Just posting this and taking my leave. This is a compiled argument about why Ichigo and Squad 13's actions were completely logical and understandable, from 5 different places I argued this topic already. Enjoy (or not)
a) Her actions in ep14 were wrong but justified, especially since neither 02 nor Hiro made an effort to communicate what they'd learned in the franxx. The fanbase downplays 02's actually abusive behavior, and if you're surprised that Ichigo thinks 02 is a bad person it's because 02 has the halo effect and you didn't notice the EXCESSIVE number of times 02 was being a bad person. 02 will get better, and deserves to be happy, but not because squad 13 OR HIRO lets her toxic behavior slide.
b) Ichigo might not belong with Hiro but literally everything she did this episode makes sense from her perspective, and I can't fault her for that. The only reason everyone is hating on her is because they benefit from knowing the entire narrative from an audience perspective - The mindlink, 02's past, Goro being behind them on the stairs, etc. But from her knowledge and perspective (and the rest of Squad 13), 02 is willingly killing Hiro.
c) IRL, there are people in toxic relationships. Hiro can be seen as someone like that by his friends. Very often person suffering in such relationship is unable to break out on his/her own. Hiro didn't explain anything to anyone. They are making decisions for him because they care for him and think that he is not thinking clearly. For me it's pretty clear why they wouldn't grant him the chance. I don't know if you actually watched the episode because in the end they tried to supervise but 02 went fckin mental and beat the living shit out of them.
d) It's true that parasites exist for the sole reason to pilot a Franxx. And it's true Hiro was depressed bc he couldn't pilot. When he realized he could pilot with 02, he was ecstatic. He was finally able to accomplish his reason to live.
But here's the thing. Doing so will remove his humanity. His friends are worried about him. Even more so after Ichigo tells everyone what he learned from 9-Alpha. Hiro has pretty much become addicted to piloting with 02. Meanwhile, 02 is becoming more and more unstable. That relationship is toxic. Squad 13 is different from other squads. Other parasites don't care if they die in a mission, bc they grew up in a specific way.
But Squad 13 was grown differently. The parasytes there have feelings the others don't. They are proud to help the adults, but they don't want to die. Hiro and Kokoro are even starting to doubt Papa
Exactly bc Squad 13 has feelings, Hiro's friends want to take him away from that sure-fire death he's heading to. Because they truly care about him. Seeing him die would crush them, bc Hiro is the center of Squad 13.
e) Also, Ichigo-haters keep saying "Ichigo is selfish to keep Hiro, blah blah blah".
She's no less selfish than Hiro, who borderline disregards his own safety and his friends' warnings for his own gain. He kinda ignores the fact that putting himself in so much danger is making his friends sad. That if he dies, he'll leave people behind broken.
She's no less selfish than 02, who only cares about Hiro and Hiro alone, and completely disregards everyone else. 02 is willingly turning Hiro (not knowing he was her darling yet) into the same monster she is just so she can feel better.
Ichigo is selfish out of care and love for Hiro who she doesn't want to suffer and die.
Hiro is selfish out of achieving his dream and a feeling of value.
02 is selfish out of personal satisfaction and to feel less shit about herself.
f) Another thing. Hiro and 02 not even once explain the situation to Squad 13. If you see the episode, they gave 02 chances to explain herself, but she didn't. Instead, she resorted to violence. Hiro didn't explain shit either. Can you blame Squad 13 for collectively preventing their reunion? Their friend is literally becoming a monster. As the audience, you know the past between Hiro and 02 (that Squad 13 doesn't know) and you know that Hiro will become a monster (that Hiro doesn't know). 02 jumped to conclusions and resorted to violently hurt Hiro's friends. Yeah, nice one
Ichigo even says "You probably hate me. You can hate me if you want, Hiro, but I won't let you see her." She's risking having the one she loves hate her, because she's worried about him.
g) 02 also has her own personal issues that are very hard to deal with. She just realized Hiro is her real darling from the past, after all, and that he’s made him go through shit. However, Squad 13 has no way of knowing this. From their viewpoint, she’s draining their friend’s life.
h) Aka, all parties fucked up. Squad 13 fucked up, 02 fucked up, Hiro fucked. Stop blaiming just Ichigo.
i) "If Hiro doesn't pilot a Franxx, they'd dispose of him"
After he and Naomi failed, they sent Naomi back and Hiro was kept and even allowed to live with Squad 13 despite not being to pilot. Hiro is special so they keep him.
j) "There's nothing wrong with Hiro feeling purpose"
There's not, I agree, but it's still a form of selfishness
k) "None of Squad 13’s members felt shit for Hiro until his third try on the Franxx"
Only Zorome, Futoshi and Miku didn't rly care. The others did, and Mitsuru's a tsundere
l) "Squad 13 KNOW how 02 is and WHO she is"
They know she's a part-klaxosaur Franxx pilot with whom Hiro is able to pilot, that Hiro seems happier and livelier with her, that all her previous partners died, that she's been more and more distant with everyone, that she's putting everyone in danger during missions lately, and she's draining Hiro out of his humanity. Aka, mostly negative stuff. So EXCUSE them for not trusting her lately
m) "Squad 13 should've taken the hint to just do what they did at the last second from the very start"
Why 'should'? 02 is LITERALLY killing Hiro. Everyone reaction to that is perfectly logical and understandable. He’s their friend.
n) "Squad 13 only observed the fact that Hiro endangers himself, nothing more about him, that's literally all they had on the guy"
It's not as much an observation as it is how Hiro lives. And 'all they had'? Hiro never explains shit. It's his right, but don't expect Squad 13 to understand if he doesn't speak; he just makes them worry more
o) "None of them complied with hiro being a team-mate until Hiro himself proved them all wrong that he could be of use"
Because he couldn't pilot a Franxx... JUST MAYBE? If he went out there without a Franxx, he'd die. So no shit he's not a team-mate. He was a friend, not a team-mate. Difference. Also, "none"? Back to the Zorome, Futoshi, Miku trio.
p) "Ichigo honestly just acted out of clouded emotion"
I... guess, but then not really? Neither she nor the others know about their past. They see 1 fact: Hiro is dying --> Reaction: protect him from the cause. Wouldn’t you protect you friend from someone who’s feeding on his life
q) “02 gave plenty of hints that she wasn't stable”
That's true, but what do you want Squad 13 to do with those hints? She's a key-player in the fights, but she's also risking everyone's lives. Also doesn't change the fact she's draining Hiro's humanity |