Tarsier

 is a character in DARLING in the FRANXX. He is a member of the Seven Sages of APE and is secretly a VIRM.

Appearance
As a Sage, Tarsier sports the typical white-and-gold robe and primate mask worn by the members of their elite number. Tarsier is the shortest of the Seven Sages. He is revealed to have hidden magma blades beneath his sleeves, as he attempts to kill the Klaxosaur Princess in Episode 17.

Personality
Like the other sages, he is devoid of the understanding of and human feelings. He sees parasites and FRANXX Squads as disposable tools of warfare and will not hesitate to sacrifice them to fulfil APE's ultimate goal - eradicating the klaxosaurs for humanity's good.

Tarsier seems to act on impulse as he attacked the Klaxosaur Princess immediately when he felt threatened, despite Lemur's protests. However, the Klaxosaur Princess impaled him and his impulse caused his demise.

Episode 01: Alone and Lonesome
APE, including the Vice Chairman attend the graduation ceremony of Squad 13 at Plantation 13. However the startup ritual is interrupted when a Maho Klaxosaur attacks the plantation.

A stampede mode Strelizia attacks the Klaxosaur. Papa is dismayed that Zero Two has devoured another stamen and the Vice Chairman says it’s hard to tell which is the real monster

Episode 02: What It Means to Connect
APE does not attend the startup ritual when it resumes the next day.

A request for kissing with Plantation 26 to restock magma energy is requested, and APE authorizes it. They then decide to hold a mock battle for Hiro to decide whether or not he can still be promoted to a parasite.

Episode 04: Flap Flap
At APE HQ, Papa announces that Klaxosaur activity has increased, and large ones are showing up everywhere. VC says the 9’s are dealing with them for now, but they still have other tasks to complete. One asks how long Strelizia will be allowed to goof off, now that Hiro's aptitude has been ascertained, they have no reason to leave it there. Marmoset says that it isn't wise to let her mix with tainted stamens any longer.

Episode 07: Shooting Star Moratorium
APE marvels at Hiro's ability to pilot Strelizia. VC notes that Zero Two's search for a partner has finally ended. Marmoset says that she still needs to be monitored closely. Papa says that Plantation 13 should be their top-priority surveillance subject and says that Code 016 is tasked with bringing her to the Gran Crevasse

Episode 10: The City of Eternity
APE discusses how Squad 13 is moving ahead compared to other squads. However, they are concerned individualized FRANXX giving a unique asset to the squad as a whole is creating an imbalance with APE’s ideology of calmness and informality, thus making the children imperfect. They decide to move on to the next stage of their plan, as klaxosaur activity has been detected in the depths of the Gran Crevasse recently and it is Squad 13’s duty to escort Zero Two to the Gran Crevasse. Papa agrees and says he will arrange for the squad to undergo maintenance at the Garden. Tarsier suggests that they reward the children and explains it has been custom since ancient times to reward soldiers as inspiration and their way of life reflects a bygone era. Papa agrees.

Episode 15: Jian
APE holds a briefing with Dr. FRANXX before the siege of the Gran Crevasse over how  Zero Two devoured all of her stamens and Pap calls her a hellcat. As the Seven Sages discuss, one of them says that they may finally get their wish if they take over Gran Crevasse. Another says that Hringhorni'sconstruction is proceeding smoothly. One says, if they have both, they can bury "those pests" once and for all. One happily exclaims that the time has come. Dr. FRANXX begins to walk off and is asked where he is going (referring to him as "Werner"). He says he wants to watch it from a front-row seat.

After Plantation 26 is destroyed, VC says to get 090 on the line and tells him they're moving to Protocol 32. When he notices Code 090 hesitating he adds that it's a great honour.

Episode 16: Days of Our Lives
One of the Seven Sages says their parasite reserves have dwindled to 60% after the last battle. Another asks if they didn't go too far blowing those plantations up. The Vice Chairman says that the end justifies the means. Humanity now has control of the Gran Crevasse. He says Hringhorni's construction has entered the final phase. Papa says that he sent two messengers and it will likely be their final warning to the klaxosaurs. One says that there is no need for two keys.

Episode 17: Eden
Tarsier goes with Lemur to the Klaxosaur Princess‘ volcano to ask the Princess of the Klaxosaurs to surrender. After the princess screams for a short while, Tarsier is shocked when Lemur realizes the screams are going it into their minds. Tarsier launches a failed attempt to murder her but he is killed in the process. The Princess removes Tarsier’s mask and and finds no body. She mocks him as a ‘human wannabe’.

Relationships
APE

Tarsier has a strong unanimous partnership with the other Sages.

Trivia
Tarsier Tarsio