Spark Mandrill, known as Spark Mandriller (スパーク・マンドリラー) in Japan, is a Maverick from the X era, first appearing as one of the main bosses in Mega Man X. He is an electricity-themed Reploid based on a mandrill, with immense physical strength and lightning attacks. He was a Maverick Hunter serving in the 7th Elite Unit until he joined Sigma's rebellion.
Spark Mandrill debuted in Mega Man X as one of the eight Mavericks on the Stage Select screen. He serves as the boss of Power Plant Stage. The Japanese game manual states he is a former Maverick Hunter of the 17th Elite Unit, the same as X, who joined Sigma's rebellion on a selfish whim. He has taken over a power plant to divert electricity to Sigma's forces.[4]
Spark Mandrill's attacks are quite fast and powerful, but his punch can be deflected with a Charge Shot. Defeating Spark Mandrill grants X the Electric Spark. His weakness is the Shotgun Ice, from Chill Penguin, which can be infamously used to repeatedly freeze him and keep him from moving for the entire battle. A boss attack rematch with Spark Mandrill later occurs in Sigma Stage 3.
Mega Man Xtreme
Sprite from Mega Man Xtreme.
In Mega Man Xtreme, Spark Mandrill returns as a digitized Maverick in the Mother Computer. He is one of the four bosses in Normal Mode, being the boss of Power Plant Stage. He again yields Electric Spark to X and is weak to Shotgun Ice, though he is considerably more difficult due to his large size on the Game Boy screen. Spark Mandrill is later part of the boss attack in Sigma Stage 3.
In Mega Man Xtreme 2, Spark Mandrill returns for the Boss Attack mode alongside the other Mega Man Xtreme bosses. His weakness is adjusted to Strike Chain/Lightning, unfortunately negating the Shotgun Ice strategy.
In Rockman ✕over, Spark Mandrill is one of the four bosses from World 1.
In TEPPEN, Spark Mandrill appears in multiple cards.
Other Media
In the Mega Man cartoon, Spark Mandrill appears in the episode "Mega X", having traveled back in time with Vile to steal a valuable mineral called Lightanium.
In the Rockman X manga, Spark Mandrill reprises his role from Mega Man X.
Mandrill once fought with X and Zero in the 17th Unit, but when the uprising began, he blindly followed Sigma's orders and joined in with the destruction. Now, by overtaking the power station he has secured an energy source for Sigma's forces and cut off power to the city. Because there was only light resistance, Mandrill leaves most of the fighting to his underlings, spending his time gorging himself on pure electricity, fresh from the generator.[2]
He is a Reploid who specializes in the Electric Spark, a powerful Special Weapon that sparks electricity inside his body and causes it to travel along walls and floors, and in punching while rushing forward at great speed. He has a very lazy personality, and after taking over the power plant, he leaves all the work to his subordinates and just sits around, sucking up as much electricity as he can, which is his favorite food.[JP]
A Reploid from the same 17th Unit as X. When the traitorous Sigma started his rebellion, he sided with him and seized control of the power plant to secure an energy source.[JP]
A Reploid from the 17th Unit, the same as X. He followed Sigma's rebellion and joined the rebel army. He overtook the power plant. Appeared in Mega Man X.[JP]
Comes from the same 17th Battalion as X. Possesses immense strength and a powerful electrical shock attack, but doesn't seem to be the sharpest tool in the shed. He has obediently followed Sigma, his superior, into the rebellion. He has attacked the city's electrical power stations, bringing the city to a halt, and has already taken control. He wreaks whatever damage he feels like, and leaves it to his subordinates to clean up the mess.
"Inafune did Eagle and Penguin, Kaji designed Mandrill, Octopus, and Chameleon. Mammoth, Armadillo, and Kuwanger were Tazaki's. Even as I watched them work, I could really see each of their distinct flavors coming out in their illustrations." - (Tatsuya Yoshikawa)[3]
