The Epic Resurgence of Dr Muller in Edens Zero

Highlights

The Battle of Foresta may be over, but the turmoil continues as new belligerents join and bring back traumatic memories for the crew.

Dr. Muller, the sinister individual responsible for the virus contaminating Foresta, emerges as an embodiment of pure malevolence, displaying a dark track record of atrocious offenses against robots.

Upon facing Muller, Hermit and Kleene find themselves encountering their deeply buried past traumas once again, compelling them to grapple with their deepest fears and fiercely protect their sanity.

Warning: The content below contains spoilers for Episode 19, "Darling Little Piece of Junk," from Season 2 of Edens Zero. It is currently available for streaming on Crunchyroll.

Although the Battle of Foresta has come to an end, the troubles on the Verdant Planet persist. The Edens Zero crew had managed to triumph over Poseidon Nero's Beast Squad, giving them a momentary reprieve. However, the situation has taken a turn for the worse as additional adversaries have entered the already volatile landscape of Foresta.

A Ghost From the Past

Not everyone is pleased with these recent developments as a handful of specters from forgotten times resurface, triggering the resurgence of harrowing memories that had long been buried. With the reappearance of Dr. Muller, the conflict has transitioned from physical confrontation to a mental battleground on the Verdant Planet, where only those capable of confronting their inner demons can emerge unscathed. Currently, the odds appear to be against the Edens Zero crew, but a few allies within Foresta have the potential to alter the course of this narrative.

The main concern for the crew is the virus that is infecting Foresta, and it is imperative to disable it before it corrupts the Four Shining Stars. Initially, Hermet suspected Ziggy, the creator of the Shining Stars and numerous other robotic marvels, to be behind the virus. However, during their investigation, Hermit and Weisz stumble upon an entirely different individual on the satellite, who is responsible for spreading the virus to the planet.

Dr. Muller, a scientist from planet Newton, has been revealed as the mastermind behind the virus. Previously detained by the Cosmic Government, Muller's true nature goes beyond that of a mere intergalactic convict. His dark history with Hermit has tainted him with an aura of pure evil. Muller's crimes against robot-kind are nothing short of heinous and unforgivable. He was solely responsible for the annihilation of an entire planet brimming with bots, as well as subjecting Hermit to unimaginable torture for an extended period.

Now, Muller has resurfaced as an O-Tech, a term used to describe humans who have undergone cybernetic enhancements. Claiming to have escaped prison by orchestrating a massive explosion, Muller lost his physical body in the process. He now roams freely as a cybernetic human, aligned with Ziggy and his mission to subjugate humanity. Additionally, Muller reveals that Ziggy has promised him the opportunity to reunite with Hermit once again, implying that more experiments and torture are in store for the Shining Star.

Hermit's Reenacted Trauma

The pain and suffering inflicted upon Hermit by Muller was both gut-wrenching and traumatic, causing her to develop a deep disdain for humanity from her robotic core. Forced to bear the guilt of her research contributing to the destruction of Planet Hook, Hermit also endured years of torture and humiliation at the hands of Muller and his subordinates.

Nevertheless, Hermit eventually managed to move forward from her traumatic past and rediscover a sense of happiness. However, her newfound sanity is now under threat with Muller's return. The mere sight of him puts Hermit in a hypnotic state, leaving her unable to comprehend the unfolding events. Given the years of experimentation and degradation she endured while in captivity, her reaction to the situation is entirely understandable.

Muller effortlessly defeats Wiesz and effortlessly restrains the already helpless Shining Star. In order for the two to survive this dangerous situation, Hermit must confront her fears and endure the pain inflicted upon her, as it is the only way for her to free herself from Muller's grasp. Sister Ivry remarks that Hermit's mental state has suddenly deteriorated, indicating that things will only worsen unless she regains control of her mind.

Kleene's Unraveling Past

Kleene, one of Edens Zero's initial villains-turned-heroes, has yet to have her characterization and backstory fully explored. However, in the current episode, hints are provided about Kleene's potential past and the source of her trauma. The series has disclosed that Kleene suffers from a rare illness that has robbed her of her emotions, causing her to experience a mental breakdown whenever she is overwhelmed by emotions. Additionally, Jinn notes that even if Kleene were to recall her past, her sanity may become uncontrollable, despite the presence of an emotion suppressant.

In the current episode, Kleene's mental state begins to deteriorate. She mentions the presence of someone bad nearby, indicating that she is referring to Dr. Muller, the only antagonist in close proximity. This suggests a connection between Kleene and Muller, likely due to her being experimented upon by the deranged scientist.

This connection could explain Kleene's rare and incurable disease as well as her inability to remember her past. The fact that Sister Ivry, who has healing abilities, is unable to cure the disease further supports the notion that Muller is responsible. These theories are strongly supported by the events portrayed in this episode.