German in Japanese anime, LOL WHUT?

Anyone realize how many animes make reference to something german?
For instance:
1.Earlier Gundam Series
2.Weiß Kreuz
3.Elfen Lied
4.Fullmetal Alchemist
and moar.

Foreign always attracts due to the mystery of the unknown for it.
Why german and not france. I have no idea why it is so. But I don't mind it beeing german, at least I can understand that :D (as a dutch person)