Zero Two

Zero Two (ゼロツー) is the main heroine and the deuteragonist of DARLING in the FRANXX. She was a human-klaxo sapiens hybrid and a member of the APE Special Force fighting on the front lines. An elite Parasite with the codename "002" who was also known as the "Partner Killer", Zero Two had always accepted solitude due to her horns and Klaxosaur blood. Despite having no regard for human life or her own and being used to fight alone, she quickly took an interest in Hiro and decided to give him a chance to pilot with her, making him her new partner and "darling". After Hiro was able to ride with her more than three times, the pair became the 13th Plantation's newest members, piloting a FRANXX called Strelizia.

Over the time spent together, Zero Two came to develop special feelings towards Hiro, but her determination to become human coupled with Hiro's apparent fear of her increasingly feral characteristics made her begin seeing him as nothing more than an outlet to become human. When their relationship as partners began to take a turn and slowly crumble, she remembered her forgotten feelings of love towards Hiro during childhood along with her current feelings. The two eventually became a couple before their demise.

Appearance
As a child, Zero Two looked much more like a monster, with red skin, long sharp nails, and fanged teeth. While her eye color was the same, her sclera was red instead of white. Her horns were also much larger in comparison to her head, and her hair was a lighter shade of pink. In terms of clothes all she was given was a dark grey cloak, and white wrappings from Hiro that substituted for shoes.

As she grew up, Zero Two developed a fair and light complexion. She had a slender and athletic figure; she was the tallest girl in the squad and even taller than most of the boys as well. She had waist-length, long pink hair with straight bangs covering her forehead and a pair of red horns on her head and a white limiter headband over her horns. She had sharp, cyan eyes with rings around the pupils and pinkish-red eyeliner.

Zero Two's full ensemble was composed of a white military cap with a matching overcoat and boots. She was often seen wearing her signature red uniform, black tights, and white boots. Zero Two's original pilot uniform was a tight, dark red bodysuit with a cap of the same color, similar to the 9's pilot uniform. After she became an official Plantation 13 Parasite, she, like the other Squad 13 Pistils, started wearing a white uniform, with red accents to represent the FRANXX she pilots.

As side effects of aggressively riding Strelizia, Zero Two's fangs and horns can grow at an alarming rate. Her eyes shine red when angered, even while wearing her limiter headband. It once got to the point when her face was deathly pale and her eyes blood red. Her horns can also branch out to the point of being able to touch the ceiling, and her skin color can also revert back to her original red color.

In Episode 17, Zero Two was given a flower headband by Miku and she wore it for the rest of the episode.

In Episode 23, Zero Two merges with her FRANXX and transforms into Strelizia's True Apus form. In this form, its faceplate is replaced by Zero Two's face, in which she has more pronounced lips and a pinkish lip color. She had a white helmet with red lines with a blue horn-like weapon on top of it. There was also a veil-like sheet of light behind Apus' helm. Strelizia True Apus' legs changed into a semblance of a white, shoulder-less and bare-back dress with green accents. In one of the MATO comics, Strelizia True Apus is considered to be Zero Two's wedding dress.

Personality
Ever since she was a child, Zero Two had been alone due to her Klaxosaur blood, always being seen as a "monster". The way people treated her as a child made her lose faith in people which is especially seen when she was a child: being very defensive or aggressive when people tried to interact with her. Besides that, Zero Two acted like a wild animal or a feral child, eating with her hands, growling, making other vocal noises instead of speaking and chasing after some mice that were near her. However, Zero Two was also shown to a fairly cheerful, curious, and happy girl, and it was during her time with Hiro that shaped much of her personality and quirks in the present, such as her sweet tooth, the way she referred to herself as ("boku"), and the nickname she had for Hiro, "Darling". Because Hiro treated her as he would anyone else, whereas others didn't treat her as a human for one reason or another, Zero Two developed a deep admiration and liking towards him. Despite having her memories of the darling from her childhood erased, Zero Two retained some fragmented memories which was why she strived to become human no matter what.

As she grew up, Zero Two's personality was rumored to be dangerous, cold, and alluring. She was an elite pilot with the pseudonym "Partner Killer", given the mysterious cases of her co-pilots dying after a short number of FRANXX rides. However, she appeared to be playful towards Hiro and sometimes showed humor; which is evident during their first meeting. However, she prioritized her duty as a Parasite more than anything, not because she wanted to protect Papa and the others, but because she wanted to "become human". Her outlook on life was quite cynical which is why she didn't bother with a name since they were all meant to fight and die. She had also been a prized military asset of APE and sent to fight on the front lines for so long that she had no regard for human life or her own, since they all would become a statistic when they died anyway. When people around her died, she hardly batted an eye at it because, to her, it was just a fact of life that everyone dies. Zero Two always kept people at arm's length with mocking humor, nihilism, and emotional detachment. Zero Two also freely talked about how much she hated their society. However, after seeing Hiro's determination to pilot with her, Zero Two noted that they were very similar and she invited him to partner up with her, despite having fought alone during the majority of her life and never leaning on others for support.

It is later seen that Zero Two was a very unruly, passionate, fierce-tempered, self-confident, smug, assertive and carefree girl who hated to follow the rules set up by the adults. She was very outspoken and honest, and unlike the other Parasites, she did not care about Papa and held no respect for him and the other Sages, only seeing them as people who lied to her throughout her childhood. Her seemingly care-free rule-breaking helped break Hiro out of his crippling depression and blind adherence to rules, and the cheerful affection she showed him in the Parasite's quarters inspired some of the other Squad 13 Parasites to be more affectionate with each other. Zero Two's behavior was also quite childlike, as evidenced by when she wiped her hands on Zorome's uniform. Zero Two also demonstrated impressive agility, performing somersaults and flips then landing on her feet every time. During the Girls vs Boy feud, Zero Two tricked the girls into believing she would cooperate with them, after which she tricked the boys into walking in on the girls while they were bathing, then proceeding to steal both the boys' and the girls' clothes. While being chased by Hiro, she teased him and laughed while running throughout the house. By doing that, she felt just a little more like a human. While an exceptionally gifted parasite, Zero Two also had extremely odd quirks: eating with her hands, often licking people, such as herself, though she didn't like how she tasted; Hiro, who tastes like danger; Ichigo, who tastes sweet; and Ikuno, who taste like a secret. She also often mused about how she wanted to go in the ocean, dousing her food in honey, and having no sense of personal space.

It was also implied that she knew more about the outside world than the other members of Squad 13. She also appeared to be more knowledgeable about different things than the others, as she knew what a "kiss" was, what came "after kissing" and the meaning behind "love". She also urged the Parasites to speak up for themselves and do what they think is right before they regret it and before "it's too late". Zero Two also clearly didn't mind whether she's wearing clothes or not, judging how she didn't even bat an eye about Hiro seeing her naked and instead picked on him for holding her panties.

However, soon after, Zero Two became more obsessed than ever to become human and to reunite with her original darling. She became more melancholic and silent, barely speaking or showing any affection to Hiro, despite her behavior in previous episodes. When Hiro would ask her to talk to him about her problems because he wanted them to understand each other, Zero Two coldly rejected him and she stated that they could understand each other well enough by piloting Strelizia. While fighting Klaxosaurs, Zero Two acted recklessly, disregarding Ichigo's orders and plans, and getting irritated by Hiro getting in her way. Zero Two became much more aggressive both to Hiro and while battling Klaxosaurs, chasing the Klaxosaurs until she was away from the group and then repeatedly stabbing a Klaxosaur corpse she had just killed, maddeningly saying she will kill more Klaxosaurs. When Zero Two started getting a little too obsessed with killing Klaxosaurs during a mission in, Hiro tried to rein her in. However, in the heat of the moment, she ended up choking him and said things that were heard by the others that heavily imply she was going to kill him like so many of her other co-pilots in the past.

Zero Two also seemed to only care about herself, so much so that even when Hiro was dying, it seemed like she couldn't be brought to care when Ichigo demanded she takes it easy on him. That having been said, she had deep insecurities about not being human. Though she hates it when other people bring up the fact she's not human and when people call her a monster, she can be very self-depreciating about it herself and even calls herself one. Additionally, her hatred for Klaxosaurs stems from the fear of becoming one herself. Her desire to avoid this, however, caused her to act more monstrous. This problem escalated when she developed a hatred towards mirrors, as she was seen crushing the hand mirror that Hiro had gifted her in frustration, and proceeded to smash every single mirror throughout the boarding house, possibly due to them reflecting her more monstrous appearance. It only gets worse later on, where she came to consider herself a monster not for a what she was, but for the horrible things she had done. Zero Two did also not appreciate "friendship" and never took it seriously because she was convinced that Squad 13 would never accept her, so she didn't even bother trying to be nice to them or show consideration for their lives. Zero Two didn't display any concern for the lives of any pilot besides Hiro, because she thought of them the same she thinks of herself: they are all meant to live and die fighting Klaxosaurs. However, it is clearer in the following episodes that she really had come to care about the other Parasites in Squad 13 and felt guilty for betraying their trust, but stubbornly willed herself to keep displaying no empathy for them and to outwardly insist that she never considered them true friends, just temporary allies.

However, after she realized that Hiro was indeed her darling from her childhood, Zero Two felt extremely apologetic and distraught about her actions. With Ichigo fed up with Zero Two's antics, however, she forcefully disallowed her and Hiro to even visit. Ichigo even proposed to Nana that unless Zero Two were to be kicked out from Squad 13, they would not cooperate at the upcoming mission, much to Zero Two’s disbelief and frustration. Later, Goro was finally able to convince Ichigo to let Zero Two visit her darling. However, when the squad arrived at Hiro's hospital room, he was not there. Hiro’s sudden disappearance enraged Zero Two; she felt deceived and proceeded to beat up the members of Squad 13, mainly Ichigo. When Hiro came back and unintentionally called Zero Two a monster, Zero Two finally broke down, leading to her deportation. Later when Hiro finally reunited with her, Zero Two was afraid of being touched and seen by him, because she considered herself a monster and didn't think she deserved forgiveness after what she had done. However, after Hiro fully forgave her, apologized for calling her a monster, and promised her that they would talk out their problems and always be together, they confessed their love for each other and became an official couple. After this incident and officially being accepted by Squad 13, Zero Two admitted that she finally understood what "being human" really meant; living together with other humans, helping each other while also being true to their feelings. Thanks to this discovery, Zero Two's personality reverted back to her former personality, becoming much more friendly, responsible, cheerful, and composed. She also accepted herself, as she could happily look at herself and her horns in the mirror. Despite that, she was concerned when Hiro turned into part-Klaxosaur like herself, stating that she wanted him to remain human. Zero Two was able to acknowledge her mistakes which is why she was determined to do everything right, especially in regards to her friends. She also felt guilty over her past actions and started having nightmares over the stamens she had consumed.

Zero Two regained her curious and carefree nature, doing things in her own pace and stating that she was intersted in traveling the world like the Princess in her book. She also retained her playful personality as she was visibly seen to be sassy and energetic, not afraid to get what she wanted to without putting up a friendly fight. Furthermore, she became more open to her fellow comrades in Squad 13, openly socializing with them and enjoying their company. Her relationship with Hiro became much better and Zero Two came to cherish and love him more than anything, to which she finally understood Hiro's words where he wanted them to understand each other. The two had shown unconditional love for one another and knew that their bond could overcome whatever obstacle fate threw at them. Zero Two was seen to be a very determined girl, as well as very devoted to Hiro, going great lengths for him on the cost of her own safety, and even mentioning that she didn't care about anything as long as he was with her. Zero Two also became closer to everyone in Squad 13, which is particularly seen how protective she became of them, when she became ecstatic upon seeing them fine during the fight against VIRM, and how worried she was when Ichigo and Goro fought off an enemy. When she and Hiro went off to space to fight VIRM's home planet, Zero Two was moved to tears by her friends' words in that they would always wait for them to return. Right before her demise, Zero Two and Hiro were completely willing to sacrifice themselves to save the Earth and so their friends and all the other people could live a good life. They state that even if they would die, the paths they had walked would never fade since their friends would take it even further.

History
Zero Two was created by Dr. FRANXX out of the Klaxosaur Princess's DNA. Many specimens like Zero Two herself were born but failed to survive; making her the only successful human-klaxo sapiens hybrid. Dr. FRANXX also created clones using Zero Two's cells; the 9's, but they didn't inherit the Klaxosaur blood. Due to Zero Two being the only specimen with Klaxosaur blood to survive, she was decided to operate the Star Entity; a collective mass of Klaxosaurs which can only be operated by a Klaxo-sapien, on humanity's behalf. Because of her high Parasite potential and potential in general, she received the code number "002".

Zero Two did not receive the same regular training as other children in the Garden to become a Parasite, since she had been trapped in her room for as long as she could remember, which she described as being the entirety of her world. Occasionally, a woman would enter Zero Two's room, and she thought that she was probably a stand-in for a mother. She would bring Zero Two food and pet her head. One day, she appeared for the last time with something that wasn't food; a picture book called "The Beast and the Prince". Zero Two tried to eat and break it at first, and her "mother" flipped open the page to which she was amazed by its bright colors and different shapes. Though it had words, she couldn't read them. Despite that, Zero Two described the book as her first "pretty thing." Thanks to the picture book, Zero Two was sure the outside world surely had many more things to offer; though she added that she was half right and half wrong.

One day, Zero Two was taken along for experiments. In the testing room, Dr. FRANXX was amazed how she developed such a human form. With Zero Two tethered, a laser was centered on her palm and when it fired, she screamed in pain. Dr. FRANXX was amazed at how quickly her wound healed and how her skin regrew. After her testing, Zero Two was isolated in yet another room. In the room, she was seen struggling against an adult to get her picture book back, and she soon managed to take the book back and the woman gave up. After that, Zero Two was put through even more painful experiments due to her special abilities. Since Hiro had witnessed Zero Two's suffering several times by then, he made up his mind that he was unwilling to watch her suffer anymore. When Hiro came to rescue her, scaling one of the trees near her cell, Zero Two had just gone through testing and was curled up on the floor, taking the picture book in her bosom as a sense of comfort. Hiro shattered her window with a searchlight and although Zero Two was initially aggressive, she was moved by Hiro's tears and began crawling towards his outstretched hand. When they got out however, the branch broke and they fell to the ground, causing Hiro to lose consciousness.

Zero Two proceeded to carry Hiro through the snow and she was amazed by the outside world. When Hiro regained consciousness, he realized that Zero Two couldn't understand him but he introduced himself anyway. Though he asked for her name, she couldn't answer, less speak, but Hiro saw that her code was "002." He thought of a name, first thinking "Oni" and then "Zero Two", but he wasn't particularly fond of either of those names. However, when Zero Two began trying to say "Zero Two" continuously, to which Hiro thought that he should have thought of a better name but began to call her that himself. After that, the two continued and enjoyed their "adventure" together. Zero Two also noted that although she didn't understand his words, she knew his voice called to her, and she saw and learned new things with him, as well as walked with him. He also gave her some candy, to with Zero Two reacted fondly to. Now feeling comfortable with Hiro, Zero Two showed him her book, "The Beast and the Prince". As Hiro began reading, a group of adults appeared, looking for them. The two hid and Hiro promised to protect Zero Two.

The two continued to flee from the adults and eventually ended up sitting under a mistletoe, with Hiro continuing reading the book. Hiro noted how sad the story was due to the fact that the Beast Princess and Prince couldn't be together since both weren't human. This made Hiro relate to his current situation, giving Zero Two a sad smile to which she wryly smiled back at him. Soon after, Hiro said that they should get going, but Zero had scraped her knee and couldn't walk well. He searched for something to bandage it but was forced to lick her blood instead. With Hiro kneeling before her, Zero Two confused his pose with the prince in the page mentioning "marriage", proposing. As Zero Two questioned "marriage", Hiro explained what it was and said that they would marry once they escaped. He told her he wanted to be with her forever too and become her darling. She began crying tears of joy and hugged him close, now thinking that she could have something beautiful with him. However, they were interrupted and cornered by a group of adults. Though Hiro tried to protect her, he was shot and fell to the ground bleeding. As Zero Two tried to resist from being captured by the adults, she saw Hiro who had been shot and cried and shouted out for her "darling".

After that, their memories were erased. However, Zero Two's memories couldn't be completely erased since the adults noted that there was some strong force protecting the memories she made with Hiro. In the aftermath, Zero Two did retain some vague memories from the meeting with Hiro but she forgot about the person she made the memories with. She was devastated by the fact that they couldn't be together due to the apparent fact that they weren't the same creatures with blood of different colors. To be sure she could become human and never forget about the memories with her "darling", she ate the picture book's pages and began speaking and acting like she had learned from her meeting with Hiro. Since Zero Two's meeting with Hiro did leave a huge impression on her, she swore since that day to become human since if she were like him, they could always be together. To make her even more determined, she was also convinced into thinking that she could become human by killing Klaxosaurs by Papa and the others.

Two years prior to the main storyline, Zero Two fought alongside the squad of Plantation 26 in a critical battle. She was reckless and showed no concern for others; causing the death of 090's partner.

Episode 01: Alone and Lonesome
Zero Two is seen on the carrier. She asks Nana where she can find an ocean, as she feels like swimming.

Zero Two is later spotted by Hiro skinny dipping in a lake near The Birdcage. She disappears under the water's surface, prompting Hiro to assume she is drowning and in need of rescue. Zero Two jumps out of the water with a live fish in her mouth. She spits out the fish and licks herself believing that she will taste "salty", to her disappointment. Zero Two, in the nude, begins to converse with Hiro and thanks him for jumping in to save her. She then tackles him into the water and licks his cheek, remarking that he tastes "dangerous" and she loves it. His "taste", coupled with the fact that he was not afraid of her horns prompts her to propose that he become her "Darling". Before Hiro can accept, Nana and 081 arrive to retrieve her. Hiro calls for her, and asks her for her name. Dismissively, she questions if parasites even have names. She tells him her code is 002, and that everyone calls her "Zero Two".

During the welcoming ceremony, a klaxosaur appears and attacks the new FRANXX, damaging the garage. Zero Two piloting Strelizia saves the Parasites, notably Goro and Ichigo, from a would-be particle beam. Strelizia and the klaxosaur battle, causing catastrophic damage to the outer wall of The Plantation. Strelizia is overcome and is flung into a section of The Plantation, crashing where Hiro had been viewing the battle. The lifeless body of Zero Two's partner, 081, drops out of the derelict Strelizia. Zero Two emerges from the wreckage, bloodied, and tells Hiro she'll have to pilot the Strelizia alone as "she always has". Hiro reprimands her that if she pilots a FRANXX in her current state, she'll die. Zero Two claims she isn't afraid of death, and if she doesn't do it countless more people will die from the klaxosaur attack. Hiro declares that he will ride with her. Zero Two asks if he is ready to die which Hiro states "he doesn't know but he may very well be if he cannot pilot a FRANXX". Zero Two sees Hiro's tears and extends her hand to him, mirroring their initial meeting at the lake. She tells him ofhow it has been a long time since she's seen a human cry, and how it makes her heart race. Hiro takes her hand and she pulls him into the cockpit, declaring him her "Darling" and they kiss. The kiss reactivates the Strelizia and the Hiro-Zero Two pairing unlocks its "Iron Maiden" form to the amazement of Dr. FRANXX and everyone else.

Iron Maiden Strelizia overpowers the klaxosaur and destroys its core, effectively killing the mechanical beast. In the aftermath, repairs are being done to the damage of the klaxosaur attack, Zero Two carrying an unconscious Hiro alight from the now deactivated Iron Maiden Strelizia. Zero Two gazes into the sunset and shoots Hiro a gleeful smile, saying, "I found you, my Darling!"

At last, there is a rumor mentioned by Zorome about Zero Two: she is the Partner Killer, who has horns, fangs, and any parasite that rides with her will have his blood sucked and die after the third time.

Episode 02: What it Means to Connect
Zero Two is having breakfast at The Birdcage with the parasites. She completely covers her meal in honey and proceeds to eat it with her bare hands to the disgust of all the Parasites except Hiro. She is approached by Zorome in an attempt to "hit on her" while putting down Hiro. She begins to wipe her honeyed hand on his uniform, mortifying Zorome. Zero Two takes the pitcher of honey and starts sitting with Hiro and begins pouring honey all over his breakfast as well. When asked by Hiro as to whether or not he actually was able to activate and pilot Strelizia with her, she reassures him, stating that he was "amazing" and calls him "darling", much to the shock of the other Parasites (and to Ichigo's chagrin in particular).

Nana enters the room and informs them that Zero Two is on "standby" awaiting further orders from HQ. She also commands her to go back to her own table and not to converse with the Parasites. Zero Two antagonizes Nana stating that she merely wanted to have breakfast with her darling.

Later in the hangar, Zero Two is confronted by Ichigo. Ichigo thanks Zero Two for saving their lives but warns her to stay away from Hiro so as not to get his hopes up and hurt him, declaring that she is not part of "their" squad. Zero Two approaches her and asks Ichigo what she "is" to her darling. Ichigo states that she is the leader of the squad. Zero Two begins to sniff her and lick her cheek astonishing Ichigo. Zero Two says she tastes "sweet" and that she likes her taste before gleefully leaving.

During the discussion for Hiro's parasite promotion test, Zero Two volunteers to be his partner, him being her darling. Zero Two's proposal is met with harsh resistance by Ichigo, stating that she is not part of the squad and that if the test is merely to measure Hiro's aptitude it should work with her; having Zero Two participate would be unnecessary. Nana informs Zero Two that HQ hasn't authorized the use of the Strelizia so Hiro will have perform with one of his squadmates. Zero Two concedes, stating that her injuries haven't completely healed yet. She allows Ichigo to have Hiro, telling her to go for it "this one time" and to make sure to take care of "her" darling.

After Ichigo's subsequent failure to properly pilot with Hiro, Zero Two is shown flipping her hair in the wind and triumphantly eating her lollipop while leaving the training grounds.

Episode 03: Fighting Puppet
Zero Two is first shown waiting for Hiro to finish his solo training. After he finishes, he finds her asleep in an atrium. Once she wakes up, she takes him around the facility. However, due to Hiro's status he has limited access to certain areas, whereas Zero Two has an S-Class ID which implies unrestricted access. Thinking quickly, Zero Two takes Hiro's hand and they "waltz" through the doors, tricking the system.

Upon gaining access, Zero Two leads Hiro to the Inner City of Plantation 13. While Hiro is awestruck by the view, Zero Two overlooks the city melancholically. Hiro shoots her a grateful look, and she asks him why he's staring at her. Hiro replies that he's trying to think of a name for her. Zero Two then jumps the rail and begins to walk out onto the ledge. She expresses her depressive view of the city, its inhabitants and life. Zero Two then asks Hiro to run away with her, offering to get him out of the plantation. Before Hiro can answer, Zero Two pretends to fall but actually somersaults back the the safety of the balcony. She lightly jokes that she was kidding.

Zero Two appears next when the underground mission against the Conrad-class klaxosaur went awry. While the team celebrates their apparent victory, Zero Two shows up in a dark corner remarking that it isn't over. All of a sudden a swarm of similar klaxosaurs and a giant version of the initial one begin to ambush the FRANXXs. As the situation grows increasingly dire, Zero Two consistently prods Nana into letting her ride with Hiro in order to save them. Nana persistently denies her, till Hiro submits the Zero Two ride with Mitsuru, the only available "official" stamen, in order to save the squad. Zero Two is greatly disappointed in Hiro, giving him the silent treatment as she begrudgingly embarks partnered with Mitsuru.

The pair then race to rescue the squad. Initially, Mitsuru pilots the Sterlizia on par with Hiro, proposing that Zero Two take him on as her "official partner". Zero Two puts him to the test and goes "all out", prompting Nana to initiate the retrieval of Strelizia. A bloodied deactivated Strelizia emerges in the aftermath. Zero Two emerges from the robot and gives Hiro a light wave and smile. Mitsuru does not emerge from the FRANXX. He is shown to have passed out in the cockpit, bloodied and broken, on the brink of death.

Episode 04: Flap Flap
In the aftermath of Mitsuru's near-death experience, Zero Two is told to return to the frontlines by Nana on Papa's orders and the Strelizia is grounded, much to Zero Two's dismay.

Zero Two finds Hiro in the boy's bath and asks him to run away with her and leave his "weakling" comrades. Her mood dampens by Hiro's visible fear of her and asks him if he's like everyone else; if he thinks "she's a monster".

A giant centipede-like razor klaxosaur attacks the carrier sent to acquire Zero Two. Plantation 13's Parasites are deployed to combat it, only to be ambushed by another klaxosaur. Zero Two and Hiro change into their suits and rush into the situation room when Nana tells her that it won't change her decision, that the Strelizia is not authorized to "fly".

At this point, armed security personnel arrive to collect Zero Two and return her and the Strelizia to the front lines by any means necessary. Zero Two gives a long goodbye to Hiro remarking about how she "felt like things could work out too" and that she wanted to be with him. In lieu of a kiss, Zero Two pokes his forehead with her horns and departs with the soldiers.

While being escorted by the guards to the carrier, Hiro catches up to her, however unable to reach her due to restriction system. Hiro begins to shout out to her and apologize for his prior hesitation in the bath. Hiro explains that his fear was not of her inhumanity, but a lack of his own resolve. Hiro confesses that he doesn't care about riding the FRANXX and that he just wants to ride with Zero Two, begging her not to go. Zero Two pauses in the face of his confession. She then does a backflip, disarming one guard and using his rifle to crack the glass barrier above Hiro. She performs an aerial flip, breaking through the glass to reach Hiro. Now reunited with a bashful Hiro, she coaxes him to reaffirm his confession, asking him, "You wanna ride me, huh?". Hiro affirms that he does and Zero Two asks him to say it one more time; he then shouts it out for her.

Zero Two takes Hiro in her arms and they assume their waltzed pose in order to pass the security restrictions and break through to the Strelizia. Once in the cockpit, Nana orders them over the comm to get out and that they do not have permission to launch. Zero Two declares she's going out with her darling and cuts Nana off mid-sentence. Hiro pauses, due to his anxiety of failing to pilot a FRANXX yet again. Zero Two reassures him that he can do it, later rephrasing it to "they" can do this. Now revitalized by Zero Two's encouragement, they pair-up and the Strelizia destroys the carrier and takes to the skies, en route to rescue the Parasites once again.

Episode 05: Your Thorn, My Badge
Zero Two first appears waiting for Hiro so that they can have breakfast together. She insists on sitting beside Hiro at Futoshi's expense, thereby forcing Futoshi to sit at the girl's table by Kokoro's invitation. While Ichigo gives the morning prayer, Zero Two is hard at work slathering her entire breakfast (and Hiro's) with honey. She then begins feeding Hiro to the disgust of Goro and the jealousy of Zorome. Futoshi and Kokoro imitate them while Ichigo silently ponders into her teacup.

After breakfast, Hiro gives Zero Two a tour of The Birdcage and their life as parasites. Zero Two then divulges that she'll soon be living there too, her announcement causes displeasure among the Parasites, especially from Ichigo who immediately confronts Nana about this development. Ichigo accepts her stay as the will of Papa then personally sees Zero Two to her accommodations. Zero Two finds Ichigo "bossy" for not letting her share a room with Hiro.

During the joint briefing between Plantations 13 and 26, Hachi informs them that Zero Two and the Strelizia will guard the main pipeline during the kissing. The plan is met with strong opposition by the leader of the Plantation 26 parasites. He recounts an operation from 2 years prior with Zero and his Parasites. He denounces Zero Two as "reckless and shows no concern for others". He even divulges that she is the reason his previous partner is dead. Zero Two utters "Weaklings die, Big Deal". The leader is about to attack Zero Two until Hiro intervenes and defends her honor, thus defusing the situation.

Later that night, Goro spots Ichigo and Zero Two sneaking out at midnight. Apparently Ichigo pulled Zero Two aside to ensure she stay in line for the upcoming mission. Zero Two dismisses her for being bossy again and begins to leave. Ichigo grabs her wrist and begins to beg Zero Two not to push Hiro too hard. Ripping herself from Ichigo's grasp, Zero Two responds that "darling (Hiro) said that he wanted to ride with her". Ichigo continues to beg her not to put a heavy burden on Hiro. Zero Two questions Ichigo if she wants Hiro and reminds her that she tried to ride with him and that "they" didn't work. Ichigo exclaimed to leave her out of it; Zero Two tells her that she should stay out of it. Ichigo asks if she's trying to "suck him dry", Zero Two declares "darling belongs to me". An agitated Ichigo warns her that Hiro could die. Zero Two brushes it off saying that he could, and if he did then he wouldn't have amounted to much. Angered and frustrated, Ichigo calls her heartless and inhuman. She then slaps Zero Two hard so hard that it damages her headband, knocking it off. Zero Two becomes enraged, her eyes and horns start to glow a malevolent red. The red-eyed Zero Two, glaring at Ichigo, questions her on what it means to be "human". Frightened by the being before her, Ichigo runs back to the birdcage in tears and it starts to rain. Zero Two is calmed by the feeling of the rainfall.

The next morning, Hiro goes outside and approaches a soaked Zero Two by the lake. It is implied she spent the rest of the night out in the rain. Zero Two tells him that everything smells nice after it rains. Zero Two reminisces of the time they first met. Hiro thanks her, stating that the reason he's still there is because of her and that she gave him the chance to pilot a FRANXX. Zero Two unzips his uniform revealing a blue tumor. Zero Two asks him if it hurts and if he wants to walk away from being her partner. Hiro admits that it hurts, but confirms that he'll ride with her. Zero Two smiles and begins to joyfully laugh and dance, having found someone willing to give his life for her.

Episode 06: DARLING in the FRANXX
On the dawn of the mission, Hiro spots Zero Two exiting the armoury. She glances back at him but doesn't approach as Ichigo is present. Hiro quickly ends his conversation with Ichigo and meets up with Zero Two.

During defence of the kissing, Zero Two and Hiro and oversee the battle while guarding the main pipeline, much to her boredom. Zero Two remarks that the Plantation 13 parasites'  tactics are all over the place and that they're barely hanging in there, as they are being overwhelmed by just 4 Conrad-class klaxosaurs, in contrast to the other squad's calculated and efficient method of combat. Hiro asks Zero Two why she fights klaxosaurs; she replies that the reason is because she's a monster too. Zero Two shoots the question back at an unsure Hiro, who shrugs and states it's to protect Papa and all the adults in the plantations. Zero Two remarks his answer is lame. Hiro proposes that if the squad needs their help they should move out, to which Zero Two agrees.

Without further ado, Zero Two and Hiro charge into battle and begins killing the klaxosaurs in bundles. Once the minor klaxosaurs have been wiped out due the collective efforts of both squads (and mostly the Strelizia), Target Beta, initially a massive cube-klaxosaur with horns transforms into a humanoid form and begins its advance to the pipeline. Hiro's health deteriorates as a result of clearing the minor klaxosaurs, Zero Two checks in on him reminding him that Target Beta is real threat. Once the parasites pin down Target Beta, the Strelizia flies into the air. Hiro aims to finish it in one-blow with a downward thrust as his final act. The attack was seemingly successful as Target Beta collapses. However, Target Beta punches the Strelizia off and quickly reassembles itself once again, this time into a battering ram preparing to attack the Strelizia. The Strelizia deactivates, showing Hiro has died at the cost of that last strike.

The Strelizia takes the full brunt of Target Beta's attack, sending it crashing into the main pipeline. With the link between Zero Two and Hiro now disconnected, Strelizia enters Stampede form, much to the horror of his squadmates. Zero Two attempts to retaliate, however futile, as she is embedded in the pipeline as Target Beta continually rams into it. Zero Two devolves into a primal state as she desperately tries to defend against the unending attack. Hiro miraculously revives, and the traces of the tumor rapidly disappear. Hiro calms a distressed Zero Two with an embrace, declaring he's her partner and he won't leave her alone. The Strelizia returns to it's Iron Maiden Form and knocks down Target Beta, rekindling the hope and amazement of everyone (especially Dr. FRANXX). Squad 13 repeats the earlier maneuver but with an upward strike. The attack shoots Target Beta into the sky as wings of light appear and impale it, finally putting an end to the gargantuan.

In the aftermath, Hiro is the one carrying a fatigued Zero Two out of the Strelizia this time. He is greeted and hugged by his comrades amazed that he is alive, breaking the "3 Ride" record of Zero Two. Standing apart from the celebration, Zero Two watches them. She turns to the Strelizia contemplating that she has to kill more and more klaxosaurs.

Episode 07: Shooting Star Moratorium
Zero Two tells Dr. FRANXX that they didn't have to come all the way. Nana introduces Hiro to Dr. FRANXX, the creator of FRANXX. She begins to introduce a boy, but he stops her. He approaches Hiro and says that he's the first person to survive Zero Two. He says that he has an interest in them. Hachi tells the doctor that Strelizia and Code 002 are transferred into Plantation 13's purview. He waves at him and says that the geezers already told him. When Hachi announces that they're officially partners, Zero Two hugs Hiro.

Dr. FRANXX tells Hiro not to let him consume his emotions if he wants to always be her partner. Otherwise, he'll suffer.

Later, after the successful kissing with Plantation 26, Unit 13 is given a special vacation. Zero Two, along with a majority of the other children, is excited to be at the ocean. She pulls Hiro to the water. She splashes him and they laugh together.

Hiro follows Zero Two into the water and the three boys begin watching them. She notes how nice it feels to swim in the ocean. Hiro seems embarrassed when he looks at her and she asks what's wrong. He says she looks good, but she can't look her in her eyes. She thanks him for all he did for her.

Zero Two seems to be about to kiss Hiro, but she instead licks his cheek. She teasingly asks what he was expecting. She says that a kiss is a declaration that the other person belongs to you and you should only kiss the person you love. She asks if he maybe kissed someone else. Before he can answer, Goro, Zorome, and Futoshi pull Hiro under the water, leaving her alone in the water.

Mitsuru tells the group that he found something strange and leads the group through a thin pass. Zero Two walks along at the back of the group through the pass and the forest path before being brought to what appears to be a city. Zorome comments that it's nothing like the cities that adults live in. Kokoro asks if people live there, and Mitsuru replies that he'd never heard of anyone living outside the plantations.

Ichigo comes to a bookstore where she sees a poster featuring a kissing couple. She thinks of her and Hiro's kiss and touches her lip. Zero Two suddenly says behind her that she did it with Hiro. Ichigo is startled and asks her what she means. She answers "kiss" and says that she probably isn't ready for it yet. Ichigo says that she has too. Zero Two asks with who and says that it should only be shared with someone special. She asks if that person was special to her. Before she can answer, Goro calls her and he and Hiro wave them over.

They walk back to the rest of the group and Miku says that she's exhausted. Kokoro agrees. Zorome wonders about the city and Ikuno says that they can be sure that it was part of civilization. Goro asks if people lived there in the past. Zero Two answers that they abandoned it and that humans used to live on the surface. She says that there are tons of places like that around the world.

Back at the beach, food had been delivered. They all begin eating and Goro hands Zero Two a shish kabob. She tells Hiro that she's going to go swimming before running off to the sea.

Hiro asks why they think humanity abandoned the surface and wonders if humanity hadn't started extracting magma energy, if the klaxosaurs wouldn't have showed up. Mitsuru asks if he's doubting Papa and the rest. He says that they moved into plantations in order to protect mankind. This pumps Zorome up, to Mitsuru's disdain, and Futoshi as well. Zorome asks if he agrees and when he shyly answers, he asks why he's acting so aloof when he's their teammate. Miku says that they have to put in both his and Naomi's share of the work. Kokoro says that she finds it reassuring that they're with them. Futoshi and Goro agree. Ichigo stands and officially welcomes him and Zero Two to the squad. He thanks them all.

When Zorome finds a crab, Futoshi wants to eat it. Mitsuru is surprised that he still wants to eat, causing the others to laugh. Zero Two watches this from the water.

That night, while everyone but Hiro and Ichigo are asleep, Zero Two watches the shooting stars from a rock.

Episode 08: Boys × Girls
As the parasites are fighting a klaxosaur, it spews goo. It leaks into the cockpits and melts the girls' parasite suits. Though the boys begin spacing out, they don't tell the girls and they finish off the klaxosaur. Hiro finally tells Zero Two and the rest of the girls realize what's happened.

The girls cover themselves with a towel and glare at their partners. Besides Zero Two, who doesn't seem to mind. The boys look embarrassed, and Goro explains they only didn't tell because they didn't want to distract them during the battle. Futoshi says he didn't because he found Kokoro to be amazingly beautiful. Kokoro turns red and looks away. Mitsuru calls him an idiot and walks away.

Zorome tells him that it's not like it hurt them to be seen, and Hiro says that Zero Two said it is better that parasites are a bit pervy, which Zero Two confirms. This annoys the girls further.

As the girls shower, they discuss what happened and wonder how long they had been ogling them. Kokoro says they're taking things a bit too far, but Miku says that should quit.

The girls begin splitting the area of the house between the boys and girls. Zorome begins to cross, but is threatened by Miku and stops. Dr. FRANXX and the two apes watch. Hachi says that it's unprecedented for so many members of a squad to hit puberty at once. Nana says that it has always been at most one or two together. Nana says that if they go by Ape's manual, they should intervene and resolve the issue immediately. Dr. FRANXX asks what would be the point of the test team if they did that. He tells them to observe and write for him detailed reports. He tells them not to interfere or tell "the geezers."

The girls talk about what's happened but notice that Zero Two is ignoring their split. As they go to reprimand her, the boys walk in from swimming in the lake wearing only boxers. Though Miku tells them to get dressed, he says they can do whatever they like on their side. As they clean the bath, Ichigo says that it must have been Goro's idea.

When they go to eat, the boys are already there. Goro says that they've already taken over the area. Miku becomes annoyed, so Goro suggests that drop all the rules and eat together. Zero Two walks in and Miku attempts to follow her, but the other girls pull her back.

In the yard, Zero Two plays with a ball as Hiro says that everyone's gotten too stubborn and they need to do something. She says she thinks the opposite and that they need to spice it up a bit.

When Kokoro enters a small greenhouse, she finds Mitsuru. He slips his medication into his pocket and she asks if he has an interest in plants as he tucks a baby book into her pocket. He says no, and that it's a good place for being alone. Kokoro says she begged Nana to let her take care of the greenhouse. She tells him about the meaning of some of the flowers and then asks if he doesn't mind chatting with her when the girls and boys are "feuding." He says it's stupid and can't be bothered. Kokoro is amazed and says it takes a lot of courage to refuse to toe the line and she was too scared to say anything. When he walks closer to her, she panics and drops her book. He says that it doesn't matter to him and walks out.

Miku, Ichigo, and Ikuno look for food and go to the first floor. They had never been there before, and find a room that says "keep out." Ichigo wonders how long things will go on like that and Ikuno says she wouldn't mind if it didn't ever. Zero Two licks her and says she tastes a secret. She begins to walk away, but Miku tells her to wait.

In one of the girls bedrooms, Miku asks whose side she's on. She says that they're just playing around, but Ichigo says they're serious. Hearing that, she says she'll play along.

She changes the girls only bath sign to allow boys and, when they enter naked, the girls are already bathing. They become angry and begin throwing bathing supplies at them. Zero Two runs out with their clothes and Hiro chases her. They meet on the roof where Hiro begins laughing after she throws their clothes in the air. She says she wanted to take part in a human fight.

Nana and Hachi scold the group after they get dressed. In the girl's room, Zero Two tells them if they half-ass things, they'll end up adults. She says to say what they want because they'll all die sooner or later before leaving.

Zero Two is among the parasites when they find Miku. When they wonder what the room is, Zero Two says that it's probably one of the rooms the former Squad 13 used. Zorome questions what happened and Zero Two says they were obviously wiped out.

Later on, Zorome and Miku are seen bickering before they enter their FRANXX. Hiro says that he wants get to know Zero Two better. She tells him to grab on and never let go of her.

Episode 09: Triangle Bomb
In the beginning of the episode, the members of Squad 13, with the exception of Zero Two, receive presents from Papa. When she sees Hiro's requested present is a book, Zero Two's attention is riveted, and she asks if it is a picture book. When he replies in the negative, Zero Two is shown to have a rather disappointed face.

Later that morning, Hiro presents her with an item that had once belonged to his former (and likely deceased) partner Naomi: A silver-finished hand mirror. He explains that he noticed Papa had given her nothing, and so as a result decided to make sure she also has a gift. Zero Two reacts by putting her arms around Hiro, thanking him for thinking of her.

As Squad 13 is sent on a mission against an airborne Gutenberg-class klaxosaur, Goro ejects Ichigo out of Delphinium to prevent her from perhaps being killed by the enemy's self-inflicted explosions. When the squad later returns to their sortie, Zero Two assists Ichigo in rescuing Goro by carrying her in Strelizia's hand, before slipping Squad 13's leader into the klaxosaur through its exhaust vent.

Episode 10: The City of Eternity
She and Squad 13 ventured into Cerasus Inner City but she's not amazed, remarking that the city's lifeless.

Episode 11: Partner Shuffle
She accompanies Squad 13 on a sortie against a Gutenberg-class Klaxosaur.

Episode 12: The Garden Where It All Began
Zero Two and Squad 13 returns to the Garden. She is anxious and came to the library with Hiro to find a picture book. She nearly sank her teeth in Hiro's neck but luckily, she was still conscious enough to realize what she's doing. Problems later arose as she goes on a killing spree. When she was ordered to return, she attacked other members of Squad 13 and strangled Hiro. Their minds merged through Strelitzia.

Episode 13: The Beast and the Prince
Hiro connects deeply with the consciousness of Zero Two and catches a glimpse of the memory that flows from there. It was a memory of their childhood, Hiro remembers that they had once met when she was nameless and unable to speak

Episode 14: Punishment and Confession
Zero Two and Hiro realize they knew each other as children. Zero Two catches Hiro before he collapses and asks if he's her darling from her childhood and is horrified thinking of what she had done. Ichigo suddenly interrupts and throws her off of him and into Goro. He asks if she's alright as Ichigo tries to revive Hiro. The other FRANXX wait. When they return to the docking facility, Hiro is taken for treatment. Zero Two realizes what Hiro meant when he said he wanted to understand her better.

Hachi announced they must neutralize every klaxosaur inhabiting Gran Crevasse. Nana says that it is a joint operation with the 9's and FRANXX squad from each plantation. He says that Squad 13 is schedules to be part of the sixth wave. Nana says it will be their most difficult mission and Ichigo raises her hand. She asks that Zero Two is removed from Squad 13 as of that mission and, if not, Squad 13 will not participate in the operation. Nana says that she was set to return to the 9's as of the mission anyway. Zero Two protests, but the parasites stop her from seeing him.

When Hiro gets up, he is stopped by Miku. Zero Two is also guarded and prevented from leaving her room. Ichigo comes in to see Hiro and they chat. She gives him an apple. She tells him that Zero Two is returning to the 9's the next night. She asks if he hates her and says that, even if he does, not to go anywhere.

Hiro apologizes and Ichigo cuts her thumb, so Hiro bandages it for her. Zero Two remembers what Ichigo said and thinks that she knew she could never be a human. Ichigo leaves the knife and apple peels. Zero Two breaks out of her room as Ichigo returns. She roughly throws Goro against a window. Ichigo scolds Zero Two and asks if she wants to lie to him again. She says she's wrong and just wants to talk to him.

Goro tells Ichigo to let her see him and Kokoro agrees, stating that it's sad to see them apart. Goro says that she can meet him, but they're all going to be there. When they enter the room, it's empty. Hiro had used the knife to make a rope out the curtains. He then tied the knife to it and climbed upstairs, escaping containment. Zero Two becomes enraged and says that they tricked her. Hiro unknowingly goes to Zero Two's room.

He asks through the door if she knew about their past. He opens the door to find the room destroyed. He returns to the hospital to find all his teammates unconscious and her attacking Ichigo. Zero Two, with a devious grin, invites Hiro to "talk lots and lots". Hiro scolds her for being such a monster. She realizes the damage she'd done to him.

Zero Two leaves the plantation as the other parasites watch her leave silently. She passes by Hiro without saying anything. When Ichigo suggests they go inside, she finds that he's crying. He is about to go after her, but Ichigo stops him, saying he'll turn into a monster. When he turns away again, she grabs his face and kisses him.

9'a greets Zero Two and presents her with the stamens that Dr. FRANXX brought for her.

Ichigo says she doesn't regret the kiss they shared during the mock battle and that she wants to be with him forever. Goro overhears this and sadly smiles. Ichigo says that he'd always been her everything and that she'd never been interested in anyone else. He looks up to see Zero Two's ship.

Episode 15: The Bird that Shares Wings
Her face is deathly pale, her eyes blood red and her horns long enough to touch the ceiling. Hiro tries to connect, but he gets no response. He holds her horns and asks to be taken to her. He later saw her memories.

She cannot remember things, but begins to when she recognizes familiar actions. She licks her wounds in a similar way. Seeing her book, she begins eating it. She learns the word "boku," and Zero Two, and "darling." She remembers him getting attacked and begins crying.

Zero Two's horns break and Hiro hugs her. She pushes him away and tells him not to look at her. They apologize and cry holding each other. He says they can see the world together and kisses her as they both begin to give way to their emotions. Through their tears of joy, Strelitzia emerges, more powerful than ever and with an inverted color scheme. She then completely annihilates the Super-Lehmann-class Klaxosaur threatening Plantation 13, and the two confess their love for each other while doing so. Futoshi and Zorome cry, as the latter playfully ruins the moment and says, "Cut the comms, dumbass." Ichigo says she's happy for them as a lone "tear" flows down Delphinium's face. The 9's begin attacking as well, after Alpha asks, "Do you think we should get going, too?"

Inside the mountain klaxosaur, they find that its core is a collective mass of cores. A large hand suddenly shoots up from the ground. 9'a laughs and says that it reacted quickly. It crushed the plantation, leaving behind a pile of debris. Squad 13 (and Mistillteinn, for that matter) was lucky enough to still be standing as they stood between the hand's digit.

Episode 16: Days of Our Lives
In her room, Zero Two happily files her horns as she looks at herself using Naomi's mirror.

Later, Ichigo serves up their rations. When Zorome complains, Ichigo takes his rations and says he doesn't have to eat it. Ikuno enters and offers to help, but Ichigo says that it's fine and asks if her fever went down. Zero Two places her forehead on Ikuno and says that she's 36.7 degrees (a normal body temperature) but tells her not to push herself.

They pray for Papa before they eat, though Zero Two eats anyway. Zero Two lists off the chores and Miku, smiling, notes that she's meticulous.

...

Hiro and Zero Two walk together. Hiro says that Goro must have gotten child fever last week. Zero Two curiously looks at a plant. Hiro explains that they're sakura buds. He says that they're a really pretty color, like her hair. She giggles and says she wants to see them.

He asks how she felt about their lives and she says they're having fun and would like to live like that forever. He scooches closer to her and is about to hold her hand, but she suddenly remembers that she was supposed to go bathing with the other pistils. She tells him not to peek.

The girls bathe in the river. Miku asks if they seen Mitsuru's hair as she washes Zero Two's hair. Ikuno says that he looks pretty good. Zero Two sees a fish and is about to get it, but Miku stops her. Miku says that her hair's a pretty color, and Zero Two says that Hiro said so too. Miku pours water on her head and asks if they always talk about corny stuff. She tackles her and pushes her into the water. When she says that she'll wash hers, she notices that she has grey hair.

The parasites meet in their living room and Ichigo says that they have five sources they can use for drinking water. Mitsuru says that only two of them are only usable with filtering. Ikuno asks if they can repair the circulation system themselves. Hiro says that Mistilteinn doesn't have the equipment. Futoshi says that their access to the elevator is restricted too. Zorome asks why they don't send a letter to Papa and ask him to fix it. Goro says that he doesn't think there'd be a point. The parasites sadly reflect on their vulnerability, so Zero Two says that they should cook their own food. The others agreed

...

Ichigo welcomes Hiro, Goro, and Zero Two back from fishing. Zorome and the rest are impressed with the 11 fish that she caught. Goro caught 9 and Hiro, awkwardly smiled and scratched his head, saying he didn't catch any. Zero Two says she'll teach him later. The others want to try fishing as well.

Goro asks Ichigo how she is, and she says that the mood really changed. She happily watches as Zero Two tells the rest how to fish. Ichigo says that Hiro was right about her being a normal girl. She says she wants whats best for her and Hiro.

Futoshi says that they cried and laughed more than ever before.

That night, Kokoro and Miku sleep together. Zero Two draws pictures in her room of the book they read together. When Hiro says that it's a sad story, she says that it was her first "pretty thing." She met him and wanted to have something beautiful with him. She realizes now what it means to be human and they embrace.

They hear a klaxosaur scream as another horned girl is shown.

Episode 17: Eden
Ikuno holds a mirror for Zero Two as she files her horns. She asks if it hurts and she says not a bit at all. When she finishes, she tells Miku. She presents a flower headband and places it on her head. Zero Two asks what it looks like and Miku says perfect and that Hiro will love it. Zorome suddenly runs up and says there's a problem.

The Nines later arrived at Mistillteinn on Papa's order. 9'α and Zero Two had a private chat in the woods.

Smiling, 9'α asks how long she's going to play human since she'll never be the same as them. Though they're unique, they're imperfect unlike she and the other nines. She tells him not to call her "Iota" but "Zero Two." He asks if she's throwing away the Special Forces code name that Papa gave her. She says that her darling gave it to her and it's important. He begins laughing at her as she walks away. He wishes her luck, again calling her "Iota."

Zero Two looks at the flame of a candle in her room when Hiro calls out to her. He asks about her flower headband. She says that Miku made it for her. She shyly tells him not to stare, but says it's okay after he compliments her.

Zero Two pushes his bangs back to reveal small blue horns poking through his forehead. She says that they'd grown bigger. She thinks that they must be because he rode with her or because they drank each others blood. She sadly says that she drastically altered his destiny. He leans in and places his horns against her's. They kiss and rest their foreheads against each other. Blushing, Hiro says that it makes him happy to be more similar to her.

She tells him that she ate her old picture book when they were trying to erase her memories. She says that she started wanting to become human because she wanted to see him again and she was told that she could do that by killing klaxosaurs, though she realizes she shouldn't have believed them. Hiro asks if Papa and the rest told her, but she doesn't answer.

She asks that he show her the picture he drew. He refuses, so she playfully snatches it from him. She finds that he crudely drew a picture of a king. She begins laughing and he covers his face in embarrassment. She says that it's approved and she loves it as she holds it against her chest.

The next day, 9'α had been poking around and conflict arose as interrogates Kokoro on the childbirth book. A harsh exchange of words soon followed, with Ikuno slapping 9'α.

Episode 18: When the Sakura Blooms
Hiro explains to the parasites that he wants to have a wedding. As they don't know what it is, Hiro explains that it was a ceremony where two people would make a vow together. Miku asks who will get married. Hiro says Kokoro and Mitsuru. Kokoro says that Hiro told them about it and it sounded wonderful. Mitsuru says they decided to do it before leaving. Goro, Miku, and Zorome voice their support. Though they stop to check on Futoshi, he exclaims that he wants to play the priest so he can be right beside Kokoro and Mitsuru to congratulate them. Kokoro thanks him.

Zero Two shows Kokoro a drawing of a wedding dress. Kokoro asks what material they can use to make it. Miku and Ichigo collect curtains to do so. Ichigo looks around the abandoned room that the couple slept in and notices a camera. Mitsuru and Goro make rings for the wedding and Mitsuru explains what they're for. When Goro says that Kokoro will love it, Mitsuru blushes and says he hopes so.

The parasites paint the side of the house. Ichigo bring Ikuno out and they all pose for a picture.

Zero Two looks at her mirror and headband. She is about to draw something, but stops and looks at the drawings for her book. She hears screaming and a black hole appears in the ground. Stamen, such as 081, climb out of the hole and pull at her. The large hand is about to strike her, but she is woken up by Hiro.

Hiro asks if she's okay and she shakes in his chest. She smiles and says she dozed off. Hiro says her books almost complete, and she smiles and says she'll show it to him when she's done.

Zero Two and Hiro walk through the sakura. Zero Two wears a formal pistil outfit that Kokoro lent her and Hiro compliments her. She asks if he remembers their promise to marry and he says he does. They spin around in the petals.

As the others wait outside, Mitsuru paces at the bottom of the stairs. Kokoro comes down in her wedding dress. Mitsuru looks at her but becomes embarrassed and looks away. She takes his hand and says they'll find happiness together. Ikuno runs down the stairs and gives them each flowers and then opens the doors.

Zorome asks if they ring the bells now and Miku says yes. The parasites ring their bells as Mitsuru and Kokoro walk together as well as throwing petals. Futoshi cries.

Hachi watches the wedding from the control room but an APE assault ship appears. Alpha greets him from the monitor and Hachi asks who authorized them. Alpha answers that Papa did. Hachi asks if they are going to force them into the parasite camp's re-indoctrination program when Squad 13 is exempt from it. Alpha says just two of them. Alpha tells him to just sit there and watch, like usual.

Futoshi tells the couple to exchange rings. After they do, Futoshi tells them to kiss. Before they can, they are interrupted by APE SP who tell them to freeze. When Zorome questions them, he is hit with a gun. Futoshi stands in front of them and tells them to run. They do, but are stopped by the nines. Alpha tells them that Papa said they were dangerous and need to be re-indoctrinated.

Zero Two leaps forward and Alpha asks if she's still playing human. She tries to attack him, but he jumps away. The other nines begin attacking her as well. They hold her down and Alpha tells her that she mustn't defy Papa. SP take the couple and tear them from each other. Hachi comes down the steps and watches.

The parasites sit sadly around the yard. Hiro thinks that it's like the Garden and they're not allowed any happiness. As they pack, Hiro wonders where they were taken and if they'll come back. The cargo ship comes and picks them up.

Nana sits in a cell and Hachi asks what he could have said to them if he had emotions. He remembers Nana as a parasite when her FRANXX was destroyed. Hachi opened it to find her and her stamen. The SP later took her away too as he watched. The door to her cell closes and he wonders if she could have supported them.

One APE asks what happened with the klaxosaur princess. Gorilla says he thought she would just surrender and asks why they weren't told she was to be assassinated. Marmoset says they seek a world where APE and humanity can live for all eternity. Vice Chairman says they predicted what happened and it won't be a problem, since they already possess the replacement key. Papa tells them to look at the big picture and that they will be released from their bodies when they realize their ideals.

At the Bird Nest, Ikuno says the parasites are being summoned in order. Miku says that it reminds her of Garden. The stamen talk about how it's been weeks since their last mission. Ichigo gets a message and they go to the door.

Kokoro and Mitsuru walk through. Though they still have their rings, they don't remember the wedding or each other. Hachi watches them as well.

Hiro says that they have to fight their destiny.

Episode 19: Inhumanity
Hiro walks up and Ichigo asks about Zero Two. He says she just needs some final tune-ups. He tells the group that he's thinking of directly asking Papa to return them to normal.

Looking at his robotic hand, Hiro asks that Misturu and Kokoro's memories be returned. Papa refuses and says that they removed the unnecessary information and there is no way to return them. The rest of the parasites are distressed and the Vice Chairman says that what they're doing is a severe breach of protocol and would normally be punished, but they'll let it off with a mere mention on their record. He says to return to their waiting quarters. Futoshi demands that they apologize. Zorome asks how many klaxosaurs they have to kill before they can become adults. They don't answer and Zorome asks what they're living for. Hiro says that they took away Zero Two and his precious memories as well as Kokoro and Mitsuru's. He says they can't see him as their Papa and to set them free once the battle is over. Papa agrees, as long as they fulfill their duties in next mission. Then they hang up. Dr. FRANXX tells them to show whether they can become real humans. Hiro says he saw him in Zero Two's memories and that he can't forgive him before walking out.

Zero Two sits outside. He stares at her horns and she calls him a pervert. He smiles and tells her that they made their decision. He holds out his hand and they walk away. The doctor watches them walk away holding hands.

Episode 20: A New World
Gorilla says that they don't need to worry and Baboon says that that's why they modified it for so long. Another says that they're implanting Strelizia in Star Entity's core. Papa says to Zero Two that it is for that purpose that they raised her. She is unimpressed, but Hiro grabs her hand and asks what happens after that. He says that the future will belong to humanity if they defeat the klaxosaurs. He says they won't call him "Papa" anymore and they'll control their own destiny.

As squad 13 eats together, Futoshi tells Goro that both Kokoro and Mitsuru took off their rings. Goro is surprised he noticed and begins to ask if he's not over her, but stops and apologizes. Kokoro suddenly spills her water and runs to the bathroom to throw up.

On D-Day, at Bird Nest, Vice Chairman says that APE has always desired peace and prosperity for mankind. Marmoset tells them to offer all of themselves. Papa says they will finally prevail. 9'α watches the squad and becomes annoyed when he sees Zero Two yawn.

After the assembly, the 9's mock squad 13. Zero Two steps forward and says they're all stronger than them, since they have their eyes on the future. This angers Alpha and he says that Papa only treats them differently because they're his tools before they all walk away. The squad is thankful to Zero Two but are interrupted by a siren.

An announcer says that a klaxosaur pack is headed towards Gran Crevasse. The parasites all head out. Kokoro rubs her finger and Mitsuru says they were partners, so they should be able to connect.

At the Gran Crevasse ruins, the FRANXX attack the klaxosaur. When Mitsuru compliments Kokoro, he has a pain in his head when saying her name. Genista struggles, and Kokoro gets the same pain when saying "Mitsuru."

Hiro, Zero Two, Dr. FRANXX, and Hachi go down an elevator with Strelizia. Hiro and Zero Two discuss their plans and Zero Two says she doesn't care as long as they're together. She is about to say something about the last page of the book, but stops herself. They kiss as they promise to be together forever.

They reach the bottom of Gran Crevasse. Zero Two hears something coming and they leave. One of the snake klaxosaur break through the wall and 001 says she won't allow them to do what they wish with their child. Dr. FRANXX asks if she's there to take back Star Entity, but he says she can't since she's the last surviving klaxo sapiens. He says he'll operate it with her, since he always dreamed of it since they met. She suddenly pins him down and says she needs no partner, but she will use the one he's offered.

Strelizia tries to open a gate, but can't. 001 catches up and pulls Zero Two out, saying that she's a duplicate that does not realize she is being used by the invaders. She says she isn't fit to pilot their child before throwing her out. She kisses Hiro and says he must not be an ordinary human before closing the door. She says she will devour him and opens the door.

At Cosmos, Gorilla says that the worst has come to pass and the work on 002 will be in vain. Marmoset says that if she connects to Star Entity, they'll be defeated. The Vice Chairman says they've already taken measures.

Hachi and Dr. FRANXX see that she connected to Strelizia, and Dr. FRANXX falls into Hachi. He says he wasn't expecting her to link with a human and thinks she will devour once again.

Hiro asks how she can pilot Strelizia. She says it was originally one of their brethren. Her horns begin glowing and she sends a message to the pilots. Dr. FRANXX and Hachi hear as well. Dr. FRANXX says that he found that the klaxosaur split into two forms. One returned to the earth and became energy. Baboon says that the seal is an affront. Gorilla says that the magma energy is part of the planet's resources that saved humans from ruin. 001 says they're selfish and asks if they now want to steal her child. She says she will not allow it and that the child is a crystallization of their bonds.

Alpha tells her not to talk down to Papa. Dr. FRANXX finishes that the other form consumed that energy and evolved physically and stopped mingling with one another and lost their intelligence. Hachi asks what they are, and he says weapons built by the klaxo sapiens. They are composed of one male and one female klaxo sapiens. The female's soul connected to the weapon, and the male's soul took root in the core, the cockpit. Hachi says that it's similar to the FRANXX. Dr. FRANXX says they're an application of the klaxosaur system. Klaxosaurs that can be piloted by humans genetically modified to be similar. The parasites realize they'd been kept in the dark.

001 tells her child to awaken since they're nearly there. She begins the implanting process. Papa says that he was hoping it wouldn't come to this, but they have no choice. Vice Chairman says they wanted to take it and Hringhorni to space as soldiers. Papa says that, if they can't have it, then it can go down along with the planet and they will return to their original roles.

Klaxosaur begin popping out from the ground and shooting into space. They shoot spaceships in the sky. Star Entity wakes up and Dr. FRANXX says its beautiful. 001 says that the humans made her ugly, but it's okay. She says a long time ago, when they were attacked by invaders from the expanse of space, they fought and drove them off and then holed up in the earth to prepare. They shoot at a VIRM fleet. They shoot back and 001 says that she won't let them touch their planet. It shoots back and destroys it. Papa says its futile and she asks what VIRM did to their child. The chairman and vice chairman's masks fall and the vice chairman says that Star Entity is a mass of life that could disturb the universe's peace. Papa says that if the klaxosaur princess took over the implanting process, they programmed it to explode. They say that the planet will explode and leave nothing behind. Papa says that they'll take them to eternal paradise.

Zero Two continues to walk forward and says she'll keep her promise to Hiro.

Episode 21: For You, My Love
Vice Chairman announces that it is VIRM's will for star energy, which is a mass of life that could disturb the universe's peace. Papa says that if the klaxosaur princess took over the implanting process, they programmed it to explode. The other members of the counsel are confused and Papa explains that they have assimilated several lifeforms from all over the universe and helped them break free of the shells of their bodies. Vice Chairman says that the time has come for humans to embrace their evolution. They say that there exists a form of pleasure that is gentle and perpetual that they will experience. The three fall to the ground.

Hiro curses as 001 struggles. He connects to her consciousness. He asks if she's been alone since humanity existed. Zero Two walks along looking for Hiro. The other parasites watch as VIRM kills other parasites. They wonder who they should be fighting.

Dr. FRANXX says that the detonation stalled once Hiro connected, the explosion is triggered by stampede mode. Zero Two says that he bought them some time before collapsing.

The parasites wonder what they should do and worry about what the announcement said. They agree to return to Gran Crevasse to see for themselves.

001 says that VIRM got her and that it's no use. Hiro asks about VIRM and how long she'd been alive. 001 says that it has been more than sixty million years. They inhabited Earth as an advanced civilization. One day, VIRM arrived. They were a group mind with no physical bodies, and they wanted them to cast aside their bodies and join. During war, they forged themselves into immortal weapons and evolved into Klaxosaurs. By the time they fought off VIRM, fighting and warfare were all that remained of their civilization and they lost their ability to procreate. The enemy they fought off was VIRM's vanguard. To prepare for their return, they went underground and the weak turned themselves into energy, and the strong combined to evolve into even stronger weapons.

Zero Two wakes up and says that 001 called her a fake. Dr. FRANXX says that 001 is the sole survivor of the klaxo sapiens, and she is her clone. She was created to operate Star Entity on behalf of the human race. He says that she was the only success. He created the 9's using her cells too, but they didn't inherit the Klaxosaur blood. She says that she's going to save Hiro and she doesn't care about the rest. Dr. FRANXX says he'll go as well.

As Unit 13 continues, they run into the 9's. They command them to return and continue to follow Papa's orders. They kill more klaxosaur, but are attacked and killed by VIRM.

The FRANXX break though and they go to help the two. Ikuno and Futoshi clear a path. Ikuno's turns grey. They let Zero Two go alone with Ichigo and Goro.

001 and Hiro continue to struggle. He relates to their want to fight but feels that he wasn't really living when he only wanted to fight.

Hringhorni begins flying. Alpha asks Papa to say something. Dr. FRANXX and Zero Two continue as they stay to fight VIRM. Dr. FRANXX sacrifices his arm to the door, as it contains 001's cells. Though he wanted them to turn him into a klaxosaur. The snake allows zero Two to ride. She asks him if he took her to Plantation 13 to reunite her with Hiro. He says he wasn't expecting them to rekindle what they had, just a whim. Smiling, she thanks him for creating her and helping her meet Hiro. After she goes, he wonders how she became so human.

As they break through the wall, the snake klaxosaur dies. She opens the door to Strelizia and tries to revive Hiro. She finds out that he's covered in blood and that they'd run out of time. Her horns break free and her skin turns red and she kisses him. 001 gives the rest of her strength to them. She stakes the planet on them.

The two reunite under a tree after keeping their promise. They kiss and the bomb disintegrates. It breaks their program and begins attacking VIRM. Dr. FRANXX finds her beautiful before a rock kills him. VIRM takes their lance and withdraws saying that they will bring back their army.

Panting, Hiro smiles and says to Zero Two that they did it. She doesn't respond, and her face is lifeless as her horn crumbles.

Episode 22: Stargazers
Hiro takes care of Zero Two while she is in a catatonic state and is confused when mysterious injuries begin showing up on her body. Hiro finds the last page of her story blank and he realizes she deliberately left it blank because she foresaw they would part ways one day. She starts wondering around from her room and goes outside, looking at the sky. Hiro vows to be with her and, when his horns make contact with her, he realizes her mind is with Strelizia and she is actually fighting the klaxosaurs and VIRM in Mars’ orbit system in space.

Hiro decides to go to the battlefield and save Zero Two even though Squad 13, specifically Goro, tell him he will die. Hiro says if Zero Two can’t smile at him, he would rather be dead. Before leaving, Hiro cuddles with Zero Two.

Episode 23: DARLING in the FRANXX
Zero Two stands outside and looking up at the sky while Kokoro and Mitsuru watch her. She starts walking aimlessly and trying to reach for the sky when new injuries begin appearing on her body. Kokoro becomes alarmed and makes it her responsibility to protect her.

In space, Hiro is able to connect with Zero Two’s consciousness and finds that her mind is filled with pages from her story. Hiro recalls his promise to be with her forever and wants her to devour him. Zero Two says they can’t be together because he needs to be human.

Zero Two says she is fine being alone but Hiro approaches her and offers his hand to her. She takes his hand and they embrace, with him vowing to be with her always. Zero Two merges with Strelizia and a warp gate opens. She explains to Squad 13 that the klaxo sapiens built the satellites to open it a long time ago. She and Hiro decide to enter it together because only they can go through. Squad 13 protests this and Zero Two explains they decided this in order to end the war. When asked if they will return, neither give an answer. Nevertheless, everyone says they believe Hiro and Zero Two will come back because their squad isn’t the same without them and they will all build a home together, moving Zero Two to tears. She and Hiro then enter the warp gate.

Episode 24: Never Let Me Go
After several days of traveling, Hiro notes he hasn’t had the need to eat and sleep, and wonders if he is becoming a full klaxosaur. Zero Two asks if he is afraid but he says no because he feels like he is becoming part of her. They come across a swarm of VIRM and proceed to wipe them out.

After two years, Hiro says he doesn’t recognize the stars because they are so far away from Earth. Zero Two suggests they create their own constellation before they encounter more VIRM and destroy them. Hiro loses consciousness for a moment and tells Zero Two about a dream he had where their friends were living normal lives.

They finally reach the VIRM home planet and are confronted by Papa and the Vice Chairman. VIRM soldiers attack them and Hiro is knocked out and loses his connection with Zero Two, who is impaled. Papa and the Vice Chairman says This is due to the pair’s incompatibility of Hiro being human and Zero Two a klaxosaur. Zero Two calls out for her friends to save Hiro. Squad 13 surmises Zero Two’s body can serve as a link to her and Hiro in space. They holds hands and send their thoughts to them, which reaches them and Hiro is able to reconnect with Zero Two. They decide to become one and vow to write their own story. Reverting back to the Strelizia, Hiro and Zero Two force the klaxosaur bomb into the planet. Knowing they will vanish when it detonates, they profess their love to each other. The bomb explodes and all the souls kept in the planet are liberated, though Papa and the Vice Chairman survive and vow to return at the peak of evolution.

On Earth, everyone sees the blast and realizes Hiro and Zero Two won but sacrificed themselves, which saddens them. Zero Two’s body then sheds into dust and a single plant is left. Over the next eight years, the memory of Hiro and Zero Two remains on the minds of their friends. Ichigo finishes Zero Two’s story book and all the children are taught to read it in their memory. Squad 13 reunites at a cherry tree that blossomed from the plant and they thank Hiro and Zero Two for teaching them about life, love, and humanity and for giving them a chance to live normal lives.

Sometime in the future, a young boy who resembles Hiro meets a young girl who resembles Zero Two. The young girl trips down on the roots and the and the young boy picks her up.Then the girl asks of the boy's name and he replies...

Hiro
Zero Two was enthralled by Hiro immediately after seeing him. They first meet when she was skinny dipping in Cerasus' lake. Being pleased with his taste and him not being afraid of her horns, she proposes that he become her "darling." Though they are briefly separated, they reunite after her partner dies and Hiro acts as his replacement. Their relationship becomes stronger with them both finding someone with whom they can successfully pilot with; being even able to pilot Strelizia in its iron maiden form.

As they spend more time together, Zero Two acts more flirtatious and teasingly towards Hiro, causing him to become bashful. Many of the things that she does seems foreign to the other parasites, such as sitting on Hiro's lap at the boys' table and feeding him. Their relationship is briefly strained after hearing of her past and seeing Mitsuru near death after riding with her, as Hiro becomes somewhat wary of her. He later realizes and confesses that he never really cared about riding the FRANXX, but wanted to ride with her.

After riding again with her, Hiro develops a tumor on his chest. Though Hiro could die, he feels that being useful to the others is more important than his life and thanks her for giving him the chance to pilot the FRANXX. Zero Two reaffirms that she is his partner and she alone. Zero Two then unzips his uniform revealing a pulsating blue klaxosaur tumor growing out of Hiro's chest. She reminds him that none of her partners have ridden with her more than 3 times. She ask him if it hurts, and relates that the pain must be unbearable, however she states "it looks beautiful". Zero Two poses Hiro that if he wants "off this ride" now's his chance. Unyielding, He declares "I'll ride with you!". Zero Two becomes overjoyed and begins laughing and dancing by the lake.

During the next battle, Strelizia flies into battle to help the other parasites. In the midst of combat, Hiro's tumor intensifies causing his engorged veins to show through his battle suit and spread to face. This causes their performance to slump and lag, prompting Zero Two to rile him up, this proves effective as Hiro pulls himself together and continues the fight.

Once all the Conrad-klaxosaurs have been annihilated, Squad 13 shifts priority to Target Beta which has taken a humanoid-form. Squad 13 immoblizes the titan while Hiro flies the Strelizia into the sky. He begins to pour what energy he has left into a downward thrust in hopes of killing it. The attack seems successful causing Target Beta to collapse. Hiro appears to have died causing the Strelizia to deactivate and go into Stampede.

In his death-like state, Hiro is greeted by Naomi. He subsequently sees Zero Two. Wondering if she came to say goodbye to him, He reaches out to her. However, Zero Two sadly turns away mirroring the beginning of the episode. Hiro wakes up and sees Zero Two desperately trying to fight of Target Beta. He desperately tries to tell Zero Two not to fight alone, in doing so, she'll cause her own death. Hiro then recalls that Zero Two is a monster and that she's been all alone. Zero Two can't "fly" by herself after all. Zero Two lets out a groan in pain then a newly revived Hiro grabs her from behind and calms her down. Zero Two eyes return from red to cyan and ask if it's really him. Hiro reminds her that he is her partner, and that he'll never leave her alone. The Strelizia's Iron Maiden form is then restored.

Hiro and Zero Two's relationship continues due to him surviving after his third time piloting with her. While at the beach on Squad 13's day off, Zero Two teases Hiro thinking she would kiss him again. When Zero Two had stolen the other Parasites clothing during a ‘gender conflict’ among the squad, Zero Two playfully taunted Hiro, telling him to catch her, or saying he has to do better, laughing as he chased her around the house. On the day the Parasites received presents, Hiro, feeling bad that everyone else got presents, gifted Zero Two with a hand mirror that was left behind by Naomi, with Zero Two thanking Hiro with a surprise hug.

Starting at episode 11, Hiro and Zero Two's relationship starts to dip, with Hiro asking Zero Two to open up to him if anything was weighing on her mind, however, she brushes his request off, calling it a pain. During the fight with the Klaxosaur collective, Zero Two expressed anger when Hiro had stopped her from attacking it, even though he also saved them from getting possibly crushed under its foot.

Episode 12 is where their suffering relationship begins to show, during the fight with Klaxosaurs, Hiro repeatedly bickers with Zero Two, saying they need to cooperate with the others, but his pleas fall upon deaf ears, And Zero Two annoyed that Hiro is also "getting in her way".

Later, at the lake in Mistilteinn that same episode, Hiro finds Zero Two biting her fingers, expressing concern, and asking what she means by "wanting to become human." In an effort to make her snap out of her state, Hiro desperately confesses his feelings for her, she, however brushes it off and pushes him to the ground, thinking he means it in a different manner, then stating that she will teach Hiro what comes after kissing, unbuttoning her uniform. When this did not work, Zero Two, in her off state, claims this isn't enough, telling Hiro to kill more Klaxosaurs to turn her human, calling him her Fodder.

During the episodes climax, as Zero Two maddeningly fights klaxosaurs, Hiro pleas that what she is doing will not satisfy her wish, fed up with Hiro, Zero Two commands that he should be quietly devoured like the fodder he is, taking complete control of Strelizia, causing it to enter its Stampede Mode. Zero Two begins to strangle Hiro, telling him to give her all of his life. Then stating that she will become human so she can meet her "Darling from back then" which, unbeknownst to her, was actually Hiro all along.

In Episode 13, it's revealed Hiro and Zero Two had already met each other before as children. Hiro helped her escape from a parasite experimentation laboratory after witnessing APE’s cruel experimentations on her. While they were on the run, Hiro named her Zero Two, helped her learn many things and molded her personality. He eventually promised he'd marry her and become her Darling, making Zero Two cry out of joy and hug him. Unfortunately, APE officers managed to catch them and wipe their memories away. After recovering their once lost memories through syncing in Strelizia, Zero Two and Hiro stare at each other with tears in their eyes, realizing they have finally found their lost love.

However, in Episode 14, after Zero Two beats each and every Squad 13 members, Hiro calls Zero Two a Monster. Deeming this as a punishment for what she did to Hiro, Zero Two leaves his side.

In Episode 15, having refused to give up on Zero Two. Hiro recklessly goes to the battlefield while using Training unit. After his Training unit destroyed, Hiro temporarily use Delphinium to forcefully enter Strelizia Stampede. There, Zero Two was consoled and even kissed by Hiro. Finally realizing that Hiro will be always at her side no matter what, Zero Two reciprocates Hiro feelings towards her.

Hiro speculates that he was able to pilot with Zero Two over three times due of him licking Zero Two's bleeding knee, allowing Hiro to adapt his body to Zero Two's Klaxosaur aspect.

In episode 16 and 17, they had fun together drawing Zero Two's "first pretty thing". They also talked together more and become openly affectionate with each other, including kissing and holding hands. Before Kokoro and Mitsuru’s wedding, Hiro and Zero Two talked about how beautiful the cherry blossom trees are and reaffirmed their promise to each other, spinning and laughing together.

However, in episode 19, after finding out Papa erased Kokoro and Mitsuru’s memories as punishment, Hiro openly rebelled against Papa for doing such a thing and demanded Squad 13’s release from duty if they win the final battle against the klaxosaurs. During this, Zero Two holds his hand in support. Before going into battle, they share a tender moment and express their desire to be together forever.

In episode 20 and 21, Hiro is forced to link with the klaxosaur princess who severely wounds Zero Two in the process. Zero Two, despite her injuries, pursues the Strelizia to save Hiro and, when she finally reaches him, she fears he is dead and tearfully pleads for him to live. She kisses him and he is revived, and their connection is restored in time to stop the VIRM from causing more destruction and force them to retreat. However, Hiro finds Zero Two unresponsive and her horns cracking.

In episode 22, Hiro tends to her and he learns that her mind is connected to Strelizia and she is actually fighting the VIRM in space. Despite it being a suicide mission, Hiro resolves to rescue her and depart with his squad mates to space.

In episode 23, Hiro is able to board Strelizia and mentally meets with Zero Two, whose mind is filled with images of her story book. She says they can’t be together because she is not human and she is fine with being alone. Hiro disagrees and offers her his hand, vowing to never leave her. They reconcile and reconnect, causing Strelizia to evolve into the Strelizia True Apus. They then decide to travel through a warp gate in order to eliminate the VIRM and put an end to the war for good.

In episode 24, after leaving their solar system, Zero Two says they started their ‘honeymoon’ wondering through space. In the final battle, they are nearly defeated when their connection is cut off but the prayers of their friends allows them to reconnect and they are able to destroy the VIRM home planet and liberate all the souls the VIRM collected. However, they end up sacrificing their lives to complete their mission. Before dying, they profess their love to each other and vow to meet again as long as their souls exist. A century passes, and one day, a boy resembling Hiro sits at a cherry blossom tree when a girl resembling Zero Two falls in front of him. He helps her up and they introduce themselves, revealing they are Hiro and Zero Two’s reincarnations.

Ichigo
Zero Two finds Ichigo bossy, even annoying. However, she does acknowledge the tension between them stemming from Ichigo's unrequited love towards Hiro, and takes visible pleasure in taunting her about their closeness. Ichigo is grateful that Zero Two saved her life and those of her squad, however, she also harbors resentment towards Zero Two due to her attitude and relationship with Hiro. This results in altercations between the two whenever they come face to face. Over the course of the series, Ichigo becomes saddened, which progresses toward depression due to her desire to be with Hiro combined with the fact that they are incompatible and Zero Two's attachment to him. Despite this, Ichigo welcomes her to the team after their battle together and even confronts 9α that she prefer battling together with Zero Two rather than with Nines. When Zero Two helps Ichigo rescue Goro, she is happy when Ichigo says that she trusts her, and admits that she doesn't dislike helping her out. Zero Two has also said that she likes Ichigo's taste after licking her cheek, much to Ichigo's discomfort.

Eventually, Ichigo become fed up to Zero Two and hated her very existence, mainly due to her jealousy that Hiro always had his view to Zero Two and not her. In episode 14, Ichigo won't allow Zero Two and Hiro to meet with each other and proposed to Nana that unless Zero Two is kicked out from Squad 13, they won't participate in next mission. Later, Ichigo is beaten by Zero Two due of Hiro absence when she, after discussing with Goro, reclutantly allow Zero Two to visit. After Zero Two gets deported for her actions, Ichigo tells a bewildered Hiro that this is for the best.

In Episode 15, Ichigo, finally realize Hiro unwavering feelings for Zero Two, deliver Hiro to Zero Two using Delphinium. Afterwards, their friendship starts anew.

In Episode 21, Ichigo helps Zero Two rush to rescue Hiro after the klaxosaur princess links with him. In the next episode, after Hiro decides to go to space to rescue Zero Two, Ichigo is worried he will die but she and the rest of the squad decide to help him because thesquad isn’t the same without Zero Two.

In episode 23, Ichigo is happy to see Zero Two is alive but she opposes Zero Two and Hiro’s decision to leave and fight the VIRM alone. However, Ichigo changes her mind and orders them, as Squad leader, to come back.

In episode 24, Ichigo constantly worries about Zero Two and Hiro. When she learns they sacrificed themselves to destroy the VIRM planet, she is saddened but resolves that everyone will continue rebuilding the planet and society the two will have a home to come to when they decide to return. Ichigo finish’s Zero Two’s book and encourages the new generation to read it so they will know about the two. She later credits the two for teaching everyone so many lessons on life.

Goro
Goro once commented that she wastes her "good looks" with her vicious eating habits. He seems to have a form of animosity towards Zero Two (mainly stemming from her dynamic with Ichigo) and his fear of her possibly causing Hiro's death.

Goro admires the relationship that Hiro and Zero Two share and secretly contemplates if he can share that with Ichigo. When they go to the beach, Goro passes a skewer to Zero Two. After initially shocked, she accepts and silently analyzes it.

Goro is the only one who treats Zero Two as an ally beside Hiro. In Episode 14, Goro convinces Ichigo to let Zero Two meet with Hiro, only to find Hiro gone missing. Although Goro tried to reason with Zero Two about this, Zero Two won't listen as she feel deceived by them. Despite all the turmoil that occurred as a result of this fall out, Goro didn’t hold any ill will towards Zero Two.

Although he continued to treat her as a comrade, he was still hesitant to watch Hiro made dangerous choices involving her. As, in episode 22, after she’s is left comatose for mentally connecting with Strelizia to fight the VIRM in space alone, Hiro was willing to risk his life to save her. Goro called him selfish for going off to die while everyone was struggling to survive. However, Goro changed his mind, as he admitted he was the one being selfish and also wanted to save Zero Two.

After Hiro and Zero Two sacrifice themselves to destroy destroy the VIRM, Goro mourned the death of his two friends but is grateful for everything he learned from them.

Miku
Miku initially feels uncomfortable with Zero Two because of her personality and horns. She later thinks that Zero Two and Hiro make a good couple which makes Ichigo uneasy. Zero Two (Strelizia) and Mitsuru rescue Miku (Argentea) and Zorome after their mission underground goes awry. The timely arrival and entrance of the Strelizia allows them to escape while the Strelizia goes on a massacre. When they go to the beach together, Miku and Kokoro express their excitement that Hiro and Zero Two are now officially part of Squad 13. Miku tells Hiro that he and Zero Two better put in Naomi's share of the work.

Zorome
Zero Two doesn't think much of Zorome. Zorome on the other hand exhibits a form of envy towards Zero Two and Hiro. Zorome is very verbal about this, taking a toll on Miku. It may be inferred that Zorome would like to ride with Zero Two and/or get the same treatment she gives Hiro. Zorome also doesn't like it when she obviously ignores him and rejects him.

Zero Two rescues him, Goro (Delphinium), and Futoshi (Genista) during their mission into the underground that went wrong. Zorome is in awe of Zero Two's daring rescue and and is visually relieved. Zorome is jealous of Zero Two and Hiro acting like a couple and wishes he had a girl like that. He wants to know what Zero Two means by "kiss" and "loving a person."

Kokoro
Kokoro finds her a "strange person and wonders if she likes sweets". Kokoro is very quiet and reserved, but is fond of Zero Two and finds her presence reassuring. Zero Two rescues her, Ichigo (Delphinium), and Miku (Argentea) during their mission into the underground. After the retrieval of the deactivated Strelizia, she is visibly worried when she sees Zero Two emerge from the FRANXX but not Mitsuru, who was at a near-death state in the cockpit. She emulates Zero Two when feeding Futoshi in the same manner Zero Two feeds Hiro. Koroko and Miku are excited to that Zero Two and Hiro are now part of Squad 13. Kokoro expresses that it's reassuring since Zero Two has saved the squad in every mission. It is from Zero Two that Kokoro learns the meaning of marriage and this contributes to her and Mitsuru’s decision to have a wedding. Zero Two dresses up in the standard squad uniform for the occasion. Kokoro later tends to Zero Two while the squad, minus Kokoro and Mitsuru, fight the VIRM.

Futoshi
In "Episode 1: Alone and Lonesome!", Zero Two saves Futoshi and the other Parasites from the klaxosaur attack during the welcoming ceremony. After the battle he looks on as she not only exits the Strelizia but that she is also carrying an unconscious Hiro out with her. He inferred that Hiro piloted the Strelizia

In "Episode 2: What it Means to Connect!", Futoshi is amazed that she is "nothing" like the rumours.

In "Episode 3: Fighting Puppet!", Zero Two rescues him and Kokoro (Genista) from the underground klaxosaur swarm.

In "Episode 4: Flap Flap!",  Zero Two rescues Futoshi and Kokoro (Genista) from the giant razor-like snake klaxosaur, after the mission went wrong and HQ sacrificed them so that the carrier can escape.

In "Episode 5: Your Thorn, My Badge!", Zero Two takes Futoshi's seat at breakfast beside Hiro. Forcing him to sit with Kokoro at the girls table. This turns out to benefit Futoshi as well as Kokoro feeds him, mimicking the relationship of Zero Two and Hiro.

I n " Episode 7: Shooting Star Moratorium! ", Futoshi is glad that Hiro and Zero Two are now officially a part of Squad 13. He acknowledges that Zero Two always saves them and they wouldn't be there without them.

Ikuno
Ikuno notes that she is a klaxosaur hybrid. Ikuno also chagrins the fact she has a single digit code. Ikuno is visibly hurt that Mitsuru would rather ride with Zero Two after their failure to launch the Chlorophytum. She is later seen angrily watching Mitsuru blame her for the failure and proposing that Zero Two take him on as her official partner. Zero Two rescues Ikuno (Chlorophytum) and Mitsuru from the giant razor-like klaxosaur after HQ sacrifices them in order for the carrier to escape.

Mitsuru
In "Episode 3: Fighting Puppet!", Misturu volunteers to be her temporary partner. The result leaves him bloody and on the brink of death. He becomes fearful of her, stating anyone that willingly wanted to pilot with her was insane. It is not known what actually happened to him, but from his perspective she tried to 'devour his body, blood, and soul'. And while she was doing it, she was smiling. Mitsuru is the only one visually displeased with the official welcoming of Hiro and Zero Two into Squad 13.

Gradually, he begins to tolerate her presence in the squad, especially after she saves him and Ikuno from a klaxosaur when HQ self-destructs. By Episode 16, he seems to have fully accepted her as a comrade, as he is shown to near her and having conversations with her. Zero Two tells him and Kokoro what getting married means, making them decide to have a wedding, which she attends.

In episode 24, Mitsuru says he and Kokoro chose to name their daughter Ai because it means ‘love’ and he wanted her to inherit the bond Zero Two shared with Hiro. He later mourns their deaths.

Nana
Nana is Zero Two's handler from HQ, and Papa. She transmits orders to Zero Two and whether or not she has the proper authorizations. She and Zero Two have a passive aggressive (or just aggressive) relationship, however, they are particularly chummy on occasion. They share a degree of respect for each other as they make concessions that others do not enjoy. Zero Two is known to ignore or directly disobey orders from Nana when she sees fit to do so.

Zero Two asks Nana whether there's an ocean in Plantation 13, to which Nana asks why she can't take a simple shower. Zero Two licks herself, expressing she hates how she "tastes". Later after disembarking into Plantation 13, Zero Two disappears unknown to Nana's knowledge. Zero Two is then shown mocking Nana as she plays with her cap then tossing it aside.

Later, Nana reprimands Zero Two for running off and orders her not to mix with the Parasites. After the klaxosaur attack, Nana informs the Parasites of Zero Two's background and reputation.

Nana commands Zero Two to sit at the table she's "supposed" to be sitting at, instead of mixing with the Parasites. Later in the elevator Nana tells Zero Two not to mess with the parasites as she is "Too much for them to handle". During the discussion of Hiro's parasite promotion, Nana vetoes Zero Two's proposal informing her that HQ hasn't authorized the use of Strelizia.

While Nana is coordinating the seemingly successful mission in the super pipe, Zero Two suddenly appears in the room and begins to mock them that it's not over yet. Zero Two was right as a swarm of Conrad-class klaxosaurs emerge from the shadows of the underground and begin to overwhelm the FranXXs. As the situation becomes dire, Zero Two continues to jest Nana into letting her pilot the Strelizia with Hiro, but Nana does not bend. Zero Two and Nana begin to butt heads, before the tension escalates any further Mitsuru intervenes and volunteers to pilot the Strelizia, being the only available "official" stamen. Nana asks Zero Two whether she could ride with Mitsuru. Zero Two persists that she will only ride with Hiro. She then looks over to Hiro to coax his affirmation, but Hiro tells Zero Two to ride with Mitsuru. He states that he'd rather have his teammates saved than be able to pilot a FranXX. Nana then coordinates the deployment of the Strelizia.

Later, Zero Two (Strelizia) decides to go on a rampage rather than comply with Nana's order to withdraw. Nana then deploys a team to "retrieve" the Strelizia and her Stamen. After the retrieval, Nana grimly looks at the sight of Zero Two as she exits Strelizia without her stamen. After all the chaos is settled via Zero Two and Hiro’s reconciliation, Nana is relieved.

However, Nana is removed from being the squad’s caretaker but returns a month later. She supports the squad’s decision to travel to space to rescue Zero Two and, two years later, she mourns Zero Two and Hiro’s deaths.

Etymology
Zero Two's nickname in Japanese (ゼロツー, Zero Tsū) is the katakanization of the English numbers of her code.

Her codename can also be read as "oni" from some of the numeral's readings from her real name "Code:002" (pronounced zero-zero-ni): "o" from "0" which can be written as "○" in kanji and  ni  from 2. Oni means "demon," a reference to pair of horns on her head.

Trivia

 * Her theme is "Vanquish" (also known as Strelizia Awakening) by Tachibana Asami.
 * Zero Two has a sweet tooth, which is seen because:
 * She's constantly sucking on lollipops.
 * She loves candy, cakes, and other sweets.
 * She loves honey and eats honey with almost everything.
 * Zero Two appears to be a good artist, and even made a perfect recreation of the images from her picture book.
 * Zero Two is left-handed, as revealed when she's in the middle of drawing.
 * Zero Two wished to see the ocean and would also like to taste it; her wish is fulfilled in Episode 07: Shooting Star Moratorium. She finally swims in the ocean and licks herself, satisfied it finally tastes salty.
 * Zero Two is fascinated by rain.

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