Ep 16. Days of Our Lives

In DARLING in the FRANXX season 1 episode 16, titled "Days of Our Lives," the story picks up with the group of former parasites settling into their new life in the wasteland. With Zero Two in stasis after her intense battle with the Klaxosaur Princess, the team tries to adjust to their new reality without her. However, tensions begin to rise as everyone struggles to cope with their loss and the changes going on around them.

The episode begins with a lighthearted scene of the kids playing around in the wasteland, trying to make the best of their situation. However, as time goes on, they start to realize just how different things are without Zero Two and the battles they used to fight together. Hiro, in particular, is struggling to come to terms with her absence and feels lost without her by his side.

Meanwhile, Dr. Franxx and the other adults are still trying to come up with a plan to deal with the Klaxosaurs, who continue to pose a threat to humanity. They have discovered a new type of Klaxosaur that seems to be impervious to their weapons, and they're not sure how to defeat it. However, as they're discussing their options, something unexpected happens.

A team of mysterious new characters appears on the scene, led by a woman named Kokoro. They claim to be a "research team" sent to study the Klaxosaurs, but there's something off about them that makes the parasites suspicious. They seem to know a lot more about the situation than they're letting on, and the parasites start to wonder if they can really be trusted.

As the episode goes on, we see more of the parasites struggling to find their place in this new world. Some of them, like Miku and Zorome, are trying to stay positive and keep everyone's spirits up. Others, like Ichigo and Goro, are dealing with conflicting emotions as they try to figure out their feelings for each other.

But perhaps the most interesting character development in this episode comes from Futoshi. The kind-hearted and somewhat naive boy has been harboring a crush on Kokoro for some time, but he's always been too shy to express his feelings. However, as he spends more time with her and begins to see the world through her eyes, he starts to question his place in the team and his loyalty to Dr. Franxx.

There are a lot of interesting plot threads in this episode, and while it's not as action-packed as some of the previous ones, it's still an important chapter in the overall story of DARLING in the FRANXX. We get to see more of the parasites' emotions and motivations, as well as some intriguing new characters and storylines.

Overall, "Days of Our Lives" is a solid episode that sets the stage for some major plot developments to come. It's clear that the team is still reeling from their losses and struggling to find their footing in this new reality, but there are hints that they might be able to find a way forward. As always, the animation and music are top-notch, and the characters continue to be compelling and complex. Fans of the show won't want to miss this one.