Anime First Look - Schwarzes Marken

[yasr_multiset setid=3] By: MithrandielIn a universe that is both familiar and fantastically fictional, Schwarzes Marken invites us to a world where Germany was not only divided following World War II into the East and West territories, but that in the 60s we encounter "Beings of the Extra Terrestrial origin which is Adversary of human race", or BETA. In a desperate battle for survival, members of the 666th squadron belonging to East Germany (also referenced as the historically accurate "German Democratic Republic", or GDR) take on exceedingly difficult missions to destroy heavy-infantry class BETA and set up their allies for successful counter-attacks. In the midst of their already harrowing duties, they must also constantly be on guard, for Stasi informants lurk within the military, waiting to expose traitorous thought and execute anyone who they see as a threat to East Germany.At the start I was very concerned that I had seen this show before. Mankind battling an aggressive alien race is a dime-a-dozen archetype. What provided the much needed spin on Schwarzes Marken, for me, is the added dynamic of mistrust and anxiety within the human forces. A great example of this is near the end of the first episode: while one of our plucky, more optimistic characters is expressing her thanks for being rescued, she exclaims that if only the East and West worked together, the BETA threat could be addressed. Shocked, her crew-mate drags her outside and chastises her for being so foolish. Members of the Ministry of State Security, also known as the "Stasi", are constantly on the lookout for traitors, and any mention of collaboration with West Germany is seen as sowing sedition, and is met with execution. Optimism and hope are elements far removed from the world of the GDR...the protagonist says as much in the opening monologue.Our central characters display a classic no-nonsense approach to the dispatching of the alien menace, and you certainly get a "Game of Thrones" atmosphere by the time you finish the first episode. Someone mentioned that it may not be a matter of if your favorite character survives, but how long they'll live. As any good central protagonist should be, Captain Irisdina Bernhard shows no inkling of happiness, but does lower her defenses briefly when chastising colleague Theodor Eberbach for not following orders. Furthermore, she takes a moment to reflect on one of her colleagues apparent PTSD, a topic that is covered surprisingly well in anime for reasons that could span a PhD dissertation.The animation is thoroughly average, with your usual fan-service concessions of exaggerated breasts in tight-fitting suits (for science, I'm sure). The BETA are your standard CGI-fare as well.I'm interested in Schwarzes Marken...I really am. I appreciate its effort at distinguishing an otherwise painfully ordinary story, and it's enough that I'll be checking back for a few more episodes at least.