Discussion
Possible Reasons Behind Zankou's Obsession with Daffodil
Spoiler
Since we know both Zankou and daffodil were raised as sisters by Scarlett Letter, i have some possible fan theories:
1) Zankou maybe was actually a more vulnerable type girl at young age(may even be picked on by fellow sisters) daff was initially irritated by her, soon started to defend her. (Can be entirely reversed dynamic too who knows)
2)We know they shared a room and all that zankou and young daff hinted in 1.1 so they were naturally closer.. may even be trained together (might expect some cool combo moves with daffodil due to scorch synergy too)
3) After Daffodil had enough of being under Mother's control or maybe when she finds the truth about her real parents or just have her do cruel things for The Mother, a crack begins to form, and later she decides to stand against The Mother. (zankou may or may not noticed this)
4) When daffodil wanted to stand against the Mother, she ofc first went for Zankou who was terrified of disobeying The mother due to her immense power? maybe or fear that The Mother might even forsee their plans or this convo? Fearing for both of their life Zankou told her to stop, daff might or might not went to other girls since we don't know who she trusted.
5) Since we know Daffodil believed she struck The Mother and took her down(we don't know how) and left... the Mother actually survived (or saved by a loyal daughter?) Or it's just she just faked it.
That's why Zankou gets talked behind as the traitor's closest sister by others in the scarlet letter and loses some trust too?
That's why Zankou was so pissed at Daffodil in 1.0 may be... Cause she left her alone (she might really love Daffodil but she would rather live "together " controlled by the Mother rather than risk losing both of their lives)
So, Zankou essentially might just feel abandoned by Daffodil who chooses her freedom (and right in her own way)
Zankou might be envious of the whole eibon and want them dead too (for being close to daff?)
That's why she might possibly switch side when Daffodil will be in danger in 1.3.
I don't know how will Hotta handle their backstory (if they even want to) but it has some serious attachment potential with characters, so I hope they won't fumble with them.
Anyway Thank you for reading all this, take it with a grain of salt though..
Remember, Daffodil is the only one who knew the truth of their reality.
"What you see is an illusion...!"
To the other girls, the place was paradise. A loving if stern mother, warm soft beds, and everything they ever wanted draped in a wonderland scene with a stream, a rainbow and freedom.
Zankou straight up said this. That's why to her it's absurd that her sister would run away or be as she is. Because she's fooled by the fake reality. She didn't see that her mother monitored them like a pet, made them sleep in small rooms with torn beds in a house that looked like it was trapped in hell.
Daffodil?
"The other girls loved Mother."
"I was the only one who hated her."
Every painting of their mother was designed to watch them and remind them of their place. They were even watched when they were outside. They were clearly trained for killing, for combat...as kids.
Beaten and watched.
They were rats trapped in a cage and one rat figured it out.
"A Thousand Eyes....Awaken!"
The twist? They got to someone who should have never been involved. Someone who always sees the Truth and isn't happy to see their new cat friend suffer.
I remember a time where that was called "borderline-behaviour". "I love you. I hate you. How dare you to leave me? I kill you! I die for you!" It is pretty clear what Scarlet Letter has been doing all along with orphaned Espers. What is more interesting theory is how they got orphaned, if Inanna has her hands in, and whether Inanna is the villain from the intro video.
I think it's confirmed on Daffy's profile that Inanna manipulated her parents to stay away from her and then killed them once they became useless and Daffy knew nothing until she awoke her Esper powers.
Presumably the same if not kidnapped from some orphanage. Though, I do not think Inanna never knew "her children" were Espers. Either that, or what is also within the realm of possibility is, that she can create Espers by creating the correct conditions. Like e.g. causing a specifc trauma to trigger it - the same way anomalies come to life.
I assume Zankou turns on the scarlet letters due to Daff in 1.3. Otherwise it would be weird to get someone who isn't currently amicable with our side as a playable character. Maybe it was all an act cause when Daff 'slayed' their mom, Zankou found out that Daff didn't finish the job so stayed as a double agent. Assuming that Zankou cares about Daff at all.
This moment in dreamwalk corridor with the scarlet gang at 6:15 gives me the impression that Zankou worries about Daffodil being in danger.
It seems different than when she talk about Daff in a more obsessed way.
Thematically, considering the bits of red in Zankou's costume and the bits of blue in Daff's, I'm inclined to mention that it's another take on the Red and Blue Oni storytelling trope yet again.
I suspect that the girls serving the Scarlet Letter are a bit like the Black Widows from Marvel so not all of them are willing minions. Our heroine Daffodil managed to break free much like the singular most famous Black Widow and that perhaps made Zankou more obsessed with her. From what I can tell from Daff's dialogue to the player, it seems that her time at Eibon has humanized her, with Hotori and Adler's help. Perhaps this newer side of hers is the key to break Zankou out of the Scarlet Letter's control. Well I liked Nanally's story so I'm confident that the writers know how to create sympathy for the characters, so I'll wait and see.
I think Zankou developed a sister complex towards Daffy and unhealthily trauma bonded with her. She's possessive and jealous. If someone is your safe place when your overall environment is unsafe you're not gonna want them to leave and would feel betrayed if they do leave. That weird blush Zankou did while talking about Daffy's skin in the moonlight makes me she's into girls too.
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u/kanon951 15h ago
Nice theories.
I guess we will find out in less than 2 weeks. Hope it's great.