NetNavi

Derived from the term "Network Navigator," a NetNavi (ネットナビ), or Navi (ナビ Nabi) for short, is a key concept in the MegaMan Battle Network series of video games, developed by Capcom, as well as the MegaMan NT Warrior (Rockman EXE) anime and manga. NetNavis also have a minor role in MegaMan Star Force, a separate series that takes place 200 years in the future of Battle Network.

Purpose and function
A NetNavi is a sentient, or semi-sentient, computer program with artificial intelligence designed to be an assistant for the operator and resides in his or her Personal Terminal, abbreviated as "PET". Specifically, the PET is a multipurpose device that is capable of acting in numerous functions, such as sending and receiving e-mail, acting as an alarm clock and calendar, and acting as a cell phone. Each of these functions is controlled by the NetNavi that resides within the PET under normal circumstances. A PET is, however, also capable of connecting to computerized devices, referred to as "Jacking In" (Plug-In), in which case the NetNavi is transferred to that device and may roam around it, affecting programs contained in that device as required, and moving through that device to any other devices connected to it, such as moving from a specific computer to the larger Internet. In addition, NetNavis may function as anti-virus software, directly combating the offending programs in an activity called "virus busting". Two Navis can also battle one another in "NetBattles," and are designated by the extension ".EXE".

When a NetNavi is defeated in these battles, they are usually logged out to avoid permanent damage, though in MegaMan NT Warrior, MegaMan was completely deleted.

NetNavis are given a unique personality that often reflects upon their operator's personality, and usually develops a strong friendship with their operators. NetNavis can also be used as assistants in their operator's occupation. Malicious users may use their Navi to hack into secure computer networks and commit crimes. Though these NetNavis are not technically viruses, they are treated as such. Functionally, these NetNavis are analogous to the Robot Masters of the original Mega Man series. Indeed, many of the NetNavis in the Battle Network series are similar in name, appearance, and concept to their corresponding classic Robot Masters, although not all Navis have a Robot Master equivalent, or vice-versa. There have been a few NetNavis based on characters from other Mega Man series as well, such as Colonel, Iris and Zero from the X series and Glyde from the Legends series. With the sole exception of Ring.EXE, all navis based on existing characters retains the full name.

NetNavis have the ability to upload Battle Chips for use in battle against viruses or each other. Certain NetNavis have elemental stereotypes that define their fighting styles and techniques.

Main NetNavis
The Battle Network series revolves around several main NetNavis that act as protagonists, as well as a group of NetNavi villains. All of them debuted in the first game.

Other NetNavis
Below is a list of NetNavis organized by their game debut.

Phantom of Network
The following Navis appear in the mobile phone game Rockman.EXE Phantom of Network, as well as episodes 21-26 of Beast+.

Made-for-TV

 * Drill-Mach - One of the competitors in the N1 Grand Prix who was defeated by StoneMan and BombMan. He was captured by Allegro for the little robot's amusement. Incorrectly dubbed "DrillMan" in the English anime.


 * GreenMan - One of the competitors in the N1 Grand Prix who was easily defeated by GutsMan. Unnamed in the Japanese version.


 * LeagueMan - Operated by Kyuuta Hoshida, LeagueMan is a born baseball-playing Navi with an insanely powerful pitch.


 * PickMan - One of the Navis who was defeated in the N1 Grand Prix by StoneMan and BombMan. He was captured by Allegro for the little robot's amusement.


 * PrisMan (プリズマン Purizuman) - PrisMan is a police Navi operated by Gorou Misaki. He is often the test subject for Cross Fusion experiments, although he has never successfully Cross Fused without the use of Dark Synchro Chip.


 * RocketMan / BreakMan - One of the competitors in the N1 Grand Prix who was defeated by IceMan. He was again defeated by ProtoMan and ShiningMan in a tag team match with WhaleMan.


 * Nenjiro - A generic Navi that belonged to Fyrefox before he sacrificed himself to save Fyrefox. As a result of Fyrefox's loss, he refers to his new NetNavi, Asteroid NapalmMan, as "Nenjiro".


 * NoodleMan / SanukiMan - A Navi who can take on the appearance of other Navis and uses udon-like tentacles to tangle opponents. He takes the shape of GutsMan and goes under the pseudo-name NuggetsMan (Kutsman).


 * SherbetMan (シャーベットマン Shābettoman) - One of the ice Navis that was destroyed by Zoanoroid StoneMan. He resembles a polar bear.


 * ShineMan - A NetNavi operated by Saiko Rei before he was upgraded into Asteroid FlashMan by Slur. ShineMan participated in the Navi Card Races.


 * ShiningMan - One of the competitors in the N1 Grand Prix. He was in a tag team match alongside ProtoMan, and was logged out along with both of their opponents with one attack. ShiningMan has a theme song in battle. He was captured by Allegro for the little robot's amusement, and is based on Rainbowman.


 * Silk (シルク Shiruku) - A nurse Navi that was operated by Anetta. During a fire in a hospital, Silk tried to stop the system from malfunctioning. She was overwhelmed by a dark aura in the system, however, and was deleted when she impaled herself on ProtoMan's sword (in the English version, she remained in the system to keep the hospital doors open and was deleted, while ProtoMan watched and tried to convince her to escape).


 * Slur (スラー Surā) - A servant of Duo whose primary objective is to test mankind. She appears to humans and offers them Asteroid Navis and Dimensional Chips, then watches the results of her actions to assess whether or not the world deserves to survive. Being an extraterrestrial Navi, she is extremely powerful, sending Bass to the UnderNet at the beginning of Stream, and single-handedly defeating MegaMan, ProtoMan, SearchMan and Colonel nearing the end. She is ultimately deleted by Bass, who surprises her with the powers he absorbed from the remnants of Nebula Grey following the events of the movie.


 * Trill (トリル Toriru) - A child Navi created by Tadashi Hikari of Beyondard. Trill was discovered by Bubbleman after thawing from Colonel's Ice Seed. Being in an infant state, he would not stop crying until held by MegaMan, but "grew up" and gained the ability to speak. Trill is known as the "Synchronizer," and is heavily sought after by the Cybeast armies and Wily of Beyondard for his special talents. It is Trill's power that allows MegaMan to "Beast Out". In the final episode of the series, a cache data duplicate of Trill urges Lan and MegaMan to gather their strengths and defeat Cache. He is able to store viruses inside his pockets to defend himself.


 * WhaleMan (ホエールマン Hoēruman) - One of the N1 Grand Prix Navis who was defeated by SharkMan and was later defeated again by ProtoMan and ShiningMan in a tag team match with BreakMan. He was captured by Allegro for the little robot's amusement. WhaleMan is the only anime-exclusive Navi that has a Zoanoroid counterpart.


 * YetiMan (イエティマン Ietiman) - One of the ice Navis that was destroyed by Zoanoroid StoneMan.

MegaMan Star Force
In the Star Force games, most Net Navis have been significantly downgraded from their original functions. Most generic Navis now seem to be autonomous (without need of an Operator), and those with specialized functions and expertise (often for outright mundane things, such as air-conditioning) can be summoned through the use of their representative cards. Geo obtains a number of these cards over the course of the first game, though, strangely, Net Navis seem to disappear from the second game onward.


 * PropellerMan - Geo receives a PropellerMan card from Chase Winde. His area of expertise regards aeronautics - he can pilot anything from RC Choppers to robots designed to operate in Zero-G and is more than happy to offer advice on how to achieve flight.


 * PitcherMan - Geo finds PitcherMan's card underneath a bench, where it had been "sealed" away by Joe Hawnt, a local boy who fears that it is cursed. An expert on all things baseball, one of his main uses is to operate Pitching Machines, though he can also be used in a baseball-themed arcade game. He maintains that he can only deal one pitch at a time, outright discouraging extended use.


 * KeyMan - Geo takes KeyMan's card from an AMAKEN Employee's pocket when he needs to open the door leading outside of the SpaceSim (the employee in question was currently incapacitated). KeyMan's primary purpose to operate security system, often simply to unlock doors, though he requires the proper password to do so. As his main focus is security, it will often be his primary suggestion when his opinion is considered.


 * ThermoMan - Geo receives ThermoMan's card from a maintenance man who worked at Nacy's Department Store in Time Square. ThermoMan's main purpose is to operate air-conditioning systems (his three main options are Heat, Cool, and Wind); depending on the power of the system, he may be able to significantly change the nature of an environment. His personal preference is for the temperature to be "just right", which reflects his emphasis on comfort.


 * ShovelMan - A NetNavi that belongs to the Dump Workers. It is summoned to control backhoes.


 * TeacherMan - A Navi whose main purpose is simply to function as a teacher - they may tutor students, serve as aides to human teachers, or in certain cases, teach class themselves. For example, before he begins going to school, Geo studies under TeacherMan (it is unknown whether "TeacherMan" refers to either a single, specific NetNavi or a whole class of them), who sends reports of his progress back to the school. There seems to be a subspecies called MathTeacherMan, though this may be an error on the part of the game's english localization team.


 * DriveMan - Another Navi unseen in the game, though referenced by multiple characters. DriveMan's purpose is apparently to operate automobiles and vehicles as an intelligent autopilot, perhaps if the driver in question is either incapacitated, unwilling, or simply not of legal age to drive themselves (such as Luna, Bud, and Zack in the first scenario of the game).