Dark Rockman.EXE (anime)

Dark Rockman (ダークロックマン) is the dark counterpart of Rockman.EXE and a major antagonist in the second half of Rockman.EXE Stream, created after ShadeMan.EXE bit Rockman, infusing him with a Dark Aura. Although saved with a Vaccine Chip, while returning to Netto Hikari from the past, a ball of light absorbs Rockman's Dark Aura and whisks it away.

Overview
As the dark inverse of Rockman, Dark Rockman is twisted and sadistic, possessing the exact opposites traits and beliefs as the original and holds nothing but contempt for his more just counterpart. When he first made himself known to Netto and Rockman, he nearly deletes Roll.EXE, NumberMan.EXE, AquaMan.EXE, and IceMan.EXE before attempting to have Netto himself delete Rockman. He has no care of his Darkloid followers, seeing them as idiots that would die for him.

He has all the same powers, abilities, and memories as both Rockman and Netto, and can “slot-in” chips and can even execute Program Advances, a feet that should only be achievable with synchronization of the Navi and operator. Since he is a product of Rockman himself, he able to predict both Rockman and Netto’s next moves and counter them, making Dark Rockman a highly dangerous opponent. As a Darkloid, he is able to use powerful Dark Chips with no side effects.

History
In episode 31 of Stream, it is revealed that ShadeMan wasn't deleted by LaserMan.EXE, rather he escaped into the future with a "past vision". After regenerating, he bites Rockman, infusing him with a Dark Aura, and escapes 20 years into the past, where he gains victory over the cyberworld for the Darkloids. Rockman, having ended up in the past with him, teams up with Colonel.EXE to hunt ShadeMan, but ShadeMan makes Rockman's Dark Aura emerge, forcing him to turn on Colonel. However, Netto manages to hit him with a Vaccine Chip in the present time, cleanses him. On his way back to the present, Dr. Regal, in the form of ball of light, absorbs Rockman's Dark Aura and whisks it away.

In episode 36, Dark Rockman emerges stating his undying hate for Rockman, and lures Roll, NumberMan, IceMan, and AquaMan to a random location and nearly deletes them. Rockman claims to have had a disturbing dream (revealed to have been a vision Dark Rockman gave him of this event), causing Netto to bring him to the SciLab. Netto leaves while Rockman stays to be scanned for any bugs or viruses, but Meijin finds no issues, so Rockman heads to meet up with Netto, only for Dark Rockman to intercept him and switch places with him. Appearing as the real Rockman, Dark Rockman spends the day with Netto, causing various crimes and immoral acts to "appease" his best friend. This lands Dark Rockman in jail, where he claims that he has a major glitch causing him to act badly, and begs Netto to delete him before he goes to jail. Netto refuses, and after noticing that the band-aid that was stuck to Rockman's behind (caused by a practical joke chip Netto used on Rockman) was not there, demands to know was standing before him.

The sinister Navi reveals himself to Netto, and reveals that the real Rockman had been blown to a different area of the net and is being attacked by a new horde of Darkloids under his command: SwallowMan.EXE, BlizzardMan.EXE, CloudMan.EXE, and CosmoMan.EXE. He also reveals that he planned on begging Netto to delete him, only to switch places with the real Rockman last minute, thereby causing Netto to delete his own best friend. His plan having failed, Dark Rockman claims that Rockman will not live to see another day, though he is saved by the timely arrival of ShadowMan.EXE and Dark Miyabi. ShadowMan uncovers Dark Rockman's hiding spot, where he states the world doesn't need two Rockmans. Netto and Rockman attempt to take him out with a Giga Cannon Program Advance, but Dark Rockman counters with his own Giga Cannon and the two cancel each other out. Dark Rockman and his Darkloids then take their leave.

He appears in episode 46.

He appears in episode 47.

He appears in episode 49. He is deleted when he keeps Slur busy so that Rockman, SearchMan, and Blues can go to confront Duo. Before they go, Dark Rockman tells Rockman to go back and be Netto. As the three proceed to Duo, Dark Rockman’s data rejoins Rockman, where Rockman states they can both be with Netto.

Powers and abilities

 * Netto and Rockman's memories, skills, and abilities - Because Dark Rockman was spawned from Rockman's Dark Aura, he possesses the same memories, skills, and abilities as the duo, allowing him to predict their every move and counter them. Because of this Dark Rockman is a highly skilled and dangerous foe to them and others.


 * Rock Buster - Dark Rockman can also utilize a Rock Buster like Rockman, and can also use Charge Shots.


 * Battle Chips - Despite not having an operator, Dark Rockman can "slot-in" his own Battle Chips to use as he pleases. He has used the following:
 * Hi-Cannon - Tripled slotted-in to create Giga Cannon.
 * Energy Bomb - Used in episode 47.
 * Lightning Rod
 * North Wind


 * Program Advance - Dark Rockman is able to execute Program Advances, a feet that should only be achievable through synchronization with a Navi's operator. He was able to counter Rockman's Giga Cannon with his own.


 * Dark Chips - As a Darkloid, Dark Rockman may freely use powerful Dark Chips without any repercussions. He has used the following:
 * Dark Sword
 * Dark Wide - Used against Rockman in episode 49.
 * Dark Meteor
 * Dark Drill

Weaknesses

 * Netto and Rockman's memories, skills, and abilities - Though used to Dark Rockman's advantage, Netto and Rockman's memories together make Dark Rockman wonder what it means to have a bond with another being, which ultimately allows Regal to manipulate him to seek Duo's power, telling him he won't need bonds if he has it, and Dark Rockman becomes desperate to obtain it. As well, because Dark Rockman has both Netto and Rockman's memories and skills, he overestimates the two and is unable to adapt to them when they change up their tactics. These two factors combined lead to his defeat.

Trivia

 * In the games, Dark MegaMan.EXE is the actual MegaMan.EXE infused with dark power by Nebula. In the anime, Dark Rockman and Rockman are two separate entities, and Rockman only becomes Dark Rockman for a little while before being saved with a Vaccine Chip, and Dr. Regal extracts Rockman’s Dark Aura from him to create Dark Rockman.