Baldr Force EXE Resolution is a four-episode OVA sequel to a (comparatively less well-known) top-down shooter for the Dreamcast and PS2 by the name of Baldr Force and directed by Takashi Yamazaki, part of the Baldr series. Funimation Entertainment licensed the OVA for North American distribution on July 21, 2007 and was released on May 20, 2008 including all 4 episodes on one DVD. Funimation released the OVA under the name Baldr Force EXE, dropping "Resolution" from the title.
Tohru Sohma is a member of a fearless gang of hackers calling themselves "Steppenwolf" - but when tragedy strikes and the group is disbanded, Tohru is forced into the ranks of FLAK, a military organization charged with protecting the hidden data paradise deep within the vast network of servers. Indentured into service and out for revenge, Tohru cannot let go of the dead of the past even as a ghost of the present takes shape.
Faced with the loneliness and confusion of being trapped between two worlds, there is only one question... What is reality?
Do not confuse this with Rockman.EXE
Baldr Force EXE Resolution contains examples of:
- Bland-Name Product: An example of this based around McDonald's appears in the end credits.
- But Not Too Gay: Shidou Ayane is stated to be a lesbian in the first episode, but she's never shown to be. It is noteworthy that in the original game she's one of the main heroines, and is indeed attracted to Tohru.
- Flatline: The FLAK terminology for death while connected to the wired.
- Kill the Ones You Love: Tohru must kill Ren to keep her from destroying the Wired.
- Living with the Villain:
- Tohru's sister is a data-consuming virus that threatens all life as we know it.
- Tohru's teammate Ayane is revealed to be Yuuya's killer.
- Lock-and-Load Montage: The virtual equivalent of one of these (An obvious Shout-Out to The Matrix) occurs preceding the final battle with Leviathan.
- Never Say "Die": FLAK refers to deaths as "flatlining".
- Nostalgic Music Box: Ren's long-decayed corpse holds one of these.
- (Virtual) Planet Eater: Leviathan thrives completely off of consuming data, right down to any living beings connected to the wired.
- Rape Is a Special Kind of Evil: Genha cements how bad he is when he rapes Ayane.
- Teeth-Clenched Teamwork: In the final episode, Tohru begrudgingly fights alongside Shidou Ayane.
- Theme Music Power-Up: The theme tune plays over the final battle.
- The Virus: Leviathan is classed as one of these as it reaches the attention of more high-profile authorities.
- Tragic Monster: Ren, the dead little sister Tohru forgot he had, exists in mind and spirit in the Wired, where she manifests as a Planet Eater.
