History Main / BenevolentAlienInvasion

* ''ComicBook/SupermanRedSon'' is an AlternateContinuity where Superman landed in Russia instead of America. He decides to take over Russia and later most of the world in order to solve problems like po every and unemployment. He eventually stops when Lex Luthor convinces him he's impeding on peoples' freedom. Ironically, he turns [[spoiler:a human from the future in this universe instead of an alien.]]

* The aftermath of the Frieza Saga in ''Anime/DragonBallZ'' is one, from a certain point of view. All of the Namekian race (sans a tribe that was murdered by Vegeta) have been brought to Earth by Dende as a last-minute wish to save them and their Dragon Balls from Frieza. In terms of strength and abilities, the Namekians are naturally hundreds of times stronger than humans are[[note]]The few humans who were stronger than a Namekian were all dead at the time, until the Namekians used the Dragon Balls again over the next year to revive them.[[/note]], and the King Piccolo Saga of the original series shows that they are more than capable of doing the same thing to Earth... ''IF'' they wanted to. Thankfully because Namekians are peaceful by nature, they instead choose to live with Bulma at Capsule Corp, learning about Earth's culture and activities, in exchance for allowing the Z Fighters to use their Dragon Balls to wish back their friends.

** Somewhat applies to the Imperium itself, though only to human worlds. More often than not, they leave the [[PlanetaryNation world's government's]] intact, set up trade routes with other worlds, often provide ''some'' level of technological advancement (even if it is just lasguns for the conscript legion), and leave the world's culture mostly intact. The only demands usually made are "pay us in tithes of men and materials, and worship the GodEmperor". This actually makes them a lot closer to TheFederation than the Imperium would seem capable of. If you're on a ''non''-human world, however, your options are [[TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt somewhat limited.]] It should also be noted that this is primarily because of [[PragmaticVillainy difficulties in enforcing a galaxy spanning empire, not out of any form of altruism.]] If they could enforce a cruel dictatorship on every world, they likely would, as can be seen on Holy Terra and its closest neighbors, as well as Fortress Worlds or similar places where the Imperial government does maintain permanent presence. Additionally, the Imperium also has orbital stations protecting Feral or Feudal worlds that have severely regressed due to the Age of Strife, who would be otherwise completely defenseless against various forms of alien invasions (the Imperium in turn leaves them at low tech so that the local wars and struggles against nature produce good [[SpaceMarine Adeptus Astartes]] or Imperial Guard recruits). Finally, the worship of the God Emperor of Mankind is one of the few reliable ways to resist [[TheCorruption Chaos]] influence, so a lost human colony that survived the [[A.I.IsACrapshoot Men of Iron revolt]] and the Age of Strife that followed it (during which long distance FTL was impossible) that was essentially forced to join the Imperium really is, in 99% of cases, better off than if they were left to be krumped by [[OurOrcsAreDifferent Orks]], turned into the slave to the Dark Gods of Chaos (at best becoming a heartless, monstrous and cruel [[OurDemonsAreDifferent Daemon]] [[DemonofHumanOrigin Prince]], at worst mutating into [[AndIMustScream Chaos Spawn]]) or eaten by [[HordeofAlienLocusts Tyranids]].

** Somewhat applies to the Imperium itself, though only to human worlds. More often than not, they leave the [[PlanetaryNation world's government's]] intact, set up trade routes with other worlds, often provide ''some'' level of technological advancement (even if it is just lasguns for the conscript legion), and leave the world's culture mostly intact. The only demands usually made are "pay us in tithes of men and materials, and worship the GodEmperor". This actually makes them a lot closer to TheFederation than the Imperium would seem capable of. If you're on a ''non''-human world, however, your options are [[TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt somewhat limited.]] It should also be noted that this is primarily because of [[PragmaticVillainy difficulties in enforcing a galaxy spanning empire, not out of any form of altruism.]] If they could enforce a cruel dictatorship on every world, they likely would, as can be seen on Holy Terra and its closest neighbors, as well as Fortress Worlds or similar places where the Imperial government does maintain permanent presence. Additionally, the Imperium also has orbital stations protecting Feral or Feudal worlds that have severely regressed due to the Age of Strife, who would be otherwise completely defenseless against various forms of alien invasions (the Imperium in turn leaves them at low tech so that the local wars and struggles against nature produce good [[SpaceMarine Adeptus Astartes]] or Imperial Guard recruits). Finally, the worship of the God Emperor of Mankind is one of the few reliable ways to resist [[TheCorruption Chaos]] influence, so a lost human colony that survived the [[AllAIIsACrapshoot Men of Iron revolt]] and the Age of Strife that followed it (during which long distance FTL was impossible) that was essentially forced to join the Imperium really is, in 99% of cases, better off than if they were left to be krumped by [[OurOrcsAreDifferent Orks]], turned into the slave to the Dark Gods of Chaos (at best becoming a heartless, monstrous and cruel [[OurDemonsAreDifferent Daemon]] [[DemonofHumanOrigin Prince]], at worst mutating into [[AndIMustScream Chaos Spawn]]) or eaten by [[HordeofAlienLocusts Tyranids]].

** Somewhat applies to the Imperium itself, though only to human worlds. More often than not, they leave the [[PlanetaryNation world's government's]] intact, set up trade routes with other worlds, often provide ''some'' level of technological advancement (even if it is just lasguns for the conscript legion), and leave the world's culture mostly intact. The only demands usually made are "pay us in tithes of men and materials, and worship the GodEmperor". This actually makes them a lot closer to TheFederation than the Imperium would seem capable of. If you're on a ''non''-human world, however, your options are [[TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt somewhat limited.]] It should also be noted that this is primarily because of [[PragmaticVillainy difficulties in enforcing a galaxy spanning empire, not out of any form of altruism.]] If they could enforce a cruel dictatorship on every world, they likely would, as can be seen on Holy Terra and its closest neighbors, as well as Fortress Worlds or similar places where the Imperial government does maintain permanent presence. Additionally, the Imperium also has orbital stations protecting Feral or Feudal worlds that have severely regressed due to the Age of Strife, who would be otherwise completely defenseless against various forms of alien invasions (the Imperium in turn leaves them at low tech so that the local wars and struggles against nature produce good [[SpaceMarine Adeptus Astartes]] or Imperial Guard recruits). Finally, the worship of the God Emperor of Mankind really is one of the few reliable ways to resist [[TheCorruption Chaos]]influence, so a lost human colony that was essentially forced to join the Imperium really is, in 99% of cases, better off than if they were left to be krumped by [[OurOrcsAreDifferent Orks]], turned into the slaves to the Dark Gods of Chaos (at best becoming a heartless, monstrous and cruel [[OurDemonsAreDifferent Daemon]] [[DemonofHumanOrigin Prince]], at worst mutating into [[AndIMustScream Chaos Spawn]]) or eaten by [[HordeofAlienLocusts Tyranids]].

* ''Literature/CrestOfTheStars''. While the Abh are annexing planets, they are generally depicted as positive. They really accept everyone who would come and ask politely the only requirement for the imperial citizenship is basically an application, and to join the nobility the only thing you need is to rise to the officer rank in the Imperial Service. All Lander officers are considered entirely equal to the genetic Abh (and are required to have the [[DesignerBabies genetic Abh children]]), and the Empire's current Prime Minister is actually a Lander. *

* ''LightNovel/CrestOfTheStars''. The author goes out of his way to show how much more awesome and civilized the Abh are than normal humanity. Of course, Abh consider themselves to ''be'' humanity, a right that the other superpower in the Galaxy [[FantasticRacism vehemently denies]]. So it's mostly the choice between the conquering but largely hands-off [[FeudalFuture neo-feudalistic]] Abh, and ostensibly democratic, but meddling {{Principles Zealot}}s of the United Mankind.

* Two examples in ''LightNovel/CatPlanetCuties'':
** Played straight with the Catians, who want to establish a peaceful relationship with Earth, and at the end of episode 12, gives humanity a working space elevator.
** The Dogisians, on the other hand, try to subvert it by giving some human governments illegal alien technology in an attempt to prevent the Catians from establishing their foothold on Earth.

* ''LightNovel/CrestOfTheStars''. While the Abh are annexing planets, they are generally depicted as positive. They really accept everyone who would come and ask politely the only requirement for the imperial citizenship is basically an application, and to join the nobility the only thing you need is to rise to the officer rank in the Imperial Service. All Lander officers are considered entirely equal to the genetic Abh (and are required to have the [[DesignerBabies genetic Abh children]]), and the Empire's current Prime Minister is actually a Lander.

* ''LightNovel/{{Overlord}}'' could be considered a downplayed and alterdimensional (instead of an extraterrestrial) example. [[VillainProtagonist Ainz]] has stated that his end goal is to [[VisionaryVillain create a peaceful utopia]], and while he will '''not''' hesitate [[UtopiaJustifiesTheMeans to tread over the bodies of any perceived enemies to make this goal a reality]], [[AffablyEvil he is a]] [[WellIntentionedExtremist benevolent dictator]] at least to those on his side, [[CrapsackWorld which is more than can be said for many people in power in the New World]]. You know things are bad when the otherworldly {{Lich}} with [[LackOfEmpathy no feelings of compassion for humans]] '''still''' comes off as a breath of fresh air compared to the squabbling power-hungry nobles in your own kingdom.

** Also in the movie ''The Beast with a Billion Backs,'' the entire universe is invaded by Yivo, a rather benevolent alien being from another universe. [[spoiler: Shkler body actually turns out to be a heaven like place.]]

** During the Earth Alliance Civil War, those fighting against [[PresidentEvil president Clark]] were an alliance of the benevolent aliens of the Interstellar Alliance and human rebels. To make it seem less like an alien invasion of Earth, the final assault on Earth was almost entirely done by all human rebel forces, with rebel outposts and colonies being guarded by their alien allies. The aliens only come in to help when Clark decides to aim the {{Kill Sat}}s at Earth to assure [[TakingYouWithMe everyone else goes down with him]].
** After Clark is dealt with, the Interstellar Alliance offers Earth to enter the Alliance, guaranteeing advanced technologies (starting with ArtificialGravity). At the same time their ambassadors make this offer, [[GunboatDiplomacy their warships visibly fly over Earth's capital]]. At least they kept the promise, immediately giving Earth the knowledge to develop ArtificialGravity and sending a fleet to help defend against the Drakh invasion.
** About twenty years before the series, this was {{Inverted}}: Earth Alliance all but invaded the League of Non-Aligned World... To counter the Dilgar, who had already overran most of the League and were planning to enslave or kill the League races. Once the Dilgar are defeated, Earth Alliance trapped the Dilgar on their homeworld ([[NiceJobBreakingItHero not knowing their sun was about to go nova]], hence their invasion of the League) and went back home, their only gains coming from helping the League rebuild their infrastructure.
** Earth had previously been ''forced'' to do it: after discovering a planet inhabitated by a race whose most advanced civilizations were at bronze age level, Earth scientists went down to establish contact and study them... Unwittingly causing a chain reaction of civilization collapse, at which point the humans all but took over the planet to preserve as much as possible and [[AlienNonInterferenceClause the government established not to interfere with primitives again]].
** The Centauri Republic ''started'' doing this, as they had suffered a much less benevolent invasion in the past and saw them taking control of less developed worlds as the best way to protect them... [[HeWhoFightsMonsters Not realizing they had turned into imperialist conquerors]].
*** They then pulled it ''by accident'' with Earth: upon first contact they originally planned to take control of Earth by making it dependant on their advanced technologies (a strategy they were pulling successfully on many League worlds before the Narn cornered their market) while also cultivating economic relationships, only for the Earth Alliance government of the time to ''not'' adopt those technologies but study them and make their own copies that, while inferior, made Earth not reliant on the Centauri, and used them to colonize a number of worlds the Centauri had long abandoned. After realizing they had been had, [[GracefulLoser the Centauri made Earth their main trading partner and military ally]].
** The Orieni Empire used to be this, giving their subjects advanced technology, a fair rule, and the ability to gain full citizenship. On the flip side, they would also culturally destroy their subjects, would not take "no" as an answer, and were rumored to kill off all telepaths from the conquered races to keep full control of the Empire (as only telepaths could reach the upper echelons of the government). In the end they started a war with the Centauri, that, after both sides devastated numerous worlds, ultimately destroyed the Orieni military, came into Orien's orbit ready to wipe out the planet... And, playing the trope straight, offered peace conditions that would keep the Orieni militarily weak but preserve their independence and way of life.

A subversion of AlienInvasion and AliensAreBastards, one that naturally lends itself to a DoubleSubversion. Often, the "invaders" are a SuperiorSpecies. This is often the hallmark of a HegemonicEmpire. Compare VichyEarth, when the aliens only ''[[UtopiaJustifiesTheMeans believe'' the invasion is benevolent]]. If HumansNeedAliens, these tend to be the kind of aliens they need.

* Subverted in ''Comicbook/BlueBeetle''. The Reach come across as this, but they're actually alien conquerors engaging in a ''very'' long-term invasion plan: dumping mind control drugs in the water supply so that humanity will just hand them Earth in a couple of decades.

** Somewhat applies to the Imperium itself, though only to human worlds. More often than not, they leave the [[PlanetaryNation world's government's]] intact, set up trade routes with other worlds, often provide ''some'' level of technological advancement (even if it is just lasguns for the conscript legion), and leave the world's culture mostly intact. The only demands usually made are "pay us in tithes of men and materials, and worship the GodEmperor". This actually makes them a lot closer to TheFederation than the Imperium would seem capable of. If you're on a ''non''-human world, however, your options are [[TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt somewhat limited.]] It should also be noted that this is primarily because of [[PragmaticVillainy difficulties in enforcing a galaxy spanning empire, not out of any form of altruism.]] If they could enforce a cruel dictatorship on every world, they likely would, as can be seen on Holy Terra and its closest neighbors, as well as Fortress Worlds or similar places where the Imperial government does maintain permanent presence. Additionally, the Imperium also has orbital stations protecting Feral or Feudal worlds that have severely regressed due to the Age of Strife, who would be otherwise completely defenseless against various forms of alien invasions (the Imperium in turn leaves them at low tech so that the local wars and struggles against nature produce good [[SpaceMarine Adeptus Astartes]] or Imperial Guard recruits). Finally, the worship of the God Emperor of Mankind really is one of the few reliable ways to resist [[TheCorruption Chaos]]influence, so a lost human colony that was essentially forced to join the Imperium really is, in 99% of cases, better off than if they were left to be krumped by [[OurOrcsAreDifferent Orks]], turned into the slaves to the Dark Gods of Chaos (at best becoming a heartless, monstrous and cruel [[OurDemonsAreDifferent Daemon]] [[DemonofHumanOrigin Prince]], at worst mutating into [[AndIMustScream Chaos Spawn]]) or eaten by [[HordeofAlienLocusts Tyranids]].

** Somewhat applies to the Imperium itself, though only to human worlds. More often than not, they leave the world's government's intact, set up trade routes with other worlds, often provide ''some'' level of technological advancement (even if it is just lasguns for the conscript legion), and leave the world's culture mostly intact. The only demands usually made are "pay us in tithes of men and materials, and worship the GodEmperor". This actually makes them a lot closer to TheFederation than the Imperium would seem capable of. If you're on a ''non''-human world, however, your options are [[TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt somewhat limited.]] It should also be noted that this is primarily because of [[PragmaticVillainy difficulties in enforcing a galaxy spanning empire, not out of any form of altruism.]] If they could enforce a cruel dictatorship on every world, they likely would, as can be seen on Holy Terra and its closest neighbors.
** Dark Eldar are also known for claiming this. In their case it is the most cynical BlatantLies imaginable.

* According to WordOfGod, the final track of ''Music/{{Rush}}'''s rock opera "2112" represents the return of the culturally enlightened Elder Race of Man, who overthrow the culturally repressive Solar Federation. Good news for humanity, but a bit too late for [[DrivenToSuicide the protagonist]].

-->'''Alien:''' Do you have bathrooms here on Earth?\\
'''Earthling:''' Yes.\\
'''Alien:''' Do you have toilets?\\
'''Earthling:''' Yes.\\
'''Alien:''' Do you have toilet paper?\\
'''Earthling:''' Yes.\\
'''Alien:''' That's funny. We use our hands!

* An alien comes to earth and meets an earthling, He shakes hands with him as the following conversation takes place:

* Technically, Franchise/{{Superman}} is this via [[FlingALightIntoTheFuture someone flinging a light]].

** Arguably Manticore's (another human polity) annexation of Basilisk, they largely leave the native Medusans to themselves and only maintain small trade enclaves on their world. They also protect the system from more expansionist powers like Haven. The colonization of Sphinx was also beneficial to the Treecats, even if it was a few centuries before the humans figured out they were sapient, as they were able to colonize other planets when their homeworld was threatened.

* In [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1kmyD-W2JI this video]] from ''Website/TheOnion'', Supreme Emperor and Dynastic Overlord Thuu'l of Xarclon 12 sent a giant ship to rescue [[WarRefugees Syrian Refugees]]. Despite looking like a ScaryDogmaticAlien, [[HorrifyingHero his intentions seem to be genuinely benevolent]].

* One of the [[TropeMaker Trope Makers]] is ''Film/TheDayTheEarthStoodStill1951''. If you ignore the deathbots and the closing threat, the aliens are decent enough guys. The closing threat is that if humanity doesn't abide by the aliens' rules, the whole world will be destroyed. That's pretty clearly an invasion, even if it is for our own good. TheRemake, not so much.

* The bizarre men-in-black-alike "Whisper Men" from ''Film/{{Knowing}}'' were this. They realized Earth was going to be destroyed by a supernova, so they decided to save the animals and humans of Earth and transport them elsewhere. Of course they were ''really, really'' creepy about it and spent most of their time scaring the shit out of everyone, but arguably that's not their fault: they apparently can't talk per se and are rather horrifying to behold.

* ''The Gardeners from Orion'' is a subversion. Basically, the eponymous Gardeners from Orion ''are'' benevolent, and want to save our planet from being choked by pollution and global warming. The problem is that their main priority is the ''planet'', not us. And apparently, the fact that there's way, way too many of us ''is'' the problem. Nothing personal, you understand. Just part of a Gardener's work - pruning the weeds. But they're really very polite and pleasant about the whole 'Annihilate 90% of humanity' thing, making sure that family-units are kept intact, and providing the survivors with the tools and knowledge they need to survive without the extended infrastructure of human civilization. Humanity is [[NukeEm slightly less polite]] in their response.

** The aliens don't invade, they intervene, offering us membership in the galactic civilization because HumansAreSpecial. But HumansAreTheRealMonsters, too, and the Metapsychic Rebellion is fought almost entirely between humans over whether humanity will remain part of the Milieu and develop into a psychic HiveMind, or remain individuals and go their own way - the aliens mostly stay out of it. On the other hand, the Intervention is only benevolent [[WhatMeasureIsANonPsychic for psychics who get with the program]]. Nonpsychic humans get a higher standard of living, but have no voice in the Intervention or the Rebellion and are faced with draconian punishments if they're unable to fit in with humanity's psychic elite. And most of the Metapsychic Rebels are forced into Unity - no option B.

* One of the central premises of Julian May's ''Literature/GalacticMilieu'' series (''Intervention'', ''Jack The Bodiless'', ''Diamond Mask'', and ''Magnificat'') is this trope - the aliens don't invade, they intervene, offering us membership in the galactic civilization because HumansAreSpecial. But HumansAreTheRealMonsters, too.

* Creator/NeilGaiman's short story, "A Study In Emerald", is set in 1881, London, on an alternate timeline in which all the world leaders are [[EldritchAbomination Great Old Ones]], risen from R'lyeh and sundry other resting places some centuries previously. Most everybody appreciates this, because when your royalty gain their sustenance by driving people mad, you don't want to be the next meal, but there are a few "Restorationists" who think humanity should be in charge of its own destiny, a pair of whom the Holmes-and-Watson-esque protagonists spend the story hunting. At the very end, the narrator mentions that he heard one of the men they were chasing on that case was named [[spoiler: James (or maybe John) Watson]], and signs the entry [[spoiler: "S____ M____", implying that he is Sebastian Moran, Moriarty's sidekick]].