IkuNao

IkuNao is the femslah ship between Ikuno and Naomi from the DARLING in the FRANXX fandom.

Canon
Ikuno and Naomi were assigned to the same FRANXX squad following their discharge from the Garden at age 14. While doing a capacity test, Ikuno passed with Mitsuru but Naomi failed with Hiro, causing them to be sent back to the Garden. However, because Hiro is a special specimen, he is given the choice to stay at Mistilteinn. In the days leading up to the squad’s graduation ceremony, Ikuno wonders what will happen to Naomi if Hiro chooses to stay. Later, while the squad heads to their startup ritual, Naomi tells the others that she doubts Naomi and Hiro will be sent back to the Garden because she has never heard of a parasite returning to the Garden before.

After a klaxosaur attacks the plantation, which destroys the transportation unit with Naomi inside and severally injuring her but is neutralized by Strelizia, everyone assumes Naomi returned to the Garden after recovering at the hospital.

Six months later, after being sent to the Garden to undergo tests, Ikuno and the squad attempts to find Naomi and see her. However, a caregiver says she is not here because a parasite never returns once discharged. This makes them confused where she could be then.

A year later, it is revealed that Naomi and hundreds of other missing children have been kept in a cryogenic room in Dr. FRANXX‘s laboratory. Upon reuniting, Ikuno, Miku, and Ichigo hug Naomi, who cries out of happiness to see them. One night, Naomi brings dinner to Ikuno, who is working in her office.

Abother year later, Ikuno shows Naomi her old mirror. Ikuno explains she didn’t know whether or not to show her because Hiro have it to Zero Two as a gift. However, Naomi is grateful because it was in good hands. Ichigo then brings them outside because everyone senses Hiro and Zero Two are in danger while fighting VIRM in space, and they all hold hands to send their prayers to those two. Naomi holds Ikuno’s hand while she tells them she is using whatever time she has left for everyone else.

Over the next eight years, Ikuno and Naomi work together on Ikuno’s research and they develop a relationship. During the children’s school entrance ceremony, Naomi watches Ikuno check on a pregnant Ichigo and they all talk with a Futoshi when he comes to visit. As everyone reunites at a cherry blossom tree, Ikuno stays in her hospital bed and holds hands with Naomi.

Fanon
This shipping didn’t become possible until Naomi returned in the final episode and began working with Ikuno. Reactions to this have been mixed. Some support it because Naomi serves as a support system for Ikuno I’m not her research but helping her overcome her one-sided feelings for Ichigo. Others disliked it for how sudden it came to be.

Trivia

 * Out of all the squad members, Ikuno was the most worried about Naomi’s fate when she failed to become a parasite, and the first one to voice her concern.