DARLING in the FRANXX

In the year 2018, Tokyo MX launched an engrossing anime series that feeds the appetite of enthusiast viewers who crave for both thematic depth and visually stunning action sequences. The show goes by the title "DARLING in the FRANXX."

DARLING in the FRANXX, jointly produced by the powerhouse studios of A-1 Pictures and Trigger, is an amalgamation of elements from various genres such as science fiction, romance, mecha (robot) action, and adventure. It's a compelling exploration of various themes like human emotion, identity, bonding, love, and society's expectations. The series effortlessly threads these concepts together in a future dystopian setting fraught with various layers of existential threats for its star-crossed protagonists.

The series unfolds in a post-apocalyptic world where much of the Earth is a barren wasteland, void of any sustainable livable environment, and humanity's surviving members spend their existence inside mobile fortress cities called Plantations. The society of this fortress world operates under the governance of an authority known as APE. The story is textured with a background of constant warfare against an enigmatic organism-based assailant group known as the Klaxosaurs.

The unique characters are a significant contributing factor drawing viewers into the show. Central to the series are 'Parasites,' children specifically bred and trained in pairs of boy and girl, to pilot mech robots known as 'Franxx.' Through the team of ten parasites and their interactions, DARLING in the FRANXX significantly centers its focus on interpersonal relationships and how society molds us into its predefined roles.

The main epicenter of the story is a boy named Hiro, code 016, also known as the "failed prodigy". He’s a Parasite who initially fails to fulfill his duty as a Franxx pilot. However, a chance encounter with an enigmatic girl with horns named Zero Two leads to Hiro becoming her partner or 'Darling.' Zero Two is unique – she’s part KLAXOSAUR - and is viewed with both fear and hatred by society. The boisterous and seemingly carefree Zero Two pilots the Franxx like no other, but she also carries a history of her co-pilots not surviving past three rides. So when Hiro becomes her co-pilot, their unlikely alliance sets off a volatile chain of events that unfold towards an epic narrative with mind-twisting plot turns and emotionally palpable stakes.

Beyond the immediate glamour of its battle scenes and mech designs, DARLING in the FRANXX explores the trials and tribulations of youth, played out with a sense of dramatic urgency. The characters navigate their assigned destinies within this highly regimented and artificial society, but make no mistake, their struggles and emotions resonate as deeply human. Another significant element of the show is its exploration of love, presented in both its beautiful and ugly forms, as well as how it functions in an emotion-suppressing society.

Visually, the anime is stunning. From the detailed and intricate artwork that frames the dystopian world to the sleek and innovative designs of the Franxx mechas, every aspect of the animation is aesthetically captivating. Similarly, the dynamic and fluid animation during the high-velocity mech-on-monster battles is sure to captivate action-adventure fans. Complementing the animation is a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack that perfectly encapsulates the emotional core of the series.

All these ingredients combine together to make DARLING in the FRANXX a profound narrative journey with an equal measure of high-stakes action and deeply emotional moments. It's a series that invites viewers with its spectacular premise, but is successful in retaining them with its heart-wrenching and emotionally resonating narrative.

In conclusion, DARLING in the FRANXX stands tall in the line-up of 2018 anime and merits attention from any anime fan interested in an unconventional blend of action, romance, and a dash of existential introspection in a desolate future. It's a narrative that intrigues viewers with its depth, impresses with its high-octane action sequences, and touches hearts with its heartfelt portrayal of love and human connections.