Darling in the Franxx blends mecha action, dystopian rebellion, and emotional character arcs through the journey of Hiro and Zero Two, who challenge societal control while exploring love and identity.
The series critiques authoritarianism and celebrates human connection, themes echoed in these 15 underrated gems that deserve more attention.
1. Guilty Crown (2011)
Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll, Funimation
Plot Summary: Shu Ouma gains the “Power of Kings” to extract weapons from souls, leading a rebellion against a corrupt regime.
Similarities: Explores power dynamics and morally gray protagonists, mirroring Hiro and Zero Two’s struggle with identity and sacrifice.
MAL Rating: 7.56 | Episodes: 22 | Studio: Production I.G | Notable Staff: Directed by Tetsuro Araki (Attack on Titan).
2. Valvrave the Liberator (2013)
Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
Plot Summary: Students pilot vampiric mechas to defend their space colony from galactic superpowers.
Similarities: Combines school-life drama with body horror and political intrigue, akin to Darling’s blend of personal and cosmic stakes.
MAL Rating: 7.03 | Episodes: 24 | Studio: Sunrise | Controversy: Polarizing twists like Darling’s divisive finale.
3. Eureka Seven (2005)
Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll, Funimation
Plot Summary: Renton Thurston joins rebels piloting mechas to uncover cosmic secrets and navigate first love.
Similarities: Balances mecha battles with coming-of-age romance, paralleling Hiro and Zero Two’s bond.
MAL Rating: 8.04 | Episodes: 50 | Studio: Bones | Awards: Tokyo Anime Award for Best Screenplay (2006).
4. 86 Eighty-Six (2021)
Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
Plot Summary: Shin leads the Eighty-Six, marginalized soldiers piloting mechas against autonomous drones in a racially divided society.
Similarities: Tackles systemic oppression and found family, echoing Darling’s critique of dehumanization.
MAL Rating: 8.28 | Episodes: 23 | Studio: A-1 Pictures | Style: Gritty wartime narrative.
5. RahXephon (2002)
Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
Plot Summary: Ayato Kamina pilots the RahXephon to combat alien Dolems while uncovering his ties to a hidden civilization.
Similarities: Merges existential themes with operatic mecha battles, focusing on identity like Darling.
MAL Rating: 7.62 | Episodes: 26 | Studio: Bones | Awards: Tokyo Anime Award for Art Direction (2003).
6. SSSS.Gridman (2018)
Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
Plot Summary: Yuta Hibiki fuses with Gridman to battle kaiju emerging from a digital world.
Similarities: Explores reality vs. simulation and teen camaraderie, akin to Squad 13’s dynamics.
MAL Rating: 7.43 | Episodes: 12 | Studio: Trigger | Legacy: Homage to 90s mecha tropes.
7. Blue Gender (1999)
Streaming Availability: HiDive
Plot Summary: Yuji Kaido joins mech pilots to fight insectoid aliens in a post-apocalyptic Earth.
Similarities: Dark, survival-focused narrative with themes of humanity’s resilience.
MAL Rating: 7.19 | Episodes: 26 | Studio: AIC | Tone: Grittier than Darling but equally intense.
8. Bubblegum Crisis (1987)
Streaming Availability: RetroCrush
Plot Summary: Four women in powered suits combat rogue robots in cyberpunk Mega Tokyo.
Similarities: Feminist undertones and dystopian corporate control, mirroring Darling’s rebellion themes.
MAL Rating: 7.45 | Episodes: 8 OVAs | Studio: Artmic | Legacy: Seminal influence on adult-oriented mecha.
9. Cross Ange (2014)
Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
Plot Summary: Princess Ange pilots a mecha to battle dragons after being exiled for lacking magic.
Similarities: Strong female lead and unflinching critique of societal prejudice.
MAL Rating: 7.03 | Episodes: 25 | Studio: Sunrise | Style: High-risk storytelling.
10. Aquarion (2005)
Streaming Availability: Funimation
Plot Summary: Reincarnated pilots merge mechas to battle ancient beings, exploring love across lifetimes.
Similarities: Directed by Shoji Kawamori (Macross), blending romance with ludicrous power scaling.
MAL Rating: 7.01 | Episodes: 26 | Studio: Satelight | Theme: Soulmates and destiny.
11. Heroic Age (2007)
Streaming Availability: Funimation
Plot Summary: Age, a human with cosmic powers, leads humanity’s survival against alien tribes.
Similarities: Space opera with underdog heroes and mythological undertones.
MAL Rating: 7.44 | Episodes: 26 | Studio: Xebec | Design: Inspired by Greek mythology.
12. Muv-Luv Alternative: Total Eclipse (2012)
Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
Plot Summary: Pilots test experimental mechas against aliens in a war-torn alternate timeline.
Similarities: Military drama with focus on pilot partnerships and trauma.
MAL Rating: 7.06 | Episodes: 24 | Studio: ixtl, Satelight | Source: Based on visual novel.
13. Argevollen (2014)
Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
Plot Summary: A pilot defects to join rebels using an experimental mecha in a war-torn nation.
Similarities: Grounded military tactics and political intrigue.
MAL Rating: 6.34 | Episodes: 24 | Studio: Xebec | Style: Realistic over flashy battles.
14. Aldnoah.Zero (2014)
Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
Plot Summary: Inaho Kaizuka uses strategy to fight Martian colonists with superior technology.
Similarities: Underdog tacticians and themes of sacrifice.
MAL Rating: 7.14 | Episodes: 24 | Studio: A-1 Pictures | Soundtrack: Hiroyuki Sawano.
15. The Third: The Girl with the Blue Eye (2006)
Streaming Availability: RetroCrush
Plot Summary: Honoka, a lone warrior, navigates a post-apocalyptic desert with her AI tank.
Similarities: Focus on isolation and rediscovering humanity in a broken world.
MAL Rating: 7.26 | Episodes: 24 | Studio: Xebec | Atmosphere: Slow-burn existential journey.
Why These Anime Work for Darling in the Franxx Fans
These series resonate through shared themes of rebellion against oppressive systems, the redemptive power of love, and the quest for self-identity.
Whether via Guilty Crown’s moral complexity, Cross Ange’s defiance of societal norms, or 86 Eighty-Six’s raw portrayal of marginalization, each offers a unique lens on fighting for humanity—both externally and within.
Their underrated status often stems from niche appeal or bold narrative risks, making them perfect for fans craving Darling’s emotional depth beyond mainstream hits.
Dive into these hidden gems to discover new worlds where mechas and hearts collide.
