I've also been getting strong Eureka Seven vibes from the show, not least because 02 looks kind of like Anemone. Really, it's kind of amazing just how many references, tips of hats, takes, and influences there are in this show already.
It's been fun.I have a feeling there will be a role reversal at some point as a big twist, though.
02 is supposed to be a corrupting influence on Hiro, according to the official website.
Watch SymphogearNo? Zero Two pilots her FRANXX, even by herself, as seen in episode one when she tosses her previous partner out before pulling Hiro in after she'd clearly just got done piloting the thing. Hell Ichigo pilots her FRANXX by herself this very episode. It's obviously harder to do it alone but it's not impossible.
Apart from her name (Unit 02, anyone?), Zero-Two is a fully combat-trained pilot with Asuka’s aggressive attitude and fear of no longer being useful. She’s a reference to multiple characters, but the two heroines of Evangelion are particularly obvious and important.
What's precedent ever done for us?@Chariot: Right, that's my point - it's clearly doable, though not optimal, but it's clear that the Parents don't approve of it at all. It definitely does seem dangerous - it clearly puts some strain on Ichigo and Zero Two suggests that it might kill her - but my general point is, if you're going to make a 1:1 relationship between piloting the FranXX and sex, there's a responsibility for the narrative to bear the full weight of that metaphor (when it comes to related issues like orientation, sexual autonomy, consent, etc.). Basically, if you have a show that is at its core about a group of young adults learning about sex and relationships, you can't just say 'sex is for procreation and that's it'. (Well, you can, but...)
To Trigger's credit, I think they're making it very clear so far that that view is being enforced in-universe by the Parents, and (as was pointed out above) it's really not making any of the parasites happy. Zero Two and Hiro's relationship dynamic offers a perfect stepping-off point into the expanded metaphor about breaking normativity, since their non-teamed and irregular partnering is presented repeatedly as a huge shock to what these kids have been taught all their lives.
It's been fun.Yeah, it's worth remembering that as far as we know, the partnerships we see didn't come about organically; the higher-ups just paired them up with each other according to their own needs rather than going along with what the kids would've chosen. You could see that as a sort of parallel to an arranged marriage; none of them picked their partners, and some of them learn to work with it better than others.
Maybe it's a case where the Parents are trying to enforce the "sex is only for practical purposes (procreation/piloting)" and isn't meant to be enjoyable, only functional.
edited 21st Jan '18 11:21:20 AM by JapaneseTeeth
Reaction Image RepositoryOK, I think after two episodes this show is starting to lose me. It's not like Cross Ange where I dropped it like a deadweight after the first episode, it's just... not clicking enough for me to want to keep going.
"Yup. That tasted purple."

Hiro can't be the control unit. 02 wears a normal Pistil gear, and their Franxxx has her face.