What to watch next
Anime like Darling in the Franxx.
Finished Darling in the Franxx and want more? These 20 shows are what its fans recommend most, plus series that share its drama, romance, sci-fi. Each pick says why it’s here.
- 20 picks
- 10 recommended by fans
- 6 short picks
20 anime like Darling in the Franxx
1. Neon Genesis Evangelion
TV · 1995 · 26 eps · ★ 8.37
- MyAnimeList users recommend it to fans of DARLING in the FRANXX
- Shares Drama, Sci-Fi, Mecha with DARLING in the FRANXX
On AnimeSparks: How Neon Genesis Evangelion Uses Mecha to Explore Depression and Identity
2. 86 Eighty-Six
TV · 2021 · 11 eps · ★ 8.36
- MyAnimeList users recommend it to fans of DARLING in the FRANXX
- Shares Drama, Sci-Fi, Mecha with DARLING in the FRANXX
- Same studio as DARLING in the FRANXX (A-1 Pictures)
On AnimeSparks: 86 Eighty-Six Is a War Story Disguised as Mecha | Racism and Combat in Anime
3. Eureka Seven
TV · 2005 · 50 eps · ★ 8.05
- MyAnimeList users recommend it to fans of DARLING in the FRANXX
- Shares Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi with DARLING in the FRANXX
4. Gurren Lagann
TV · 2007 · 27 eps · ★ 8.65
- MyAnimeList users recommend it to fans of DARLING in the FRANXX
- Shares Sci-Fi, Mecha with DARLING in the FRANXX
5. Guilty Crown
TV · 2011 · 22 eps · ★ 7.39
- MyAnimeList users recommend it to fans of DARLING in the FRANXX
- Shares Drama, Sci-Fi, Mecha with DARLING in the FRANXX
6. Kiznaiver
TV · 2016 · 12 eps · ★ 7.36
- MyAnimeList users recommend it to fans of DARLING in the FRANXX
- Shares Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi with DARLING in the FRANXX
- Same studio as DARLING in the FRANXX (Trigger)
7. From the New World
TV · 2012 · 25 eps · ★ 8.24
- MyAnimeList users recommend it to fans of DARLING in the FRANXX
- Shares Drama, Sci-Fi with DARLING in the FRANXX
- Same studio as DARLING in the FRANXX (A-1 Pictures)
8. Sword Art Online
TV · 2012 · 25 eps · ★ 7.23
- MyAnimeList users recommend it to fans of DARLING in the FRANXX
- Same studio as DARLING in the FRANXX (A-1 Pictures)
On AnimeSparks: Why Sword Art Online Changed Virtual Reality Anime Forever
9. Cross Ange: Rondo of Angel and Dragon
TV · 2014 · 25 eps · ★ 7.38
- MyAnimeList users recommend it to fans of DARLING in the FRANXX
- Shares Sci-Fi, Mecha with DARLING in the FRANXX
10. Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion
TV · 2006 · 25 eps · ★ 8.71
- Shares Drama, Sci-Fi, Mecha with DARLING in the FRANXX
On AnimeSparks: What Is Geass in Code Geass? Lelouch's Power and Rules Explained
11. Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam
TV · 1985 · 50 eps · ★ 7.92
- Shares Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi with DARLING in the FRANXX
12. Your Lie in April
TV · 2014 · 22 eps · ★ 8.64
- Shares Drama, Romance with DARLING in the FRANXX
- Same studio as DARLING in the FRANXX (A-1 Pictures)
13. RahXephon
TV · 2002 · 26 eps · ★ 7.38
- Shares Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi with DARLING in the FRANXX
14. The Promised Neverland
TV · 2019 · 12 eps · ★ 8.46
- MyAnimeList users recommend it to fans of DARLING in the FRANXX
15. Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time
Movie · 2021 · ★ 8.58
- Shares Drama, Sci-Fi, Mecha with DARLING in the FRANXX
16. Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans 2nd Season
TV · 2016 · 25 eps · ★ 8.23
- Shares Drama, Sci-Fi, Mecha with DARLING in the FRANXX
17. Plastic Memories
TV · 2015 · 13 eps · ★ 7.92
- Shares Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi with DARLING in the FRANXX
18. The Girl Who Leapt Through Time
Movie · 2006 · ★ 8.08
- Shares Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi with DARLING in the FRANXX
19. Mobile Suit Gundam 00
TV · 2007 · 25 eps · ★ 8.10
- Shares Drama, Sci-Fi, Mecha with DARLING in the FRANXX
20. Mobile Suit Gundam 00: Second Season
TV · 2008 · 25 eps · ★ 8.07
- Shares Drama, Sci-Fi, Mecha with DARLING in the FRANXX
Genres, scores and fan recommendations from MyAnimeList. Picks never include other seasons or spin-offs of Darling in the Franxx.
How the top picks compare with Darling in the Franxx
Darling in the Franxx is 24 episodes from 2018, tagged drama, romance, sci-fi and mecha. “Carries over” lists the tags each pick shares; “Adds” lists what it brings that Darling in the Franxx does not.
| Pick | Length | Era | Carries over | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neon Genesis Evangelion | 26 episodes | 1995, 23 years older | Drama, Sci-Fi, Mecha | Avant Garde, Award Winning, Suspense |
| 86 Eighty-Six | 11 episodes, much shorter than DARLING in the FRANXX | 2021 | Drama, Sci-Fi, Mecha | Military |
| Eureka Seven | 50 episodes, much longer than DARLING in the FRANXX | 2005, 13 years older | Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi, Mecha | Adventure |
| Gurren Lagann | 27 episodes | 2007, 11 years older | Sci-Fi, Mecha | Adventure, Award Winning |
| Guilty Crown | 22 episodes | 2011, 7 years older | Drama, Sci-Fi, Mecha | Super Power |
| Kiznaiver | 12 episodes, much shorter than DARLING in the FRANXX | 2016 | Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi | — |
| From the New World | 25 episodes | 2012, 6 years older | Drama, Sci-Fi | Fantasy, Horror, Mystery |
| Sword Art Online | 25 episodes | 2012, 6 years older | Romance | Action, Adventure, Fantasy |
Pick by what you loved about Darling in the Franxx
- If you liked the mecha side: Neon Genesis Evangelion, 86 Eighty-Six, Eureka Seven and Gurren Lagann.
- If you liked the drama side: Neon Genesis Evangelion, 86 Eighty-Six, Eureka Seven and Guilty Crown.
- If you liked the romance side: Eureka Seven, Kiznaiver, Sword Art Online and Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam.
Make your own list
Want to mix Darling in the Franxx with other favourites, or filter by length, year or mood? The Recommendation Finder combines up to three shows and hides anything already on your watchlist.
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How these picks are made
No AI and no paid placements. Every show in our catalogue is scored against Darling in the Franxx: points when MyAnimeList users recommend it to Darling in the Franxx fans, and for each genre, theme, demographic and studio the two share. Score and popularity break ties. Other seasons and spin-offs of Darling in the Franxx are left out, and each franchise appears once.
Frequently asked questions
What anime is most like Darling in the Franxx?
Neon Genesis Evangelion. MyAnimeList users recommend it to fans of DARLING in the FRANXX. 86 Eighty-Six and Eureka Seven come next.
Is there a short anime like Darling in the Franxx?
Yes: 86 Eighty-Six (11 episodes), Kiznaiver (12 episodes), The Promised Neverland (12 episodes) and Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time (movie).
What do Darling in the Franxx fans recommend?
MyAnimeList users who loved Darling in the Franxx most often recommend Neon Genesis Evangelion, 86 Eighty-Six, Eureka Seven, Gurren Lagann and Guilty Crown.
How are these picks chosen?
With transparent rules, not AI. Shows score points when MyAnimeList users recommend them to Darling in the Franxx fans and for genres, themes, demographic and studio they share with it. Score and popularity break ties, and other seasons of Darling in the Franxx itself are left out.
More tools for your next step
Genres, scores and user recommendations: MyAnimeList, provided by the Tenrai API and refreshed daily. AnimeSparks is not affiliated with MyAnimeList or Tenrai.