Mitsuru challenges Hiro’s connection with Zero Two, attempting to pilot Strelizia to prove his superiority. Reviewers found his subsequent "decimation"—ending the episode unconscious and covered in blood—to be a highlight, noting it served as a brutal lesson for his ego.
In contrast to Mitsuru, Zorome shows genuine concern for his partner Miku after they are overwhelmed by Klaxosaurs, a development praised for adding depth to a previously one-dimensional character. Darling in the FranXX Episode 3
A quiet scene on a balcony overlooking the underground city provides a rare glimpse into the "Birdcage" society. Reviewers noted the stark, sterile nature of the city and Zero Two’s desire for freedom, suggesting she views their world as a "dead end". Darling in the FranXX Episode 3