Is the Anime Really Finished?#
If you are looking to dive into DARLING in the FRANXX, you’ll be glad to know that the main anime series, which premiered in 2018, provides a complete experience. However, for those who want to dig deeper into the world of Plantations and Franxx, there is more to explore.
While the anime tells the primary story, there is an adaptation manga that ran from January 2018 to January 2020. If you find yourself craving more after the credits roll, the manga can offer a different medium to experience the narrative. You can buy the DARLING in the FRANXX manga here to see how the story translates to the page.
What is DARLING in the FRANXX About?#
Set in a ruined future, humanity has retreated into mobile fort cities known as Plantations. The story focuses on “Children” who live in Mistilteinn (the “birdcage”), where they are trained to pilot giant robots called Franxx to fight mysterious giant lifeforms known as Kyōryū.
For these children, piloting a Franxx is the only way to prove their existence. The plot follows Hiro (Code:016), a former prodigy who has fallen behind and feels unnecessary. His life changes when he meets Zero Two, a mysterious girl with horns who challenges everything he knows about the world.
If you’re ready to start this journey, you can watch the anime on Prime Video.
Who is This Anime For?#
DARLING in the FRANXX is a blend of several high-intensity genres, making it a great fit for specific tastes:
- Mecha & Sci-Fi Fans: With a heavy focus on “super robots” and “robot girls,” this is a must-watch for those who love futuristic combat and complex machinery.
- Romance & Drama Seekers: At its heart, the show explores the relationship between Hiro and Zero Two, woven into a psychological drama about identity and freedom.
- Action Enthusiasts: The battles against the Kyōryū provide consistent high-stakes action.
Be aware that the series also incorporates elements of fanservice into its themes. Whether you are here for the psychological depth or the mecha battles, there is plenty of merchandise available to collect to celebrate your favorite characters.
Recommended Watch and Read Order#
To get the most out of the series, we recommend different paths depending on your level of commitment. You can refer to the relationship tree on this page for a visual breakdown of these connections.
For the Casual Viewer (Release Order)#
If you just want the core story, stick to the release order:
- DARLING in the FRANXX (Anime, 2018)
For the Completionist#
If you want every piece of content available, follow this path:
- DARLING in the FRANXX (Anime)
- DARLING in the FRANXX (Manga Adaptation) - For a different take on the main plot.
- DARLING in the FRANXX! (Spinoff Manga) - To explore additional side content.
For the Source Material Enthusiast#
If you don’t mind jumping between mediums to ensure you have all the context, we suggest watching the anime first and then reading both the main adaptation manga and the spinoff manga to fill in the gaps.
If you find our guides helpful in navigating your anime watchlist, consider supporting us on Ko-fi to keep the site running!
Useful Extras#
For those who prefer watching in different languages, DARLING in the FRANXX has seen expanded accessibility over the years. Recent updates have added several dubs to Crunchyroll, including Hindi, Indian English, Tamil, and Telugu, making the series accessible to a wider global audience.
DARLING in the FRANXX • anime • 2018-01-13
└─(adaptation)→ DARLING in the FRANXX • manga • 2018-01 to 2020-01 (serialized on Shonen Jump+)
└─(spinoff)→ DARLING in the FRANXX! • manga • 2018-01-14 to 2018-07-11 (serialized on Shonen Jump+ & Twitter)
