DARLING in the FRANXX
2018
Original language: Japanese
- animation
- drama
- sci-fi & fantasy
- comedy
The story
The distant future: Humanity established the mobile fort city, Plantation, upon the ruined wasteland. Within the city were pilot quarters, Mistilteinn, otherwise known as the “Birdcage.” That is where the children live... Their only mission in life was the fight. Their enemies are the mysterious giant organisms known as Kyoryu. The children operate robots known as FRANXX in order to face these still unseen enemies. Among them was a boy who was once called a child prodigy: Code number 016, Hiro. One day, a mysterious girl called Zero Two appears in front of Hiro. “I’ve found you, my Darling.”
What it’s like
Saturated, bright-edged animation with pastel skies that turn hazy and bleached over the wasteland, and interiors lit by cool fluorescent corridors and warm dormitory glow. Sharp, kinetic cuts during battles give way to slower, sun-washed scenes of ordinary teenage life: shared meals, lazy afternoons, a mess of longing glances. The mecha are chunky, angular silhouettes, and the enemies, huge fleshy organisms, get an unsettling, organic texture. Sound leans on bright, anthemic pop-rock openings, swelling orchestral strings in quiet moments, and heavy electronic percussion when the fighting starts. The vibe is restless and bittersweet, a mix of adolescent yearning and rising dread, with sudden tonal swings between comedy and tension. Pacing is episodic and uneven by design. Violence is frequent and sometimes graphic in its mecha combat and creature imagery, with character deaths that land hard; there is also a steady stream of suggestive humour and sexual innuendo between the teens. Best for viewers who enjoy coming-of-age romance with a sci-fi edge and don't mind emotional whiplash.
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