Mega Man X (character)

"That's right... It's begun again... How long must this war go on?"

- Mega Man X

Mega Man X, named Rockman X (ロックマンエックス) in Japan, commonly called X (エックス), was the eponymous protagonist of the Mega Man X series. X also served as a guide during the Mega Man Zero series and appeared as Model X in the Mega Man ZX series. He was the successor of the original Mega Man and is Dr. Thomas Light's greatest creation. X is a Maverick Hunter who fought alongside his partners Zero and Axl in order to maintain peace and stability in the world and protect humans and Reploids alike from Maverick attacks, though X would like nothing better than the opportunity to stop fighting. Because of his aversion to violence, X is initially ranked a B-Class Hunter, but he was eventually promoted to S-Class.

X was the first robot to possess free will, sentience, and independent thought; no longer requiring restrictive programming or rules to dictate his behavior; based on technology pioneered by Dr. Light. Dr. Cain, the scientist who found him, was never able to fully analyze X's internal systems and system code. Despite this, Cain was able to replicate X's general architecture, making X the precursor to each and every Reploid brought into production. This made him the proverbial "father" of the current Reploids.

Appearance
As a more advanced successor to the original Mega Man, X's design is more detailed and mature-looking. He shares his predecessor's predominantly blue and cyan color pallet, but is taller and appears to be in his early teens (likely fourteen or fifteen years old, given his initial AI setting and height, whereas the old Mega Man was about ten years old). His upper torso is covered by a segmented chest plate with shoulder pads. His helmet has light-colored ridges atop it and above the visor, and a red lens sits on his forehead. The ears of his helmet and barrel of his buster are black around the edges with red lenses within. In Mega Man X8, his helmet's ears have an X shape in the center, and his limbs are considerably more cylindrical instead of rounded.

In Command Mission, X's armor receives a major design overhaul. While a similar frame, it introduces gold and orange accents and a black body instead of the familiar cyan. His armor is less bulky and features large red jewels on the arms and legs. Whenever running or in battle, his back generates red energy that flares out to resemble a fiery scarf. This change in appearance is supposedly to allow use of Force Metals, according to a line of dialogue.

Personality
X was designed and created by Dr. Light to be a robot who could think and make his own decisions without programming limitations. Unique among all of Dr. Light's creations, X possessed incredible capabilities, both mentally and physically. However, Light feared that, since X didn't have any limitations to dictate his morality or actions, he could become a grave threat to the world. Therefore, he sealed X away into a special capsule that would test his systems in a myriad of scenarios designed to ensure that X would be able to discern right from wrong and be always willing to do the right thing. Apparently, this process would take more than 30 years, and as Light was very old, he would not live long enough to see X leave the capsule and enter the world. He left a warning in the capsule X was stored in and ordered anyone that may find the capsule to not release the robot within until his testing was complete.

Maverick Hunter X, the 2006 remake of the original Mega Man X, shows a slightly different series of events. The Day of Σ, an unlockable prologue OVA included on the UMD, shows Dr. Light speaking with X several times during his creation, while in the SNES game Light sealed X away without activating him once. Furthermore, Light's intention of sealing X was different in Maverick Hunter X. Instead of fearing that X would become a threat because of his immaturity, Light feared that it would be the humans who were immature and not ready to live together with a robot as similar to a human as X would be by the time he finished his work. Instead, Light wanted him to fight for the people of the future and guide them to peace and happiness.

X is a hot-blooded, committed, and strong-willed robot who has little tolerance for injustice. Though X fights with all his might against Sigma and his Mavericks, he is a pacifist at heart, echoing the wishes of the original Mega Man or possibly Dr. Light. X would like nothing more than for the fighting to be over, and for humans and Reploids to coexist peacefully next to each other, like his creator had always wished. He cares deeply for the victims of the war and for his friends who've fought so long with him, especially Zero, whom he regards as his best friend. X is easily frustrated when things go awry and rarely seems to understand the true motives of Sigma and other Mavericks.

Although he's constantly conflicted with the battles he must fight, he eventually begins to come to terms with the reality of the situation and understands that he must indeed fight for the peace he desires in order for it to become a reality. This change is best seen during the Zero series in where the relationship between the two is reversed as it is X the one who actually supports Zero and encourages him to fight when either confused or doubtful in his actions.

Creation and awakening
X's creation by the hands of Thomas Light began at some point during the later days of the original Mega Man series, specifically, sometime after Mega Man 11, but no exact dates were given. Unlike most robots of his time, X was created with a unique system akin to that of a conscience, that allowed him to think, feel and act completely on his own, and highly advanced technology that far surpassed anything of the current day. The purpose of X's construction and birth was in the sake of Light's dream, of one day giving robots the ability and freedom grow in the exact fashion of all living beings.

However, Light was not without foresight and fears for his ultimate project. Though X was now akin to that of a living, sentient being with their own free will, but with a physique of a strong and powerful machine, Light feared he could grow instead to be a potential threat to the world. In addition to X's immaturity stemming from his inexperience that could lead to misunderstanding or even catastrophe in a world unprepared for his existence, Light was nearing the end of his life with no successor to continue his work, concerned with how the people of the future would ever properly receive X, and that X faced an unknown future filled with such possible dangers and hardships that Light would not be able to console and guide him through it.

To test the reliability of his learning and morality, Light prepared a stasis capsule that would perform system tests on X's circuits and AI to prove his maturity, that would take approximately 30 years to complete. With nothing but his love and compassion long put into his work throughout his life, left to be carried on by future generations, Light addressed his final words, of his hopes, wishes, fears, and dreams, for X to bring peace, and to fight for the people of the future. On September 18, 20XX, readying all last preparations, Mega Man X was sealed away.

The sleeping robot eventually passed all tests the capsule had prepared for him and he was found in the year 21XX (possibly in the year 2114 at minimum, according to the log of Cain's PC in the opening of Mega Man X, 100 years after X was sealed by Dr. Light) by scientist Dr. Cain. Cain, not being an expert in robotics, was baffled by the design specifications Light had included on the computer as even a century later they were ahead of anything the world had ever seen. From these specifications and with the help of X, Cain began developing his own version of next-generation robots, which came to be known as Reploids. However, the Reploids never received the same ethical testing as X. Possibly because of this oversight, malfunctions, short circuits, and other possible causes, over time more and more Reploids began to act strange and, eventually, become violent against humans and even other Reploids. These Reploids were deemed "Maverick" (Irregular in Japan), and as incidents of Reploids going Maverick increased, the human government decided to found a department which was tasked with dealing with these new Mavericks, known as the Maverick Hunters.

Feeling responsible for this situation, X joined the Maverick Hunters and became part of Sigma's 17th Elite Unit. While other operatives such as Sigma and Zero were elevated to the higher classes, X remained at B-class. This was most due to a tendency in X to hesitate and second guess his choices in battle instead of acting immediately. This tendency caused other Maverick Hunters, such as Vile, to look down on X as weak. It has been noted, however, that X has "limitless potential" should he choose to access it (according to Cyber Peacock in Mega Man X4), and that Sigma, Zero, and Dr. Cain have all seen his potential from the beginning.

The Day of Σ
While X was a member of Sigma's Elite Hunter Unit 17, he befriended many other members of this unit, particularly the SA class hunter Zero. The Hunters were busy though, as giant Mechaniloids (robots less intelligent than Reploids, usually for simpler tasks and manual labor) began attacking Abel City. The Maverick Hunters were baffled as to who was behind the attacks. During one of the battles against the berserk Mechaniloid, Sigma saw X hesitate to take his shot to stop the rampaging Mechaniloid, because an ally Hunter was in the way. Sigma then rushed in and did the job for the hesitant X by using his saber on the rampaging Mechaniloid. The attack stopped the Mechaniloid and saved the Hunter from its grasp. Though Sigma's intervention is what saved the Hunter, it came at the cost of the Hunter's arm. Sigma would later lecture X about the importance of acting when he has the chance, and that hesitation may cost lives. After speaking to Dr. Cain, Sigma discovered that X's worrying is what makes him so advanced. It was then that Sigma became obsessed with X and learning more about him.

X and Zero began investigating these events to discover the hacker causing Mechaniloid outbreaks throughout Abel City. The two hunters traced the signal being sent to the Maverick Mechailoids to a missile facility, where they discovered that the hacker responsible for the rampaging Mavericks was none other than Sigma, who then proceeded to launch all the missiles stored at the facility to Abel City. X and Zero fought Sigma, but were damaged in the encounter, allowing Sigma to escape, although not before X, with some of his limitless potential awakened, burned Sigma's characteristic scars onto his eyes. Sigma eventually turned his lieutenants Maverick, and launched an attack against Abel City, leading into the events of Maverick Hunter X.

Mega Man X
Maverick Hunter X is a re-telling of the original Mega Man X story, and while the former seems to deviate on a few topics, it is generally accurate to the primary plot points of the original Super Nintendo release of Mega Man X.

It starts with X who is dealing with Maverick activity along the Central Highway, part of Abel City. As he goes about fighting off hordes of Mechaniloids, he meets Vile, who has apparently gone Maverick, and confronts X in his special Ride Armor.
 * In the original SNES release of X1, the name of the setting the game takes place in is not provided.

X battles Vile, but ultimately is defeated, and taken captive. X is saved by Zero, who blasts the Ride Armor's arm off with a single charged shot. After Vile retreats, X laments at his inability to defeat the war Reploid. Zero consoles X, telling him that he still has much potential to be unlocked.
 * The Maverick Hunter X remake depicts a slightly different version of the events above. Namely, X upon encountering Vile accuses the latter of being involved in Sigma's revolt, only to learn to his horror that Vile didn't actually care about the revolt and just wanted an excuse to cause trouble for X due to his hatred of him. X briefly manages to subdue Vile's ride armor, only for him to be captured due to letting his guard down, causing Vile to berate him for underestimating him before making clear he intends to eliminate both him and Sigma so he can change the world on his own terms. However Zero interferes and after some tense words between Zero and Vile, the latter retreats, with Zero and X discussing Vile's sudden change in allegiance before X is told to go back to Hunter Base to rest up, vowing to catch up later. X then does so, although not before making sure to thank Zero for saving him again.

X then faces the eight 'leaders' of Sigma's Maverick armies. One by one, he battles them, defeats them, and obtains their special weapons.

Once the eight bosses are destroyed, X is informed that Zero has finally discovered the whereabouts of Sigma's fortress.* They discuss their method of assault. Zero tells X he will barge in the front to draw the enemy's attention, and suggests X find another, safer way in. During his journey throughout Sigma's Fortress, X confronts the eight bosses yet again and, as before, he defeats them to move onward.
 * In the original game, X actually meets up with Zero outside said fortress. In MHX, however, X simply receives a communications from Zero, who is already working his way inside.

In the third section of the fortress, X reaches a small hallway where he sees that Vile has successfully defeated Zero, and must battle the war-machine once more to rescue him. At first, he is once again overwhelmed by Vile's powerful Ride Armor,* but it is at this point where Zero gets his second wind, leaps on the machine from behind, and destroys the ride armor in a desperate attack.* This utterly destroys the Ride Armor, although leaving Vile unharmed. Still, X can now battle on more equal ground with Vile, and defeats him after a tenuous battle. He then rushes to Zero, who is in such critical condition that he urges X to leave him behind, and fight Sigma in his stead. With much regret, X marches onward to fight Sigma.
 * In the original game, X had to fight another losing battle to Vile's Ride Armor. In MHX, this battle is skipped, as Vile captures him by surprise. Zero destroys it while he is distracted with X.
 * There seems to be confusion as to how Zero destroyed the Armor. Some believe a charged-shot at point blank, while others argue a self-destruct or overload of the Buster in question. The latter seems more likely, considering the damage Zero suffers as a result, which likely would not have happened with a simple charged shot.

X finally reaches the boss chamber where Sigma resides. They have a brief exchange, and Sigma congratulates him for "making it this far", but then comments that he will put X to a little test before engaging the Hunter himself. X is then forced to fight Sigma's dog, Velguarder. After destroying the guard dog, Sigma throws off his cloak and fights X head-on with his beam saber. X eventually defeats Sigma, but as his body exploded, Sigma's head attaches itself to a much larger body, which lights up and reveals a menacing wolf themed battle-body that attacks X, nearly taking up the entire room. X fights Sigma and defeats him again, causing the fortress to collapse. X manages to get out in time and watches the fortress collapse as he contemplated his actions, and his future.
 * According to the Rockman X Saikyou Daizokan, this massive body is an incomplete reploid unto itself, which Sigma then assumes control over: "A yet incomplete extra large wolf type repliroid. Sigma's head takes over the functions of the brain, but because of its excessive size, the feet and arms require more development time to be completed. Once the super-powered repliroid is completed, Sigma will be unstoppable in his plan for world domination!"

Mega Man X2
Picking up where Mega Man X left off, the Hunters have tracked down the remaining Mavericks. The X-Hunters (Counter Hunters in Japan), a group of remaining followers of Sigma who wish to defeat the Maverick Hunters by also rebuilding Zero as a Maverick, further using him as bait to lure X to his destruction. X destroys the X-Hunters and gathers Zero's parts, eventually discovering that Sigma was reborn and behind the plot all along. If the player gathers Zero's parts before assaulting Sigma's HQ (at the North Pole), Dr. Cain says he still has Zero's "Control Chip" and can rebuild him, but it will take some time. Before reaching Sigma's lair, X is confronted by a Zero clone. The real Zero arrives in time and destroys the fake with a powerful combination attack. X then proceeds to defeat Sigma while Zero destroys the Central Computer base.

If the player fails in retrieving Zero's parts, a non-canon scenario is triggered. Zero is rebuilt as a Maverick seeking destruction, which according to Sigma's displays his grudge against X for not rescuing him from the hands of Sigma's lackeys. After being defeated, an injured Zero apologized to X for the trouble and uses his remaining strength to destroy the Central Computer base, while X faces Sigma's new body. It is interesting to note that X's personality in this dialogue is a lot more concerned in the Japanese version than in the western one. In the Japanese Version, X seems to be against Zero going alone as he is prone to die from his terrible injuries, though Zero insists he will be fine and asks X to take care of Sigma. In the English version, however, X says he has no time to help Zero as he must hurry to defeat Sigma.

Mega Man Xtreme
Set between X2 and X3, a hacker named Techno has invaded the Hunters' Mother Computer and is using the data of previous Mavericks against the organization. With the help of Middy, X goes into cyberspace, where he discovers that Sigma had "influenced" Techno. X accidentally destroys Techno, and then learns that Middy is Techno's twin brother, and that by killing Techno, Middy will die as well. X, crushed, challenges Sigma once again and defeats him, extracting a measure of vengeance.

Mega Man X3
There has been a period of peace after a Reploid scientist named Dr. Doppler created a supposed cure for the Maverick Virus. This cure turns out to be an ineffectual placebo, however, and the Maverick Hunters find themselves overwhelmed with a massive Maverick uprising. X and Zero enter the fray and discover that the virus and Sigma are one and the same, explaining why Sigma keeps coming back. X and Zero destroy Sigma's new battle body (built by Doppler, who had been infected with the virus). It is revealed, but unbeknownst to X, that his ultimate fate to save the human race would be to destroy Zero. This is a mildly misleading translation from the Japanese version however, which merely says that X knows in his heart that he is destined to fight Zero. Why X feels this way however is not explained, but seems to allude to their eventual duel in Mega Man X5.

Mega Man Xtreme 2
Set sometime after X3 and before X4, a mysterious phenomenon is afflicting Reploids all around the world where they seemingly cease to function. However upon closer inspection, it is revealed that their bodies still function, but their DNA Souls are missing. The cause of this phenomenon has been traced back to a single location. Aided by Iris, a young Repliforce navigator, X and Zero head to Laguz Island, to investigate the "Erasure Incident" (which is later referenced in X6 during X's storyline), where they battle the Soul Erasers, Berkana (a Reploid researcher and scientist gone Maverick) and Gareth (Berkana's loyal guard). X defeats Berkana and Zero defeats Gareth, whereupon they team up to defeat Sigma, who has somehow involved himself in the affair. Upon defeating Sigma and Berkana, the DNA Souls Berkana had been collecting for power are freed and return to their respective Reploids, undoing the effects of the Erasure Incident.

Mega Man X4
Repliforce, an organization that acts as an ally to the Maverick Hunters, were branded Mavericks after they were accused of the incident where the floating city Sky Lagoon is destroyed and falls to the ground (which Magma Dragoon was truly behind), starting the Repliforce War. During his mission, X was distracted by a mole, planted in the Hunters by Sigma, named Double, who was acting as a spy for the Hunter's activities. Zero on the other hand was guided by Iris to call off the fighting between Repliforce and the Hunters. However, in his duty, Zero confronted Colonel, his former friend and rival, eventually destroying him despite protests from Iris. X, realizing that he was tricked and discovering that Sigma had set up the entire plan, swiftly disposed of Double. In Zero's scenario, he was shocked to discover Iris prepared to confront him for killing her brother. Much to Zero's dismay, Iris died from her wounds from their battle.

In X's ending, after beating Sigma, however, he was beginning to doubt his ability to remain sane. X contacts Zero and makes him promise that if he were to ever go Maverick, that Zero be the one to destroy him.

In Zero's ending, Zero contemplates his abilities as a Hunter if after all his fighting he was unable to save the people he cared about most, and whether or not all Reploids were destined to be labeled as Mavericks in the end.

Mega Man X5
With peace restored, the Hunters hire several new officers, including Alia. Unfortunately, X is scrambled to deal with a large concentration of mavericks and finds himself in a confrontation with Sigma. After defeating Sigma, his explosion accidentally spread his virus all over the Earth. In addition, Sigma attempts to send the space colony Eurasia into the Earth, thus spreading the virus further, in order to awaken Zero's true self.

A large energy readout of the Eurasia colony returned a signature that it was infected with the Sigma Virus, so the Maverick Hunters saw no other solution except to alter the colony's path by striking it with a blast from the Enigma laser cannon. The Enigma laser cannon fails to destroy Eurasia, so Signas comes up with another plan, to launch a Space Shuttle directly at the colony to destroy it. Zero pilots the shuttle and crashes it into Eurasia, which successfully destroys it enough to avert complete planetary destruction.

However, in the remains of the Colony which landed on Earth, a new virus is detected, called the Zero Virus, and X and Zero must find the source.

X faces off with Zero after he ignored orders to report back to Base for a full diagnostic, and the two are knocked out after a stalemate. Sigma appears and Zero saves X from him. The two then go on to confront Sigma. This is the canon storyline.

In the other story possibility, the overwhelming amount of the virus becomes a catalyst that exposes Zero's true self.

Sigma reveals to X that Zero's true form is the one that emerges when he is powered up with the Maverick Virus (this mechanic is also reflected during gameplay by making Zero completely invulnerable if his virus level reaches "infected" status). As it turns out, Zero was the one who had spread the virus to Sigma during their first confrontation, as shown in a flashback during Mega Man X4. Sigma also speaks of a mysterious new ally who built a body for him. He also says that this person is interested in Zero "as if he was his own father" and claims that he and X know each other well, because they were enemies in the past (obviously referring to the character Dr. Wily from the Mega Man series).

Once beaten, Sigma claims he will take Zero down with him. As X and Zero both lay damaged from Sigma's massive explosion, X stands over Zero's battered body, hoping for signs of life. Sigma's remains then fire a blast straight through X and Zero. Zero revives for just a moment, destroying Sigma's remains with a blast from his Z-Buster and then passing away. X was badly injured, but a hologram of Dr. Light appears and miraculously repairs him. The next scene shows X holding Zero's Z-Saber and going off on another mission, stating that with Zero's blade, he can fight any enemy.

Mega Man X6
During the Nightmare Outbreak, X is still coping with the loss of his friend, unaware that Zero is still alive. The Zero Nightmare - a clone of Zero created by an infected Reploid researcher named Gate (Alia's former colleague) - smears Zero's name and is promptly defeated by X. Upon doing this, Zero reveals himself again to an elated X. Together, they swear to eliminate the evil source of the Nightmares, and do so with Alia's help. After some time, she reveals Gate's intentions - with Gate himself later detailing the fact that he was able to create the Nightmare virus via Zero's DNA.

"I'll stop such an ambition. I won't accept no more sacrifice of Reploids! He must know the current situation. Mankind, Reploid and the Earth are in danger."

With Zero's help, X infiltrates Gate's lab and defeats the Nightmare Mother and High Max. After this, X confronts Gate and defeats him. Although defeated, Gate unleashed his trump card, a revived but incomplete Sigma; however, Sigma betrays him and leaves Gate for dead. X goes after the revived Sigma, fights him and defeats him. After the battle he saves the remains of Gate for Alia to repair, because he knew what it was like to lose a colleague and didn't want to see any more innocent Reploids die. Alia thanks him for this, and they swear to try to rebuild the Earth. Whether Gate survives beyond this is unknown.

Alternatively, if X doesn't find Zero throughout the game, Zero observes X and Alia without revealing himself. He comments on the events on the game, before he goes after the yet undefeated Zero Nightmare.

Mega Man X7
Months later, the Maverick Hunters were severely crippled as X retired from active duty to pursue more peaceful means to end the constant fighting. In his absence, a new Maverick-hunting faction known as "Red Alert" began hunting Mavericks, often with questionable tactics. Zero was summoned to the scene of a rampage in the city and found a young Reploid named Axl trying to flee Red Alert. He rescued Axl, and what ensued resulted in a harsh custody battle between the Hunters and Red Alert. When the fighting became too intense, X eventually returned to the Hunters and fought alongside Axl and Zero. Eventually it was revealed that Sigma infected the Red Alert members, manipulating the whole fiasco from behind the scenes. He was hoping that Axl would use his special copy ability to copy X and Zero, and bring the data back to him. The trio confronted the maniacal Reploid and defeated him once more. X eventually, begrudgingly, allows Axl to officially join the Maverick Hunters, although he expressed doubts of sending him onto a new mission, as he didn't completely trust him yet. In addition, X (or rather, a similar individual) also briefly appeared in Zero's nightmare where Zero ended up terminated by X, having become overzealous in hunting Mavericks.

Mega Man X8
Some time after the Red Alert incident, construction has begun on the Jakob Project, an orbital elevator that can take equipment and handwork to the moon more easily, where they seek to expand their horizons to space. One of the personnel transport carts explodes off the spiral track of the elevator and crashes down near the elevator site. X is the first to arrive. After requesting a rescue squad, a rising figure from the debris draws his attention. As many large bodies come into view, X is shocked and fearful at what he sees: an army of Sigmas rising to their feet.

The leader of these reploids emerges, as he explains the situation. The Sigmas within the transport are really some of the New Generation Reploids, able to use DNA data to change their shapes. They are the perfect workers because they can change their shape according to the task. The Reploid claims that their new systems make them immune to all viruses and thus cannot go Maverick. X relaxes as he asks the identity of the young Reploid. He introduces himself as Lumine, the director in charge of the orbital elevator, and the Jakob Project itself.

A few hours after the crash, a Maverick riot near the elevator site in the Galapagos calls for X, Axl, and Zero in order to stop a unique crab-like Mechaniloid. They manage to defeat it, but are then interrupted by a hail of missiles from Vile, who has abducted Lumine for unknown reasons.

It is revealed Sigma is back again and is manipulating the New Generation Reploids to take over the world. After taking out the eight Mavericks gathering space travel equipment and resources, X, Zero and Axl ascend the orbital elevator, defeat the New Generation Reploids and confront Sigma in his palace, defeating him. However, it is revealed that Lumine was behind the entire plot and says Sigma is now dead for good. After a fierce battle, Lumine is defeated, but not before knocking out Axl and leaving him comatose.

As the trio ride back down the elevator, X, with Axl in his arms, ponders on Lumine's words that all Reploids are destined to all go Maverick someday. Zero reassures him that they can fight their destiny.

The Elf Wars
Several years later after the events of the X series, X had ended the Maverick Wars with the help of the "Sigma Antibody Program", Mother Elf, a Cyber-elf created after Zero's body was analyzed and an Anti-Sigma virus vaccine was reverse engineered from it. Some time after this, Project Elpizo was proposed by a scientist called Dr. Weil to create a perfect ruler to control all Reploids without having to risk them going Maverick. X disagreed with the nature of the project, believing that Reploids and humans are fully capable of co-existing with each other peacefully. As a result, Dr. Weil altered the Mother Elf, turning her into the Dark Elf and started the "Elf Wars" in secret, so he could receive Zero's original body to create Omega. Zero's "mind and soul" were placed into a new body created by Dr. Ciel's ancestor, and Zero fought alongside X to defeat Omega. For the damages Omega and Weil had caused, Weil was modified into a cyborg and banished into the wasteland and Omega was sentenced to perpetual exile in Earth's orbit. After this war, Zero sealed himself again, trusting that the world was in X's good hands, and X assumed leadership of Neo Arcadia. X attempted to stop Zero's encapsulation, but by the time X arrived to beg for the stopping of the procedure, it was already halfway finished, with Zero going comatose, although not before Zero offered words of encouragement to X. It was presumably around this time that X retrieved Zero's Z-saber, which he would keep on him even after sacrificing his own body later on relating to the Dark Elf.

Neo Arcadia era


X became the leader of Neo Arcadia, overseeing the welfare of both humans and Reploids for an undisclosed long period of time. Weary of his long life of countless battles without an ending in sight, as well as fearing that he will eventually lose himself and become worse than the enemies he faced (harkening back to the ending of Mega Man X4, where he asked Zero that if he ever went Maverick, Zero had to take care of him).

Afterwards, seeing how all the attempts to seal the Dark Elf away were not working due to its immense powers, X decided to use his own body as a seal for the Dark Elf within Yggdrasil so that it could never escape and wreak havoc on the world. However, the burden of becoming the seal caused his mind to be removed from his body. Despite this, X's mind was fractured and split into four other parts of is psyche, along with his DNA, which had formed the Four Guardians, whom had also chosen to protect X's body along with Neo Arcadia. From then on, X continued to exist to watch over Neo Arcadia and Zero's abandoned body as a Cyber-elf, unknown to everyone.

Due to his disappearance, a young genius named Ciel created an exact copy of X to fulfill the role of the leader of Neo Arcadia. While Copy X had at first completed his duty as leader rather well, much to Cyber-elf X's horror Copy X started using extreme measures against Reploids to ensure peace and prosperity for humans. Copy X's rule was the exact opposite of what X himself would have done, as it went against his dream of Reploids and humans co-existing peacefully together.

When Ciel created a Resistance to oppose Neo Arcadia and Copy X, X believes that they could not win, what with the Four Guardians now serving Copy X. It is then assumed that X sent Ciel the necessary information that would help her find the only one who he knew would step in to help save them: Zero. Without a physical body, he could only fight by supporting his comrade Zero.



After Copy X's defeat, while Zero was fighting many battles in Neo Arcadia in Mega Man Zero 2, Cyber-elf X was holding Elpizo back from the Dark Elf. After a series of battles, Zero arrives at the top of Yggdrasil, where X's body rests. Zero arrives before Elpizo can break the seal but Elpizo uses his power to trap Zero in an energy field. He then forces Zero to watch as he stabs X's body with his beam rapier, destroying X's body and awakening the Dark Elf, obtaining her power. While his body was destroyed, X continued to exist as a Cyber-elf.

Mega Man ZX series


X reappears in the form of Biometal Model X, which contains the "soul" of X, and is used by Vent/Aile to Megamerge into Mega Man Model X.

Specifications
X's specifications.

Height: 160 cm (5 ft. 3 in.) (165 cm [5 ft. 5 in.] in Mega Man X: Command Mission)
 * Some information is referencing this image of X's schematics from Rockman & Rockman X Daizukan. Additional info will be listed in quotations. Full document here. Translation by Sidier.

Weight: 57 kg (125.7 lbs) A.I. age: 14–15 years old (To Note: Only at the time of his awakening. X matures as time passes, like all reploids.) Armor part: Head part: Body part: Arms part: Legs part:
 * "(He’s lighter than Rockman due to scientific progress)"
 * "In humans terms, he’s about 14-15 years old."
 * Interior Skeleton: Reactive Super-flexible Armored Skeleton which reduces 93 percent of damage.
 * Body Skin: Lightweight "Titanium-X" alloy.
 * "It’s very light and it’s a metal resistant against heat and shots; the strongest metal in the world."
 * Broad-range Eye Camera: X's optical input device. His "eyes." "Broad-range" may imply being able to see spectrum of light beyond human eyes.
 * "He can see way more things than a normal human would be able to."
 * Ears X's ears are his auditory input device, which are able to hear things the average human cannot.
 * "He can hear ultrasonic sounds which normal people cannot hear."
 * Ultra-sensitive Voice Recognition System: X's voice recognition system. "Ultra-Sensitive" may refer to acute voice recognition in low volume/clarity situations.
 * Voice Generation Device: Made by HAYATOM Inc. (MOKUOO Inc. in Japanese version) X's voice is synthesized from this system.
 * Accumulative Energy Generation Device: Stores solar energy. This primary power supply generates both the necessary energy to fuel all of X's systems.
 * Ultra-Compact Fuel Tank: A large quantity of (Micro-Fusion) fuel is stored in an ultra-compact tank, in order for X to be active when in dark places where renewing solar energy is impossible- such as underground or underwater. This becomes his power source if his accumulated solar energy runs out.
 * Central Joint Controlling System: X's motor control system for his whole body.
 * "X’s secondary brain that accurately controls all of his movements."
 * X-Buster (Mega Buster Mark 17): X's main weapon. Converts solar energy into a high powered burst. When not in use, the X-buster reverts to the default arm/hand configuration.
 * "X’s strongest weapon. Turns solar energy into a high output beam and shoots it out." (The X-Buster is "X's strongest weapon" only in his default form since it is also his only weapon to start with. The X-Buster also does not fire a beam, as that would imply a continuous stream of energy. Instead it fires separated bursts of energy, like the solar bullets the original Mega Man used.)
 * Energy Amplification Device: Amplifies stored energy to release a more powerful charge shot.
 * Variable Weapon System: Can use weapons or systems copied from other robots or Reploids through some unknown process. In some media, this is shown to be X either copying a Reploid's DNA data or taking a chip from their remains.
 * "By adding in the special weapon chips taken from the bosses, he can use a wide variety of weapons."
 * Either one of X's arms may take on the form of an X-Buster. With upgrades, X can even use two X-Busters simultaneously for double charged shots.
 * In the Day of Sigma OVA continuity, his arms can be detached at will, as demonstrated by X late into the film.
 * Full Auto Balancer (Gyroscopic Stabilization System): Assists X with balance, stability, and presumably allows him to perform amazing feats of agility as seen during gameplay.
 * "He can land properly from any state he’s in."
 * Emergency Acceleration System: Accelerate in a blink of an eye, can dash with a sudden burst of speed. Originally an upgrade available through an armor piece, X seems to have internalized this upgrade to be used at any time.
 * "Accelerates in the blink of an eye, and allows him to run at amazing speeds." (It should be noted that X does not run when using this system, but lowers himself into a dashing position.)

Power and abilities
Being a robot, X possesses strength, speed, endurance and other abilities well above the normal human capacity, although his physical limits are never revealed in the games. He can performs various specially defaulted actions like Dash, Wall Kick and Air Dash. He also has upgrades in which completed set are armors. The true scope of X's abilities are constantly under speculation by many of the characters in the series. X seems to constantly change and evolve. In many instances he seems to draw on some unknown power within himself. Both Dr. Cain who examined X as well as Sigma who is obsessed with X and Zero's capabilities don't understand a large portion of how both Hunters' internal systems work. What is known is that these hidden abilities make X immune to the Maverick Virus and let him match any opponent. It is also likely that the armor that Dr. Light left him may be tools that allow X to slightly tap into his "limitless potential". It can then be assumed that X's true power is capable of release only on his standard frame.

However, this only happened during X's fight with Sigma in the last chapter of "The Day of Σ", and only for a moment due to the damage received from Sigma.


 * X-Buster: An upgrade of the Mega Buster. The X-Buster can fire powerful bullets, and it can focus energy to fire a Charge Shot that causes more damage.


 * Variable Weapon System: Like the original Mega Man before him, X has the ability to obtain and use Special Weapons from powerful Reploids that he has defeated. These weapons come in many varieties, often providing additional mobility as well as offense. Of course, the Mega Man series convention of janken applies, and each boss character is weak to a different boss character's weapon.


 * Upgrades: X can take on various upgrades like Armor Parts, which significantly increase his power/mobility. Certain armors even come equipped with special, high powered attacks such as the Giga Crush, Giga Attack, and Nova Strike. Some armors, like his third armor, can be augmented with chips.

Comparison with classic Mega Man
Mega Man X incorporates some abilities that in the classic series had to be acquired as separate parts.
 * Energy Balancer (originally introduced in Mega Man 6)
 * Exit Unit (originally introduced in Mega Man 7)
 * Auto Charge (from Mega Man X5 onwards, originally introduced in Mega Man & Bass)
 * Rapid Shot (from Mega Man X5 onwards, originally introduced in Mega Man 8)

Mega Man X: Command Mission
Some time after the discovery of Force Metal, Epsilon created a Reploid army in Giga City, a city built for Force Metal excavation. Epsilon fought for Reploid rights, but the Federation Government decided he was too dangerous. The Maverick Hunters X (with a New Armor), Zero, and a new character named Shadow are deployed to Giga City to defeat Epsilon and his "Rebellion Army". The three Hunters reach Epsilon, but Shadow betrays X and Zero, and reveals that he is working for Epsilon. After an all-out attack by the four Rebellion Army leaders or "Cadres", X and Zero are separated.

X spends the rest of the game teaming up with the Resistance inside Giga City and defeating the Rebellion Army Mavericks. He gains many new allies and also reunites with Zero and also Axl, who arrived in the city looking for some info on his copy powers (as Axl's Copy ability supposedly was developed there) after many intense battles, one which cost X's ally Spider his life, X engages Epsilon in battle. After his defeat, Colonel Redips, the Federation officer who commanded the Maverick Hunters in this mission appears before X and takes the Supra-Force Metal.

As X bids his new allies goodbye, Colonel Redips' gunship attack X and his friends, killing Chief R. Angered, X and his crew chase after Redips and engage him in battle where he reveals that he was Spider all along. Now equipped with two Supra-Force Metals, X and the others are no match for Great Redips. However, thanks to Ferham, they manage to defeat him. After the battle Epsilon is cleared of his Maverick status and Colonel Redips is stated as the true Maverick mastermind in all official records.

Marvel vs. Capcom series
X appears in Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 as a collectible ability card in the free DLC mode, Heroes and Heralds, and as a DLC costume for Zero.

X would later appear as himself in Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite as a playable character. Unlike Zero, X primarily uses punches and kicks for his normal attacks. His X Buster is a separate command and locks him in place when charging, though he is not entirely immobile as he can immediately follow up the attack with either a dash or an overhead smash. He has access to weapons from several games such as the Boomerang Cutter, Rising Fire and Sonic Slicer. He can fire any of these weapons twice in a row or fire one and cancel into another weapon to enhance his projectile game. His Hypers include a Charge Shot that comes out instantly. His Armor of Light has him don the Armor Parts from the first game, which increases his speed and power while at the same time enhancing his Full-Power Charge Shot Hyper to fire off a Double Charge Shot. His Lv. 3 equips the Ultimate Armor to hit nearby opponents which he then launches them into the air and fires off a Nova Strike-style projectile. His alternate costumes are his armor from Command Mission and a new outfit called X Special, which is based on the TruForce redesign of X by Keisuke Mizuno that was initially used as an April Fool's joke.

Project X Zone
X appears in the Capcom, Sega and Namco Bandai crossover game as a playable character alongside Zero. He, along with Zero and Vile, makes his debut in the game in Chapter 20 on the Cyberspace battle map. Tron Bonne mistakes him for MegaMan Volnutt at first.

X uses Nova Strike alongside Zero's Rakuhouha while donning the Ultimate Armor for his unit's finisher attack, and uses Hadouken alongside Zero's Genmurei for his multiple assault attack, which is learned by the pair at some point during Chapter 29. X also uses the final level charge shots from X3 and X4, respectively.

Other moves X uses in the game include Tornado Fang, Rising Fire, Storm Tornado, Frost Tower, Twin Slasher, Triad Thunder, Spin Wheel, Double Cyclone and Nova Strike. All of X's charge moves and special abilities (i.e. hovering) which previously had weapon energy limits and/or were armor exclusive are used in his base form.

Project X Zone 2
X returns for the sequel, along with Zero. Again the party meets them in Cyberspace, and the Maverick Hunters apparently know Captain Commando and his unit's efforts in maintaining peace across the galaxy.

Super Smash Bros. series
X appears in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS, Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as part of Mega Man's Final Smash, Mega Legends, alongside MegaMan.EXE, MegaMan Volnutt, and Star Force Mega Man. In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U X also appears as a collectible trophy, and in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate he appears as a spirit.

Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U Trophy:

TEPPEN
X is a playable character in TEPPEN, where he is a robot from an ancient civilization that awakened in the present. In an unfamiliar world, his only certainty is his mission to protect humans and mantain peace. A battle against Wesker got him disillusioned about his mission, and he was convinced to seek the Land of Illusion to figure out if what he is doing is right. He is a Hero of the green element whose Hero Arts are Heart Tank, Charge Shot, and Gaea Armor. He is also available as an unit cards, having several versions.

In TEPPEN, X's design is decidedly more robotic, with his limbs and hands having multiple panels and joints, along with panel lines on his face. During battle, two halo-like constructs float above his head, similar to his Cyber-Elf form. When in critical health, one the halos disappears.

Other appearances

 * In Rockman Tennis, X is a secret playable character.
 * X appears in Zero's ending along with Axl and Alia in Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All Stars.
 * X appears in the background of the Running Battle mode from Pocket Fighter.
 * X appears in Rockman Xover as the first hero that OVER-1 must rescue.
 * X appears in all games from the SNK vs. Capcom: Card Fighters series.
 * In the Capcom survival-horror game, Dead Rising, X appears, though only as a costume unlockable by meeting certain conditions in the game. The main character, Frank West, also dons this costume for his "Real Mega Buster" attack in Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars and in other games. The same costume is unlockable in the PS3 release of Capcom's third-person shooter Lost Planet: Extreme Condition.
 * In Dead Rising 3, players can unlock Mega Man X's First Armor after clearing the game once. Unlike the costume from the first game, this armor features devastating Charge Shots that explode on contact. The non-charged shots themselves are capable of destroying vehicles in only two shots.
 * X appeared in Street Fighter × All Capcom.
 * ​​​X appeared as a playable character in the Puzzle Fighter mobile game.

Appearances in other media
X appears in the Mega Man cartoon, in the last issue of the Mega Man comic book by Dreamwave Productions, in the Rockman X manga, Irregular Hunter Rockman X, the Novas Aventuras de Megaman comic book, and the Rockman X Carddass series, including Rockman X Mega Mission. X also had several figures, most of them being released by Bandai.

Though he doesn't appear in person, X's creation is vaguely mentioned in the Mega Man Megamix manga during the "Holiday of Soldiers" chapter when Dr. Light stays behind to work on a "legacy for the future". Similarly, X's future creation is referred to in issue #5 of the Mega Man comic book by Archie Comics when Dr. Light and Mega Man discuss free will, during which Dr. Light comments on one day capturing the "x-factor" and creating a robot with true free will.

Mega Man (Ruby-Spears)
In the Mega Man cartoon series by Ruby-Spears, X appears in the episode "Mega X", and is voiced by Michael Donovan. In this cartoon, X came from the future to stop Vile and Spark Mandrill from stealing rods of Lightanium for Sigma, which is worth billions in his time. His appearance was evidently different from the games; the trim on his helm is white, his neck is exposed, he is extremely tall, his armor is relatively less detailed, his forehead gem is larger, his eyes are smaller, and his voice is deeper, which makes him closer to an adult in appearance than Mega Man.

In this incarnation he is portrayed very differently from his game's counterpart; he is shown to destroy anything to get rid of Mavericks, no matter what the cost, and could easily be considered quite the opposite of a pacifist in combat. He is also obscenely powerful, easily eclipsing Dr. Wily's robots and Mega Man himself, though Vile and Spark Mandrill are able to fight him on more equal terms due to also coming from the future. The scene in which X is introduced is more or less a showcase of his abilities: he is shown destroying entire sections of landscape with a single X Buster shot, moving faster than the human eye can track, leaping dozens of meters through the air, and shrugging off hits that would have destroyed other robots.

However, he is shown to eventually revert to a more peace-loving attitude; asking out loud if the fighting would ever end, with Mega Man taking the part of Zero encouraging him, and using the less destructive Search Snake instead of his own weapon to destroy Dr. Wily's Super Blaster.

Trivia

 * X has blue eyes in the first four Mega Man X games, although they are green in concept art. His eyes are green on later games.
 * However, X's eyes appeared as blue in the Mega Man Zero series.
 * In Mega Man X4, X has attained the rank of Commander (隊長) in the Maverick Hunters. In Mega Man X5, X's rank was translated as Captain, but he retains the same rank from the previous game in the Japanese version.


 * The original Mega Man and Mega Man X aren't the same robot. Mega Man was created before Mega Man X.
 * In Mega Man's ending from Mega Man: The Power Battle, Dr. Light says that like humans, robots have to determine what is right and wrong by themselves, and need to research more on A.I. program. The research mentioned could be the result of X's creation.
 * Just like his predecessor, X has a few doppelgangers: X-Kai, iX and Copy X.
 * In Mega Man X4, X had the same English voice actress as the original Mega Man from Mega Man 8, Ruth Shiraishi.


 * Although X and Zero aren't technically Reploids (as the term was possibly coined several years after their creation), they are known as such because the term Reploid is used as a blanket-term all robots with human-like artificial intelligence. For instance, in some crossover games Zero calls Roll a "housekeeping Reploid" and the Servbots "Reploid-wannabe servants".
 * X can be considered the 'father' of all Reploids, as he was one of the first robots with a "human-like" A.I. created, and Dr. Cain used him as basis for his first Reploid.
 * X can also be considered the "biological father" of the Four Guardians, as they were born from X's DNA.


 * In the original concept for Mega Man Zero, the main villain was the real Mega Man X instead of Copy X. This had been altered due to not only the unauthorized creation of Mega Man X6, but the storyline also involving Zero.
 * This was foreshadowed in X's ending of Mega Man X4, where he asks Zero to "take care of him if he ever went Maverick", as well as the pre-credit narration implying that he will become a Maverick in the future.
 * This is also foreshadowed in Zero's ending of Mega Man X7, where Zero dreams of seeing X, face hidden in shadow, aiming his X-Buster at him atop a pile of dead Reploids, babbling "Eliminate the Mavericks!" and firing just as Zero wakes up. Zero comments that he HOPES it was a dream. However, as it was created after the creation of Mega Man Zero and especially Mega Man X6 (the latter of which was the reason why that plot point was changed) it more likely foreshadowed Copy X.


 * In the original Mega Man X game, Zero and X have a student/mentor relationship with Zero helping and encouraging X throughout the game. While the two become equals and good friends in the following games, the Zero series reverses this relationship and has X become the mentor to an amnesiac Zero.
 * In Mega Man Zero 2, when the original body of X is destroyed, one who watches carefully will see that X's arms break off before the seal breaks and the explosion follows.


 * Throughout the Rockman X manga, X never appeared without his helmet, although he proved he was at least able to remove it, doing so offscreen when equipping his new helmet. In the compilation of the Rockman X4 manga, X is shown without his helmet, although his head is obscured by lighting effects.
 * In the Rockman X manga and in the novel, X is the only Reploid physically capable of producing tears when saddened. X is often seen crying when forced to resort to destroying a maverick or unable to save those close to him.


 * In the comic series "FoxTrot", Marcus Jones once dressed up as Mega Man X for a Halloween party that ended up having all of the food eaten (presumably by Jason Fox, who was wearing a Jabba outfit).
 * X has a cameo appearance in Avaturma, which is a special edition of the Brazilian comic series Turma da Mônica. In the story, X appears along many other blue-colored characters from popular culture. The story itself is a parody of James Cameron's Avatar.


 * The Hadoken and Shoryuken are one hit KO abilities if used on bosses (shown in Mega Man X and its remake Mega Man Maverick Hunter X, as well as in Mega Man X2). X's Hadouken is Ryu's Hadouken due to its single hitting nature and capability of knocking down opponents upon contact, and his Shoryuken is Ken Master's fierce Shoryuken due to its multi-hitting property and burning fist aesthetic present in the animation. The Shoryuken however leaves X completely helpless if he goes over the platform, and lands on a bed of spikes or a bottomless pit.
 * X appears to hold feelings for the Medic-turned-Pirate Queen Marty in the Rockman X manga. Marty appears to share these feelings, but seems much more reluctant to express them.