Darling in The Franxx

In the far future, the world lies in ruins, forcing humanity to take refuge in massive mobile fortress cities known as Plantations. Within these towering structures, young pilots are raised in a controlled environment called Mistilteinn, often referred to as the “birdcage.” These children grow up unaware of the outside world or the boundless sky above, their lives revolving solely around combat missions. Their adversaries are colossal, enigmatic creatures called Kyōryū, and the only way to fight them is by piloting advanced mechs known as Franxx. For these youths, operating a Franxx is the sole proof of their worth.

Among them is Hiro, designated as Code:016, once hailed as a prodigy but now struggling to keep up. Without the ability to pilot a Franxx, he faces the grim reality of becoming obsolete—effectively erased from existence. His bleak fate takes an unexpected turn when he encounters a mysterious girl named Zero Two, distinguished by the twin horns protruding from her head. Her arrival marks the beginning of a journey that will challenge everything Hiro thought he knew about his world and his purpose. The bond they form could either save them or lead to unforeseen consequences in their war-torn reality.