Muv-Luv Alternative

 Back in 1973, aliens arrived on Earth, and ever since then humanity has fought these BETA with the aid of mecha suits.

And now Alternative is finally here with 2 seasons so far, a series of which the spin-offs (Total Eclipse, Schwarzesmarken) actually aired years ago.  Yeah odd, I know, but never the less I dug in!

 

And it is in one go also the M entry for my letter challenge...

 

Japan is being overrun by the the BETA when Takeru joins a military unit after suffering nightmares of the fall of Japan and humanity.  He soon learns these are actually recollections of an alternative timeline version of him, and he now wants to help prevent this from happening in the current timeline.  Now called Alternative IV, the goal is to prevent Alternative V from happening.  That opening episode btw is awesome and dramatic with the music!

 

Years later, in 1999, soldiers discover a BETA hive where human brains are being stored. Takeru learns about Alternative IV, the plan to put the faith of humanity in a single child.  And how he ended up in this version of reality, after his original one was overrun by the BETA.  But his knowledge of the future might prove a great asset to save the world as it is now, as humanity can anticipate the moves now of the enemy.  But he also learns the Yokohama base he is residing is build upon an old BETA hive.

Training begins with a new and upgraded OS that makes the suits far more mobile then before.  But he agrees to test a project by professor Kouzouki, shifting realities again to a time with no BETA.  While this shift is only for short periods, it allows him to learn things about the enemy.  In doing so, he also gets tought about the different Alternative plans and how humanity came to create the ESP people like Kasumi.

But politics soon come into play, as insurrectionists threaten to weaken the position of Japan in defending the country.  But these don`t turn out to be just insurgents, but actually the rightfull ruler of Japan.  This leads to a confrontation with UN forces, threathening the sovereignity of the country.  Takeru takes her majesty onboard his TSF, to guide her to safety.

But once secured, the shogun decides to go talk with the insurgents and the UN forces herself none the less, as a united humanity is the only chance Nippon has against the BETA threat.  Overcoming the threat from within, she speaks to the nation to unite.

So, the beginning of the series looked promising, but it soon became just "to much" all at once, making the actual spin-off series that came before better.  Hopefully season 2 will be better... but that is something for next year or so to watch.