Watch Schwarzes Marken

Schwarzes Marken is a science-fiction anime series that was produced by Liden Films and was broadcasted on TV Tokyo from January 2016 to March 2016. The story of Schwarzes Marken is set in an alternate history in the year 1983, where the Cold War never ended and the East German Stasi regime has become a dominant military power in Europe. Against this backdrop, an elite force of East German mech pilots known as the 666th TSF Squadron, commonly referred to by their codename "Schwarzes Marken," are tasked with defending the Berlin Wall from alien invaders known as the BETA.

The series follows the story of the 666th TSF Squadron and their struggles against the BETA as well as political intrique from higher up their chain of command. Schwarzes Marken is not your run of the mill mecha anime, it is broodingly dark and is not afraid to express the brutal elements that come with war.

The narrative of Schwarzes Marken focuses heavily on the political tension that exists in the alternate history created by its showrunners. The idea of the Stasi dominating Europe is something that really resonated with German fans of the series as it delves into a different direction then what modern history has enshrined for Germany.

One of the main characters of Schwarzes Marken is the female protagonist, Katia Waldheim. Katia Waldheim is a member of the Royal Guard of the Duchy of Thuringia and is assigned to the 666th TSF Squadron as the co-pilot of a new TSF unit that has a transforming capability. Katia arrives at the 666th TSF Squadron expecting to be treated as a hero, but instead, is met with suspicion and hostility from the pilots, who see her as another potential spy in their ranks.

The tension between the members of the 666th TSF Squadron and Katia is the driving force of the series, as they all struggle to trust one another amidst the high stakes of the conflict against the BETA. Katia herself is not without her secrets and personal struggles as she tries to find her place in the squadron and come to terms with what she must do in order to defend her home.

Schwarzes Marken also features a deep exploration of the role of emotions in wartime. The pilots are forced to make incredibly difficult choices, knowing that they will likely lead to the deaths of their comrades and friends. The stress of this weighs heavily on them, and the impact of those decisions is felt throughout the series. This profound exploration of human emotion in the context of a brutal, high-stakes conflict is something that many fans appreciated about the series.

One of the most striking aspects of Schwarzes Marken is its use of animation to convey a sense of tension and drama. The backgrounds are frequently desolate and lifeless, while the character animation is detailed and fluid. Battles against the Beta are often shown in a slow-mo sequence allowing the viewer to see the what is actually happening in the tempest of battle.

Overall, Schwarzes Marken is a dark and intense mecha anime series that has something to offer fans of both the genre and military dramas. By diving into the unique alternate history of East Germany, and focusing on deep character development, the series manages to stand out amidst the crowd of competing mecha anime. In summary, Schwarzes Marken is an anime that will at times leave you breathless with anticipation and other times with a profound sadness. If you can handle its intensity, it is well worth watching.

Schwarzes Marken is a series that is currently running and has 1 seasons (12 episodes). The series first aired on January 11, 2016.