. Kokoro shows she also has her wedding ring and the two reconcile.

Zero Two insists she is fine with being alone but Hiro finally meets with Zero Two. He offers his hand to her and they embrace as he vows to be with her always. Zero Two’s body disappears and Strelizia evolves into the Strelizia True Apas and all of VIRM’s forces are destroyed. Two satellites emerge from rocks and create a warp gate. Zero Two explains the klaxo sapiens created them a long time ago. She and Hiro decide to enter the warp hole, and their friends demand an answer to why. Zero Two says it’s to end the war and Hiro says only he and Zero Two can do this before it closes. Everyone protests because they are worried the two will never come back. Ichigo says as the leader, she won’t allow it. However, they come to terms with this and believe they will come back one day. Ichigo tells them to come back so they can build a home together and Squad 13 won’t be the same without them, moving Zero Two to tears.

Hiro and Zero Two take a bomb made by the klaxosaurs and enter the warp gate. On Earth, Mitsuru and Kokoro are looking at the sky while holding hands and wearing their wedding rings.

Links

 * Official Website

Episodio 23 Odcinek 23