Blog:The Resistance Dissolution

The Resistance Dissolution (Hangul: 해체 레지스탕스 (Dissolution of the Resistance)) (RR: Lejiseutangseu Haeche) is a 2019 Korean-American-Japanese action-sci-fi-psychological horror OVA based on the Resistance storyline from Maplestory. Surprisingly, Nexon nor Wizet (the companies involved with MapleStory) were not involved in the development of this film. Instead, it was created by a Korean-American doujin circle known as MAGNUMPUNCH. It was in development hell ever since it was announced in June 24, 2013. It was finally released on December 14, 2019.

Plot
SPOILER WARNING!

Unlike in the original game, (where the Resistance saved their town from the Black Wings as of the Glory update), this takes place in an alternate timeline. Instead of Edelstein being a small quaint clockwork town, it is a massive dictatorship and one of the most advanced cities in Maple World. Because of its extremely strict laws and ever-watching security, the Resistance had trouble adjusting to their new society. Some of its members reacted with fear and had hard times coming up with solutions. Overall, they thought they could no longer save Edelstein; it's merely a shadow of its former small-town glory. Therefore, they have disbanded and went on with their separate lives.

However, there were two members who decided to continue the legacy of the Resistance, but in a new light. Their names were Elex and Brighton (however, Brighton was called Henrite in the Korean dub). Elex was the tough Blaster instructor and one of the teachers from one Edelstein's schools. Brighton/Henrite, on the other hand, was the calm Battle Mage instructor and a regular streetsweeper. Together, they brought aside four of their main pupils: the two Blasters Ember (called Fortis in the English dub) and Blaze (Aksel in the English dub), and the Battle Mage siblings Luka and Lucy. Together, the six members call themselves 'The Final Absolution' (The Gods of Freedom in the Japanese/English dubs).

The Final Absolution/TGoF have one goal, and that's to follow the footsteps of the original Resistance and save Edelstein from the Black Wings' grasp. Will they succeed, or will they also fall to the Black Mage?

Bad Qualities

 * 1) Depending on your view, the whole English dub is in Engrish (basically the original Korean VAs speak English lines), while can either sound weird or funny.
 * 2) Some of the characters, while following the source material, suffered from character derailment. Elex and Brighton/Henrite are infamous examples, as Elex is more misogynistic and destructive, while Brighton is more passive-aggressive and perverted. In addition, Brighton/Henrite comes off as a psychopath in some scenes.
 * 3) Although it is original, it steals some elements from Puella Magi Madoka Magica, its spin-off Magia Record, and the Eddsworld fanfiction/webcomic The Beginning and The FriEND.
 * 4) *Some of the infamous trippy scenes heavily resembled the witch labyrinths.
 * 5) *Despite the Elex x Brighton dynamic being somewhat similar to the Madoka x Homura dynamic, Elex's personality rips off Kyoko Sakura, while Brighton rips off Homura Akemi.
 * 6) *Ember/Fortis acts like Mami Tomoe, and just like Elex, Blaze/Aksel can come off as a Kyoko ripoff.
 * 7) Speaking of the trippy scenes, they are pure eyestrain and can cause seizures to some people. Some of them use collages (similar to PMMM's labyrinths), which can come off as jarring to some audiences.
 * 8) While the animation is great for a MapleStory fan animation, the atmosphere is overall gritty, dark, and sometimes even fall into the uncanny valley. Not to mention, it looks like a ripoff of the artstyle from the Lupin III anime The Woman Called Fujiko Mine combined with Gekidan Inu Curry's art.
 * 9) The movie is partially false advertising because it mentions the Resistance, which means that all of the characters from the storyline will be involved. However, a vast majority of the film focuses on Elex, Brighton/Henrite, Ember/Fortis, Blaze/Aksel, Luka, and Lucy. The other members (such as Claudine/Sigmund, Belle, Checky, etc.) do not appear until the end. However, their names are still mentioned most of the times.
 * 10) Gelimer, the true main antagonist, is even more unlikeable than in the original MapleStory. His misanthropy is cranked up to eleven.
 * 11) Plotholes, such as "How did Elex and Brighton/Henrite become a couple in the first place?", "Why is Gelimer a dictator; shouldn't he destroy Edelstein?", "Why did Elex become a God?", etc.
 * 12) For a movie based on a non-religious video game, there are a few Christian allegories, a la Man of Steel.
 * 13) *Elex is often seen with the sun glowing around his head like a halo.
 * 14) *Brighton/Henrites's backstory, in which he was raised in a cult that worshipped an unknown god, likely an allusion to Satan.
 * 15) *Lucy can be seen praying in a few scenes.

Good Qualities

 * 1) As stated in BQ #5, the animation is great. Some of the battle scenes still hold up well to this day!
 * 2) The movie still follows the source material quite well.
 * 3) While the character designs are uncanny, they fixed some of the flaws from the original game, most notably Elex's legs, which became a meme.
 * 4) The characters became more fleshed-out and got character development.
 * 5) A wholesome ending where the Resistance became reunited for so long.
 * 6) The Black Wings, the main antagonists, are portrayed in a darker light and are not just run-of-the-mill watchmen.
 * 7) The Engrish is "so bad it's good." Thankfully, there are English subtitles.
 * 8) Awesome soundtrack.
 * 9) The voice acting in the Korean and Japanese dubs are also great.

Reception
The Resistance Dissolution was not reviewed by critics, but rather by users. It received mixed-to-negative reviews for its surreal nature, needless Christian allegories, insane amount of plotholes, flashing scenes, and (arguably) "SJW propaganda," as Elex and Brighton are portrayed as a gay couple. However, some of the members of the MapleStory community gave it positive reviews, talking about how it expands the Resistance lore. Elex's redesign is also a lesser-known meme in the MapleStory community.