Everyone remembers the horns. When people talk about Darling in the Franxx, it’s always Zero Two this or "Ichigo did nothing wrong" that. But then there’s Code 390. Miku. Honestly, she’s the glue that holds Squad 13 together when everyone else is busy having a psychological breakdown. If you watched the show, you know she’s the one with the ginger twintails and the attitude that could peel paint off a wall. She’s loud. She’s stubborn. She pouts more than a toddler in a grocery store.
Yet, there is a weirdly deep layer to her character that gets buried under the "tsundere" label.
Miku isn't just there for comic relief, though her bickering with Zorome is basically the heartbeat of the show’s lighter moments. She’s a pilot, a partner, and eventually, a pioneer for a new world. If you look at the stats, her compatibility with Zorome is actually one of the highest in the unit. That’s not a mistake.
Miku Darling in the Franxx: More Than Just a Redhead with an Attitude
The first thing you’ve gotta realize about Miku is her design. It’s a total homage. If you’re an old-school anime fan, you probably saw the resemblance to Asuka Langley Soryu from Evangelion immediately. The hair, the "don't touch me" vibes, the constant need to prove she’s the best—it’s all there. But unlike Asuka, who is fundamentally broken by her isolation, Miku actually thrives on her connection to her squad.
She’s proud. Like, aggressively proud.
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Most of the kids in the Garden are just trying to survive or please "Papa," but Miku actually cares about her appearance and her status. She wants to be seen. In a world where children are literally just disposable batteries for giant mechs, that desire to have an identity is actually pretty rebellious.
Why Her Partnership with Zorome Actually Works
It’s easy to say they just fight all the time. But if you watch their startup ritual for the Argentea, it’s seamless. They sync up because they’re two sides of the same coin. Both are incredibly insecure but cover it up with massive egos.
There’s this moment early on where Argentea gets hit hard, and Miku is knocked unconscious. Zorome loses his mind. He’s not just worried about the mission; he’s terrified for her. Later, she basically tells him he’s an idiot and she’s the only one who can handle him. It’s classic "I hate you but don't you dare leave me" energy. They eventually share these matching pink pendants made from fragments of their Franxx. If that isn't a "we're in this together" symbol, I don't know what is.
The Gray Hair Mystery and the Price of Being a Pilot
One of the biggest "wait, what?" moments for fans was seeing Miku’s hair start to turn gray. In the anime world, hair color changes are usually a big deal. For Miku, it was the first real sign that the Parasites were aging prematurely.
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Being a pilot is a death sentence.
The show subtly reveals that the more they pilot, the more their bodies break down. While Ikuno’s hair turned white after a massive power surge, Miku’s graying was a slower, more haunting reminder that their time was running out. She didn't complain about it. She didn't make it a "main character" drama point. She just kept going. It shows a level of mental toughness that people rarely give her credit for.
Life After the War
By the end of the series, when the dust settles and the weird alien VIRM plot is over, Miku is one of the survivors who has to actually build a life. She doesn't have a giant statue or a tragic sacrifice story. She becomes a teacher.
Think about that for a second.
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The girl who was known for being the most impatient and hot-headed person in the room chooses to spend her life raising the next generation. It’s a massive full-circle moment. She and Zorome stay together, and while the show doesn't explicitly show them having kids, they basically adopt the entire future of humanity as their "class."
Why She Still Matters to Fans in 2026
Even years after the show finished its run, Miku has this cult following. Part of it is because she’s relatable. Not everyone is a literal klaxosaur princess or a stoic leader. Most people are just like Miku—trying their best, feeling a bit ignored, and hiding their soft spots behind a wall of sarcasm.
She represents the "human" side of the story. While Hiro and Zero Two are off in space doing cosmic soul-merging stuff, Miku is on the ground, dealing with gray hair and learning how to farm. She’s the reality of what it means to grow up.
If you’re looking to dive deeper into her character or the lore of the Argentea, here are some things you should actually do:
- Watch Episode 8 again. It’s the "Boys vs. Girls" episode. Most people skip it because it feels like filler, but it’s actually where Miku’s leadership and her discovery of the old human living quarters happen. It’s the most "Miku" episode in the series.
- Check out the Manga. The Darling in the Franxx manga (illustrated by Kentaro Yabuki) actually has a different ending than the anime. It gives some of the side characters, including Miku, a bit more breathing room.
- Pay attention to the "Anata" detail. In the final episode, Miku refers to Zorome as anata. In Japanese, this is a very specific, intimate way for a woman to address her partner. It’s the closest the show gets to a flat-out romantic confession for them.
Miku might not be the "face" of the franchise, but the story would be a lot colder without her. She’s the proof that you don't need to be the "Chosen One" to have a story worth telling.