DARLING in the FRANXX [Season 1 Episodes 1-24]

Alright, let’s dive into DARLING in the FRANXX Season 1, Episodes 1-24. First off, this anime is a wild ride co-produced by A-1 Pictures, Trigger, and CloverWorks, dropping in January 2018. The setup? Humanity’s on the brink, hiding in mobile fortress cities called Plantations, and kids are forced to pilot giant mechs called FranXX to fight these mysterious Klaxosaurs. Oh, and the mechs run on boy-girl pairs—drama, anyone?

Starting with Episode 1, fans had strong feelings. Some called it the “best episode 1 of the season,” gushing over the Gainax/Trigger vibes, sick sound design, and Zero Two’s iconic entrance (popping out of the water? Classic). Others? Not so much. One user thought it was “meh,” saying Zero Two stole the spotlight while the rest felt underwhelming. But let’s be real—Zero Two’s eccentricities either hooked you or annoyed you. She’s that polarizing, and honestly, that’s part of her charm.

The mech designs? Love ’em or hate ’em. The FranXX have mouths and even talk—some compared them to old Transformers, others thought the “robotbutt” was genius (yes, that’s a real comment). The action sequences? Top-notch, especially the ending clips of Episode 1. People were hyped for more fights, and Trigger’s handiwork was obvious—think Gurren Lagann meets Kill la Kill with a mecha twist.

Now, the characters. Hiro, our protagonist, got mixed reviews. Some saw him as a generic “spineless fool” (shoutout to the Shinji comparisons—though one user argued Shinji was awake during fights, unlike Hiro, who napped through his first battle). But others appreciated his willingness to pilot, even if he didn’t do much. Zero Two, though? She’s the star. Fans called her “best girl of 2018” and couldn’t get enough of her mysterious, alluring personality. The supporting cast? A bit underdeveloped at first, but viewers hoped for more depth later.

The co-piloting dynamic? Hot topic. The boy-girl pairs power the FranXX by syncing their hearts and minds—cue the “love mecha” jokes. Some loved the potential for romance and character growth, while others cringed at the ecchi vibes. One user even joked, “After earth-chan and tide-chan, we’ll fuck gundam-chan.” Subtlety? Not this anime’s strong suit.

As the season progresses, the plot deepens. The mystery of the Klaxosaurs, the kids’ lack of freedom, and Zero Two’s true nature (half-human, half-Klaxosaur?) kept fans hooked. But not everyone stayed on board. Some thought the later episodes lost steam, with one user calling it a “Frankenstein of a show” that “lacks identity.” Others, though, praised the emotional beats and world-building, especially the focus on relationships between pilots.

The ending? Let’s just say it divided the fandom. Some found it epic, tying up loose ends with Hiro and Zero Two’s bond, while others thought it was rushed. But hey, that’s mecha anime for you—big, bold, and unafraid to take risks.

Overall, DARLING in the FRANXX is a love-it-or-hate-it series. It’s got Trigger’s signature style, wild mech fights, and a polarizing lead that’ll either make you binge the whole season or drop it after Episode 1. If you’re into mecha with heart (and a side of teen angst), this is worth checking out. Just don’t go in expecting subtlety—robot butts and all.

P.S. The ED monologue? Pure gold. Hiro’s line about choosing to pilot? Chef’s kiss. Even the haters can’t deny that.

So, what’s the verdict? It’s not perfect, but it’s fun. And in a sea of generic mecha, fun counts for a lot. Give it a shot—you might just fall for Zero Two’s charm (and those robot mouths).

— A 20-something who still thinks “get in the FranXX” is a valid pickup line.