APE

APE is group of scientists and politicians who govern all of known humanity. All civilian and military organizations report to them or someone under them, with the exception of the special forces pilots, also known as the "Nines," who report directly to APE. They worked with Dr. FRANXX in the creation of the FRANXX program. APE is ruled by a Chairman, who is known as "Papa" by Children and adults alike and worshipped as a god. Members of APE wear elegant white robes and sport unique mechanical masks.

Seven Sages
The Seven Sages (, Shichi Kenjin) or Lamarck Club (ラマルク・クラブ, Ramaruku Kurabu) are the highest members of mankind's governing institution "APE."

The seven adults who assemble at APE HQ. In opposition of the sudden activity of klaxosaur, they pay particular to the awakening of Strelizia and its pistil, Zero Two. They refer to Hiro as the "special specimen." .

Overview
APE was created no less than the year 2025, when the Chairman (known as ‘Papa’ to almost everyone) approached Dr. Franxx about his research on magma energy and cloning. Members of APE hoped to introduce new mining technology to dig up magma energy from underground the Earth’s surface and create a new low-cost and all-compassing energy source. This projuct was successful and brought forth a wealthy economy and sped up the development of human civilization.

APE then hired Dr. Franxx to conduct a project on human immortality. His research was successful and all the wealthy became immortals but at the cost of the reproductive functions. Eventually, this became universally available. However, the frequent drilling of magma energy was at the cost of desertification of the planet, leading the creation of multiple Plantations containing their own ecosystems.

In 2027, the klaxosaurs began attacking the magma plants. To counter against the klaxosaurs, APE instructed Dr. Franxx to develop a defense strategy. His research led to the creation of the Franxx units. However, the units required pilots who shared a mental connection and retained their reproductive functions. This revelation was discovered after many lives were lost in the development of the units. Because all the adults had sacrificed their reproductive functions in exhance for immortality, there was a need for new, fertile children. Through Dr. Franxx’s cloning research, male and female synthetic children called Parasites were created. Kept in isolation throughout childhood, these children were required to develop the emotional responses required to pilot a Franxx. Upon getting a sample of hair from the humanoid princess of the klaxosaurs, Dr. Franxx created Zero Two, a project APE personally oversaw and deemed a highly significant success.

Publicly, APE is dedicated to the preservation and protection of humanity, and oversees the development of the parasites, who are trained and instructed to protect the adults and their leaders. To the public, the Chairman is viewed as a god and undoubtedly pledged their loyalty to him. The Vice Chairman and fFive Sages serve alongside him. Their ulterior motives are however unknown to the public. Initially, APE secretly attempted to negotiate with the klaxosaur princess in an attempt to force the klaxosaurs to surrender and end the war but she refused and killed two of the sages in retaliation. Pushed to a breaking point, the Chairman and Vice Chairman revealed themselves as members of VIRM, an alien species that invaded Earth several eons ago and have been in a war with the klaxosaurs over the planet. The Chairman and Vice Chairman kill the remaining three sages and set out to eliminate the klaxosaurs once and for all. However, the parasites turn against APE after this revelation and aid in the fight against VIRM. Without the leaders, APE collapses as a government function.

Location
APE convenes in the APE Strategic Headquarters, which is a large, circular glass dome located in an unknown region somewhere within outer space. The facility is equipped with a number of displays and holographic projections to assist in any meeting. Members of APE do not physically meet up, and instead appear via a holographic projection, leaving their true location a mystery.