Darling in the FranXX

Darling in the FranXX (also stylized as DARLING in the FRANXX) is a 2018 science fiction mecha romance anime (24 episodes) co-produced by A-1 Pictures, Trigger, and CloverWorks.

In a dystopian future, humanity has been pushed to the brink of extinction by mysterious giant monsters called Klaxosaurs. The survivors live in massive mobile fortress-cities known as Plantations, while children (raised in isolation and trained as "parasites") pilot enormous mecha called FranXX to fight the threats. These FranXX can only be operated by boy-girl pairs in a very specific piloting setup (with heavy romantic/sexual undertones in the series' symbolism).

The story centers on Hiro, a former promising pilot who has lost his spark and struggles with his purpose. His life changes when he meets Zero Two (Code:002), a mysterious, rebellious girl with red horns and klaxosaur blood. She's an elite pilot infamous as the "Partner Killer" because her previous partners couldn't survive syncing with her more than a few times. Hiro becomes her new partner (her "darling"), and they form a powerful but complicated bond while fighting Klaxosaurs alongside a squad of other young pilots.

The series blends high-stakes mecha battles, coming-of-age drama, themes of identity, rebellion against a controlling society, and a central intense romance—especially between Hiro and Zero Two. It starts with more character-focused and relationship-driven episodes before escalating into bigger revelations and conflicts about humanity, the enemies, and the world itself.

It's known for its striking visuals, emotional highs (and some controversial lows in the later arcs), and memorable character designs—Zero Two in particular became hugely popular.