History PlayingWith / PuttingOnTheReich

* '''Downplayed''': Menacian soldiers simply wear field-gray uniform, with an occasional squad of EliteMooks [[PaintItBlack dressed in black]].

** Said German soldiers are only ''told'' to be the good guys, and in reality are still with the Nazi forces. If it was portrayed as a defection, well, [[HeelFaceMole they're false defectors]].

* '''Played For Drama''': The Mooks wear Nazi-like uniforms, and prove to be [[SociopathicSoldier just as cruel]] [[RapePillageAndBurn as the historical ones]].

** It turns out Menaca is actually a humanitarian organization that was trying to inspire hope and compassion by invoking the uniforms of the organization that inspired them... because they [[HistoricalCharacterConfusion somehow mixed up the Third Reich with TheRedCross]].
** The Menacans are aliens from another planet whose only prior exposure to human society was Nazi propaganda taken out of context. They show up wearing Nazi uniforms thinking they're just emulating human fashion trends, and get extremely confused when modern humans seem to "jump to the conclusion" that they're fascist conquerors.

** It turns out Menaca is actually a humanitarian organization that was trying to inspire hope and compassion by invoking the uniforms of the organization that inspired them... because they [[HistoricalCharacterConfusion somehow mixed up the Third Reich]] with [[UsefulNotes/TheRedCross]].

* '''Double Subverted''':

** The bad guys from Menacia intentionally model everything possible on the ''Allies'' of WWII -- their uniforms, weapons, and vehicles are all painted in markings similar to American, British, and[=/=]or French ones. Bonus points if their tanks look like Shermans. Extra points if outfits, arms and machinery of the heroic (well, [[ALighterShadeOfGray at times anti-heroic]]) Troperians appear German-esque, that is, [[DarkIsNotEvil usually associated with the foe... except this time]].

** The bad guys from Menacia were once part of the Nazi Empire, but now are [[AHouseDivided a separate enemy force]]. They [[SignificantWardrobeShift abandon their old uniforms for newer ones]].

* '''Exploited''': Rival nations emphasize the Empire's uniforms' Nazi-esque qualities in propaganda.

* '''Reconstructed''': ...[[CardCarryingVillain Which is exactly what the Empire was aiming for]].
* '''Played For Laughs''': Since the Empire's forces wear Nazi-like uniforms, it seems like they're really evil people... except [[ImperialStormtrooperMarksmanshipAcademy they can't even shoot straight]], and the heroes [[HarmlessVillain consider them a nuisance at best]].

* '''Invoked''': The EvilEmpire is a successor state to UsefulNotes/NaziGermany, so they go out of their way to call back to their roots.

* '''Deconstructed''': Everyone can recognize the EvilEmpire for what they truly are due to their fashion choice.

** It turns out the Nazis based ''their'' stuff off of the Evil Empire.

** Until they [[FaceHeelTurn betray the heroes]] and ally themselves with the Evil Empire to further their own agenda.

* '''Defied''': [[EvenEvilHasStandards The Evil Empire doesn't want to associate with the Nazis]] and does something different to differentiate themselves from their precursors.