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Canon

From Mega Man Wiki

Canon refers to the body of works taking place in a fictional world that are considered to be official or authoritative.[1] The Mega Man franchise has its own canon body of works that are recognized by its creators, such as Capcom. Generally, the mainline numbered video games released by Capcom are always part of canon. Where canon can become unclear is with spin-off games and non-video game media. This page will contain sources and explanations as to which works are part of each era's canon, and which are not.

Classic era

  • All numbered video games (Mega Man to Mega Man 11) are canon.
  • The Special Stages of Mega Man 10 are canon. They take place as Mega Man escapes Dr. Wily's castle after the main story.[2]
  • Mega Man Soccer is canon. It is set after Mega Man 4,[3] and a stated trait of Mega Man is that he likes playing soccer.[4]
  • Mega Man & Bass is canon. It is set after Mega Man 8,[5] and is directly referenced as an event in Mega Man 9.[6] During development, the game was internally referred to as Rockman 8.5.[7]
  • All Gameboy series games (Mega Man: Dr. Wily's Revenge to Mega Man V) are canon. The Rockman & Rockman X Daizukan establishes their places in the main timeline.[8] The book also includes the Mega Arm on a page describing the evolution of the Mega Buster and how it either has been upgraded or gained new powers as time passed.[9] The cast of all five games are included in the Data Base in Mega Man & Bass and the Mega Man Robot Master Field Guide, along with it being stated that Dr. Wily based Slash Man's design on Pluto.[10][11] The Mega Man Killers also return in Mega Man 10 as bosses of the Special Stages, and Tango appears in the shop while playing as Proto Man.[12] Lastly, Enker also reappears in Mega Man Soccer as an opponent to Mega Man.[13]
  • The Wily Tower from Mega Man: The Wily Wars is canon. The members of the Genesis Unit are all included in the Mega Man & Bass Data Base and the Mega Man Robot Master Field Guide.
  • Mega Man Powered Up is canon. The plot of Old Style does not contradict the original Mega Man at all. New Style seems to complicate this with two new Robot Masters: Time Man and Oil Man. However, the original Mega Man was initially intended to have eight Robot Masters before two were cut during development,[14] and Keiji Inafune has expressed that Powered Up is closer to the game's intended vision.[15] Furthermore, the new Robot Masters have been referenced in works such as the Mega Man Robot Master Field Guide. The guide notes that Dr. Wily sees Flash Man as a masterpiece because he can stop time while Dr. Light's Time Man can only slow time;[16] this is consistent with how Wily used the first Robot Masters to inspire the Mega Man 2 Robot Masters. This all suggests that Time Man and Oil Man are canon. However, only Mega Man's version of the story is canon, and the other playable characters are only what-if scenarios.
  • Mega Man: Battle & Chase is canon. The Mega Man & Bass Data Base references Napalm Man's ending where he builds a museum.[17] This game is also referenced on the pages of Napalm Man, Spring Man, Quick Man, and Duo in the Robot Master Field Guide.[18][19][20][21] Lastly, it is grouped together with Mega Man Soccer in books such as Mega Man: Official Complete Works and Rockman Perfect Memories.[22][23]
  • Rockman VR: A Targeted Virtual World!! is canon. It takes place after Mega Man 11,[24] in a virtual reality hacked by Dr. Wily.[25][26]
  • Wily & Right's RockBoard: That's Paradise is non-canon to an extent. Archie Comics was advised that the game is non-canon.[27] However, Reggae has appeared in later games such as Mega Man 7 and 10, and is included in the Rockman & Rockman X Daizukan and the Mega Man Robot Master Field Guide.
  • Super Adventure Rockman is non-canon to an extent. Archie Comics was advised that the game is non-canon.[27] However, they were still allowed to use Ra Moon, and the game is acknowledged in Mega Man: Official Complete Works, meaning it is not entirely irrelevant nor forbidden.
  • Rockman & Forte: Challengers from the Future is non-canon, but not irrelevant. Archie Comics was advised that the game is non-canon.[27] However, the game is acknowledged in Mega Man: Official Complete Works and referenced in Mega Man ZX and Mega Man ZX Advent, so it is still recognized as part of the franchise.
  • The DOS games (Mega Man and Mega Man 3: The Robots are Revolting) are non-canon. Mega Man was developed by Stephen Rozner as a side project while working at Capcom, which eventually got published. Mega Man 3 was originally developed by Rozner as a different game called Eco-Man, before being rebranded as a Mega Man game.[28] Neither games were released in Japan, and they are excluded from game lists such as the Mega Man: Official Complete Works. Archie Comics was also advised that the games are non-canon.[27]
  • Rockman Strategy is non-canon. It is a licensed game made by Dream Come True, and was never released outside Taiwan. It is excluded from game lists such as the Mega Man: Official Complete Works. Archie Comics was also advised that the game is non-canon.[27]
  • Mega Man on Game Gear appears to be non-canon, as it was never released in Japan. Requires more research.

X era

  • All numbered video games (Mega Man X to Mega Man X8) are canon.
    • However, the ending cutscene in Mega Man X6 where Zero seals himself away has been moved as the final event in the era's timeline. The scene was intended as a bridge to the Zero era. Moving it allows for Mega Man X7 and X8 to occur, as both games are referenced as Zero's past in trailers for Mega Man Zero/ZX Legacy Collection,[29][30] and there is no evidence to suggest they are non-canon.
  • The Xtreme games (Mega Man Xtreme and Mega Man Xtreme 2) are canon. The Compendium of Rockman X establishes their places in the timeline.[31] Xtreme 2 is set before Mega Man X4,[32] and the events of the Erasure incident are referenced in Mega Man X6.[33]
  • Mega Man Maverick Hunter X is canon. The game was originally intended as the first in a reboot of X era, which would have replaced the plot of the original games had more Maverick Hunter X games been released.[34][15] However, nothing in X Mode majorly contradicts the plot of the original Mega Man X, save for adding a Navigator and altering the events of the Sigma Palace stages. Conversely, the plot of Vile Mode is a strictly non-canon what-if scenario.
  • X Challenge from Mega Man X Legacy Collection is canon. It is set after Mega Man X6, only featuring Mavericks from that game and prior.[36] Its events are acknowledged in the Mega Man X: Maverick Hunter's Field Guide,[37] and the Ultimate Armor (Legacy) is described as an altered version of the one from X6.[38] Its plot does not contradict any other games of the era, fitting into the timeskip between X6 and X7.
  • Mega Man X: Command Mission is non-canon. Set after Mega Man X7 in the century 22XX,[39] the game is part of an alternate timeline that occurs where the Zero series never happened.[40][41][42][43] Since Command Mission released a year before Mega Man X8, that game is likely non-canon in this alternate timeline, though both games discuss copy chip technology in different ways.

Zero era

ZX era

Legends era

Battle Network era

Star Force era

Crossovers

Crossover games, especially those that do not bear the Mega Man branding as part of their title, are generally considered to be non-canon. However, those that are part of the Mega Man brand require further scrutiny.

  • Rockman Tennis has a loose narrative, leaving its canon status dubious. At the very least, the appearance of X and the Highway Stage is an anachronism that is non-canon.
  • Rockman.EXE Operate Shooting Star is canon. It is a port of the first Battle Network with a bonus time-travel story featuring Geo Stelar, with no evidence suggesting it is non-canon.
  • Street Fighter X Mega Man is non-canon. The game was developed by fan Seow Zong Hui and was published by Capcom as a free game.
  • Rockman ✕over is canon. It is a time-travel story starting between the Classic era and X era in the timeline, with several statements suggesting it is canon.[47][48] However, its events do not impact the stories of the other eras, and it remains a self-contained episode.
  • Mega Man X DiVE is story that goes beyond the multiverse and features The Player who is a fan of the Mega Man series itself starring as the main character of the story to restore the Deep Log from corruption along with RiCO.

Other media

Most works referred to as "other media" on the Mega Man Wiki are non-canon.

  • Some works, such as Captain N: The Game Master or Mega Man: Fully Charged, have their own self-contained worlds that clearly diverge from the video games and cannot be mistaken for canon.
  • Other works that adapt material from the video games, such as the 1994 Mega Man series, the anime Mega Man NT Warrior, or the Rockman X manga by Yoshihiro Iwamoto, are also treated as their own independent worlds despite directly drawing on the video games. Thus, they each have their own canons, in a way.
  • However, other media that is included alongside mainline works (e.g. "The Day of Sigma" in Mega Man Maverick Hunter X, or Vile's Incident in the Mega Man Zero 4 soundtrack) is still canon.

References

  1. ↑ Canon (fiction) on Wikipedia
  2. ↑ Mega Man & Mega Man X: Official Complete Works, Page 364.
  3. ↑ Mega Man: Official Complete Works, Page 119
  4. ↑ Mega Man Powered Up Manual, Page 7. Capcom, 2006.
  5. ↑ Rockman & Forte Instruction Booklet, Page 2. Capcom, 1998. Translation: "There has been confirmed news of Dr. Wily (57), who has been missing since he was caught in the explosion of his base following his defeat against Rockman! What’s more, it has been discovered by our company’s investigations that he is in the midst of building a new castle to realize his aspirations of world domination!"
  6. ↑ Mega Man 9
  7. ↑ The Mechanical Maniacs: Misc. Classic Mega Man Mysteries
  8. ↑ Rockman & Rockman X Daizukan, Page 113-116
  9. ↑ Rockman & Rockman X Daizukan, Pages 42-43. Translation
  10. ↑ Mega Man & Bass 2003. Database: Pluto: A battle robot designed for jungle combat. Slash Man is designed after him.
  11. ↑ Mega Man X: Maverick Hunter's Field Guide, Page 82. UDON Entertainment, 2021. "With speedy reflexes and a cat-like appearance, the Stardroid Pluto is quick on his feet, and was created to work and fight in jungle-like environments. This proficiency would later lead him to being used as a model for the Robot Master Slash Man."
  12. ↑ Mega Man 10, 2010. Proto Man Shop
  13. ↑ Mega Man Soccer, 1994.
  14. ↑ Mega Man Game Design Document. Capcom Town. 2023. (link)
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 "Mega Man on PSP -- Keiji Inafune and Tatsuya Kitabayashi Interview". Phil Theobald, GameSpy. 2005. (archived)
  16. ↑ Mega Man Robot Master Field Guide, Page 43
  17. ↑ Mega Man: Battle and Chase, 1997. "Napalmman built the weapon museum with his earnings. But on the opening day, tragedy happened. One of the kids who was visiting the place said, "This museum is boring." Napalmman got mad when he heard that and..."
  18. ↑ Mega Man Robot Master Field Guide, Page 73.
  19. ↑ Mega Man Robot Master Field Guide, Page 103.
  20. ↑ Mega Man Robot Master Field Guide, 86.
  21. ↑ Mega Man Robot Master Field Guide, Page 34.
  22. ↑ Mega Man & Mega Man X: Official Complete Works, Pages 119-120
  23. ↑ Rockman Perfect Memories, Pages 109-110.
  24. ↑ Rockman VR: A Targeted Virtual World!!, 2020.Roll: "These VR goggles also feature the Speed Gear function like what you used in the past."
  25. ↑ Rockman VR: A Targeted Virtual World!!, 2020. Dr: Light: "Our virtual training room has already been hacked and is occupied by Wily's robots."
  26. ↑ プラザカプコン池袋「ロックマンVR 狙われたバーチャルワールド！！」先行体験　弾をかわし、敵を撃ち抜くアクションが快感, Story Translation: "A peaceful VR world where everyone was having fun.... and Dr. Wily is planning to hack and conquer it! Oh, Rockman, put on the VR goggles developed by Dr. Right and enter the VR world to stop Dr. Wily's ambitions!"
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 27.2 27.3 27.4 "What Happened to the Aliens and Time Travel" BumbleKing Comics Forums. 2014. Ian Flynn: "Something to keep in mind: while I'm all about incorporating as much as possible, there are games that aren't considered part of the game canon: Super Rockman Adventure, Rockman & Forte 2: Challengers of the Future, the tactical RPG with the Constellation Droids, the awful PC ports with Shark Man and the like, the Monopoly-esque board game. Obviously, I've been allowed to use some of this. (e.g. Ra Moon, Mayor L. Derado) Some stuff I've specifically been told not to use (Rockman & Forte 2). But when trying to rationalize the time travel and alien elements, or lack thereof, you should consider that most of the alien encounters and time travel didn't happen as far as the main series is concerned."
  28. ↑ "The Story of Mega Man on DOS". Gaming Historian. 2020.
  29. ↑ Mega Man Zero/ZX Legacy Collection - "Red Hero"
  30. ↑ ゼロ”紅き英雄”に関する調査報告書 - 『ロックマン ゼロ&ゼクス ダブルヒーローコレクション』
  31. ↑ Compendium of Rockman X, Page 7. 2005.
  32. ↑ Mega Man & Mega Man X: Official Complete Works, Page 225. Suetsugu: "I was so happy that I got to draw Iris again! Since she had died in 'X4', and this title was supposed to be a prequel set in an earlier timeframe, I adjusted her design appropiately to reflect the shift in time. I thought perhaps she hadn't yet begun wearing her beret when she was still in training, and I also gave her a uniform a touch of a schoolgirl look to give her an overall more youthful appearance. Another little detail I incorporated into her design was to make her a little less 'physically developed' then she was in 'X4'."
  33. ↑ Mega Man X6, 2001. Alia: "... X. Can you hear me? I found out... That's Isoc's body. It just broke down. Is he dead? ... This is similar to the Erasure Incident..."
  34. ↑ "Editorial: Give Thanks For What You've Got..." Tim. The Mega Man Network. 2005. (archive)
  35. ↑ "Mega Man X Legacy Collection 1 & 2 Announcement Trailer - Nintendo Switch". Nintendo. 2018.
  36. ↑ Mega Man X Legacy Collection. 2018. X Challenge Story: "There are countless Mavericks who've suffered defeat at your hands. Now, somehow they've reappeared and are causing havoc! Prepare yourself, X!"
  37. ↑ Mega Man X: Maverick Hunter Field Guide, Pages 153. UDON Entertainment, 2021. "During a mysterious outbreak of resurrected Mavericks who had previously been defeated by X and Zero, X donned a weaker white version of this armor which functionally resembled the recreated Forth Armor."
  38. ↑ Rockman Unity. Translation: Matsuura: "The armor is unique to the X-Challenge mode. In fact, it's a new armor that has never been seen before, based on the Ultimate Armor series from 'Megaman X6', with (extra) customization and prototype features".
  39. ↑ Rockman X Command Mission Kyūkyoku Complete Guide. Capcom. 2004.
  40. ↑ Compendium of Rockman X. Futabasha. 2005. Pg. 142.
  41. ↑ MM25: Mega Man & Mega Man X Official Complete Works. UDON Entertainment. 2013. Pg. 406. Higurashi: "When I heard the timeframe was set in the year 22XX, I realized it was the same as the Zero series. That's why I added a few touches to give it a bit of a Zero flavor. Initially, I had some reservations about X's design changes, but I think it suits him quite well."
  42. ↑ MM25: Mega Man & Mega Man X Official Complete Works. UDON Entertainment. 2013. Pg. 430. Higurashi: "Command Mission is technically a spin-off, so even though it takes place in 22XX, it's not necessarily the same 22XX during which the "Zero" series takes place. Still, we didn't want to cut it off completely just because it's a spin-off. Out goal was to incorporate some of the "Zero" series' flavor in order to make it feel like "Command Mission" is still connected to the other games, like it is part of the same family. So it might be easier if you regard "Command Mission" not as "a story that takes place between X7 and the Zero series", but rather as "one of the many potential futures that exists independently from the Zero series".
  43. ↑ Rockman X DiVE Official: "Mega Man X：Command Mission" is set outside of the main storyline of "Mega Man X" series. Twitter.
  44. ↑ REMASTERED TRACKS ROCKMAN ZERO・Telos / III INTI RECORDS
  45. ↑ Rockman ZX Soundsketch ZX GIGAMIX INTI RECORDS
  46. ↑ The Misadventures of Tron Bonne. 1999. "Story continues in Mega Man Legends"
  47. ↑ iOS/Android “Mega Man Crossover” Developer Roundtable [https://imgur.com/a/rockman-xover-interview-translated-CsSWDN5 Translation: Mizuno: "There is a separate main designer, but Mega Man XO was set in the timeline between the original Mega Man and Mega Man X. For "OVER-5" and beyond, we took that into consideration and kept the common points, such as making the legs thicker, while adding complex lines closer to the "X"."Matsuura: "Since it is between the first generation and "X", we have to make it "X" without being too close to the "X", and we have to make it "X" while retaining the character of the first generation. It was a bit of a difficult order, so we had the character designs created quite early.
  48. ↑ Mega Man & Mega Man X: Official Complete Works, Page 427. Saito: "That's just the official explanation. (laughs) I had to come up with a sihouette that wasn't similar to those of other main characters in the series, and according to the overall timeline, this character exists between "Mega Man" and "Mega Man X". I couldn't do without the thick limbs, so my only option was to add a unique accent... That's the real truth behind the fur."
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