25 [Similar Anime] Like Darling in the FranXX

Made by some of the same people and following the major themes of giant robot fights, puberty, and coming into ones own self with the help of close friends, these two series encompass many of the positive aspects of the mecha genre as they relate to believing in one's comrades and themselves. Neither series busies itself with explaining mechanics beyond "here is the world and people get stronger through the power of friendship and reconciliation" but appreciating them for the uplifting message and character interaction and growth rather than number of plot holes takes the viewer for an amazing ride.

Apart from the downright similarities between the characters of these two series, the world buildup has striking resemblance. Humanity is constantly being under attack by an eldritch abomination, and to defeat them, kids are trained to pilot giant mecha structures. The protagonist has some sort of issue that prevents him from piloting once such robot. There is a female lead who wears bright red clothes, and plays a big part with the mental turmoil of our protagonist.

Both contain mecha somewhat flying, young lovers, battles, aliens and female main character more upfront, with more knowledge and suffering then the male mc.

Sci-fi backdrop becomes the catalyst for an ensemble of teenagers to learn how to understand and come to grips with interpersonal relationships. Melodrama and love polygons ensue in both.

Children in a futuristic world try to learn more about the themselves, the world they live in and the past. Lots of mindfucks. Shinsekai yori is intelligent and does everything the best way it could have done, while Darling in the FranXX is dumb and do it the worst way. Yet, their settings are kind of similar.

Cardboard cutout characters in a baffling clusterf@#* of events (you just can't call it a cohesive story) try to entertain you for at least a season too long.

In both shows, the main cast of characters are younger aged individuals who live in an enclosed environment isolated from the dangers and revelations of the outside world. Both parties are shocked when they eventually find out about the truth regarding the world/universe they live in.

I found that the main characters of both (Zero Two and Hiro, Yuno and Yuuki) have very similar traits and characteristics that bring together their independent series'. Zero Two and Yuno have very passionate and goal-directed behaviour, whereas Hiro and Yuuki are both leaders in their own right (Yuuki falls into the category a lot later than Hiro though).

Well... What can i say about Sword Art Online and Darling in the Franxx?

Both are set in a post apocalyptic-ish worlds, in which the main group of characters are fighting to save humanity. The characters are also very similar for e.g. Zero Two is quite literally the same person as Shinoa Hiragi <3.

Darling in the FranXX is basically the same as Shingeki.
In both worlds humanity is struggling for survival inside man made barriers that prevent giant monsters from destroying everything.
The peaceful life of the protagonist is drastically changed when the outside world collides with his own, he then joins a military like group that frequently goes outside, makes friends and discovers more about himself and the lies of the government.

Great shows chocked full of in-your-face sexual euphemisms and great action sequences. Both deal with self-expression and the desire to break free of societal bonds regarding sexuality. For your high-octane action needs, you have Kill La Kill. For a more somber, bittersweet series you have Darling in the FranXX.

Both have a childhood friend and the other main protagonist as love interests
Both main characters parents are not present
Both involve flying machines to protect humanity
Both involve girls created to fight
Both involve main character showing the other how to be a normal human

I believe Cross Ange is very similar to Darling in the FranXX. Both are set in dystopian worlds in which characters first adapt to and then plan to destroy the status quo.

Star Driver is the original anime that covers Action, Romance and Mecha genres in one Anime. Without Star Driver being the first of its kind, Darling in the FranXX would never be written like it is. I cannot stress enough that Star Driver is one of the best animes that will make you feel like shouting out your youth and moving forward with life. While having a smile on your face the whole time. Your galaxy will shine!

has same male - female teammate situation
just like zero two is half human- half monster, girl characters in balck bullet are half human- half monster
fighting giant monster (in darling, they fight with robots, but in black bullet they fight just pairs, no robots)
good music
report

Since Trigger was started up by ex-Gainax guys this isn't too much of a surprise. Kids with the special ability/training to use giant robots battle to protect humankind from giant monsters. The main girls in both shows have red outfits and pink hair. If you enjoyed Darling in the FRANXX, you'll have a good time with Diebuster. Watch Gunbuster before you watch Diebuster!

Both shows center on the somewhat tragic love story of a voilent, pink haired girl with horns and a kind black haired guy. In both she is the product of experimentation, and this is a serious cause of her voilence. Also, as we go on we find out they are more connected than we realise, and in both shows memory loss is a significant factor in their respective journeys. Very similar shows indeed once you get into it.

- Characters from DARLING in the FRANXX seem to be inspired from AnoHana, both personality-wise and design-wise
- Saori Hayami and Haruka Tomatsu voiced main characters in both shows
- One of the arcs in DARLING in the FRANXX seems like the storyline of AnoHana
- Original work from the same studio (A-1 Pictures)
- Both shows are about relationships among friends/people around them
One negative thing both shows suffer from:
Awful pacing HAHA

Loosely similar mecha setting where the main character, as a normie, meets a mysterious girl with inhuman powers then becomes a hero

This recommendation is specifically for if you liked the teen drama parts of FranXX. It has the same kind of love quadrilateral shenanigans (although they're a little more all over the place in Ano Natsu). Many of the character relationships are the same, Tetsurou & Kanna are pretty much the same characters as Goro & Ichigo. Although both are sci-fi, FranXX features mecha action and a post apocalyptic setting, whereas Ano Natsu is a fairly straight forward romance drama with a chill summer setting.

Both shows are in a distant future when land is ruined and humanity it's now trapped, living in mobile cities, students try to fight against monster outside of city.

Both series involve the future, especially an post apocalyptic one (though for 5Ds, it was more of an alternate future).
Both MCs really have a strong resolve as a character, but were often held back by their own self-doubts. They also both have a big friend circle, as well as have had involvement with security guards/police in one way or another.
In both worlds, technology-related transportation means everything to the people in their respective series. In 5Ds, Riding Duels mean so much in terms of pride and freedom, while in Darling in the FranXX, having the ability to ride a mecha means everything to the young kids; otherwise, if one doesn't have that ability, they are "worthless".
The Seven Sages of APE are ominous characters with a very antagonistic feel to them, similar to the Dark Signers and Yliaster...the Sages even look strikingly reminiscent to Yliaster.
The Kyoryu / klaxosaurs bear a good number of similarities to the Earthbound Gods and the Crimson Dragon.
The five pairs of main characters pilot the five unique FranXX mechas...this kind of role and setup feels parallel to the main Five Signers and their respective ace dragons (though Lua from 5Ds turned out later as a sixth Signer).
Zero Two and Akiza's respective situations are not really far off; they both have special abilities and powers that made them very dangerous as individuals, especially from the early get-go; however, they are both truly unable to really "fly" on their own...moreover, they both needed the MC to be able to overcome and exit their out-of-control state.
For the most part, both friend groups in their respective series really know how to get along with each other very well, save for a few individuals.

Extremely similar animes ... Both have the same main factors, which are: Stop the invasion of aliens; Protagonists "monster"; Difficulties with the robot, etc.
Only after watching both do you realize the extreme resemblance.I think Darling has more inspiration in RahXephon than in Evangelion.

Group of teens who experience character growth together and uncover truths of their worlds, changing their lives as they have known it growing up. Very similar feeling