Hello, so I’ve never posted in this subreddit let alone commented before but this has bothered me so much that felt compelled and hope this is ok for this subreddit.

I generally love Darling in the FranXX aside from a couple criticisms that don’t bother me as much as how Futoshi’s feelings for Kokoro have been handled so far.

Early on, I was invested with Futoshi being with Kokoro. He seemed sweet and very caring of Kokoro where Kokoro didn’t reciprocate really. Which is fine but it feels like Futoshi’s feelings for Kokoro a side gag versus the feelings Ichigo has for Hiro, Zero Two for Hiro and Goro for Ichigo. All those feelings seemed validated by the show where as Futoshi’s feelings are moments where he is left crying.

This all wouldn’t be so bad if Kokoro hadn’t switched partners with seemingly no warning. Or at least I didn’t expect it and the relationship that developed with Mitsuru and her seemed unnatural and built just purely on her curiosity of making a baby.

When Futoshi tells Mitsuru to protect Kokoro it seemed to fall flat and there has never been a point where the show took his feelings seriously.

One of the few times Futoshi had any sort of serious attention called upon him was when Zorome noticed he was purging his food. Out of all the people to be upset by this, Zorome, the kid who has made fun of Futoshi the whole time, was the one who teared up over Futoshi doing that to himself. It would make sense if those tears perhaps were out of guilt of making fun of Futoshi or perhaps maybe hidden feelings for Futoshi were showing because of Zorome’s concern for Futoshi but that wasn’t it either.

Further more, in the latest episode Futoshi decides to take up the position to marry both Kokoro and Mitsuru as if perhaps to be happy for them but you can clearly tell how painful that was for him especially when he tells them to kiss. It was almost as if he hurting himself just by doing it and you can feel Futoshi’s heartbreaking but it never feels like he gets validated and he is meant to be alone.

This is made worse by the fact Futoshi’s new partner, Ikuno, has revealed feelings for Ichigo. So where is Futoshi’s resolution? Or closure? It would be better if Kokoro had come right out and told Futoshi she doesn’t like him like that but never anywhere has she done that.

Of course, it’s not like she is forced to like him but at least being considerate to your ex-partner would be better than nothing because it’s not like it was a secret that Futoshi cares very much for Kokoro.

Perhaps I’m too invested and I’ve put myself in Futoshi’s shoes too much because every time I watch a new episode I feel Futoshi’s heartbreak.

Some would say he is handling it in mature way which I see that but so did Goro who’s feelings seem to be taken seriously by the show.

Ok sorry, rant over. I hope this is ok to post.