I’ve watched over 20 anime series after watching darling in the FranXX, some similar to it and some not. But, let’s face it there is no anime like Darling in The Franxx. I cried for hours after the end and felt sad for days afterward Darling in the Franxx is an anime about giant mechs piloted by teenagers and their struggles against monsters from outer space. It has become popular among fans of science fiction and mecha anime alike. That being said, there are plenty of other great titles out there that explore similar themes – from post-apocalyptic landscapes and robot battles to complex character relationships and yes, cute girls as well. In this list, we will be taking a look at 19 of the best anime like Darling in the Franxx that you should check out.
1. Full Metal Panic
Full Metal Panic is an anime that follows the story of Sousuke Sagara, a member of a covert anti-terrorist organization called Mithril. He is assigned to protect Kaname Chidori, a high school girl who has been targeted by a terrorist group.
In its 24 episodes, Full Metal Panic follows two central characters. Sousuke Sagara is a 17-year-old young man and a sergeant in a secret military organization called Mithril whose purpose is to maintain public peace. Kaname Chidori is a 16-year-old orphaned student unaware she possesses special powers.
Following rumors of an attempt to kidnap Chidori, Mithril decides to secretly send 3 of their best warriors to protect the girl. One of these fighters is of course our friend Sousuke, who infiltrates Chidori’s school as a new student in her class. The problem is that Sousuke, who has never experienced anything in his life, doesn’t exactly know how to fit into the new environment. The result, of course, is that this “secret” operation quickly becomes a nuisance for Chidori, who picks up quite easily that her new classmate and the gun enthusiast are following her obsessively.
The anime is full of action and adventure, as Sousuke uses his military training to protect Kaname from the terrorists. The two characters have to learn to trust each other in order to survive the dangerous situation they are in.
If you are looking for an anime like Darling in the Franxx that is full of action and suspense, then Full Metal Panic is the perfect choice for you.
2. Guilty Crown
High school student Shu Ouma obtains an ability called the “Power of the King” that allows him to draw out objects from people’s bodies. This power comes in handy when he meets a cute girl named Inori Yuzuriha, a member of a resistance group called Funeral Parlor, and joins their fight against the government.
Both anime feature characters fighting against oppressive forces, as well as plenty of action, romance, and drama. Many resent the fact that Guilty Crown symbolizes the decline of the noitamiA strip in which it is broadcast, but for me Guilty Crown Symbolizes something else: a return to the roots, to the days when it was not a shame to produce series taking place in a militant world, And in a corrupt government where their delusional underground members fight one hero with inhuman strength.
3. Witchblade
Set in a future where humanity is on the brink of extinction, the story revolves around Masane Amaha, a single mother who finds herself wielding the mysterious titular weapon that gives her the ability to protect those she loves. With it, she must protect her daughter while also uncovering the secrets of her past. Though she is initially reluctant to use its power, she soon comes to realize that it is her destiny to wield the Witchblade in order to defend the innocent and fight against evil.
The Witchblade anime features intense action sequences and stunning animation that brings the world of the manga to life. The characters are richly developed and the plot is engaging and thrilling
Witchblade is full of action, drama, and mystery.
4. Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann
Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann is an anime that follows the story of Simon and Kamina, two young boys who live in an underground village. When Simon finds a strange artifact, he accidentally activates a giant mecha that leads them to the surface world. From there, they must face many challenges as they try to find their place in this new world.
Like Darling in the Franxx, Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann is an anime that explores the themes of growing up and finding one’s place in the world. The characters are all incredibly likable and relatable, and the story is full of action, adventure, and heart. If you’re looking for an anime like Darling in the Franxx that will make you laugh, cry, and cheer, then Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann is a must-watch.
5. Eureka Seven
Eureka Seven is set on an Earth-like planet ruled by a giant tower called the Coral Tower. The series follows Renton Thurston, the son of Adrock Thurston, as he gets caught up in the resistance against the tower led by the mysterious Eureka.
Renton is a young boy who lives with his grandfather in a boring town full of boring people. That is until an LFO (a mecha) crashes into his house and he meets the pilot, a girl named Eureka. She’s part of a group of people who are fighting against the military that controls the tower. Renton joins their fight and discovers that there’s more to life than just living day to day.
The animation and art style are amazing and the story is really good. It’s definitely worth watching if you’re looking for an anime like Darling in the Franxx.
6. Genesis of Aquarion
Aquarion is a mecha anime that follows the story of Apollo, a young man who pilots a giant mecha called Aquarion. The show is set in a future where humanity is under attack by aliens called the Shadow Angels. Aquarion is the only thing that can stop them.
The Genesis of Aquarion anime is often compared to Darling in the Franxx, as both series feature mecha pilots who must work together in order to save the world. While the two anime may share some similarities, there are also some key differences that set them apart. For one, Genesis of Aquarion is set in a more traditional fantasy setting, while Darling in the Franxx takes place in a post-apocalyptic world.
7. Mobile Suit Gundam
The story of Mobile Suit Gundam is set in the Universal Century, a calendar era within the fictional setting of the Gundam universe. The plot focuses on the conflict between the Earth Federation and Zeon, a breakaway state seeking independence from the Earth Federation through armed combat. In the original series, the protagonist is Amuro Ray, a teenager who becomes involved in the conflict when he inherits a prototype mobile suit called the RX-78-2 Gundam from his father.
The “Mobile Suit Gundam” franchise has spawned numerous sequels and spin-offs, as well as inspiring an entire genre of real robot mecha anime known as the “Real Robot” genre. “Darling in the Franxx” is set in a post-apocalyptic world where humanity has been forced to live in mobile fortresses called Plantations due to an unknown threat. The protagonists are pilots of mecha known as Franxx that are partnered with female riders known as Strelizia. The two must work together to pilot their Franxx and fight against giant creatures known as Klaxosaurs.
While Darling in the Franxx does not take place in the same universe as Mobile Suit Gundam, it still features many similar themes such as war, mechas, and post-apocalyptic settings.
8. Gunbuster
Darling in the Franxx is an anime that’s been taking the world by storm. If you’re looking for more anime like Darling in the Franxx, then you’ve come to the right place. Gunbuster is an oldie but a goodie. It’s a mecha anime that follows the story of Noriko Takaya, a girl who dreams of becoming a space pilot like her father. When aliens threaten the Earth, Noriko is chosen to pilot a giant robot to help defend her home planet.
Gunbuster is full of action, adventure, and heart. If you’re looking for an anime with similar themes to Darling in the Franxx, then be sure to check out Gunbuster.
9. Kill la Kill
Kill la Kill is an anime that follows the story of Ryuko Matoi, a girl who is looking for her father’s killer. She ends up at Honnouji Academy, a school ruled by a powerful student council president. Ryuko fights her way through the school in order to find the truth about her father’s murder. Along the way, she makes friends and enemies and learns more about herself and her own power.
Kill la Kill is an exciting anime with plenty of action, comedy, and drama. If you’re looking for an anime like Darling in the Franxx that will keep you entertained from beginning to end, then look no further than Kill la Kill!
10. Neon Genesis Evangelion
The series follows the experiences of a teenage boy named Shinji Ikari who is recruited by his dad Gendo to pilot a giant bio-mechanical creature called an Evangelion in combat against hostile aliens called Angels.
There are many similarities between the two anime. Both have giant robots that must be piloted by a boy and a girl, who are also in love with each other. The main difference is that Evangelion takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where humans are on the brink of extinction, while Darling in the Franxx is set in a more utopian future. Nevertheless, both anime feature complex relationships between the characters, as well as exciting action scenes.
11. Star Driver: Kagayaki no Takuto
Star Driver: Kagayaki no Takuto is an anime like “Darling in the Franxx. Both are set in a post-apocalyptic world where humanity has been forced to live in giant domed cities. In both series, the main characters pilot giant mecha called “Franxx” in order to defend their city from giant monsters.
The biggest difference between the two series is that Star Driver is much more light-hearted and comedic, while Darling in the Franxx is more serious and dramatic. However, both series are incredibly well-animated and feature amazing action scenes.
12. Parasyte: The Maxim (Kiseijuu)
The story revolves around a high school boy named Shinichi Izumi, who lives with his mother and father in a quiet suburban town. One night, worm-like aliens called parasites invade Earth, taking over the brains of humans to use their bodies as hosts. Shinichi’s right hand is possessed by one of these parasites, but it fails to take over his brain due to an earphone plug that was in his right ear at the time of the invasion.
The parasite, now named Migi (Japanese for “right”), and Shinichi must work together to survive against other parasites who wish to devour them. Throughout the course of the story, Shinichi and Migi learn more about each other and form a strong bond of friendship.
Darling in the Franxx features a similar premise. In this show, human children are raised in facilities called Plantations and are paired up with giant robots called Franxx in order to fight against giant alien creatures.
Kiseijuu was critically acclaimed for its dark and mature themes, as well as its unique take on the horror genre.
13. Kiznaiver
Kiznaiver is an anime that is set in the near future and follows the story of a group of teenagers who are connected by a special bond. This bond allows them to feel each other’s pain and share each other’s emotions. The group must use their newfound abilities to help save their town from a mysterious enemy.
Both shows feature a group of teenagers with special abilities who must work together to save their town from a dangerous threat.
14. Owari No Seraph
Owari no Seraph (Seraph of the End) is a post-apocalyptic shonen anime that follows the story of vampires and humans struggling to survive in a world overrun by them. It’s dark, it’s bloody, and it’s definitely not for the faint of heart. But if you’re looking for an anime with good action, interesting characters, and an engaging story, then this series is definitely worth checking out.
Owari No Seraph is especially similar to Darling in the Franxx in terms of its focus on the relationship between its two main characters, Yuuichirou and Mikaela. Like Hiro and Zero Two from Darling in the Franxx, these two have a complicated relationship that is filled with both love and hate. If you’re looking for an anime that explores the themes of love and loss in a post-apocalyptic setting, then Owari No Seraph is definitely worth checking out.
15. Kuromokuro
There are a few things that make Darling in the Franxx stand out among other mecha anime, but one of the most important is its focus on character development. The show follows the relationships of a group of young pilots who must work together to pilot their mechs in battle. While there is plenty of action, the real heart of the show lies in its characters and their interactions with each other.
If you’re looking for an anime with a similar focus on characters and relationships, Kuromokuro is a great choice. The show follows a group of students at an elite school who are training to become mecha pilots. Like Darling in the Franxx, Kuromokuro focuses on the relationships between the characters, as they learn to work together and trust each other. There is also plenty of action and adventure, as the students must face off against powerful enemies.
16. Astra Lost in Space
When the Plantation shuts down, the kids are sent out into space to find a new home. But when they get there, they find themselves lost and without any hope of return. As they search for a new place to live, they must also contend with the fact that they may never see their families again. This is a story of loss, hope, and determination as these kids try to find their way in a cold and lonely universe.
While both anime feature mechas and teenage characters striving to save humanity, they differ greatly in terms of setting and tone. Astra Lost in Space is more light-hearted and comedic, while Darling in the Franxx is darker and more serious. Whether you prefer one over the other is entirely up to you, but both are definitely worth checking out!
17. SSSS.Gridman
A student named Yuuta Hibiki wakes up at Rikka Takarada’s house, his classmate. He discovers that he has amnesia. Yuuta doesn’t remember anything about his friends, his class, or where he lived, but that doesn’t really worry him – after all, there are stranger things to worry about.
In the store run by Rika’s mother, there is an old computer, and on the screen, he sees a robot that calls itself “Gridman” – and that same Gridman calls Yuuta to remember his mission. Not only is Yuuta the only one who is able to see and hear Gridman, but he is also the only one who notices the giant kaiju-shaped statues that are around the city.
What at first seems like a hallucination turns out to be completely real when one of these kaiju comes to life and goes on a rampage wreaking havoc, so Yuuta runs back to Gridman, reuniting with the computerized character and becoming the giant robot that arrives to save the day.
In the same way that I liked Franxx’s beginning more than the ending, I liked SSSS. Gridman’s ending is better. It is a good show with a coherent narrative with deeper themes and actually decent action. Despite having more flaws than Franxx, Gridman was much more interesting and deeper.
18. Kakumeiki Valvrave (Valvrave the Liberator)
Valvrave the Liberator is set in a future where humanity has colonized space, and the story follows the students of a space colony high school. The school is attacked by an unknown enemy, and the students must use giant mecha to defend themselves.
The story is set in a future where 70% of the human race lives in space due to the expansion of the United Nations Government. Two factions known as the Dorssia Military Pact Federation and the JIOR Commonwealth are at war with each other over a precious resource called “L-Elf”, which is revealed to be a V-shaped robot that can change into a weapon. L-Elf is one of nine such weapons created by the Dorssians in order to win the war against JIOR. However, when he meets Haruto Tokishima, a student at JIOR’s Misaki Academy, his views on the war begin to change. Haruto convinces him to join forces with the students at Misaki Academy in order to overthrow the corrupt government and bring peace to both factions.
Kakumeiki Valvrave is ultimately a more mature and sophisticated show than Darling in the Franxx. It deals with heavier themes such as war, betrayal, and morality, and does so in a way that is both thought-provoking and entertaining. It is similar to Darling in the Franxx but with a bit more depth.
19. Gargantia on the Verdurous Planet
The story is set in the far future in the aftermath of a war between humans and Hideauze, an alien race. Ledo, a human soldier, is rescued by a Gargantia, a large fleet of ships living in space. He joins the crew and begins to learn about their way of life.
Ledo soon discovers that Gargantia is very different from the military lifestyle he is used to. The people here live simple lives without much technology. They are also peaceful and gentle, unlike the violent and warlike Hideauze. Ledo slowly begins to adapt to this new way of life and starts to care for his fellow crewmates.
However, Ledo’s idyllic life is shattered when the Hideauze launches an attack on Gargantia. Ledo must now fight to protect the people he has come to care for and defend their way of life against the Hideauze threat.
