Soukyuu no Fafner made an extraordinary name in the mecha genre, through an unusual animation style and a story unlike any other in the category.
This mecha anime carries the themes of war and brutality so well, that it will blow your mind at how realistic things are, even with giant robots and aliens.
Fafner‘s character design was designed by Hisashi Hirai, so it bears a resemblance to Mobile Suit Gundam SEED. The studio that worked on it was XEBEC, which often Aired other mecha anime, then changed ownership to Production I.G.
This story focuses on Tatsumiyajima, the central island in a lonely remote area of the Japanese islands. Not much happens there, and the island’s young people go to school knowing that their lives will likely remain peaceful and undisturbed.
Table of Contents
1. Soukyuu no Fafner (2004)
- Episodes: 25
- Aired: Summer 2004
Tatsumiyajima is the central island in the middle of a small group of islands, in a remote area of the sleepy island of Japan. Not much happens there, and the island’s young people go to school knowing that their lives will likely remain peaceful and undisturbed. Or so they had been taught, but the reality was different.
The fate of humanity is at stake, and Tatsumiyajima is the last line of defense against a hostile and inscrutable foe. Amidst it all, fighting for humanity’s survival, is the giant robot Fafner, the dragon who guards humanity’s last treasure.
2. Soukyuu no Fafner: RIGHT OF LEFT – single program (2005)
- Episodes: 1
- Aired: Winter 2005
This is a prequel story for the previous season.
Yumi Ikoma and Ryou Masaoka are children who have been chosen to take part in a secret mission, to become pilots of the first Fafner fighter unit; last chance of survival for humanity.
The enemy is ruthless, merciless and able to read human minds. Because of this, the details of this mission were kept secret even from the personnel involved. The young pilots must use all their courage and faith to survive and complete their mission or the fate of humanity will be compromised.
3. Soukyuu no Fafner: Dead Agressor: Heaven and Earth (2010)
- Episodes: 1
- Aired: Fall 2010
An alien force that re-engages in war with Tatsumiya Island years after Kazuki led a team of mecha pilots to destroy them.
In an explosive battle for the fate of humanity, young warriors risk everything to save their only home from assimilation.
4. Soukyuu no Fafner Exodus (2015)
- Episodes: 13
- Aired: Winter 2015
The year is 2150 AD. The battle against the silicon-based Festum from outer space reaches a new phase. The Arctic Mir fragments are scattered around the world. Eventually, they started acting on their own as independent Mirs.
Most hate humanity and attack them, but some choose to coexist with humanity. Some with the same way of thinking also existed within the human race: those who were both human and Festum. They add chaos to the battle and bring more hatred.
5. Soukyuu no Fafner Exodus 2 (2015)
- Episodes: 13
- Aired: Fall 2015
Second season of Soukyuu no Fafner: Exodus.
6. Soukyuu no Fafner: Dead Aggressor – The Beyond (2019)
- Episodes: 3
- Aired: Spring 2019
This new title in the Fafner franchise is being Aired in installments, the first of which is episode 1-3.
7. Soukyuu no Fafner: Dead Aggressor – The Beyond Part 2 (2019)
- Episodes: 3
- Aired: Fall 2019
Episodes 4-6 of the Soukyuu no Fafner: Dead Aggressor – The Beyond series.
8. Soukyuu no Fafner: Dead Aggressor – The Beyond Part 3 (2020)
- Episodes: 3
- Aired: Fall 2020
Episodes 7-9 of the Soukyuu no Fafner: Dead Aggressor – The Beyond series.
9. Soukyuu no Fafner: Dead Aggressor – The Beyond Part 4 (2021)
- Episodes: 3
- Aired: Fall 2021
Episodes 10-12 of the Soukyuu no Fafner: Dead Aggressor – The Beyond series.
10. Soukyuu no Fafner: BEHIND THE LINE (2023)
- Episodes: 1
- Aired: 2023
Announced at Soushi Minashiro Birthday Fes 2021. Originally promised to fans during the 2017 birthday event, this standalone entry to the Soukyuu no Fafner series is said to be a “peaceful spin-off”.