This rant is for Darling in the Franxx. Specifically looking at episode 14 from all perspectives [b]The following text below will contain spoilers[/b] As we all know, episode 14 came out last weekend. For those that watched the show, everyone ending up hating Ichigo. So much so, that people were actually sending threats to her seiyuu (voice actor). And thus, she got the nickname “bitchigo”. But almost everyone has failed to see the big picture [b]Ichigo’s perspective[/b]: She’s loved Hiro since they were little. He gave her something special. A name. Everyone is called by their designation number. One day, Hiro decided to give everyone in the group a name. Since he’s always nice to her, she’s loved him from that day on. When Hiro came back from their last mission and she saw the large marks on his neck from Zero Two’s hands, she did what anyone would do. She didn’t allow Zero Two to get near Hiro. Someone she deeply cares for, almost died because of his piloting partner. She used her influence as squad leader to get everyone to prevent them being together. Admittedly, she did go about it the wrong way. She didn’t want the one she loved to be hurt anymore and become a klaxosaur. She did what she believes to be the logical solution. She also took the opportunity to kiss Hiro again and tell him how she feels about him. It’s too little too late. She already familyzoned him before. It seems like she did get a little too drunk on her influence as squad leader when she had Zero Two removed from the group. While she is correct for being concerned about Hiro and his safety, she is also wrong for how she did it [b]Zero Two’s perspective[/b]: First and foremost, she is not human. Although I’m sure she would be delighted to hear that you really do forget that she isn’t. I honestly forget that she isn’t human. It’s almost like I don’t really notice her horns. But anyway, all her life, she has known only pain. The adults at the plantation continuously treated her as a lab rat. Always performing tests on her. And this is only when she is about 8 or 9 years old. She can’t speak a language, let alone understand it. The only one who was nice to her, was Hiro. He gave her a name, Zero Two (not very imaginative, but whatever). He helped her escape and show her there was a bigger world outside the lab and her containment cell. He gave her food and just by talking to her, she learned a few words. Her favorite word was “darling”. Hiro promised her when they get older, he’ll discover the world with her and be her darling. Unfortunately they were caught and had their memories erased by the adults. But they couldn’t erase it completely. Ever since, she has made it her mission to pilot a Franxx and find her darling. Since becoming the pistil pilot for Strelizia, her klaxosaur blood has drained all of her partners. She was determined to kill as many klaxosaurs as it would take for her to become human. However, no one could last piloting with her more than 3 times. She earned the nickname “partner killer”. When she finally met Hiro, she didn’t remember a thing. He is the only one who can ride with her for more than 3 times. She doesn’t realize he’s the same darling from her past. That’s why she starts crying and wondering what she’s been doing the entire time in episode 14. She was basically trying to kill him and even called him fodder. After finding out Hiro is her darling, she just wants to talk with him but Ichigo and the other won’t let her. All she wants to do is be with him and talk with him. She’s basically been cornered. And when you corner a wild animal... they will fight back. When she’s finally allowed to see Hiro, and he isn’t in his hospital room, she goes on a rampage believing she’s been lied to and beats up the other squad members. While she is wrong for attacking the squad, she was also on edge the entire episode. [b]Hiro’s perspective[/b]: All he’s wanted to do is pilot a Franxx. But he’s unable to. He just isn’t compatible. He’s failed just about every piloting test. The only one he can ride with, is Zero Two. She literally gave him for living. She made his dream come true. It’s no wonder he fell in love with her. The option to possibly pursue Ichigo romantically was destroyed when she said she only sees him as a brother. With that door closed, he decides to fall for Zero Two. Even if she is kinda lewd and not human. He loved her for her. He’s tried to get Zero Two to open up to him many times, but she just brushes it off and says “we understand each other just fine when we’re riding together”. When he starts to regain bits and fragments of his childhood, he realized that Zero Two is the girl from his past. It was more difficult to piece together since Zero Two’s skin was red and she had large horns. When confirmed that Zero Two is the girl from his past, just one burning question just eats away at him. “Did you know what I was this entire time you were using me?” He wants to ask her, but is unable to thanks to Ichigo and the squad. Ichigo tells him straight up she doesn’t want Zero Two to see him again. He is determined to see Zero Two again and talk to her. He sneaks out of the hospital room and goes to see Zero Two in her room, but she is there. He goes inside and sees everything is scratched up and torn apart. He gets the idea that she went to go see him and makes his way back to the hospital. When he gets there, he sees the entire squad was beat up by Zero Two. He called her a monster for what she’s done. A huge rift is created in the group. When he sees Zero Two being escorted away he tries to go after he but is stopped by Ichigo. He doesn’t seem phased even after Ichigo kisses him and hears that she’s always loved him, even though this is the second time they’ve kissed. He’s still in love with Zero Two. I don’t believe he did anything wrong. He was forced to sneak out to see Zero Two, but he never could’ve predicted her attacking the squad because of it That’s all I have to say about that