The mecha anime series Soukyuu no Fafner made a real splash with its distinctive art style and a gritty, impactful storyline that stood out from typical robot shows.
Despite featuring giants fighting aliens, Fafner delivers war drama with an almost painfully raw realism. The battles’ brutality and emotional weight will hit you hard!
The initial character designs were created by Hisashi Hirai, known for Mobile Suit Gundam SEED. Animation studio XEBEC, veterans of the mecha genre, led early production before Production IG took over.
The story follows the remote Japanese island Tatsumiyajima, where teens live a peaceful routine – yet war suddenly finds them. These unassuming students must pilot weaponized systems against extraterrestrial invaders, forever shattering their world.
Stunning animation fuses with savage but thoughtful sci-fi action. If you want a profound mecha epic doubling as an anti-war tragedy, Fafner awaits. Fair warning…it may wound your soul.
Fafner in the Azure Watch Order
- Soukyuu no Fafner (2004)
- Soukyuu no Fafner: RIGHT OF LEFT – single program (2005)
- Soukyuu no Fafner: Dead Agressor: Heaven and Earth (2010)
- Soukyuu no Fafner Exodus (2015)
- Soukyuu no Fafner Exodus 2 (2015)
- Soukyuu no Fafner: Dead Aggressor – The Beyond (2019)
- Soukyuu no Fafner: Dead Aggressor – The Beyond Part 2 (2019)
- Soukyuu no Fafner: Dead Aggressor – The Beyond Part 3 (2020)
- Soukyuu no Fafner: Dead Aggressor – The Beyond Part 4 (2021)
- Soukyuu no Fafner: BEHIND THE LINE (2023)
1. Soukyuu no Fafner (2004)
- Episodes: 25
- Released: Summer 2004
Tatsumiyajima stands as the central island in a small group off the quiet coast of Japan. Life on the island is tranquil, and the young residents attend school expecting their lives to continue in peace. However, this perception is about to be shattered.
In truth, the fate of humanity hangs in the balance, and Tatsumiyajima emerges as the final frontier against an enigmatic and hostile adversary. Amid this crisis, humanity’s last hope rests on the shoulders of the giant robot Fafner—the dragon tasked with safeguarding our most precious treasure.
2. Soukyuu no Fafner: RIGHT OF LEFT – single program (2005)
- Episodes: 1
- Released: Winter 2005
This serves as a prequel to the previous season.
Yumi Ikoma and Ryou Masaoka, two chosen children, are entrusted with a covert mission—to become pilots of the inaugural Fafner fighter unit, humanity’s last hope for survival.
Facing a ruthless and mind-reading enemy, the mission’s details are so classified that even those involved are kept in the dark. The young pilots must summon every ounce of courage and faith to navigate this perilous mission. Failure could compromise the fate of humanity, making their survival imperative.
3. Soukyuu no Fafner: Dead Agressor: Heaven and Earth (2010)
- Episodes: 1
- Released: Fall 2010
Years after Kazuki led a team of mecha pilots to defeat them, an alien force renewed its war with Tatsumiya Island.
In a high-stakes battle for humanity’s fate, young warriors put everything on the line to protect their only home from assimilation. The struggle unfolds in explosive clashes as they strive to secure the survival of their island and the people who call it home.
4. Soukyuu no Fafner Exodus (2015)
- Episodes: 13
- Released: Winter 2015
In 2150 AD, the ongoing conflict against the silicon-based Festum from outer space enters a new chapter. The fragments of the Arctic Mir are dispersed globally, taking on a life of their own as independent Mirs.
While many of these entities harbor animosity towards humanity and launch attacks, some opt for coexistence. A parallel sentiment exists within the human race, with individuals sharing human and Festum attributes. This convergence adds a layer of chaos to the ongoing battle, further intensifying the animosity and conflict.
5. Soukyuu no Fafner Exodus 2 (2015)
- Episodes: 13
- Released: Fall 2015
The second season of Soukyuu no Fafner: Exodus.
6. Soukyuu no Fafner: Dead Aggressor – The Beyond (2019)
- Episodes: 3
- Release: Spring 2019
A new title in the franchise is Fafner. This is in installments. The first is episodes 1-3.
7. Soukyuu no Fafner: Dead Aggressor – The Beyond Part 2 (2019)
- Episodes: 3
- Release: Fall 2019
Episodes 4-6 of the series Soukyuu no Fafner: Dead Aggressor – The Beyond.
8. Soukyuu no Fafner: Dead Aggressor – The Beyond Part 3 (2020)
- Episodes: 3
- Release: Fall 2020
Episodes 7-9 of the series Soukyuu no Fafner: Dead Aggressor – The Beyond.
9. Soukyuu no Fafner: Dead Aggressor – The Beyond Part 4 (2021)
- Episodes: 3
- Release: Fall 2021
Episodes 10-12 of the series Soukyuu no Fafner: Dead Aggressor – The Beyond.
10. Soukyuu no Fafner: BEHIND THE LINE (2023)
- Episodes: 1
- Release: 2023
Recently announced at the Soushi Minashiro Birthday Fes 2021, this standalone entry to the Soukyuu no Fafner series was initially promised to fans during the 2017 birthday event. Described as a “peaceful spin-off,” it offers a unique perspective to the narrative.
So, this was the order to watch Soukyuu no Fafner
