OVA
Description
Exsedol Folmo is a Zentradi character whose origin traces back to the original Space War I, though his appearance and role are distinctly redefined in the Macross 7 series and its OVA continuation, Macross 7 Encore. Originally serving as a records keeping officer attached to Fleet Commander Britai Kridanik, Exsedol functioned as a living archive, possessing a memory capacity said to surpass any electronic device with instant recall of over five hundred thousand years of Zentradi combat history.
His physical form in Macross 7 is notably different from his first appearance. Between the original series and this later story, Exsedol underwent major physical alterations. Having been micloned, or reduced to human size, after the war, he later reverted to his full Zentradi stature and intentionally changed his body's makeup. This was a precautionary measure driven by the fear that the reduction process might cause him to lose the vast trove of information stored within his mind. As a result, in Macross 7, he is depicted with a characteristically large, bald, swollen cranium, green skin, and retractable tendrils in place of standard arms, often seen with a hemispherical cap connected to the ceiling of the ship's bridge.
In terms of personality, Exsedol is an intellectual and a scholar, defined by his vast knowledge and experience. However, he is not immune to fear. During the events of Macross 7, the fleet encounters a mysterious and powerful enemy known as the Protodeviln. While Exsedol serves as a crucial source of information about these beings from ancient Zentradi records, his instinctive and deeply ingrained terror of them often gets the better of him, particularly in early encounters, causing him to prefer hiding from the threat rather than confronting it directly. His primary motivation is to serve as an advisor and protect the fleet using his unique historical perspective, gradually overcoming his fear to fulfill this duty.
Exsedol holds a key role aboard the Battle 7 as the primary advisor to Captain Maximilian Jenius, a famous human ace pilot and leader of the colonization fleet. He is almost always present on the bridge, his giant head rising up through a special opening in the floor near the captain's seat, offering counsel and strategic analysis. While his most significant relationship is with Max Jenius, he also holds a deep respect for humanity, having chosen to defect to their side and become a peace envoy after Space War I.
His role becomes particularly pronounced in the Macross 7 Encore OVA. In one of its episodes, Fleet of the Strongest Women, Captain Max and his wife, Milia, are taken hostage by a rogue fleet of Meltrandi, a female warrior faction of the Zentradi. In their absence, Exsedol Folmo assumes command of the Battle 7. Facing pressure from high-ranking UN Spacy officials to launch an all-out assault, he instead pretends to follow orders while actively stalling for time, demonstrating his loyalty to his captain and his strategic acumen in a crisis. This moment highlights his development from a purely advisory role into a capable and trusted leader who can think independently under pressure.
Beyond his defining ability as a living encyclopedia of Zentradi history, Exsedol possesses the physical characteristics of a full-sized Zentradi, which is many times larger than a human. In his modified form, his retractable tendrils serve as his primary means of manipulation. His most notable ability, however, remains his intellect and memory, making him an invaluable asset for understanding the ancient Protoculture ruins and the cyclical threats that arise in the galaxy.
His physical form in Macross 7 is notably different from his first appearance. Between the original series and this later story, Exsedol underwent major physical alterations. Having been micloned, or reduced to human size, after the war, he later reverted to his full Zentradi stature and intentionally changed his body's makeup. This was a precautionary measure driven by the fear that the reduction process might cause him to lose the vast trove of information stored within his mind. As a result, in Macross 7, he is depicted with a characteristically large, bald, swollen cranium, green skin, and retractable tendrils in place of standard arms, often seen with a hemispherical cap connected to the ceiling of the ship's bridge.
In terms of personality, Exsedol is an intellectual and a scholar, defined by his vast knowledge and experience. However, he is not immune to fear. During the events of Macross 7, the fleet encounters a mysterious and powerful enemy known as the Protodeviln. While Exsedol serves as a crucial source of information about these beings from ancient Zentradi records, his instinctive and deeply ingrained terror of them often gets the better of him, particularly in early encounters, causing him to prefer hiding from the threat rather than confronting it directly. His primary motivation is to serve as an advisor and protect the fleet using his unique historical perspective, gradually overcoming his fear to fulfill this duty.
Exsedol holds a key role aboard the Battle 7 as the primary advisor to Captain Maximilian Jenius, a famous human ace pilot and leader of the colonization fleet. He is almost always present on the bridge, his giant head rising up through a special opening in the floor near the captain's seat, offering counsel and strategic analysis. While his most significant relationship is with Max Jenius, he also holds a deep respect for humanity, having chosen to defect to their side and become a peace envoy after Space War I.
His role becomes particularly pronounced in the Macross 7 Encore OVA. In one of its episodes, Fleet of the Strongest Women, Captain Max and his wife, Milia, are taken hostage by a rogue fleet of Meltrandi, a female warrior faction of the Zentradi. In their absence, Exsedol Folmo assumes command of the Battle 7. Facing pressure from high-ranking UN Spacy officials to launch an all-out assault, he instead pretends to follow orders while actively stalling for time, demonstrating his loyalty to his captain and his strategic acumen in a crisis. This moment highlights his development from a purely advisory role into a capable and trusted leader who can think independently under pressure.
Beyond his defining ability as a living encyclopedia of Zentradi history, Exsedol possesses the physical characteristics of a full-sized Zentradi, which is many times larger than a human. In his modified form, his retractable tendrils serve as his primary means of manipulation. His most notable ability, however, remains his intellect and memory, making him an invaluable asset for understanding the ancient Protoculture ruins and the cyclical threats that arise in the galaxy.