Futoshi

Futoshi (フトシ) is one of the main characters in DARLING in the FRANXX. He is a former Parasite with the codename "214" of the Thirteenth Plantation, where he was partnered in a boy-girl pair with Ikuno to pilot a FRANXX called Chlorophytum. He was previously partnered with Kokoro and the pilot of Genista.

Appearance
Futoshi has a hefty build and a kind face. He is quite tall, being the second tallest next to Goro. He has short auburn-brown hair that hangs lightly over his forehead. His thick, stumpy eyebrows and round, playful eyes give him an approachable quality. Often seen by others as "fat", becoming the butt of many jokes on the subject. He is usually he is holding some article of food and dons the standard Stamen Parasite uniform.

In Episode 24 when he has become an adult, Futoshi has some graying hair and he has also grown a mustache.

Personality
Futoshi is a very kind, polite, and optimistic person. These characteristics make him an easily likable member of the squad and he forms an instant friendly relationship with Kokoro. He gets easily motivated by his desire to do his absolute best. He has a strong love for food and he doesn’t hesitate to hide it, as he tends to keep pieces of food stashed away in his own bed to eat later. He doesn’t take lightly when people tease him for his weight, as he tends to argue when Zorome calls him ‘fatty’.

Despite differences in their personalities, Futoshi and Zorome are good friends and hang out together. He also shares an amiable relationship with the rest of the squad and will help them out as much as possible. He had a deep infatuation with Kokoro due to her kindness and beauty, and considered himself as her protector. Although she didn’t reciprocate his feelings and devastated him by breaking their partnership, he never blamed her for this and only wished for her to be happy, even if he couldn’t make her happy.

History
Like the other members of his unit, Futoshi was raised in the Garden and lived there until being moved to Cerasus: The thirteenth plantation.

Episode 01: Alone and Lonesome
The squad discusses the rumors of Zero Two being called the ‘partner killer’ because her partners die after riding with her three times. Futoshi doubts the validity of the rumors but Zorome insists they are true. They then wonder about Hiro’s fate after failing to synchronize with Naomi and failing his capacity test to become a parasite.

The next day, they attend their graduation ceremony and are praised by Papa. Futoshi and Zorome are amazed by the adults sitting in attendance. They then depart for their startup ritual and again discuss what will happen to Hiro.

As the startup ritual is about to begin, Futoshi and Kokoro give each other a thumbs up. A klaxosaur suddenly appears near the plantation and the parasites are ordered to evacuate. A stampede mode Strelizia fights it until Hiro is able to sychronize with Zero Two and activate Strelizia, and they defeat the klaxosaur.

Episode 02: What it Means to Connect
Zero Two sneaks into Miltisteinn and eats breakfast with the squad, much to their confusion. Futoshi wonders why she is here as he grabs a handful of buns. Nana then comes in to announce she will be their caretaker like she was in the Garden, which makes the children happy. He grabbed some buns to eat from his locker before going off to the drill.

He plays ball with Zorome when they discuss Hiro being able to pilot Strelizia. Zorome antagonizes Hiro for being weak and useless, causing a fight and Futoshi and Goro break the fight up. Nana and Hachi decide to have Hiro participate in a mock battle to test his abilities and decide to promote him to a stamen. Futoshi eats a snack as he watches the mock battle.

Episode 03: Fighting Puppet
A klaxosaur has been spotted near the magma energy drilling under the city and the squad is dispatched to eliminate it. Genista, Argentea and Delphinium Head to their destination while Chlorophytum stays behind when ikuno and Mitsuru fail to connect. They quickly kill the klaxosaur but their magma energy weapons attract a horde of Conrad klaxosaurs and the three FRANXX retreat. However, their exit is blocked by more klaxosaurs. They are saved when Strelizia, piloted by Zero Two and Mitsuru, arrives and gives them time to get away. Afterwards they see Zero Two emerge from Strelizia and Mitsuru is near death.

Episode 04: Flap Flap
Mitsuru is hospitalized for his injuries and is traumatized. Futoshi shows the untouched tray of food and wonders if he should eat it so it won’t go to waste. Mitsuru tells Hiro not to pilot with Zero Two or else she will devour him before he faints. Futoshi helps Mitsuru lay back in bed.

The Squad later wonders if this means the rumors are true and worry about Hiro. They are dispatched to fight a klaxosaur. They struggle against it until Hiro and Zero Two pilot Strelizia and defeat it. They are then ordered to rendezvous with Plantation 26 for magma energy transportation.

Episode 05: Your Thorn, My Badge
Squad 13 watches the two plantations link to transport magma energy and are confused why the process is called ‘kissing’. The two squads later participate in a friendship ceremony and are praised by the mayor. During a meeting, Nana and Hachi decide to have Squad 26 in the front lines and Squad 13 will be the last line of defense. Squad 26 has misgivings about working with Zero Two due to her reckless conduct resulting in the death of Code: 090’s partner two years earlier.

Episode 06: DARLING in the FRANXX
A horde of Conrad klaxosaurs appear near the plantations. Both squads quickly eliminate them until a Gutenberg klaxosaur appears. Strelizia goes stampede mode when Hiro starts succumbing to the tumor on his chest but his willpower to prove his worthiness enables him to survive and he reconnects with Zero Two to kill the klaxosaur.

Both squads are amazed Hiro survived and rush to him in relief.

Episode 07: Shooting Star Moratorium
For the successful kissing, Squad 13 is awarded a trip to the beach. Futoshi and Zorome are elated to see the ocean and admire Kokoro and Miku’s figures. They are surprised Goro is also interested in watching the girls, as they assumed double digits like Goro were too goody-shoes. They then see Hiro and Zero Two, who tells him a kiss is a declaration the person belongs to you and you should only kiss the one you live. They drag Hiro underwater and take him aside to ask what a kiss means. Futoshi is infatuated with what it could mean. Hiro explains its when two people put their mouths together. Futoshi is shocked mouths can be used for something other than eating and he is further amazed when Hiro describes the feeling as good.

Miku and Kokoro call the boys to tell them Mitsuru found something. As they walk through a cavern, Kokoro says the dark spooks her out and Mitsuru coldly tells her she didn’t have to come. Futoshi tells him not to talk to her like that. Mitsuru replies he can’t guarantee their safety. They discover remnants of an aban modern city. Futoshi wonders through a mansion with Miku, Zorome, and Ikuno, and he realizes Kokoro is not with them.

After regrouping, Zero Two tells them humanity abandoned cities like these for the plantations. They later eat dinner and Futoshi eats a lobster. They then sit around a campfire and talk about the previous human civilization before going to bed.

Episode 08: Boys × Girls
During a battle, a klaxosaur spills goo on the FRANXXs and the girls’ parasite suites melt in front of the boys. Futoshi has a nosebleed when he sees Kokoro‘s suite melt but tries to feign focus for the battle until Hiro reveals to the girls what happened. The girls later glare at the boys For not telling them. Futoshi says he wasn’t ogling at Kokoro but he found her to be beautiful, much to her embarrassment.

Miku convinces the girls to split the house from the boys. Because if this, Futoshi joins Zorome and Goro in swimming in the lake since they’ve been banned from the bathroom and the boys take over the dining room, which keeps the girls from eating. Zero Two makes things worse when she tricks the boys into walking in on the girls while they are bathing. Nana and Hachi defuse the situation and send the parasites to their rooms.

Both sides begin to regret their behavior but Miku refuses to change her mind and hides in one of the abandoned rooms that belonged to a previous squad that was killed in combat. Hearing this from Zero Two, they all reconcile. Futoshi gets on his hands and knees while apologizing to Kokoro.

Episode 09: Triangle Bomb
Squad 13 receives their annual presents from Papa and Futoshi receives a box of sweets. Delphinium is absorbed by a Gutenberg klaxosaur after Goro ejects Ichigo to save her. Genista and Chlorophytum serve as backup while Strelizia and Argentea help Ichigo reach Goro and hold off the klaxosaur.

Episode 10: The City of Eternity
Squad 13 is invited to the city to receive medals for their achievements and they are amazed how beautiful and advanced the city is. Nana allows them to ventur through the city on their way to the train. Zorome ends up getting lost and is shortly after found, much to the squad’s relief.

Episode 11: Partner Shuffle
Mitsuru walked up from a dream and both Zorome and Futoshi note its unusual for him to sleep in late. During a meeting, the group is praised for their high killing numbers but note Chlorophytum‘s capacity has been declining. While the FRANXX guard a drilling facility, Futoshi and Kokoro talk. He promises her that he will protect her no matter what and asks her to be his partner forever. Kokoro appears hesitant but agrees. Zorome tells him to cut the communications off after saying such things.

While Mitsuru is hospitalized for falling ill, it is revealed he had an Elixirs Injection as a child and he used to follow Hiro around. Futoshi and Zorome are amazed and wonder how Mitsuru went from admiring Hiro to butting heads with him over everything but Goro has no explanation. When Mitsuru recovers and it is shown his capacity is low, Nana suggests the group try a partner shuffle. Futoshi tells Kokoro there is no need for them to switch partners because he vowed to protect her. To his complete shock, Kokoro asks to try and partner with Mitsuru. She apologizes to Futoshi, who is devastated. He later cries into his pillow and doesn’t understand why this happened. Zorome and Hiro try to console him until Mitsuru walks by and says it’s no big deal over who their partners are. Futoshi tried to attack him but misses and hits the wall. He then asks Hironif he’s pathetic and Hiro says no.

A klaxosaur appears and Futoshi tells Mitsuru to protect Kokoro but Mitsuru brushes this off as nonsense. Futoshi gets angry and Kokoro assures him she will be fine. He also promises to do his best with Ikuno. Futoshi and Ikuno do really well against the klaxosaur until Mitsuru becomes reckless and nearly gets him and Kokoro killed. Futoshi uses Chlorophytum to keep the klaxosaur from crushing Genista and give them time to reconnect. After the battle is over, Futoshi condemns Mitsuru for his behavior and punches him. mi then promises he will protect Kokoro from now on and Futoshi breaks down, saying he loved her.

Episode 12: The Garden Where It All Began
Squad 13 returns to the Garden to undergo tests and they decide to use this opportunity to see Naomi, although Nana bars them from leaving the lab. They sneak into the Garden and see the children are being developed into parasites at a faster rate due to the recent klaxosaur attacks. A klaxosaur appears and Squad 13 is shocked to see Zero Two brutally slaughter it. When another klaxosaur appears, Hiro tries to restrain her from losing control and she attacks him, shocking the squad.

Episode 13: The Beast and the Prince
The Squad witnesses Ichigo use Delphinium to hold down Strelizia.

Episode 14: Punishment and Confession
Ichigo orders the squad to prevent Zero Two from seeing Hiro, although they agree reluctantly. Futoshi stands guard outside her room until she comes fed up and demands they let her see Hiro. Goro and the others convince Ichigo to let her but they find Hiro’s hospital room empty and he escaped. Zero Two accuses them of tricking her and she attacks them. Seeing his friends injured and unconscious, Hiro calls her a monster and she decides to leave, as the squad looks on.

Episode 15: The Bird that Shares Wings
The Squad is dispatched to a joint operation with Squad 26 to fight a horde of klaxosaurs near Gran Crevasse. They reaffirm their promise to protect Hiro and smile when he thanks them. A Lehmann klaxosaur appears and begins rampaging against the plantations and Squad 26 performs a suicide attack to stop it Full fails. Squad 13 also struggles against it until Hiro reconciles and reconnects with Zero Two. They defeat the klaxosaur but it’s cores are still active and set to detonate until a colossal hand appears from the ground and stops the cores, soaring Squad 13 and Miltisteinn.

Episode 16: Days of Our Lives
A month passes since the battle at Gran Crevasse and the squad has been left alone in their boarding house. Damage to the plantation restricted their access to water and electricity and they have to rely on rations for food and develop a daily routine for chores. Futoshi helps hang some sheets up when Zero two signals it’s time for breakfast. During breakfast, Hiro notices Futoshi isn’t eating and he says he is on a diet. Zorome is shocked and says dieting doesn’t suit him and tells him to eat but he declines.

They later discuss five sources to gather water but two of them are useless for filtering. They realize how easy it was when their caretakers provided necessities for them. Zero Two suggests they cook their own food and everyone agrees. Futoshi starts a fire and it briefly goes ablaze from the wind.

When dinner is ready, Futoshi still doesn’t eat and when he tries to, Zorome says he forcing himself to. Futoshi admits so and breaks down about this but when he calms down, he says he feels hungry. After dinner, they talk about the possibility they have been casted aside and how afraid they are of the future but resolve to work hard to survive.

Episode 17: Eden
The 9’s unexpectedly show up and say they were sent by Papa, who has been worried about them, much to the squad’s relief. The 9’s then announce they will be staying, much to the squad’s dismay. The next day, Zorome tells everyone he saw Kokoro and Mitsuru in an embrace and wonders if it’s normal for people to press their bodies together. Futoshi grabs Mitsuru and asks if he kissed her, which Kokoro realizes they have. Futoshi then says as long as theyre happy until Alpha comes in with a baby book Kokoro has been hiding and demands an explanation. Kokoro admits she wants to have a baby and says they are all capable of having children. Futoshi asks if Papa didn’t make them, which she says he didn’t. She explains she wants to leave a mark for the future when she dies. Later that night, everyone talks about Kokoro’s words

Episode 18: When the Sakura Blooms
Hiro gathers everyone to tell them he wants to hold a wedding for Kokoro and Mitsuru because they have decided to get married before the leave for the Bird Nest. Everyone voices their support but go quiet when they look at Futoshi. He quickly insists that he be the priest so he can stand beside them and wish them congratulatuons. Kokoro thanks him. Futoshi helps Hiro gather chairs for the ceremony and join Zorome in playing ball before Miku scolds them for slacking. They later paint the house and pose for a group picture.

On the day of the wedding, Futoshi claps and smiles as Kokoro and Mitsuru walk. He announces they will exchange rings. After the do, he tells them to seal their vows with a kiss. Before they can, the 9’s and an APE assault unit interrupt he wedding. Futoshi tells them to run but they are quickly apprehended and taken away. The squad then reluctantly leaves for the Bird Nest.

A couple of weeks later, they are reunited with Kokoro and Mitsuru who have no recollection of the wedding or each other. Zero Two says their memories have been altered.

Episode 19: Inhumanity
Kokoro attempts to become partners with Futoshi again but he refuses because he wants her to stay with Mitsuru and says he is not changing his mind. Goro later tells the squad Kokoro and Mitsuru were implanted with fake memories. Hiro announces he plans to confront Papa, who justifies this because it would have hindered APE’s objectives. Futoshi is enraged and demands Papa apologize. Hiro demands they be released from duty since they no longer see him as their papa and he agrees as long as they win the final battle.

Episode 20: A New World
Futoshi tells Goro that Kokoro and Mitsuru took off their wedding rings and Goro is surprised he noticed and wonders if Futoshi isnt over her yet. Goro stops himself when Kokoro becomes nauseous and runs to wh bathroom to throw up. They attend an assembly meeting and are mocked by the 9’s. Zero Two defends her friends because they, unlike the 9’s, look toward the future.

During the battle, the klaxosaurs stop fighting against the parasites and they look at the sky as an armada of ships appear. Papa reveals they are VIRM and he is the leader, and he has been using humanity as tools for his benefit. This leaves the parasites shocked.

Episode 21: For You, My Love
Everyone is confused on who they should be fighting but they decide to return to Gran Crevasse to see for themselves after remembering VIRM are invaders and Star Entity will detonate to destroy the planet. They are confronted by the 9’s who berate them for ignoring Papa’s orders but continue with their pursuit. After arriving at Gran Crevasse, they learn Hiro was forcibly linked by the klaxosaur princess and they rush to Star Entity with Zero Two and Dr. Franxx. They are confronted by VIRM soldiers and the corridor is blocked off. Futoshi and Ikuno blast through it in full power but Chlorophytum deactivates and Ikuno’s hair turns grey. Ichigo orders Argentea and Genista to stay with Chlorophytum.

When the battle ends, Futoshi and the others are shown to have survived but Zero Two is left catatonic.

Episode 22: Stargazers
Squad 13 takes care of the other parasites and they attempt to grow crops to survive. During a meeting, they discuss their low amounts of water and maintenance and they can’t use magma energy. Futoshi later works in the fields with the others when a klaxosaur and VIRM soldier crash into the field after killing each other. He wonders if this means Earth will be attacked again and more klaxosaurs fly into space. He is later present in the infirmary with the others when the new Nana announces Kokoro is pregnant. Futoshi stands by Mitsuru as he falls to the ground in shock of the news. Mitsuru later asks the boys what he should do and Futoshi tries to say something before Goro stops him.

The next day, they find the crops have died and are surprised see Nana and HachI, who surmises the crops died because years of magma energy drilling deprived the soil of life. This leaves the parasites disheartened. However, Goro tells them he found out Miltisteinn has fresh soil that can be used for farming, which makes them elated. Hiro announces he will be going to space to rescue Zero Two, who is mentally fighting VIRM in space with Strelizia. Although he knows it will be a suicide mission, he doesn’t change his mind. Futoshi later sits outside with Ikuno, Zorome, and Miku as they watch a meteor shower and wonder if they will find something they will die for.

In the morning, the squad meets with Hiro and tell him they will help him rescue Zero Two. Futoshi says they won’t let VIRM kill them or wait for them to die.

Episode 23: DARLING in the FRANXX
Everyone flies their FRANXX randomly through space and agree they can move more freely. Futoshi is impressed with their new weapons and says it feels like they’re a real team now. Zorome says they’ve always been a team.

When they arrive at Mars’ orbit, they see a massive battle between the klaxosaurs and VIRM with Strelizia in the center. Hiro and Alpha rush into the battle and the others provide backup.

As Hiro tries to reconnect with Zero Two, Goro and Zorome discuss how Hiro has always pulled through and Futoshi reminds them about Kokoro and Mitsuru trying to reconcile.

After Strelizia evolves into Strelizia True Apus and eliminates the VIRM fleet, a warp gate appears and Hiro and Zero Two day will be going through it to find and destroy the VIRM for good. Everyone is hesitant but agree to let them go when Zero Two promises they will come back.

Episode 24: Never Let Me Go
72 days after the gate passage, Futoshi returns to Miltisteinn with Ichigo, Goro, Ikuno, Miku, and Zorome. Their former home has been destroyed and they begin gathering soil and plants to begin farming. As Kokoro teaches some girls how to knit and Mitsuru looks after her, Futoshi and Zorome come rushing in and give her food they say has good nutrients. She thanks them and they drag a reluctant Mitsuru back to the fields with them.

245 days after the gate passage, Futoshi and a few other boys congratulate Mitsuru when Kokoro gives birth to their daughter. Futoshi hugs Mitsuru and congratulates him for becoming the first parasite to become a father. Soon after, Futoshi watches Goro leave to gather supplies needed for the parasites to survive. Like Miku and zorome, he is shocked when Goro boldly kisses Ichigo.

783 days after the gate passage, the squad learns Zero Two’s statue can link them to Hiro and Zero Two in space. They hold hands and send their prayers to them. Futoshi says the squad isn’t the same without them. After they sacrifice themselves, everyone mourns them. Futoshi and Zorome see Zero Two’s statue break and turn into ashes, leaving behind a small plant.

Over the next eight years, the parasites have stopped using magma energy as part of their commitment to th planet and created a self-sufficient lifestyle from scratch. Futoshi becomes a baker and marries an unnamed former pistil, with whom he has two children and a third on the way. He visits Ikuno in the hospital while she checks on a pregnant Ikuno, and he asks her to try his new break recipe. Naomi teases him for not losing any weight. He blames Ikuno for helping him get his appetite back and credits her for keeping the accelerated aging process of the former parasites under control. He also mentions that Kokoro and Mitsuru are expecting their fourth child. Ichigo says he is one to talk when his wife and children come to get him for the school entrance ceremony. Ichigo tells him to go and be with his family and he says okay.

The former squad later reunites at a cherry blossom tree that grew from Zero Two’s ashes and thank her and Hiro, reciting the lessons they learned from the two.

Kokoro
In the beginning, it is shown they have a positive and friendly relationship towards each other. This continues even as he flirts with her. She doesn't appear to mind it at the beginning. Although as his feelings grow and he continues to be too honest, Kokoro does start to appear to become flustered by them, as seen in Episode 8 "Boys x Girls", where he tells her in front of everyone that he has always thought her beautiful. Leading up to Episode 11 "Partner Shuffle", his feelings have grown to the point where he asks her to promise that they will remain partners forever, as she, albeit hesitantly, promises him the same.

When Kokoro asks to attempt a partnership with Mitsuru, it blindsides and devastates Futoshi. But he rebounds remarkably fast and forgives her within hours. He continues to be very protective over her and this has made him attack Mitsuru twice and get him to promise to protect Kokoro, which Mitsuru eventually promises. He doesn't realize that his feelings were love until after everything in "Partner Shuffle" had calmed down.

Although he has deep feelings for Kokoro, he eventually comes to fully support Kokoro's relationship with Mitsuru and even wanted, by his own volition, to become the priest for their wedding. When their memories of each other were altered, Futoshi refused to go back to being Kokoro's partner and insisted for her to ride with Mitsuru. He further expressed concern for Kokoro during her pregnancy and insisted she eat food with good nutrients. He also showed genuine happiness for her and Mitsuru when their daughter was born. He has closely watched over their relationship and remains supportive of Kokoro. There has been no further fallout from her decision to end their partnership.

Mitsuru
It is uncertain of the relationship between Futoshi and Mitsuru. On many accounts they can be seen in dispute, often times exchanging hostile tones and even physically assaulting one another. It is apparent that Kokoro is the direct cause of their conflicts due to Futoshi's romantic feelings and undying desire to protect her. Eventually, Futoshi begins to view Mitsuru as a comrade. In episode 11 Futoshi is seen quietly congratulating Mitsuru when he finally managed to power up the Genista during the battle against the Klaxosaur. Although things have calmed down after episode 11, Futoshi still cared for Kokoro, asking her if she and Mitsuru kissed when Zorome told the squad that they embraced in episode 17. However, he later demonstrated his full support for their relationship when he insisted on being the priest for their wedding and that she stay with Mitsuru after their memories are altered. When Kokoro gives birth to her daughter, Futoshi embraces Mitsuru and congratulates him for being the first parasite to become a father.

Hiro
They seem to have a good relationship. Futoshi is the first to ask about Hiro's health after his second time piloting with Zero Two. Like the other parasites, he mourns the deaths of Hiro and Zero Two after they sacrifice themselves to destroy VIRM.

Zero Two
He is wary of Zero Two at first but warms up toward her with the rest of the squadron, and highly regards Zero Two's involvement valuable to the squad. Like all the parasites, he mourns the deaths of Zero Two and Hiro when they sacrifice themselves to destroy the VIRM.

Zorome
Zorome seems to like teasing and poking fun at Futoshi a lot, but they're good friends and often play with each other.

Ikuno
Although they were declared partners after episode 11, there has been no significant development. However, they get along relatively well and he credits her hard work for keeping the parasites’ accelerated aging process under control.

Etymology
Futoshi's nickname may use some of the numeral's readings from his real name "Code:214": fu from 2, to from 10 and shi from 4. Futo can be written in kanji "太", which means fat or thick, in what's most likely also a reference to his appearance.

Quotes
"Don't call me "fat"!"

- Futoshi

"Hurting a girl is the worst thing a man can do!"

- Futoshi

"I'll just eat it so it doesn't go to waste."

- Futoshi

"I wonder If I'll be able to fight properly."

- Futoshi

Gallery
Футоси