Unlikely Allies: Edens Zero's Surprising Spiral of Former Foes
Edens Zero: A captivating shift in dynamics as former adversaries find solace within the crew, sparking a powerful theme of redemption and forging unanticipated alliances
Warning: The following contains spoilers for Episode 16 of Edens Zero Season 2, titled "In the Doghouse," which is currently available for streaming on Crunchyroll.
Following an intense journey into the depths of Planet Red Cave, the Edens Zero crew embarks on their next adventure, this time guided by Mother's Relics. However, before they can proceed to their next destination, a new challenge arises. Three former enemies have unexpectedly joined the crew on the Edens Zero spaceship, leaving Shiki and his friends with the difficult decision of whether or not to keep these dubious characters on board.
Sister Ivry's Promise to Jinn and Kleene
: The presence of these three characters on board the Edens Zero suggests the possibility of redemption. Given the complex nature of their relationships with the crew, achieving redemption will not be an easy task. Nevertheless, Shiki's aspiration to forge friendships across the cosmos could potentially provide a pathway for these former adversaries to become integral members of the crew.
Despite their recent connections with Drakken Joe, Kleene and Jinn were the first ones to board the ship. Jinn's sudden act of treachery towards Drakken Joe might have somewhat redeemed him in the eyes of the crew, although not every member shares the same sentiments. Jinn's motive for betraying was his promise to Sister Ivry that he would heal Kleene, an offer that he found impossible to resist for the sake of his sister's condition.
Kleene's illness is highly unusual, as there are no visible signs of physical decline. Instead, she has lost all her emotions completely. She is forced to communicate with a blank expression and a monotone voice, with only a hint of emotion conveyed through her hairpin gadget. Due to the unconventional nature of her illness, finding a treatment is a challenging task, even for someone as skilled as Sister Ivry. According to Sister, it could take an unknown amount of time to find a cure for Kleene, which means that the brother-sister duo is likely to remain with the crew for a significantly longer period.
Kleene has already developed a fondness for Homura and Rebecca, allowing her to break out of her shy demeanor when she is around them. Jinn, on the other hand, still has doubts about the Edens Zero crew, and they are reciprocated as well. Given that Weisz's mother was a victim of Drakken Joe's pursuit of immortality, it is unlikely that they will be treated the same as any other crew member in the near future. However, the series has dropped subtle hints about the potential redemption of Kleene and Jinn, indicating that they may become new members of Edens Zero.
Laguna’s Contract With Witch
Laguna Husert, once a member of the Element 4 and now one of Drakken Joe's henchmen, has become the newest ally of the Edens Zero crew. Using his Water Ether to aid Shiki in crossing the fiery Red Cave, Laguna decided to stay on board the Edens Zero instead of fulfilling his contract with Witch. However, due to his association with Drakken Joe, Laguna is now a wanted criminal in the Sakura Cosmos, and has taken refuge on Planet Bluegarden, hiding under the guise of an actor.
Laguna agreed to help Shiki because of the immediate threat they face, striking a deal with Witch to temporarily join the Edens Zero crew in order to escape the Sakura Cosmos. According to their arrangement, once the danger passes, Laguna will search for a new planet in the Aoi Cosmos where he can lay low and start a new life. Although his future plans are not yet set in stone, there is a possibility that Laguna may decide to stay with the crew permanently.
Redemption for Laguna wouldn't pose much of a problem either, given that the Element 4 had minimal involvement in the events of World 30. Moreover, they never intentionally inflicted harm upon innocent civilians as they themselves aimed to evade Drakken Joe's fury. Laguna firmly maintains his belief that he has committed no wrongdoing, since Drakken Joe never unlawfully ended anyone's life without a justifiable cause. Although his reasoning holds some validity, and his contributions to the crew have proven beneficial, there remains a possibility for Laguna's redemption.
A Spy Aboard the Skull Fairy
Not only is the Edens Zero spaceship dealing with unexpected visitors, but Elsie's Skull Fairy spaceship also has its fair share of dubious crew members. The Interstellar Union Army's Justice is hot on the trail of the Skull Fairy, and Elsie finally confronts Jesse, a spy working for the Cosmic Government. For more than a month, Elsie had been aware of Jesse's disloyal actions, yet she made the decision to keep quiet in hopes of changing his allegiance.
Despite Elsie's willingness to give Jesse the chance to clarify himself, he remains silent and appears puzzled. This encounter highlights Elsie's forgiving nature, as she is even open to forgiving someone who may be working undercover and willing to welcome them as part of the crew. Nevertheless, Jesse's unwillingness to cooperate ultimately results in his expulsion from the ship, even though Elsie's kind gesture had the potential to sway his loyalties. It is possible that Jesse might become a double-agent for the Skull Fairy, but these are mere conjectures and his true allegiances have yet to be unveiled.
