If you are in love with Darling in the Franxx like many anime fans from all over the world, then you probably can't get enough of the series. As it turns out, there are tons of fun facts that many fans don't get to learn due to secrets being lost in translation and the lack of coverage on the series outside of Japan.
There's a lot of things both in and out of the anime that fans of the show need to know, many of which will force you to look at the show in a whole new way. Below are ten amazing things that most fans don't know about Darling in the Franxx.
10 The Anime Has Famous Roots & Inspirations
While most people think Darling in the Franxx just popped out of nowhere especially since it's an original anime with no manga source material, the anime original actually was inspired by several famous anime.
The anime was produced by Studio Trigger, who are known for creating other original anime like Kill La Kill. The studio is known for handling their original stories well and always has over the top action, like the ones seen in Promare. Among its most obvious influences is Neon Genesis Evangelion, which it shares many parallels and similarities with. Additionally, Studio Trigger is comprised of former Gainax employees -- the latter of which is behind the creation of Evangelion.
9 The Characters' Names Have A Numerical Meaning
Numbers are pronounced a bit different in Japan than in other languages. Some syllables used for names can also be read as numbers, which is the case in Darling in the Franxx. This unique language system not only gave the characters their names that are actually numbers, but also foreshadowed major events and revelations.
For example, when Kokoro and Mitsuru's codenames (556 and 326, respectively) are added together, they yield 882. The sum can be read in Japanese as "hahani," which roughly translates into "to become a mother." Kokoro, indeed, does become a mother. Similarly and depending on who's talking, 882 can also be pronounced as "papani," which in turn means "to become a father" and is what happens to Mitsuru.
8 It Has a Manga
While almost every anime out has a manga attached to its name, Darling in the Franxx is a bit different. The manga was produced after the fact and sheds more light on the situations shown throughout the show. It also makes some events more realistic, like Ichigo attacking 002.
The ending of the manga also appears to be turning out quite different from the anime; for example, there is no VIRM. Whether this will be a better finale for the characters or otherwise has yet to be seen but at the very least, fans are in for something entirely new.
7 "Kiss Of Death" Was Performed By A Japanese Rockstar
"Kiss of Death" is the opening song of the anime and is actually produced by one of the most famous artists in Japan. Hyde is the top rockstar in Japan and has been around for decades, and he was more than happy to help out with the anime.
This was a nice surprise to many Japanese viewers, as the country is literally obsessed with Hyde's music. Hearing his music in a well-known anime like Darling in the Franxx really made it more special than it already was.
6 The Episode Titles are Symbolic
While a lot of anime have episodes names that describe the episode, Franxx takes it to a whole new level. Each episode is meant to be a hint to the overall plot, like the episode "Eden" when Kokoro and Mitsuru first become intimate despite the fact that any knowledge about childbirth and sexual intercourse has been banned.
Every episode is meant to clue fans in on the overall story and its underlying themes. This is more apparent if you examine each title after watching the episode and analyzing what just happened.
5 Pregnancy In The Franxx
Fans are a bit confused over the anime's take on pregnancy and how it can affect one's ability to operate a Franxx. While Kokoro supposedly can't operate one after she tests positive for being pregnant, she still somehow pilots her Franxx in the early stages of pregnancy before she realizes that she is actually carrying a child.
In the anime, many adults are worried that the stress of fighting would easily kill the baby. This has led many fans to believe that there was never enough research done on pregnant pilots.
4 Hiro & 002 Are Canonically Married
The series officially considers Hiro and 002 to be married, which actually isn't surprising considering the setting's lack of a legal system to say otherwise. This is proven by 002 herself when she tells Hiro they are going on their honeymoon while in space.
While fans would love to see 002 in a wedding dress, it just doesn't really seem like her style. However, this may change in the manga if they do decide to go with a happier ending and include a straightforward wedding as well.
3 Feelings Equal Power
In the anime, it's shown that feelings and emotions greatly impact how a Franxx operates. It's very possible that the more passionate a pilot is, the better they will do in a fight -- especially since the berserk mode is activated through anger and sorrow.
It's a bit surprising that love wasn't taught, as this could have made the parasites even more powerful in battle. But then again, teaching such things to the pilots would've proven problematic to the higher ups in APE, who have been trying to suppress any knowledge of sex, love, and intimacy so as not to have anything interfere with the parasites' ability to pilot the Franxx.
2 The Themes Of Reproduction Are Hard To Miss
One of the biggest themes in Darling in the Franxx is reproduction. Everything from the male and female pairings to the names of the pilots references the cycle of procreation and intimacy.
This was meant to show the importance of childbirth in driving society forward, which is actually a major issue and concern in Japanese society as the country is currently struggling with a declining birthrate. Rewatching the anime makes the push towards human reproduction even more obvious, especially as the parasites grow.
1 The Locations' Names Foreshadow Certain Revelations
The names of the areas in the name aren't random; they are all meant to comment on events and foreshadow major twists. The Garden, for example, is named after the fact that the children are grown in a controlled environment until they are mature enough to fight.
There is also the Bird Nest and the Birdcage, which are meant to represent different amounts of freedom that the children are allowed to have.