About “Darling in the Franxx” in a few words:

Darling in the Franxx is a mecha anime series set in a dystopian world where children, known as “parasites,” are trained to pilot mechs called Franxx in order to defend humanity from mysterious creatures known as Klaxosaurs. The story follows Hiro, a former prodigy parasite, who, after a chance encounter with the enigmatic Zero Two, is chosen to be her partner in the fight against the Klaxosaurs. The series explores themes of love, identity, and the consequences of blindly following authority.

Meet the characters from Darling in the Franxx

Hiro

Hiro is that quietly intense protagonist who keeps trying to figure out who he is, like he’s always pausing mid-thought and then charging forward. He’s loyal to a fault and won’t let people go even when it’s clearly messy, which is both heroic and kind of stubborn, honestly. There’s this weird mix of determined pilot-brain and lost kid energy — so brave and so unsure at the same time. Also he has a tendency to get eerily single-minded about one person or idea and then act all stoic about it (but you know he cares).

Ichigo

Ichigo is the “I will take charge and also cry in the corner” type, so grounded and fierce and somehow maternal without being boring. She nags, she plans, she saves people — sometimes in a slightly possessive way — but it comes from a place of terrifying commitment. She loves order and rules but will break them if it means protecting the team, which is both very responsible and kind of impulsive, weirdly. Honestly she could be described as the heart that tries to be a brain, and occasionally fails spectacularly (in the best way).

Miku

Miku is loud, snappy, and weirdly tender when you least expect it — she’s the energetic spark who says exactly what everyone else is thinking. She’s loud and competitive (karaoke champion? maybe), but she’s got this soft streak and will fend for her friends like a tiny, furious guard dog. Sometimes she seems shallow but then she does something surprisingly kind and you’re like oh — there’s depth, okay. Also she has a dramatic flair for imitation and gossip and probably owns three terrible hats.

Kokoro

Kokoro feels like a warm loaf fresh from the oven — sweet, nurturing, and quietly brave, with flowers in her hair (actual flowers? maybe). She’s the one who dreams of babies and gardens and a normal life, and that gentle optimism is oddly radical in their world. She can be naive but not stupid; there’s a stubborn wisdom under the softness that shows up at the right time. Also she has a habit of smiling in dangerous situations and somehow it works, which is both adorable and alarming.

Ikuno

Ikuno is soft-spoken, observant, and full of the kind of quiet longing that makes you want to hug her and also give her space — complex vibes. She’s analytical and inward, likes data or maybe just lists in her head, and she often sounds resigned even when she’s secretly hopeful. There’s a melancholy to her but also flashes of fierce loyalty; she’ll pick a person and then defend them like a tiny knight with a spreadsheet. Sometimes she seems distant but then drops a line that cuts straight to the heart, so watch out.

Zero Two

Zero Two is absolutely chaotic charisma incarnate — dangerous, seductive, and also somehow heartbreakingly honest about being weird. She stomps into a room and rearranges everyone’s destiny, with that grin that is equal parts mischief and melancholy. She’s bold to the point of recklessness, loves sweets (she does, right?), and also carries this heavy baggage that makes her soft moments feel huge. You can’t predict her but you’re obsessed with trying — even if it kills you (dramatic, I know).

Zorome

Zorome is loud, brash, and bless-ably uncomplicated: he wants to be the best and he’s not ashamed to shout about it. He’s rowdy, competitive, and strangely romantic in a very stubborn, clumsy way — like a guy who writes bad poems and insists they’re deep. There’s a big ego but also huge loyalty; he’ll bicker with everyone and then race to save them five minutes later. Also he loves human stuff (pop culture, I think) and gets weirdly small when confronted with actual feelings, which is both hilarious and sweet.

Mitsuru

Mitsuru is the cool schemer with a soft center if you can ever find it — strategic and smug but also insecure in the worst, cutest ways. He wants respect, power, and validation, and he goes for it with this sharp precision that is oddly stylish (like he plans his scowls). He acts aloof but will do uncomfortable emotional labor when it matters, which is surprising and low-key admirable. Occasionally he sulks for long periods and then apologizes with flowers or something equally dramatic (he totally does that, trust me).

Futoshi

Futoshi is giant-hearted and hug-ready, the team’s emotional anchor who eats and cares and insists on comfort for everyone. He’s goofy and a little clumsy but shockingly brave when push comes to shove, and his loyalty is kind of a superpower. He oscillates between being overly cheerful and deeply, uncomfortably earnest in ways that make you want to hand him a snack and a medal. Also he has the worst taste in jokes — like truly awful puns — but somehow they land because he means them.