Seriously, there may have never been an all-around more awesome kid than Hiro. He’s smart, he’s understanding, he questions what he believes are unjust practices without being belligerent or disrespectful, he sees the good in everyone and helps others to unlock it. He comes up with unique names for the other children in the Garden based on their numerical codes to combat the shame of being different from others facilitated by the staff. While rather docile by our standards, the children still fight and hurt each other, but Hiro steps in not just to defend his personal friends, but to encourage each child to be more kind. He definitely has his close friends, but he treats everyone with kindness whether or not they seem to deserve it initially. He’s the reason so many children found the strength to carry on in a hopeless, cold world.

It’s at this point in episode 6 where Hiro really grows as a person. Due to past trauma, the self-assuredness and willingness to fight he had a child was lost and is replaced with a martyr complex. This manifests in him pushing others away, demanding that he be sent off along with the partner he dragged down, and a general disregard for his life as long as he can be useful to someone. As his and 02’s FranXX, Strelitzia, is bludgeoned into a wall by a huge Klaxosaur, Hiro comes to terms with the end of his existence. Near-death, his old partner Naomi appears in a vision and shows his assumed self-sacrifice for what it is; a way to escape responsibility. As he comes to, still on the verge of death, he sees 02 fighting alone and suffering. He vows then to become her wings and truly understands how his death might be an escape for him, but a terrible burden for others.

Even as a child, Hiro always had the exceptional ability to look past appearances and see people for what they were as opposed to what they looked like on the outside. Despite 02’s red skin, sharp teeth, and protruding horns, he saw her suffering and decided he couldn’t turn a blind eye. The outside world was cold and miserable, yet he gave up the relative comfort and familiarity of the Garden to save someone else from unending pain.

Though having no memories of her years later, when he thinks 02 is drowning, he rushes into the lake to try to save her, yet again having no fear of her monstrous horns. All the other team members have their reservations about her and her standoffish attitude does little to reassure them, but Hiro insists she’s just another girl not unlike those in their team.

Hiro and 02 are the only ones who know what a wedding is, thanks to a book they once shared as children. Despite loving and being loved by 02, Hiro is inspired to throw a wedding not for himself, but for Kokoro and Mitsuru who have become so close. He teaches everyone about wedding ceremonies and the importance of creating memories that aren’t about fighting, but living their lives freely. While the children have only been told their worth comes from their ability to fight Klaxosaurs, they find new happiness and importance in creating this beautiful event for two of their dear friends.

Sometimes, when a guy finds love, all he can think about is spending time with his special someone. Thankfully, not Hiro. He still treasures his guy time and shares his personal feelings with his friends. He’s often seen separated from the group with 02 but he makes an effort to keep his friendships strong. Even when female teammate Ichigo refuses to let him see 02 when she thinks it will kill him, he understands that only he knows 02 intimately and can understand how his friends would perceive her as dangerous. He doesn’t get mad and instead enjoys his friends’ visits while secretly thinking of a way to get back to 02.