Please note: This is a opinion piece based on Bubble Tea Scans' scanlation of this manga. Please read it on their website, since they do not appear to be making any money from it. Please support the mangaka by buying print/digital releases when they are available in English.I am generally not a fan of manga adaptations of TV shows- I always found "manganizations" of character designs to be jarring, and the quality of the story takes a major blow, almost always- take RahXephon's manga adaptation, for example, an utterly incomprehensible trainwreck that takes everything good about anime version and throws it out of the window in favor of fan service.
Enough babbling about RahXephon- today we are examining first two chapters of Darling in the FranXX's manga adaptation, which is one of the rare exceptions where manga actually seems hopeful in a sense that it will be a good version of the story anime is presenting- even if that story ends up being a pile of Klaxosaurus' excrement.
Starting off with the art, this manga feels incredibly grounded in the show's art style, here giving much more detail to the characters, which is to be expected, while not altering the designs fundamentally. Some designs actually feel like they were cells taken from the anime- take the old professor at the beginning for an example. This is, in my opinion, a good thing, since I will be able to seamlessly follow character progression in the manga and the anime without feeling that they are different people. Speaking of characters, the manga does indeed provide us with some snippets of information that was not presented in the manga- such as one important bit at the beginning about Zero Two. And, it gets quite a bit more technical, especially during the fight with Kaloxaosaurus, where the professor gives a remark about the form Zero Two's Franxx is taking when she is alone in it.
What is questionable? That has to be the sexual content, which is much more apparent here than in the anime- here we get a glorious look at uncensored Zero Two's breasts. The reason why I am going to abstain from reading into this is that this show may take the fan service and turn it into something different. This is amplified by a sexualized nature in which the Franxx is piloted- either that or the production team has very, very naughty. Art, in general, is very well drawn, with some great panel layouts and sweet looking action sequences.
I recommend this manga because it gives you some technical information, features well-drawn characters and action sequences and has an intrigue behind a way in which it may take its plot.
Score breakdown:
Story: B
While it is almost identical to the anime, it provides some technical nuances here and there, which make it worth it.
Characters: B-
We learn more about Zero Two, who is really, the only interesting character, except maybe the professor. Others seem beyond generic.
Art: A
Well drawn, designs are well thought out. The excellent transition of characters from anime. Sexualization of Zero Two is either going to make sense or not depending on where the story goes.
+ Provides some technical nuances to the story, well drawn, Zero Two is a likable yandere.
- Sexualization is either going to make sense or not depending on where the story goes, there is no denying that this is another candidate for a possible Evangelion clone- but hey! In the realm of harem and isekai sh*te, even Eva clone feels unique!
Scanlation comments: Done with great attention to detail, and it feels very professional. It almost feels like an official release in English. Praise to Bubble Tea Scans!
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