Mega Man (1994 TV series)

Plot

Characters

Main

• Mega Man – Mirroring his origins in the video games, Mega Man was originally an assistant robot built by Dr. Light and called Rock. He originally donned a blue T-shirt and shorts but also wore his typical robot boots. After Wily reprograms Light's first industrial robots he captures Rock and Roll to make them his servants too. Rock tricks Wily into freeing them as he can't conceive of a robot being able to lie. Rock is then rebuilt into a fighting robot. His primary weapon is the plasma-cannon which he fires from his left arm after withdrawing his hand into it. He can also copy Wily's robots' abilities by touching them. During battle, Mega Man cracks jokes and puns. He has numerous catchphrases; the one he uses most frequently is "Sizzling Circuits". Ironically, Corlett, who voices Mega Man here, previously voiced Dr. Wily in '.
• Dr. Light – Mega Man's creator. He used to work with Dr. Wily to create a line of industrial robots until the latter stole their plans and a defective prototype. Light built Rock, Roll and the first three robot masters Cut Man, Guts Man and Ice Man. After Wily reprogrammed his industrial robots, Light rebuilds Rock into Mega Man in order to stop his schemes. Throughout the series, Light builds other robots and inventions to help humanity and to stop Wily's plots. His appearance differs slightly from his game counterpart; he has a shorter beard and grey hair. Fans of the show also note his ability to state the blatantly obvious. Jim Byrnes would later reprise his role as Dr. Light in the English dub of '.
• Roll – Mega Man's sister who assists him on missions. She was built as a household robot and possesses a number of home-appliances which switch on and off similarly to Mega Man's plasma cannon. Most frequently she uses a vacuum cleaner which has enough force to pull robots to pieces and which can also occasionally suck in enemy projectiles and fire them back. Roll is depicted as being much more mature than her game counterpart physically, and dons a red-and-yellow jumpsuit instead of a dress.
• Rush – Mega Man's robot dog, Mega Man uses Rush's jet-mode, in which he turns into a jet board, as a primary means of transportation throughout the series. Rush also has a number of other modes though none which are directly derived from the games. Rush's nose can "sniff out anything" and was once used to locate a bomb planted by Wily. His ears also detect sound faraway. Rush acts similarly to Scooby Doo in many respects, often performing silly antics on his own. He also alternates between making typical dog-sounds and speaking. Though most of the time, he only parrots other characters, he also appears to have a limited ability for independent speech, mostly for comedy purposes.

  Supporting

• Eddie – A suitcase on legs, Eddie's primary function is to deliver Energy Cans to Mega Man when he is critically low on energy. Eddie is always ready for action and appears in a handful of episodes. Though resembling his game counterpart outwardly; he was colored green instead of red.
• Met/Doc – A single Met acts as an assistant to Dr. Light in the first episode. It does not make an appearance in any other episodes, although it is presumed to still be around since it was not destroyed. It is not equipped with a weapon like its in-game counterparts and its only feature is a flexible grabber arm, which it uses to produce a variety of items, suggesting he was another lab assistant and a prototype for Eddie. He is referred to as "Doc".
• Mayor of New York City - Appearing in a number of episodes, the unnamed Mayor of New York City often goes to Mega Man when a crisis involving Wily is threatening New York City. Despite his inability to stop Wily, the Mayor did stand up to him during the "Big Shake", refusing to surrender control of the city despite Wily's threats, his obvious fear of him, and Mega Man being out of commission. He reappears in "Campus Commandos". The Mayor is seen again in the episode "Mega Dreams". In the post season two episode Crime of the Century, a new mayor is introduced. Despite the notable physical change, the old mayor being a standard size, moustached white man and the new one a large African American, Garry Chalk also provided him with the same voice. The Mayor characters did not appear in any video game and were made up for the show.
• Bree Ricotta – A recurring news reporter character, appearing most prominently in the episode "Mega-Pinnochio". Her name seems to be a reference to brie and ricotta, which are both types of cheese. She did not appear in any video game, and was made up for the show.
• Mega Man X – The main character of the Mega Man X series, X makes an appearance in the same episode as Vile and Spark Mandrill, having chased them through time to stop them from taking Lightanium back to their own time to help Sigma finance his wars against humans. Like Mega Man, X has the ability to copy weapons from enemies by touching them, as he is seen copying Snake Man's weapon to destroy Dr. Wily's plasma cannon. Unlike Mega Man, X seems to be able to copy a weapon multiple times - Mega Man can only use a copied weapon once while X was seen copying and using Snake Man's weapon three times.

  Villains

• Dr. Wily – Light's former assistant who stole the plans for the prototype industrial robots after their first test with a humanoid robot failed. Wily was convinced that Light sabotaged his work in order to get the credit and runs off before returning with ProtoMan to reprogram Light's industrial robots. In the first episode, it is revealed that Wily has suffered envy through his entire life and plans to exact vengeance on humanity by having his robots control everything. He is depicted very much like his original counterpart. He is prone to fits of maniacal laughter. Scott McNeil would later reprise his role as Dr. Willy in the English dub of ' although his German accent is toned down.
• * Proto Man – In this show, Proto Man is Mega Man's older brother and Wily's constant lackey. Despite working for Wily, Proto Man has a tendency to disobey him and ruin some of Wily's plans as he is obsessed with destroying his brother or recruiting him to Dr. Wily's side. Proto Man's abilities are similar to those of Mega Man; he fires plasma resembling blue-energy and has on one occasion copied Guts Man's power in order to fight Mega Man. The first humanoid prototype built by Light and Wily resembles his color-scheme though it is not directly stated if Wily rebuilt Proto Man from the prototype. Unlike in the Mega Man games, Proto Man does not carry his trademark shield in the series. Unlike his counterpart from the games, he is loyal to Wily alone, filling the role that Bass plays from Mega Man 7 onwards.
• * Batontons – The series version of the Bubble Bat enemies introduced in Mega Man 2. They're also referred to as Wily's Spy Bats. They're most frequently used for spying missions though they also possess the ability to attack using lighting projectiles.
• Vile – A battle Reploid and Maverick Warrior sent from the future to obtain Lightanium power rods in the episode "Mega X". He and his partner Spark Mandrill are hoping to distribute the rods to his master Sigma, who is the leader of the Mavericks planning to use to rods to finance his war against the humans in his time. Vile has entered into an alliance with Wily after learning that Wily has gained hold of the schematics of the power plant containing the rods. As compensation for Wily helping him to get the rods, Vile allows Wily to obtain some of the rods to power up his new blaster weapon that can annihilate anything in its way. However, the two are foiled by Mega Man and his future counterpart, Mega Man X, causing Wily and his henchmen to escape after the blaster weapon is destroyed while Mega Man X drags Vile and Spark Mandrill back to their time.
• * Spark Mandrill''' – A mandrill-themed battle Reploid and Maverick Warrior who appeared in "Mega X". He is Vile's partner, supporting Vile to obtain the Lightanium rods to finance Sigma's war on the humans in the future. He is defeated by Mega Man X, who pushed him and Vile back to their time.

  Robot Masters

• Cut Man – One of Dr. Light's original six industrial robots that would serve as a logging robot who used his Rolling Cutters to chop down trees. He was reprogrammed by Dr. Wily and is one of his stock-lackeys alongside Guts Man and Proto Man appearing in every episode. He makes cutting and scissors-related one-liner puns ' while laughing at his own jokes. Despite his somewhat arrogant attitude, he is usually defeated and this has become a joke among fans of the series. His overall design reflects his game counterpart though the details of his head and uniform are slightly different. Originally, he carried only one weapon that was thrown in a boomerang fashion; however later in the same episode he fired his weapon a seemingly unlimited number of times. However, he has used both methods throughout the series.
• Guts Man – One of Dr. Light's original six industrial robots that created as a robot to help in construction. Along with Cut Man, he appears in every episode as one of Dr. Wily's main henchmen. Contrary to his persona in the games and somewhat stereotypically, Guts Man is all muscle and little brain and always attempts to crush Mega Man. A recurring joke involves Rush biting Guts Man's leg before being kicked off. Guts Man is also shown often breaking through walls in order to get somewhere, rather than using/opening doors. This habit was used in one episode to trick him. Chalk's Guts Man voice is very similar to the one he used for King Hippo on Captain N: The Game Master.
• Ice Man - An Inuit-themed robot with ice attacks who is one of Dr. Light's original six industrial robots that was created to help out with arctic work until he was reprogrammed by Dr. Wily. In "Ice Age, he got jealous of Dr. Wily's freezing plot that involved Air Man and acted out his own plan that involved using Ice Bots in order to get revenge on Dr. Wily.
• Fire Man - A fire-themed robot who is one of Dr. Light's original six industrial robots that was created for construction until he was reprogrammed by Dr. Wily. He only appeared in the first episode and had no dialogue. In addition, he has flames painted on his blasters.
• Bomb Man - A bomb-throwing robot who is one of Dr. Light's original six industrial robots that was created to for demolition until he was reprogrammed by Dr. Wily. A running gag is that Bomb Man would often be destroyed by someone either shooting his bombs or deflecting his bombs.
• Elec Man - An electrical robot who is one of the Dr. Light's original six industrial robots that was created for construction until he was reprogrammed by Dr. Wily. This version has a muscular appearance similar to Mega Man and Proto Man. In addition, his Thunder Beam is more a straightforward attack than the version seen in the video game.
• Air Man - A fan-themed robot who does not get along with Ice Man. Unlike the video games, Air Man has a human-like face and is taller than Guts Man.
• Crash Man - He was first seen in "Mega-Pinocchio" attacking a building until he is repelled by Mega Man. His Crash Bombs are renamed Time Bombs where they have drills at the tip of them.
• Heat Man - A Zippo lighter-shaped robot that does fire attacks. While he does not use his Atomic Fire ability, he still spits fire from his mouth.
• Metal Man - A robot who can attack with circular saw-shaped metal blades. He can also turn his hands into saw blades.
• Quick Man - A robot with quick reflexes who attacks with the boomerang from his head and the laser boomerangs shot from his wrist.
• Wood Man - A wood-themed robot. His Leaf Shield in the show is depicted as a large leaf-shaped shield.
• Gemini Man - In this show, Gemini Man has a nose, was not shown using his ability to make copies of himself, instead he uses his Gemini Laser. He was once used to portray the lead guitarist of the band Cold Steel as part of Dr. Wily's plot to brainwash humans into obeying Dr. Wily's every command.
• Hard Man - A robot with a very strong body and a habit of using the word "hard" in his sentences. Like Gemini Man, Hard Man is given a nose. While Hard Man doesn't utilize his Hard Knuckle, Mega Man copies this ability. Dr. Wily used him in "Bad Day at Peril Park" as part of his plot to brainwash the attendees of Fun World into thinking that they are robots.
• Magnet Man - A magnet-themed robot. In this show, Magnet Man uses his hands to do magnetic abilities and he does not use his Magnet Missiles.
• Needle Man - A needle-themed robot. His Needle Cannon still functions in the same manner.
• Shadow Man - A ninja-themed robot. The only difference in the TV series that Shadow Man can also throw the blade on his head.
• Snake Man - A snake-themed robot. In this show, his Search Snakes are fired as projectiles that can chew threw anything. In "Bot Transfer," Snake Man once had his circuits swapped with Mega Man's circuits thanks to a machine that Dr. Wily made.
• Spark Man - A spark-themed robot. In this show, his Spark Shot is performed when he touches his two needles to a surface instead of firing them. While he was briefly seen in "Mega-Pinocchio," Spark Man was once used to portray the drummer of the band Cold Steel as part of Dr. Wily's plot to brainwash humans into obeying Dr. Wily's every command.
• Top Man - A top-themed robot. In this show, Top Man is taller than his video game counterpart.
• Bright Man - A robot with a lightbulb on top of his head. In this show, his Flash Stopper induces temporarily blindness causing Mega Man to use sunglasses when fighting him.
• Dive Man - A submarine-themed robot. Unlike the video game, Dive Man does not have propeller feet and his chest is not in the shape of a keel. In addition, his Dive Missiles are fired from the cannon on his arm.
• Drill Man - A drill-themed robot.
• Dust Man - A vacuum cleaner-themed robot. Similar to Air Man, Dust Man has a human-like head.
• Pharaoh Man - A pharaoh-themed robot.
• Toad Man - A toad-themed robot. In this show, Toad Man was redesigned with a mouth and a prehensile tongue as well as being able to fire his Rain Flush into the sky. Dr. Wily used Toad Man in "Robosaurus Park" where he fired his Rain Flush attack modified with Dr. Wily's formula that devolved the minds of any robot exposed to it.
• Ring Man - A ring-themed robot. He once used a hoverboard in "Mega-Pinocchio" and later an air fighter in "Bad Day at Peril Park."
• Crystal Man - A crystal-themed robot who once assisted Dr. Wily in targeting a space station's lenses. In this show, his Crystal Eye is fired from his arm rather than his chest where it explodes like a bomb.
• Dark Man - A robot who is one of Dr. Wily's most powerful robots. Dark Man can manipulate electromagnetic energies in different ways.
• Gravity Man - A gravity-manipulating robot.
• Gyro Man - A robot with helicopter blades on his back. Unlike the video game, Gyro Man uses the blades on his back to attack instead of his gyro launches. While Gyro Man is not shown flying, Mega Man does when he copies Gyro Man's abilities. He was once used to portray the lead guitarist of the band Cold Steel as part of Dr. Wily's plot to brainwash humans into obeying Dr. Wily's every command.
• Star Man - A star-themed robot. His Star Crash is fires star-shaped blasts towards his target instead of forming a barrier around himself.
• Stone Man - A rock-themed robot. In this show, Stone Man has two blue tubes on his shoulders and a cannon that he uses to fire his Power Stone attack. Dr. Wily used him "Big Shake" to assist Drill Man in causing earthquakes in New York City.
• Wave Man - An aquatic robot. His Water Wave in this show channels a powerful water current.
• Napalm Man''' - An armored robot equipped with missiles. That robot only appears in the intro of the TV-series.

  Production

Music

Episodes

Season 1 (1994)

Season 2 (1995-1996)

Cast

• Ian James Corlett as Mega Man, Rush, Metal Man, Snake Man
• Jim Byrnes as Dr. Light, the Mayor, Quick Man, Gyro Man
• Garry Chalk as the Mayor, Guts Man, Needle Man, Spark Man, Bright Man, Ring Man, Gyro Man, Stone Man
• Michael Donovan as Mega Man X
• Terry Klassen - Cut Man, Ice Man, Bomb Man, Elec Man, Crash Man, Hard Man, Magnet Man, Shadow Man, Dust Man, Pharaoh Man, Crystal Man, Toad Man, Star Man
• Scott McNeil as the Mayor, Dr. Wily, Proto Man, Drill Man
• Richard Newman as Spark Mandrill, Wood Man
• Robyn Ross as Roll
• Tony Sampson as Gemini Man, Spark Man
• Lee Tockar as Vile

  Additional voices

• Kathleen Barr
• Jay Brazeau
• Phil Hayes
• Shirley Milliner
• Crystaleen O'Bray
• Marcus Turner
• Louise Vallance
• Cathy Weseluck

  Crew

• Terry Klassen - Voice Director

  Release

Broadcast

Home video release

Reception

Footnotes