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tenebraevesper · 2 years

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Identity Without A Cause - Forte.EXE (Rockman.EXE, Axess, Stream)

After having given my thoughts on Bass.EXE/Forte.EXE in the MegaMan Battle Network/Rockman.EXE games, I decided to shift my focus to Bass’ anime incarnation. However, Bass’ role in the MegaMan NT Warrior anime can be summed up with this meme:

Yeaaaahh... With a few exceptions, he doesn’t really get to do much in the anime, with the exception of Stream. It’s really disappointing, but I’ll still give my thoughts on that. I’ll only cover the Japanese dub here, so I’ll be also using the Japanese names.

So, let’s plug in!

Forte.EXE appears in 14 episodes total, as well as the movie Rockman.EXE Hikari to Yami no Program (which takes place during Rockman.EXE Stream). His first appearance is in Rockman.EXE/MegaMan NT Warrior Season 2 Episode 32: Internet City (which kicks of the Gospel Arc).

He is spotted by Rockman while absorbing bug fragments with a rather vacant look on his expression, before jumping off the ledge and vanishing, only to have a cameo in Episode 33: Crush the Virus Factory!, being engulfed by a pillar of light. He doesn’t appear again until Episode 48: Cybernetic Monster!, where he confronts the Gospel Virus Beast.

Forte senses a connection between him and Gospel, with Gospel then leaving. When Rockman asks him who he is, he just vanishes without a word.

To note, Forte does not speak in any of these appearances (I’m talking about Japanese dub only) and his screentime per episode amounts to maybe a minute or two at most, and that’s a generous estimation. Despite being relevant to the plot, as explained in the following episodes, he literally does nothing aside from showing up somewhere and disappearing.

We get an explanation about his existence in Episode 49: Gospel, courtesy of Dr. Wily, as well as more focus on him during the episode.

Dr. Wily reveals to the audience, and the Gospel Leader, that he named the Solo NetNavi Forte and that he has a connection to the Gospel Virus Beast. The Gospel Leader sends FreezeMan.EXE after Forte to delete him, as he fears Forte would interfere with Gospel’s plans.

Forte is once again seen absorbing bug fragments when he suddenly gets confronted by Rockman, who questions him who he is and whether he works for Gospel, with Forte remaining silent through the entire episode (I’m not even kidding, he doesn’t even speak until the end of the episode, having only one line).

The two then get attacked by FreezeMan, who knocks Rockman away and impales Forte with icicles. Cue to Forte shattering the ground beneath FreezeMan, who in turn encases Forte in ice.

While FreezeMan gloats, Forte lifts the whole damn building, showing just how powerful he is. While FreezeMan gets distracted by Rockman and HeatMan, Forte disappears, having broken out of his ice prison, then promptly jumpscares Rockman and kidnaps him.

We learn that he has brought Rockman to an abandoned World Three server, where he scans Rockman’s memories, revealing that he is actually PharaoMan’s reincarnation.

About that part... I did some digging and found out that the MegaMan NT Warrior anime started airing before MegaMan Battle Network 3 had been released. By the time the Gospel Arc (which was the adaptation of the MegaMan Battle Network 2 storyline) had concluded, the anime team had decided to press skip on MMBN3 and use the MegaMan Battle Network 4 storyline for its next season, MegaMan NT Warrior Axess/Rockman.EXE Axess.

This is why characters like Dr. Cossak, Mamoru Urakawa and Serenade.EXE, as well as Alpha, never appeared in the anime, why Forte’s backstory is different and why nothing is done with his character since the game his backstory had influenced was never adapted into an anime. Had MMBN3 been released before the anime started, I’m sure Forte would’ve played a bigger role in it.

In any case, Rockman’s friends and the remaining World Three members arrive to save him, with Forte finally uttering his first line in this anime: “I have awakened.” and disappears. Seriously, I wasn’t kidding when I said that he barely does anything, at least until Stream.

We then continue into Episode 50: Forte, where we learn that Forte messing with Rockman’s memories had caused the latter to be infected with a bug. Forte is then seen confronting the rampaging Gospel Virus Beast (giving us the reveal that Gospel had also been formed from the remains of PharaoMan’s data).

He manages to defeat Gospel and starts absorbing its data (wanting its Ultimate Program), but we find out that it is too much for him (as Gospel had been absorbing excess data continuously in the form of other NetNavis) and he is literally torn apart.

Just to note, the Rockman.EXE franchise will later on get even more graphic when it comes to the deaths of NetNavis, with a special mention to ShadeMan’s death by the end of Axess. This part here is nothing in comparison to what Forte goes through in the manga.

Forte appears lastly in Episode 51: Moment of Break-Down!, after Rockman Bug Style defeats Gospel, having taken over the Gospel Leader’s body (who is a robot in this incarnation).

Having returned, he decides to use the Gospel Bot to explore the world of humans and take over it. However, instead getting some insight into Forte’s plans in MegaMan NT Warrior Axess/Rockman.EXE Axess, he doesn’t appear until Episode 41: Allegro.

He has constructed a robot named Allegro, who had been kidnapping NetNavis and making them fight for his own entertainment. He explains how he had observed the world in the Gospel Bot, deeming it worthless and then promptly shuts Allegro down, deeming his antics stupid. Dark Blues asks him to join Nebula due to his grudge against humanity, but Forte tells him to get out and tells Netto and co. he’ll cross paths with them again.

He doesn’t appear until Episode 46: The Great NetPolice Battle!, observing the unfolding chaos and plugging into the network to and deciding to revive ShadeMan.

When ShadeMan questions him why Forte revived him, Forte claims that he sees a future in the Darkloids and disappears, not appearing until Episode 50: Dark VS Dark, silently observing (in the Gospel Bot) ShadeMan’s rampage through the real world. This is followed Episode 51: At the Place Where Light Reaches, where he leaves (probably in disappointment) when ShadeMan gets brutally torn into pieces by the Cross Fused Dr. Regal and LaserMan.

Yeah, this was all of his contribution in Axess. Aside from reviving ShadeMan, there is nothing that can be said and his appearances were once again a minute or two long. At least he had some speaking role, but even that was minimal.

This brings us to Rockman.EXE Stream, where he is actually given something to do, albeit only in the first two episodes, in the movie (which takes place in the middle of Stream) and the last two episodes (aka season finale). Still, despite the fact that he appears only in four episodes + movie (which can be seen as an extended episode), I actually like his role here because he is more proactive than he had been in the previous seasons.

Despite that, don’t get deceived by his appearance in the opening. It may look like he has an important role, but it essentially boils down to only one thing - defeating Slur.EXE, the servant of Duo.

In Episode 01: Duo, Forte observes the Cross Fused Netto and Enzan fighting a virus, only to kidnap Rockman shortly after the battle.

He explains to Rockman how he wasn’t behind the virus attacks, but that there is another danger looming over them and, while he obviously doesn’t care what will happen to humans, he does want to protect the cyberworld since, y’know, he lives in it.

When Rockman questions him about it, Forte replies how he’ll absorb his Ultimate Program so he can have enough power to fight this threat (this threat being an AI named Duo). Rockman refuses to go down easily, resulting in a battle between them (this is technically also their first battle), with Forte easily having the upper hand.

Fortunately for Rockman, Enzan had sent out Blues to find him, but Forte manages to defeat him before Blues appears.

Is it just me or is Forte a lot more threatening in Stream than he was in previous seasons? I guess having him do more than just toss buildings around or absorb data works wonders for his character.

The resolution of the battle is followed up in Episode 02: Earth Erasure, with Forte attempting to absorb Rockman’s Ultimate Program.

He is stopped by Blues, who questions his intentions. Forte then notes that he wants Blues’ Ultimate Program as well (as it turns out, Rockman, Blues and Forte are the only NetNavis who have it).

Blues manages to create a distraction and escape with Rockman, with Forte finding them a few seconds later, easily shattering Blues’ sword and starts to absorb the his Ultimate Program. The weakened Rockman tries to fight Forte off, but it goes as well as you’d expect.

Yeah, fighting a powerful Solo Navi without your Operator won’t do you much good, Rockman. Fortunately, Netto and Enzan had found them, and team up, giving as a Rockman (Soul Unison: Blues Soul) and Blues VS Forte battle.

This is also the episode where Forte starts using attacks from the games, specifically Hell’s Rolling and Air Burst. While the battle was awesome, my only complaint is that it’s short, as Forte logs out once Rockman and Blues attack him with Sonic Boom.

He does appear again in the Gospel Bot, entering SciLabs and plugging in.

Once he’s inside the network, he uses the satellite connection Rockman and Blues were supposed to use to travel to Duo in order to fight the latter. However, another NetNavi is sent from Duo’s comet, clashing with Forte, the feedback frying the Gospel Bot and rendering Forte’s only form of transport in the real world useless (not that he is going to need it).

After Slur introduces herself as the servant of Duo, Forte attacks her, declaring how he’ll defeat Duo and take his power.

Honestly, I friggin’ love Forte’s depiction in Stream. He gets to say and do interesting things and his battle with Slur is pretty epic.

We also get to see him use Earth Breaker, Dark Arm Blade and Darkness Overload, the latter seemingly taking Slur out.

Except it didn’t...

Yeah, Slur manages to wrap him up with the cables, then kicks him straight into Hell. *looks down at the script* No, wait, I meant she kicks him into the Undernet, where he remains until the movie. Seriously, what is up with this show and writing Forte out of the season until the finale? *shakes head*

Anyways, as noted above, Forte makes an appearance in the Rockman.EXE: Hikari to Yami no Program, which takes place sometime between episodes 22-29 of Stream.

Anyways, we find Forte floating in the Undernet, where he encounters Nebula Grey, and then gets promptly brainwashed. Honestly, he can’t catch a break.

He returns from the Undernet to fight with Rockman (their second battle), who had been sent to destroy the Tadashi Hikari Program to save the world from deletion. We get another epic battle between him and Rockman, but Forte still manages to beat him.

Fortunately, Rockman is saved by Colonel, who fights Forte instead, realizing he has been under someone’s control the whole time.

Honestly, I loved the sword duel between him and Colonel, especially since he manages to keep up with the latter. Fortunately, after Rockman destroys the Tadashi Hikari Program, Forte is freed from his mind control.

A light appears, it being Nebula Grey, with Forte revealing that it was responsible for him going berserk and the trio plugs out.

Forte doesn’t appear until the final confrontation with Nebula Grey, pissed off at Dr. Regal for controlling him. He and Rockman jump into the core, where they get restrained by the cables, which start draining their energy and turn them into slime-like creatures.

In one last attempt to fight back, Rockman offers his Ultimate Program to Forte, so he can use his data to become more powerful and defeat Nebula Grey and save the world. Despite Netto protesting against the plan, Forte gleefully accepts, absorbing Rockman and fusing both of them. However, the result...

Despite being fairly powerful, Forte cannot control Rockman’s Ultimate Program, but unlike his encounter with Gospel, this one has a different, more epic outcome.

I swear, I was grinning like an idiot when I saw Forte Cross Rockman on screen. He then proceeds to kick Nebula Grey and Dr. Regal’s ass in the most awesome way possible.

Yeah, he beheaded Nebula Grey with what appears to be Darkness Overload. BAD. ASS!!!

Unfortunately for the two, this has put a lot of strain on the body, causing Forte Cross Rockman to pass out. Dr. Regal activates a black hole bomb that sends them back to the Undernet, although, after they separate back, Forte forcibly logs Rockman out, saving his life in the process and going back to the Undernet alone while laughing like a maniac. He had a taste of power of the Ultimate Program, but won’t pursue it, as he knows that he cannot control it.

Forte then reappears in Episode 50: Colonel Barrel.

He is back from the Undernet and ready to beat Slur, with both of them clashing as the episode ends. It is immediately continued in Episode 51: Toward a New Future.

This time, they’re more evenly matched, with Forte actually managing to overpower Slur thanks to the Nebula Grey fragments he had absorbed while he was in the Undernet.

He then reveals that, after defeating Slur, he wants to go to the cyberworld of the space and seek a new kind of power.

Honestly, this makes me instantly think of MegaMan Star Force. I really want to see Forte’s reaction upon running into an EM Being. X3

After clashing further, Slur is quite bruised, with Forte impaling her with his arm.

He gives her a choice: she can live, but is banished to the Undernet, or he’ll delete her. Slur chooses the latter.

“If the Earth continues to exist, we will meet again, Rockman.”

Uh, no, you won’t. Not because Earth had been deleted, but because writers decided to boot you out of the anime. You guys heard me right, this was Forte’s last appearance, as he doesn’t appear in Rockman.EXE Beast and Rockman.EXE Beast+. Admittedly, I can’t say that his farewell was disappointing - in contrary, having him defeat Nebula Grey and Slur was really epic, but unless its a oneshot character, don’t make them promise they’ll meet the protagonist again only to never appear further in the series.

Honestly, Forte.EXE was a character with a lot of potential, but because the writers had no idea what to do with him in Rockman.EXE and Axess, he got shafted, only to get some importance in Stream and Hikari to Yami no Program. I’m sure that more could’ve been done with him (e.g. have him absorb one of the Cybeasts to rival Rockman or have a confrontation with Zero.EXE), as we’re going to see in the manga.

Due to him barely doing much until Stream, this is why I feel that Forte.EXE was handled worse as a character than Bass.EXE in MegaMan Battle Network.

Thankfully, we still have the manga and I absolutely love how Ryo Takamisaki had written him. However, I’ll cover that one another time.

Plug out!

The Ultimate NetNavi (Story Archive)

#Ten's Thoughts #bass.exe #forte.exe #megaman nt warrior #rockman.exe #dr wily #megaman.exe #lan hikari #hikari netto #slur.exe #nebula gray #dr. regal #bass cross megaman #forte cross rockman #rockman.exe axess #rockman.exe stream #The Ultimate NetNavi #duo

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ick25 · 9 months

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Rockman.EXE and Cyber Security.

When you are a Rockman/Megaman Battle Network fan and you take a college course about networking, you start to notice how broken the internet is in the anime. So just for fun, I want to talk about a few things I learn about network security and how it is interpreted in the Megaman Battle Network anime.

1. Firewalls

What are firewalls? In simple terms, it is a security barrier that is placed between a private network and the public network.

They are configured to monitor and filter networking traffic, hackers go through them by figuring out how they are programed, once they do they can either bypass the security undetected or simply disable the firewall.

Lets take a scene from the movie where Lan sends Megaman into a secretary’s console to destroy a program inside a company’s server.

Megaman is running through the network between the console and the firewall, which protects the private network of the company.

Logically, for Megaman to go through the firewall, he is going to need to use his powers as a Net Navigator (Net Navi) to analyze the firewall at an incredible speed to try to find a way to go through it, right?

WRONG! Battle Network logic says you can just break it with brute force!

You see the problem?

Does this mean Navis and battle chips are just as destructive to the net as viruses? Because last time I checked, Viruses and malware are the only programs with the ability to destroy networks.

2. Viruses

Viruses are man made, they are programed with a purpose that’s usually to destroy data files. They can also be used to change and manipulate programs, that’s why you can see evil Navis controlling viruses to do specific jobs for them. Viruses can’t replicate on their own without a user interface, so how is this Moloko a baby?!

There was an undubbed episode of Megaman Axess where Rush meets and befriends a baby Moloko virus, which doesn’t make any sense. Yes, Rush is a virus, and it has been established that viruses can communicate with each other, but why does this Moloko have parents? And why was the group of Molokos it separated from was being herded by other viruses like Trumpy? All I’ve seen Molokos do is charge at megaman when they see him, trying to ram him. Why would someone herd them? For the wool? It disappears after you hit it!

And what even is Rush’s purpose anyway? When he first appeared in the anime, he was made to track down Rockman’s frame or structure when they were trying to revive him with the backup data, but now?

All he does is being a crappy character who runs away when things get dangerous, doesn’t act like a dog anymore, and irritates me because he can move between the cyberworld and the real world! He is selfish, lacy, and practically useless, there are several times where Megaman goes missing and Rush is never even called to track him down, so he doesn’t even have that ability anymore.

On a positive note, viruses can be interesting, I found out that there are different types of viruses. For example.

A Stealth virus is a virus that avoids detection from anti virus software, this means it can conceal itself and attack without being spotted, sounds familiar? In this case the anti-virus software would also include Navis.

A retro virus tries to destroy anti-virus programs, I like to think these apply to viruses who specifically target Navis in battle like Canodumbs and Piranahs since they only attack when they detect an enemy in the line of fire.

Armored Viruses are hard to detect or analyze because they have a protective code, These could be Viruses with armors or auras like the Dominerd or even the life virus.

But Phage viruses remind me of these guys because they rewrite programs.

And I guess this one counts too?

Other viruses just act like malware, like the Alpha bug that is more of a worm than a virus, because it can replicate and travel across networks without any human assistance.

Others are obvious like the Pop up virus which is just Rush, and it is supposed to be adware, but just like Rush, it is more annoying than harmful.

In the anime, killereye viruses are used as spyware, there was an episode were Videoman used them to spy on Rockman and make copies of him.

3. Tracing a signal.

Basically, everything you do on the net leaves bread crumps or cookies behind that makes it easy to track a user online, every device have a Mac Address and every network has an IP address, but it takes a special kind of software and advance skills to track down somebody in the real world.

Let’s talk about episode 32 of Stream.

Remember that episode were Megaman followed a revived Shademan to 20 Years in the past and he witnessed a famous hacking incident that was stopped by Colonel?

Aside from the fact that it was 20 years in the past and Megaman is more advance than most of the technology there, there were a few things bothering me.

For starters, why does that computer show a little Colonel doing something to that guy’s hacking program? It’s cute and all, but this is a confusing way to show someone disabling a program, it usually just shows a notification. Or is that how the computer sees colonel, like a little pixel version of him? XD

That hacking program was made to open any cyber lock, it uses three special pillars to disguise the signal so the police wouldn’t be able to track down the address, this means those pillars have some special form of encryption to cover the data to make it untraceable. In the anime’s world, that means it’s invisible, but somehow Megaman can still sense it? And how did Barryl know where the guy was? Did colonel tell him? Or did the viruses he sent to delete colonel revealed his location? Oops.

4. Hard Drives.

To end this post, what are hard drives? They are what your computer uses to store files, so Navis can obviously be stored in a computer as well. The problem is that they are still sentient inside the computer instead of dormant.

The concept of containing a Navi, yes, Navis have their own jail in this universe, doesn’t really make any sense. We know Navis can sleep, but the Navis we see in cages are still active, and if everything is connected to the internet, how can they not escape?

I’m using this scene with Megaman as an example, when he was arrested for being in the wrong place at the wrong time, he was put in a cute little cyber cage.

However, since Megaman is more advance, he wonders if the hard drive of the computer he is stored in is weak against vibrations. What does he mean by that? Physical or cyber vibrations? Does that mean he can control a frequency in that computer’s cyberworld to alter it?

Whatever he did worked, because he left a gap in the cage, but how did he do it without damaging the Hard Drive? The police officer wouldn’t be able to access his files anymore, maybe it was minor file corruption?

And the worst part is that he opened a gateway into the internet, which is still there! I guess Megaman can travel through routers by himself? Maybe that wouldn’t have happen if the officer just disconnected his ethernet cable.

This Network based world is a scary one.

#MegaMan NT Warrior #Megaman exe #MMBN #Rockman.exe #anime #my thoughts

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