On the surface of this anime, it looks like a typical alien wanting to kill the last of humanity with mech fighter being the only ones the drive them back, but we're in an alternative vers. of East Germany here during what feels like a World War I and II setting, there are more than just aliens as a threat to the rest of humanity. This anime does look into what happens when humans go to their extremes in order for peace or destruction through political and militaristic means, as well as what relationships between people can do through those extremes.
The plot does have somewhat a slow start but does get intense with plot twists and political dealings and betrayals later on, yes this anime is edgy although LA will say it kinda has the right to be called this due to the setting alone, the aliens are just icing on the cake. There are A LOT of deaths and some of the more coming from the main cast do impact the story and characters to change society in this derelict-power mongering world they are in.
In terms of characters, due to how the story is ruthless to it's characters both emotionally and development-wise to the cast in general you will grow attached to both the 666th TSF Squad or the individual characters as they have a lofty goal they want to strife for to see, thus even the "obvious death flag main cast's deaths" contribute to the characters wanting even more to strife for their goal, the villains themselves are extremely clever (though the political faction are kinda evil for evil sakes cliched), but LA will say that a great villain from this anime comes from Beatrix Brehme voiced by ''Yukari Tamura'', LA won't say much but she directly contrasts to the 666th TSF Squad's ambitions as well.
In terms of animation by ixtl and LIDENFILMS, well the character designs are pretty distinct from one another due to either their accessories or hair color and style (although LA always confused Circe Steinhoff and Gretel Jeckeln), backgrounding was very well done as it evoked Winter in Europe quite well as well overall some good backgrounding overall. The mech's go in between CGI and traditional and to be perfectly honest the mech designs are outright awesome to look at (though it's like any mech designs with some accessories here and there), now onto the CGI aliens, yes, they used CGI on the alien but LA can ignore this as they ARE SUPPOSE to look "ugly and alien", finally the battle scenes overall were impressive to watch and were animated quite well it became even more intense when the plot reaches it's intensity.
The ending by all means wrap up some loose plotlines and LA will say the ending was a decent climax with a plot twist that makes it somewhat depressing at the same time, nonetheless the ending gave LA quite the impression.
Schwarezesmarken is LA's first entryway to the Muv Luv series and really by all means with what LA has been saying about this anime's characters, plot and themes alone got LA interested and this anime might be a hidden gem of Winter 2016 if only people just didn't look at this anime as "edgy" and nothing more. Because of this, LA ''might'' look the Total Eclipse after this...good job Schwarezesmarken you got LA interested in your franchise.
