| X | |
|---|---|
| Mega Man character | |
&sq=Qlik&lang=&file=File:MegamanXcharacter.png) Concept art of X as seen in Maverick Hunter X by Tatsuya Yoshikawa | |
| First appearance | Mega Man X (1993) |
| Last appearance | Mega Man X DiVE (2020) |
| Created by | Keiji Inafune Hayato Kaji |
| Voiced by |
|
| In-universe information | |
| Species | Reploid[2][3][4] |
X (Japanese: エックス, Hepburn: Ekkusu) is a character and protagonist of Capcom's Mega Man X video game series, known as Rockman X (Japanese: ロックマンX, Hepburn: Rokkuman Ekkusu) in Japan. First appearing in the 1993 Super NES video game Mega Man X, X is an android member of the Maverick Hunters, a special police force tasked with defending humans and Reploids (anthropomorphic androids similar to X) against criminal Reploids known as Mavericks. X has made additional appearances in the Mega Man franchise, including printed adaptations of the series, an original video animation called Day of Sigma which explores his early days as a Hunter, and as a supporting character in the Mega Man Zero and Mega Man ZX video game series which star his Hunter comrade Zero. X has also appeared in multiple crossover video game series outside of the franchise.
Keiji Inafune and artist Hayato Kaji created X as a contrasting successor to the original Mega Man, carrying a similar fireweapon known as the "X-Buster" (エックスバスター, Ekkusu Basutā) and the power to take enemies' weapons like the first Mega Man. However, he was given darker characterization and multiple sets of armor that enhance his abilities. Although X has several types of armors in each installments, he is often given an alternative "Ultimate Armor" (アルティメットアーマー, Arutimetto Āmā) which heavily enhances all of his powers, also retaining it crossover games as part of his strongest techniques. X has been voiced by multiple actors in both Japanese and English versions of the franchise.
Critics have generally praised X, with game journalists often finding him a worthy successor to Mega Man because of his unique traits and complex characterization as a tragic hero who hates violence. His partnership with Zero was also praised due to their different yet complementary skills, although X was noted as being less popular than Zero, and his English voice actors were often criticized as not fitting his characterization.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
emouwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "X is a Reploid (a kind of sentient robot) and the hero of this adventure." - X, Mega Man X Gallery, Mega Man X Legacy Collection. 2018.
- ^ "The hero of the Mega Man X series is a Reploid—a type of robot with the same thought capacity as a human." - X Trophy description, Super Smash Bros. for Wii U. 2014.
- ^ Zero: "Even if we Reploids are destined to join the scrap heap when that evolutionary step does come about..." - Ending cutscene, Mega Man X8. 2004.