Darling in the Franxx doesn’t just dip its toes into the sci-fi genre; it does a cannonball into deep space, splashing teen angst and giant robots everywhere. Imagine a future where humanity’s survival depends on teenagers piloting mechs, but with one catch—they can only do it in pairs, and the pairing process is… well, let’s just say it’s close.
Meet Hiro, a kid who’s struggling to find his purpose after flunking out as a pilot. Then along comes Zero Two, a pink-haired wildcard with a devilish reputation and horns to match. She’s famous for chewing through co-pilots like bubblegum, but Hiro thinks, “Sure, I’ll give it a go!” because nothing says “wise decision” like partnering with someone whose last partners didn’t make it out in one piece.
The duo becomes a part of an elite group of teen “parasites” who pilot Franxx mechs to fight Klaxosaurs, mysterious monsters that threaten their futuristic world. But here’s where it gets interesting—the adults who run the show seem oddly… distant. In fact, they live in cities without any real human interaction, leaving the kids to fight the good fight while knowing almost nothing about real life, love, or even why they’re fighting in the first place. And as they start asking questions (as teens tend to do), things get philosophically messy.
Talk About Plot Depth!
Oh, and this anime doesn’t just throw plot twists—it catapults them. Just when you think it’s a simple “fight the monsters, win the day” story, you’re hit with existential dilemmas, secrets about their society, and a love story that’s half tragic and half cosmic. By the time aliens enter the scene (spoiler: yes, aliens), the stakes have gone from “save humanity” to “redefine humanity.”
The animation is stunning, courtesy of Studio Trigger and A-1 Pictures, blending colorful, high-octane battle scenes with emotional close-ups that make you feel every conflicted, angst-filled moment. And the metaphors? Oh, they’re heavy. Piloting a Franxx isn’t just about synchronization; it’s about trust, vulnerability, and maybe even a crash course in love… if love involves fighting monsters in giant robots, that is.
Soooo…. In Conclusion
So if you’re up for a ride that’s part mech-battle, part coming-of-age, and part “what just happened?”, Darling in the Franxx is for you. It’s strange, it’s intense, and it’ll keep you wondering if this whole mess is about survival or just growing up—with a very sci-fi twist.
Rating: 8.3/10 A pretty good story with some nice character developments.
Image Credit: Wallhaven.