History ShoutOut / DarlingInTheFranxx

* Little Zero Two kind of looks like a younger [[Anime/LittleWitchAcademia Sucy]] with red skin and horns.

* The [[spoiler:remnants of Plantation 13]] resembles Yggdrasil from ''Anime/LittleWitchAcademia''

* Turns out the tumor that was killing Hiro in the previous episode left a scar shaped like a 4-pointed star. 4-pointed stars have shown up in [[Anime/LittleWitchAcademia many]] [[Anime/KillLaKill anime]] [[Anime/SpacePatrolLuluco by]] Creator/StudioTrigger before. Particular note to ''Anime/{{Kiznaiver}}'', where the main cast had similar scars.

* It applies to the series as a whole, but the two pilots needing to be in sync and balanced brings in to mind the [[Film/PacificRim Pacific Rim]] franchise; where the two Jaeger pilots need to be Drift compatible to move their Jaeger. The fact that the pilots in the [[Film/PacificRimUprising sequel]] are teenagers/cadets further strengthens this reference.

* The [=FranXX=] themselves have been compared to the mecha in ''Anime/StarDriver'' (for the designs), ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion'', ''Anime/{{Godannar}}'' and ''Manga/TheFiveStarStories'' (when it comes to how they function and the symbolism that comes with it).

* The Klaxosaur burning the girls' suits with his bloid reminds the 9th Angel, Matarael, from ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion'', who used acid to destroy NERV's defences.

* The [=FranXX=] themselves have been compared to the mecha in ''Anime/StarDriver'' (for the designs), ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion'', ''Anime/ShinkonGattaiGodannar'' and ''Manga/TheFiveStarStories'' (when it comes to how they function and the symbolism that comes with it).

* A [[https://www.reddit.com/r/DarlingInTheFranxx/comments/88kga7/found_some_uncanny_similarities_today few shots]] make for some pretty cool cinematic parallels with [[Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion "End of Evangelion"]]

* Zero Two seems to be an amalgam of [[Anime/{{FLCL}} Haruko]], [[Anime/KillLaKill Nonon]], [[Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion Asuka]], and [[Manga/UruseiYatsura Lum]].

* Pre-transformation, Strelizia's animal form looks like the robotic lions from ''{{Franchise/Zoids}}''. Alternatively, it could be yet another Evangelion reference, since it resembles the cat-like Beast Mode of (what else?) Unit 02. It also bears a slight similarity to the ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'' Solgaleo.

* The wings Strelizia gains at the end of the episode look and move a lot like the [[Anime/MobileSuitVictoryGundam Wings of Light]], albeit in a different color. They are also almost the same shape as the wings from the awakened EVA 01 during End of Evangelion.

* The picture book's story is a GenderFlipped version of ''Literature/BeautyAndTheBeast'', though the plot is more reminiscent of ''Literature/TheLittleMermaid''

* The entire episode has one to [[spoiler: Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann]]'s mid season plot twist along with [[spoiler: SEELE's original motivation back in Evangelion]], namely, [[spoiler: The Klaxo-sapiens were the previous defenders of Earth, much like Lordgenome's generation, who fought against the VIRM, an alien race that seeks to induce Instrumentality on others species either by manipulation or force, much like SEELE did in Evangelion and End of Evangelion]].

* Delta and Epsilon [[spoiler:meet their end in a manner similar to Asuka's in End of Evangelion, which is: ''ripped to pieces and eaten''; the way that the VIRM automaton destroys their cockpit by devouring it on the other hand is also one to Bardiel's destruction in Rebuild of Evangelion]].

* The final battle against [=VIRM=] is very much out of the Creator/StudioGainx mecha playbook: ''Anime/GunBuster'', ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion'', and ''Anime/TengenToppaGurrenLagann'' are all referenced.

* The final battle against [=VIRM=] is very much out of the {{Creator/Gainax}} mecha playbook: ''Anime/GunBuster'', ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion'', and ''Anime/TengenToppaGurrenLagaan'' are all referenced.

* The reunion scene between [[spoiler:Hiro and Zero Two in the Strelizia Apath]] seems right at home with the original Episode 26 from ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion'', as it is ''loaded'' with LimitedAnimation. The scene goes as far as depicting [[spoiler:Hiro as his poorly hand-drawn Prince and Zero Two as a simplified drawing of her child self]].

* The [[spoiler:Strelizia's True Apath form]] is practically [[Anime/DieBuster Buster Machine No. 7's sister]], since [[spoiler:the Franxx ''transforms into a mecha version of Zero Two'']].

* The reunion scene between [[spoiler:Hiro and Zero Two in the Strelizia Apus]] seems right at home with the original Episode 26 from ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion'', as it is ''loaded'' with LimitedAnimation. The scene goes as far as depicting [[spoiler:Hiro as his poorly hand-drawn Prince and Zero Two as a simplified drawing of her child self]].

* The [[spoiler:Strelizia Apus' True Apus form]] is practically [[Anime/DieBuster Buster Machine No. 7's sister]], since [[spoiler:the Strelizia ''becomes a mecha version of Zero Two'']].

* Delta and Epsilon [[spoiler:meet their end in a manner similar to Asuka's in End of Evangelion, which is: ''ripped to pieces and eaten'']].

* Going back even further, an alien species that tricks humanity into attacking Earth's defenders as a long term plan to avenge a defeat in the time of the dinosaurs is the plot of ''Getter Robo Armageddon''.