X (X era)

It has been suggested that this page is to be merged with the following page(s): X No details have been given.

This article is about X in the X era. For his role in the Zero era, see X (Zero era). For the character overall, see X.

X-related pages

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Gallery

Walkthrough

Data

Quotes

X (X era)-related pages

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Data

Quotes

X (Zero era)-related pages

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Gallery

Walkthrough

Data

Quotes

Character Info

X1-MHXX8X:CM X throughout the X era.
Appearances
Game(s):	All X era games
Other Media:	All X era media
Character Details
Name(s):	X, Mega Man X, Rockman X
Creator(s):	Dr. Light
Affiliation(s):	Maverick Hunters
Weapon(s):	X-Buster, Z-Saber, Special Weapons
Behind the Scenes
Designer(s):	Hayato Kaji
Voice (JP):	Megumi Ogata (1993), Kentaro Ito (1997), Showtaro Morikubo (2000-2003), Takahiro Sakurai (2004-2019)
Voice (EN):	Michael Donovan (1994), Ruth Shiraishi (1997), Peter von Gomm (2003), Mark Gatha (2004-2005), Ted Sroka (2017-2019)

X (エックス), also known as Mega Man X or Rockman X (ロックマンエックス) in Japan, is the main protagonist and playable character of the X series. He is the first Reploid, created by Dr. Light and sealed away until his discovery by Dr. Cain in the following century. He works in the Maverick Hunters with Zero and Axl, fighting for peace between humans and Reploids. X also plays an important role in the Zero era, and returns as the Biometal Model X in the ZX era.

X is distinguished by his blue armor, his arm-mounted X-Buster, and a passionate desire for peace.

In the Games

Mega Man X

Mega Man X Specification, in Mega Man X.

X debuted in Mega Man X as the main playable character. The game's English manual contains the Journal of Dr. Cain, the Japanese manual introduces the setting and plot, and the opening shows the Mega Man X Specifications and Dr. Light's warning message, all of which establish X's origins and backstory.

X was created by Dr. Light in 20XX. He is a special robot with an advanced intelligence akin to that of a human's that allows him to think, feel, and act without limitations, later dubbed a Reploid. As Light approached the end of his life, he ensured X's reliability by installing his viral counter-measures before sealing him in a capsule to conduct tests for 30 years. Finally, Light left a message including his hopes and fears, wishing for X to be a champion of peace in the future. On September 18, 20XX, X was sealed away.

In 21XX, the hidden lab containing X was accidentally discovered by Dr. Cain. He found X inside a large capsule with Dr. Light's warning message. Cain used X's specs to put Reploids into mass-production and revolutionize the world. However, X remained unsure of his place in the world and unaware of his true origins. Eventually he chose to join the Maverick Hunters, hoping to help humans and Reploids coexist, and was enrolled as a middle-rank B-class Hunter due to his pacifism. In the 17th Unit, X came to befriend Zero while serving under Sigma.

When Sigma began his rebellion, X teamed up with Zero to fight back and restore peace. In the game, he first fights Mavericks in the Highway Stage, where he sees some success but is defeated and paralyzed by Vile in a Ride Armor. Fortunately, he is rescued by Zero who blasts the Ride Armor's arm off and forces him to retreat. X laments his failure, but Zero assures that he can still grow much stronger.

While Zero scouts for information on Sigma's fortress, X goes up against the eight ex-Maverick Hunter bosses, some being his former colleagues from the 17th Unit. Upon defeating all of them, growing stronger in the process, Zero contacts him with coordinates to Sigma's fortress.

In Sigma Stage 1, X and Zero split up so the latter can keep the main defense force busy while X sneaks in. They reunite when X is stopped by Vile, who leads Zero into a trap to face X alone again. When X is paralyzed again, Zero breaks out of his cage and sacrifices himself to destroy Vile's Ride Armor. Inspired, X escapes the paralysis and completely regains his energy, destroying Vile before moving on to be with Zero in his dying moments. Continuing until Sigma Stage 4, X destroys Velguarder to prove himself, before finally facing Sigma and defeating him. While his former commander collapses, X retreats to a cliff to watch the airborne fortress plunge into the ocean and explode. He ponders the paradox of achieving peace through violence, and the lives that were lost in the process.

Mega Man X2

X in the opening cutscene, in Mega Man X2.

In Mega Man X2, X is now the new leader of the 17th Unit, but chooses to remain a B-class Hunter. Six months after Sigma's defeat, Maverick activity has slowed, and X leads a campaign to root out the remnants of the rebellion. Once Dr. Cain locates a Maverick-producing factory, X leads the 17th Unit there via Ride Chaser, and destroys a Gigantic Mechaniloid CF-0 to stop an approaching disaster. Suddenly, a new rebellion suddenly rises led by eight SA-Class Mavericks, forcing X to face them.

As X fights, he is contacted by the X-Hunters. The three boast that they hold the reconstructed pieces of Zero, challenging X to duels over the parts in exchange for Zero's control chip, which is stored at Hunter Base. The player may defeat all three of them to collect Zero's body, but if not, the X-Hunters steal Zero's control chip. Either way, X confronts the X-Hunters in their Arctic base, destroying Violen, Serges, and finally Agile, who cries out for Sigma. Moving deeper into the base, X hears the voice of Sigma challenging him to face him at the Central Computer Stage. This event differs depending on the player's actions:

• If X collected all three of Zero's parts, a Fake Zero appears at Sigma's side. The real Zero then arrives, having been rebuilt by Dr. Cain, and destroys the Fake Zero for X.
• If X failed to collect all of Zero's parts, Zero appears at Sigma's side as a Maverick, having been reassembled by the X-Hunters. X is then forced to fight Zero as a boss, who returns to his senses upon being defeated.

Either way, X pursues Sigma and destroys his body, forcing him to reveal his true form as the Sigma Virus. X fends off the Sigma Virus until Zero detonates the Central Computer, watching as the virus fades before he escapes the explosion. He then reunites with Zero outside.

Mega Man X3

X at Hunter Base, in Mega Man X3.

In Mega Man X3, X has finally put an end to Sigma's rebellion, but one day Dr. Doppler goes Maverick. X and Zero are called to Dopple Town to fight the riots, but the Doppler Army attacks Hunter Base in their absence, forcing them to rush back to defend the base. At Hunter Base, X splits up with Zero before coming across Mac, a colleague who was reported missing. However, Mac betrays him and paralyzes him in a Hangerter, planning to bring him to Dr. Doppler. Fortunately, Zero destroys Mac to save him. X then continues to defeat Maoh the Giant, putting an end to the attack. Zero stays at base while X returns to Dopple Town.

In Dopple Town, X begins fighting eight powerful Mavericks with the help of Zero. After defeating two Maverick bosses, X is targeted by the Nightmare Police, Bit and Byte, who have orders to capture him much like Mac. He may also fall into a trap laid by the vengeful Vile MK-II, though he escapes before it explodes.

Once all eight Mavericks are defeated, Dr. Cain pinpoints the location of Doppler's laboratory. X destroys Bit and/or Byte in Doppler Stage A, and Vile MK-II in Doppler Stage B (where X may also obtain the Z-Saber from Zero), before finally confronting Doppler in Doppler Stage C. Doppler reveals his loyalty to Sigma and offers X a place at his side, but X rejects, leading to a battle. X defeats Doppler, causing the scientist to regain his senses. He reveals that he was infected by the Sigma Virus and reveals that he has constructed a battle body for Sigma, urging X to stop him.

In Doppler Stage D, X enters a warehouse of spare bodies for Sigma. He faces Sigma alone, who is amused by him always interfering in his plans. X defeats Sigma's first form and his ultimate battle body Kaiser Sigma, forcing him into his Sigma Virus form once more. However, Sigma threatens to possess X's body, chasing him into a corner. Depending on the player's actions, two outcomes may occur:

• If Zero is uninjured, he arrives with Dr. Doppler's Sigma Virus vaccine equipped to his Z-Saber, slashing Sigma to neutralize him.
• If Zero is injured, Dr. Doppler arrives with his Sigma Virus vaccine equipped to his body, absorbing Sigma and self-destructing to neutralize him.

Either way, X escapes the laboratory and stands atop a cliff near its ruins. He laments the continued violence between Reploids, and the narration reveals that X will soon uncover secrets that will lead him into a battle against his own friend, Zero.

Mega Man X4

X in Sky Lagoon 2, in Mega Man X4.

In Mega Man X4, X receives word of an attack on the Sky Lagoon, allegedly by Repliforce. Amidst the chaos, he meets fellow Hunter Magma Dragoon, who warns him the Sky Lagoon is about to fall onto a city below. Both escape, with X returning to visit the crash site, where he destroys Eregion before confronting Colonel. X requests that Colonel turn himself in for questioning, but he stubbornly refuses and flees.

Once General announces Repliforce's coup d'état, X and the Maverick Hunters are sent to stop them. He is supported by Double, an inexperienced but eager Hunter. X battles five Repliforce agents, two mysterious Mavericks, and Magma Dragoon, who deserted the Hunters to fight X at the request of an unknown individual. During these battles, X is also challenged to a duel by Colonel, and the two fight at Memorial Hall until Colonel retreats. With all eight Maverick bosses defeated, X learns from Double that Repliforce plans to launch into space from the Space Port. There he fights Colonel once more; Colonel is destroyed, but he bought enough time for his comrades to escape.

X follows Repliforce in a small shuttle and boards the Final Weapon. However, in Final Weapon 1 he is confronted with Double, who reveals his true nature as a Maverick who infiltrated the Hunters. Betrayed, X fights and destroys Double. He continues to Final Weapon 2 to fight General, badly damaging him. Suddenly, the Final Weapon activates and begins targeting the Earth, revealing that someone has hijacked the station. X continues to Final Weapon 3 to find Sigma, who had manipulated Repliforce and the Hunters into a war so that he could destroy them both. Once X defeats Sigma, General sacrifices himself to stop the Final Weapon, causing the entire station to explode while X escapes.

While flying back to Earth, X receives a transmission from Zero. Shaken by watching Repliforce and Double suddenly become Mavericks, X requests for Zero to destroy him if he ever goes Maverick. Zero brushes off X's request, leaving X to worry for his own fate.

Mega Man X5

X, in Mega Man X5.

In Mega Man X5, X is deployed to face a reborn Sigma. If the player selected X, he rushes through the city to catch up to Zero, whose Z-Buster has been destroyed (if they selected Zero, X is in his place with his Fourth Armor destroyed). Sigma reveals himself, and is somewhat easily defeated. However, his explosion releases a massive amount of Sigma Virus that spreads across the globe. Meanwhile, the broken Eurasia colony begins falling on a crash course with the Earth. X and Zero return to Hunter Base to reconvene with Alia, Signas, and Douglas, who form two plans to stop Eurasia's collision: the Enigma and the Space Shuttle.

Left with 16 hours until impact, X and Zero track down eight Reploids around the globe who own parts for repairing the Enigma and the Space Shuttle. Unfortunately, none of them comply (some due to preconceived grudges, others due to the Sigma Virus) and must be destroyed in order to procure their parts. The Hunters are also challenged to duels by Dynamo, who works for Sigma and tries to impede their progress. Depending on the player's actions, two outcomes may occur:

• If Eurasia is destroyed in time, its fragments still hit the Earth but damage is mitigated. The Colony Virus mixes with the Sigma Virus to form the Zero Virus, which in turn creates an anomaly called Zero Space.
• If Eurasia is not destroyed in time, it crashes into the Earth and causes apocalyptic damage. The Zero Virus is formed, awakening Zero's original evil programming as Awakened Zero, who then hides within Zero Space.

With or without Zero, X travels into Zero Space to finish off Sigma. In Zero Space Stage 3: Awakening, X and Zero confront each other and inevitably come to blows, as X once feared. The situation depends on the player's actions:

• If Zero did not awaken, X confronts Zero about his body's mysterious reaction to the Sigma Virus. Zero is outraged by X's accusation, feeling betrayed, and the two fight. If the player is Zero, X is initially backed by two Lifesavers and equips the Ultimate Armor for their battle.
• If Zero became Awakened Zero, Awakened Zero boasts that this is his true form and he will accomplish his destiny by destroying X.

Either way, X and Zero fight to a standstill, as one gets a final counterattack on the other using Soul Body. As the two lie on the ground, Sigma arrives to destroy them. The outcome again depends on the player's actions:

• If Zero did not awaken, Zero stands up to fight off Sigma, forcing him to retreat while issuing a challenge to the Hunters.
• If Zero became Awakened Zero, he returns to his senses and leaps in the way of Sigma's attack. Sigma is amused by this turn of events, leaving the damaged Zero and challenging X to come face him.

Once X recovers, he faces Sigma in Zero Space Stage 4: Birth, who reveals that his latest plan has been helped by a mysterious comrade. Sigma takes Zero with him as he explodes, splitting Zero in half at the waist. X lifts Zero's remains, only for Sigma's lingering head to fire a laser through them both. As he falls, Zero blasts Sigma to finally destroy him, while X falls unconscious. However, as Zero Space fades away, X is approached by Dr. Light's hologram, who repairs his body and returns him to reality. The ending afterwards depends on the player's actions:

• If Zero did not awaken, three years pass since the battle. X has become the new ace of the Maverick Hunters, wielding Zero's Z-Saber in honor of his fallen friend. This is the canon ending, though the time skip was shortened to three weeks.
• If Zero became Awakened Zero, one week passes since the battle. X leads the Maverick Hunters in the construction of a new utopia called Elysium, with Dr. Light having wiped his mind of all memories of Zero.

Mega Man X6

X, in Mega Man X6.

In Mega Man X6, since Zero's disappearance three weeks ago, X has accepted a promotion to SA-class and wields Zero's Z-Saber. He is haunted by dreams of Zero, before suddenly being awoken by Alia to stop Maverick activity at the Eurasia crash site. There, X fights the D-1000, only for the Zero Nightmare to deal the final blow before disappearing. He is followed by High Max, who blames Zero for the Mavericks and easily overpowers X before departing. Shortly after, X hears a speech by Isoc, who reveals the existence of the Nightmare that is supposedly caused by the "ghost of Zero", announcing that High Max's Nightmare Investigators will research the Nightmare and calling for volunteers to help. X is outraged by their treatment of Zero's legacy and chooses to investigate the Nightmare himself.

As X investigates the regions affected by the Nightmare, he comes across the eight Nightmare Investigators, all of whom react with hostility and attack him. Along the way, he may face and destroy the Zero Nightmare, which results in the real Zero finally revealing that he survived all along. X is overjoyed to reunite with Zero, and the two agree to take on the Nightmare together. X may also have a rematch with High Max, who can be defeated with some difficulty to reveal the involvement of Gate. Afterwards, X can also fight Dynamo, who is collecting Nightmare Souls in order to grow stronger. By collecting enough Souls, Alia can discover the truth of Gate and the Nightmare, revealing her backstory to X.

X is now aware that Gate is the mastermind behind this entire situation, including High Max, the Nightmare Investigators, the Zero Nightmare, and the Nightmare itself. He accepts Gate's challenge and enters his lab, destroying High Max before facing him in Secret Lab 2. Once X defeats Gate, the latter reveals that he also resurrected an incomplete Sigma as a last resort, who kills Gate and flees. X pursues Sigma, destroying him once more, before retrieving Gate's body for Alia. The ending can slightly differ depending on the player's actions:

• If Zero returned, X, Zero, and the Hunters agree to continue working towards a utopia.
• If Zero did not return, X and Alia get a sudden sense that Zero is still out there.

Mega Man X7

X, in Mega Man X7.

In Mega Man X7, X is sick of fighting and retires from the front lines of the Maverick Hunters to pursue peaceful solutions to Maverick conflicts instead. His absence allows the illegal syndicate Red Alert to grow to rival the Maverick Hunters. X is first seen when Zero brings Axl back to Hunter Base, as he reprimands Axl for his conflict with Red Alert causing so much public damage. When Red challenges the Hunters, X is incensed and refuses to take part. It is revealed in flashbacks that Sigma manipulated Red Alert, plotting to use Axl's abilities to steal the DNA data of X and Zero.

Once the player rescues 64 Injured Reploids or defeats all eight members of Red Alert, X decides that the fighting is too intense to ignore and finally enters the fray. He joins Zero and Axl in attacking the Crimson Palace, helping defeat Red and discovering that Sigma was behind the conflict. Sigma boasts that he will obtain X and Zero's DNA, but is defeated. Afterwards, Sigma punches Axl through a wall and Red seemingly returns, attacking X and Zero before moving to heal Sigma. However, Red reveals himself to be Axl in disguise and finishes off Sigma, secretly impressing X.

In X's ending, Alia and Signas make a case for letting Axl become an official Maverick Hunter, but X refuses. In Zero's ending, he has a nightmare of X in a trance-like state as he ruthlessly hunts down Mavericks (possibly a vision of a future X-like individual). In Axl's ending, Axl continues to eagerly attempt to prove himself to X, but X remains wary of him making the same mistakes he once made.

Mega Man X8

X, in Mega Man X8.

In Mega Man X8, X witnesses a disaster at Jakob when an elevator car crashes. He reports the accident, only to watch as multiple Sigmas emerge from the rubble. They are followed by Lumine, who assures X that he has nothing to fear, as they are all new generation Reploids who merely borrowed his powerful body to survive the crash. X, Zero, and Axl are later deployed to Noah's Park to investigate Maverick activity by Crabs-Y. Upon defeating it, Vile V appears, revealing that he has kidnapped Lumine and that the new generation Reploids are staging a rebellion against humanity. X is frustrated by the new conflict, but accepts it.

As X fights the eight new generation Mavericks, he grows suspicious that Sigma is involved in this rebellion after all. This is seemingly confirmed after four bosses are beaten, when Alia discovers that all new generation Reploids share Sigma's data, and the remaining bosses give hints regarding Sigma's return. When Layer asks about Zero's relationship with Sigma, X fills her in.

Once all eight Mavericks are defeated, Sigma himself contacts Hunter Base to challenge X and the others, telling them he is waiting in space. After ascending Jakob, X enters the Gateway, where he apparently faces Sigma, only for him to be revealed as Copy Sigma. Upon entering the Sigma Palace on the Moon, X destroys Vile V before facing the real Sigma, who notes that X's dedication to peace is part of what inspired him to go Maverick in the first place. X fights and defeats Sigma, only for Lumine to emerge.

X is initially relieved to see Lumine, until it is revealed that he too has gone Maverick. After a battle, X begins questioning him; Lumine explains that the new generation Reploids were not controlled by Sigma, but rather they chose to go Maverick of their own accord and used him to advance their cause. X and Zero are discouraged, but Axl defiantly shoots Lumine, bringing them back to reality. X, Zero, and Axl fight Lumine again and defeat him. As Axl approaches Lumine's dormant body, a mysterious tentacle shoots out and strikes him, forcing X to destroy it.

X carries the injured Axl as he and Zero descend Jakob back to Earth. X is haunted by Lumine's remarks, wondering if they should be fighting against a future that seems inevitable, but Zero reassures him that Mavericks will always exist and they should continue to fight no matter what.

Mega Man X: Command Mission

In the alternate continuity of Mega Man X: Command Mission, X, Zero, and Shadow are deployed into Giga City by Colonel Redips to stop the Rebellion takeover. They first investigate the Lagrano Ruins, only to be separated by an explosion. X and Zero reunite near the roof to fight Hippopressor, and continue to find their target, Epsilon. However, Shadow betrays them, and the Rebellion cadre appears to ambush the Hunters. Zero fights back but is knocked off the roof, while X escapes by jumping into a ravine.

X awakens in Central Tower, having been found by the Resistance who opposes the Rebellion. He decides to help the Resistance by liberating the tower, only to be accosted by the bounty hunter Spider. After a chance meeting with the Resistance member Aile, X receives his ID, which helps convince Spider to change sides. X goes on to rescue the head of the Resistance, Chief R, and defuses a time bomb. X then confronts the Rebellion boss Wild Jango, and defeats him with the help of Spider.

X and Spider travel to Tianna Camp to free Nana, where they meet Massimo. They find Nana, only for Massimo to disappear, and she reveals that he is not the legendary hero, but only his protégé. Despite this, X and Spider team up with Massimo to save Nana from Silver Horn. The trio next travels to Gaudile Laboratory to recruit Professor Gaudile, where they meet the thief Marino and the Force Metal Generator, Cinnamon. Upon defeating Dr. Psyche, Cinnamon convinces Gaudile and Marino to join her in helping the Resistance.

X's party travels to Ulfat Factory to find Zero. There X recruits Axl, who is there on personal business, before finally reuniting with Zero to defeat Mach Jentra. However, Zero does not trust X's new allies and refuses to join the Resistance. They then head to Gimialla Mine, where they are attacked by Shadow powered by Supra-Force Metal. Zero arrives to help defeat him, and Spider takes a shot meant for Zero, softening his distrust. The party then fights Incentas, and once Spider sacrifices himself to let them escape, Zero finally joins the Resistance.

The Resistance begins seeking Supra-Force Metal, traveling to Vanallia Desert. There X is attacked by Ferham and falls into quicksand, only to sink into an underground base. There they face Botos and defeat him for a sample of Supra-Force Metal. Next, they visit Melda Ore Plant, discovering that the Rebellion is crafting a Supra-Force Metal missile to bargain with the Federation. They defeat Ferham for her key to the warhead, only for it to be stolen by a traitorous Botos. However, X and the party find Botos dead and the Supra-Force Metal mysteriously missing.

After Scarface attacks Central Tower, the Resistance traces his location to find the Rebellion hideout, Grave Ruins Base. X's party infiltrates the base, destroying Scarface and finally Epsilon, and taking the last Supra-Force Metal. Colonel Redips arrives to collect the Supra-Force Metal, congratulating X before telling them to return to Central Tower for extraction. However, when they return, the Resistance is attacked by the Federation as Colonel Redips declares them Mavericks.

Betrayed, X's party infiltrates Far East HQ to confront Colonel Redips in person. There, X learns that Redips has a copy ability and used it to masquerade as Spider, manipulating the Resistance into getting him Supra-Force Metal. Redips then transforms into Great Redips in Orbital Elevator: Babel, but X's party is able to defeat him with the help of Ferham. However, Ferham sacrifices herself to dispose of the Supra-Force Metal, to X's grief. The broken elevator falls to Earth with X's party on it, landing in the ocean safely.

Mega Man X DiVE

Model in Mega Man X DiVE.

X appears as the Player's default Hunter Program in the crossover mobile game Mega Man X DiVE. He is a B-rank Program and was available as part of the game's initial roster on 24 March 2020, being unlocked upon completing the tutorial. His Active Skills are Tracking Missile and his iconic Charge Shot.

X's Hunter Program takes part in several Events as an individual character. X also had many variants released, by far the most of any character. This is a list of all of X's Hunter Programs and skins:

• X
  • X (Command Mission)
  • X M.K. Ver.
  • X M.K. Ver. X-Boost
• First Armor X
• Second Armor X
• Third Armor X
• X (Rising Fire Ver.)
• Fourth Armor X
• Ultimate Armor X
  • AC Ver.
• Falcon Armor X
• Gaea Armor X
• Shadow Armor X
• Ultimate Armor X (CM)
• S-Class Hunter X
• SD Second Armor X
• DiVE Armor X
• Next DiVE Armor X
• Rathalos Armor X
• Shagaru Armor X
• X Dante Trigger

Zero era

Main article: X (Zero era)

In the Zero era, X appears as a recurring supporting character. After fighting in the Elf Wars, X helped to establish Neo Arcadia and served as its leader. However, he eventually sacrificed his body to seal away the Dark Elf within Yggdrasil, becoming a Cyber-elf himself in the process. He gives Zero his Z-Saber and aids him at important points in the story. For more information about his role, see X (Zero era).

Other Game Appearances

Super Smash Bros. series

Main article: Super Smash Bros. series

Name	Source Game	Weapon	Assist Trophy	Smash Tour Item	Boss	Stage	Mii Costume	Enemy	Trophy	Spirit	Music
X	Mega Man X, Mega Man X5	X-Buster - part of the Mii Costume, Mega Legends - part of Mega Man's Final Smash, also Mega Man's ability to Wall Jump	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	X's Armor, X's Helmet	N/A	File:SSB4 - X.png	905 - File:SSBU - X.png, 906 - File:SSBU - Full Armor X.png	File:SSBU - X vs ZERO.oga

Super Smash Bros. 4

• Trophies: Mega Man, Mega Man (Alt.)
• Mii Costume: X's Armor, X's Helmet

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

• Spirit #905, 906

Street Fighter X Mega Man

Street Fighter X Mega Man,

Marvel vs. Capcom series

X appears in Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite.

Other Media

1994 animated series

X, Vile and Spark Mandrill appear in the episode Mega X of the Mega Man (animated series).

Behind the Scenes

Creation

Concept of a protagonist for Mega Man X, from Mega Man X Official Complete Works.

Originally, Keiji Inafune designed Zero to be the main protagonist of Mega Man X. However, Inafune realized that players used to Mega Man might find his design too different, so he asked Hayato Kaji to design a new protagonist that more closely resembled the original Mega Man. This character ended up becoming X, while Zero was repurposed into a supporting character.

Developer Commentary

"I designed X, but I remember having a very hard time coming up with the initial design... the Super NES allowed me to use a broader range of colors, and that turned out to be quite a challenge, as I was not used to so much freedom." - (Hayato Kaji)

"Usually, I would be the one doing the main characters, and Kaji would take care of the sub characters. This time, however, we decided to change things up a bit. I asked Kaji to do Mega Man, and I made the sub character, Zero, my project. I'm sure I've said this in many different places in more than a few different ways, but I really wanted Zero to be a playable character. I wanted to offer a 'different Mega Man', and possibly a more hardcore game." - (Keiji Inafune)

"The one thing that I always thought was really well established since the beginning of the X series was the relationship between X and Zero. Of course, this is just my own personal interpretation, but I always saw X as the kind of guy who takes a lot of hits and falls early on, but learns from every experience and moves forward to better himself every time. In the end, it's guys like him that win. This is the character that the player can relate to. Zero sees this admirable trait in X, and that is why they are able to share a deep and mutual respect for each other despite the fact that one is B class and the other is Special A class. By allowing my imagination to fly with this idea, I am able to invest more emotion into every illustration. Sometimes, once I'd made sure everyone had gone home for the night, I would yell, 'Man, you guys are the best!' and get all misty-eyed as I finished up my work." - (Haruki Suetsugu)

External Links

• TV Tropes
• SmashWiki

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