Proto Man

"I live as I wish. That is all. My life is none of your business."

- Proto Man

Proto Man, known as Blues (ブルース) in Japan, is the first Robot Master created by Dr. Light and is considered the "brother" to Mega Man and Roll. He first appeared in Mega Man 3 as an antagonist but soon switched sides, aiding Mega Man in his fight against evil.

Origin
Proto Man was intended to become the first humanoid robot capable of independent thought and reasoning and built for the purpose of combat.

Being a prototype robot, Proto Man's design was not complete. It was later discovered by Dr. Light that Proto Man had a dangerous imbalance in his energy core that would eventually kill him. However, being created too independent, not having another of his kind to interact with and severely troubled by his incomplete status, Proto Man had begun growing distrust for the good doctor. Fearing Light would change his character, Proto Man refused to have Dr. Light meddle with his systems and went missing.

Dr. Light had presumed Proto Man to have died and regrettably gave up on him. Learning from his mistakes, he perfected the energy core and created sibling units Rock and Roll. The combat aspects of Proto Man's design became the basis of the Sniper Joe series of robots, as well as Rock's later upgrade. In Mega Man Powered Up, it is revealed that Proto Man despises the Sniper Joe robot series due to this.

Knowing the time of his demise, Proto Man wandered the world alone. Before his energy reactor was completely depleted, he was found by the exiled scientist Dr. Wily. Dr. Wily managed to temporarily repair Proto Man by altering his energy core from a solar to a nuclear one, as well as making other modifications. He also gave Proto Man his now-trademark visor in an attempt to hide his identity from Dr. Light. Presumably, working on Proto Man's systems gave Wily greater knowledge in creating robots, helping his plans for world domination along.

Indebted to Wily, Proto Man served him under the alias of Break Man. He did this until his encounters with Mega Man in Mega Man 3 made him realize the true nature of Dr. Wily. Proto Man turned on Dr. Wily, aiding Mega Man but refusing help from Dr. Light, still holding onto his feelings of distrust.

Proto Man's signature whistle is a staple of the character and almost always plays before his appearance.

Mega Man Powered Up
Although Proto Man has no involvement in the story, he is a unlockable playable character that is unlocked after beating all mission modes, or downloading him. He uses his Proto Shield to block attacks like Mega Man in Mega Man 7. His shield can also be knocked off by enemies, although it can fall off in extreme circumstances. All Proto Man has to do is pick it back up. In this game, he has advanced jumping and mobility, but cannot slide, copy weapons or charge his buster like in other games. However, instead of the Proto Buster, he has a new skill - Proto Strike, which is virtually the same as Mega Man's charge shot and can be shot rapidly.

Mega Man 3
Proto Man fights Mega Man in Magnet Man's, Hard Man's and Shadow Man's stages, as well as appearing in Gemini Man's stage. After the defeat of the Doc Robot(s), Proto Man will fight Mega Man one last time disguised as Break Man. After Mega Man defeats Dr. Wily, Proto Man saves Mega Man and brings him back to Dr. Light's lab.

In the version of Mega Man 3 that was featured in Mega Man: Anniversary Collection and Rockman Complete Works, Proto Man plays the role of Mega Man's navigator.

Mega Man 4
Proto Man rescues the kidnapped Kalinka and brings her to Mega Man and her father, Dr. Cossack, after Mega Man defeats him, to let her tell Mega Man that her father was forced to build the eight Robot Masters for Dr. Wily.

Mega Man 5
Proto Man was framed for a robot attack and kidnapping Dr. Light. Mega Man later finds out that Dr. Wily created a robot called Dark Man to impersonate Proto Man. Proto Man appears to reveal the deception and later helps Mega Man near the end of the game by helping lift the roof of Dr. Wily's castle when Mega Man saved Dr. Light.

Mega Man 6
Proto Man appears in Tomahawk Man's stage to give him the Energy Balancer upgrade. With it, when Mega Man collects weapons energy with the Mega Buster equipped, it restores the weapon with the least energy in it.

Mega Man 7
Proto Man appears in Cloud Man and Turbo Man's stage, giving him hints to certain secrets. After Mega Man visits him in those areas, he will appear in Shade Man's stage hidden in the wall behind the Sniper Joe 01 after the mini-boss VAN Pookin. He will challenge Mega Man to a fight and if he takes enough damage, he will give his Proto Shield.

Mega Man 8
After Mega Man's battle with Duo, Proto Man tells him that Dr. Wily's new fortress, called "Wily Tower," lies just ahead. Then, after Wily's defeat and Mega Man's rescue at the hands of Duo, Mega Man returns to the area near the wreckage of Wily Tower to find Proto Man standing on a tree. Proto Man tells him that Duo left to return to space but had a message for him - "Thank you."

Mega Man & Bass
Proto Man appears in the intro stage, trying to shoot King, but is sliced in half, Mega Man shows concern and tells him to go to Dr Light for repairs, whilst Bass ignores him and claims he's the most powerful robot.

He reappears in the 3rd Castle Stage and uses his Big Bang Blast to destroy King's shield but he falls unconsious because he used nearly all of his power on that attack. King promptly teleports Proto Man out of the castle so that he can be repaired. He then appears in Bass's ending to destroy the data for King Mk II that Wily made.

Mega Man 9
He appears after Mega Man defeats Wily and warns him about Wily's trap. Mega Man says he can't risk it not being a trap. So he disappeared, but he soon returns to save the unconscious Mega Man from being crushed by the collapsing fortress.

He is also available as a downloadable playable character for 200 Wii points/160 Microsoft points/ $1.99. He plays the same as Mega Man except he can Slide and charge his Arm Cannon, receives twice damage from attacks and goes back twice as much when hit. He can only fire two shots at a time, as opposed to Mega Man's three. He can deflect bullets with his Proto Shield while jumping, and instead of Rush, he has the Proto Coil and Proto Jet, which somewhat resemble the transport items from Mega Man 2.

He has no story cutscenes, and he cannot use the shop.

Mega Man 10
Proto Man is a playable character from the start of the game, with all of his features from Mega Man 9. However, Proto Man can now use a store, even though there are less items in it, and the remaining items cost more (for example, an E-Tank costs 40 screws instead of 30 screws). He aids Mega Man to help find the parts for a vaccine-making device to fight the Roboenza virus, which causes robots to overheat and go crazy. In the middle of Wily Castle, he is infected with the virus and collapses. However, Mega Man had a prototype cure with him that Dr. Light had built earlier in the game, and the two were able to go on and defeat Wily.

Other games
In Super Adventure Rockman, Proto Man assists Mega Man. Depending of the path taken by the player, he defeats either Bubble Man or Heat Man offscreen in episode 1. In episode 2, he saves Mega Man from Sniper Joes, dropping his shield while doing it, which can be found and used by the player after the scene. If the player choose to not fight against Wood Man or lose to him, Proto Man will rescue Mega Man and says he has to fight will all his strength against Wily's robots. After the fight against Crash Man, Mega Man reaches a area monitored by several robots, having the choice to proceed now as there is no time to lose, or wait to get dark to pass unnoticed. If the player choose to continue, Proto Man appears and says Mega Man should be cautious and wait to get dark, going to the scene where he chooses to get dark. In episode 3, Proto Man saves Mega Man from Spark Man if he is defeated, and appears with Light's other robots in the ending.

Proto Man has minor appearances in some of the Game Boy games, where he gives recovery items to Mega Man. He is a playable character in the games Mega Man's Soccer, Mega Man: The Power Battle, Mega Man 2: The Power Fighters, and Mega Man: Battle & Chase.

Proto Man has a cameo appearance in Capcom World 2, and appears as a card in Wily and Right's RockBoard: That's Paradise and the three games from the SNK vs. Capcom: Card Fighters series.

Data
Mega Man: Battle and Chase:
 * Vehicle: Red Striker
 * Body: Shield Body ("Mach Shield Body" in Japan)
 * Engine: L-Blow Engine (Last Blow Engine)
 * Wing: Hi-Speed Wing
 * Tire: Sharp Tire ("Sharp Steer Tire" in Japan)

Mega Man & Bass CD data
A proto-type robot that Dr. Light created. He appears out of nowhere to help Megaman. "Let me tell you something..." Good point: Good whistler Bad point: Keeping contact Like: Solitary travel Dislike: Interviews



Power & Abilities

 * Proto Buster: (ブルースバスター) Proto Man is able to transform his hand into a blaster. He can also charge energy to make the shot stronger.


 * Proto Shield: (ブルースシールド) A strong shield that can deflect most attacks, he also dashes while holding it, using it as a battering ram.


 * Proto Strike: (ブルースストライク) A powerful short range charge shot used by Proto Man in Mega Man 2: The Power Fighters. A attack with the same name is used in Mega Man: Battle & Chase and Mega Man Powered Up.


 * Big Bang Strike: (ビッグバンストライク) An energy blast of tremendous power. This attack is very dangerous to Proto Man, however, as it severely drains his energy. It's used in Mega Man & Bass to destroy King's shield.
 * Variable Weapon System: Proto Man can copy weapons from other robots and use them to his own advantage.

Other media
In the American Mega Man TV show from Ruby-Spears, Proto Man works for Dr. Wily, and has an intense rivalry with his "brother" Mega Man.

Mega Man: Powered Up

 * "I'll help you this time...but remember this, Light! I haven't forgiven you!"
 * "EXPLODE!"
 * "PROTO STRIKE!"
 * "Sorry, it had to be."
 * "Cut Man... I'm sorry, but this ends here."
 * "Stop. This isn't your site anyway."
 * "Ice Man... This might be a little painful, but hang in there..."
 * "As you are now, you are a threat to everyone. I must neutralize you."
 * "Yes, that's the spirit, Fire Man. Just use it the right way next time you awaken."
 * "Elec Man... I'm sorry, but I can't go easy on you..."
 * "Time Man...?! That accursed Light! Allowing another unfinished robot..."
 * "Oil Man?! This being our first meeting, brother, I'll make this short, so hang on."
 * "When you attack me, watch out for my unstable nuclear core... One big shot and we're both vapor, I'd say."
 * "Robots are machines that follow orders. I'm a machine that doesn't, so what does that make me?"
 * "That madman. Even worse than those Joe robots, to think he'd make something like this!"
 * "It's always been on my mind...what it means to be born with weapons in our hands. I haven't found the answer yet, but with the powers you've given me, I will crush your villainy."

Mega Man 3

 * "Where's Dr. Wily? Oh, no... Too late..."

Mega Man 7

 * "It's been a while, Mega Man. Here is a little information. Your weapons can be used to discover hidden areas. Try using the flame weapons in the woods."
 * "Mega Man, have you collected the R, U, S, and H circuit plates? Collect all the plates and Dr. Light will create new equipment for you. Good luck, Mega Man! I'll see you later. If you survive..."
 * "So Brother, you are not as weak as I thought. Let's see which of us Father made stronger!"
 * "Maybe you are the superior model, Mega Man. Here, take this with you."
 * "It's OK. Take it. And... watch your back..."

Mega Man 8

 * "Are you okay?"
 * "Who was that?"
 * "He may be connected to Dr. Wily."
 * "'Wily Tower' is just ahead of here."

Mega Man 2: The Power Fighters

 * "Wily, did you truly believe you could fool me?"
 * "Don't worry about my problems. I know my own body better than anybody else. And remember, I'm unbeatable! No matter what."
 * "That's not my style. I'll do it myself. I don't need anybody! Nice chatting with you, Doc, but I've got things to do. Later."
 * "You have a good soul, but sometimes you're too naïve. Believe in yourself, Mega Man! Your way is not wrong, it is the righteous path."
 * "...... I live as I wish. That is all. My life is none of your business."
 * "That's fine by me, but you can't defeat Mega Man."
 * "You and Mega Man have completely different goals."
 * "You only care about petty things like fighting to be the best. But Mega Man is different. He cares about the future."
 * "Yes! He keeps fighting for the future of robots and humans."
 * "Think about it, Bass. Think about who you really need to fight against."
 * "So you're leaving, Duo?"
 * "There's no relation. I like to be alone."
 * "Duo."
 * "Come and visit Earth again."
 * "Come and visit Earth again."

Mega Man & Bass

 * "Stop it right there, King! First, Dr. Wily's lab, now the museum?"
 * "You're not going anywhere, King!"
 * "No, you're gonna face ME first!"
 * "Ugh... Looks like I have no choice but to use this..."
 * "Mega Man/Bass, get back! I'm going to channel all my energy into this blast!"
 * "It's time to end this! Big Bang Strike!!"
 * "Y-You idiot! Are you doing to waste this chance I just gave you!? Fight, damn it, fight...!" (translation of the SNES version)
 * "Bass, you're underestimating him! He's... still alive...!"
 * "You never learn, Wily!"
 * "I won't let this happen!"
 * "Bass, you don't need to hesitate, do you? You are not a slave to Wily, are you? You are acting on your own, aren't you? Not with a partner, nor under someone's order..."
 * "You are strong. That is true. But you can't defeat Mega Man. Do you know why? It is because you have nothing to fight for... What have you been fighing for, Bass? You don't have anything or anybody to fight for, do you? You have fought only for yourself, right?"
 * "Farewell."

Mega Man 9

 * "You're a fool, Mega Man! It's a trap! That's the fake Dr. Light robot Wily used to make that fake video!"
 * "Naïve as always... Do what you want, then!"
 * "Looks like you need my help - again..."

Mega Man 10

 * "I don't think you'll be able to do this alone."
 * "Forget about me... I've caught that Roboenza Virus."
 * "I guess I owe you one now..."
 * "And now another of your schemes ends in failure."
 * "Hmm? What's wrong with you? You've got a fever... I guess that's what they call poetic justice."
 * "I should just leave you here..."

Proto Man gameplay in Mega Man 9
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Trivia

 * Although Proto Man is Mega Man's prototype and "brother", Mega Man does not know this. The only plothole is that he referred to them sharing a "Father" in Mega Man 7, but this is countered by the fact that he said no such thing in the Japanese version.
 * In Mega Man: Powered Up, he couldn't copy weapons like Mega Man, but in other games, he can.
 * Proto Man's story from the animated series and Mega Man 5 together inspired his role in the rock opera by The Protomen.
 * Proto Man's Red Striker from Mega Man: Battle & Chase appears as a toy in Mega Man ZX in Innerpeace belonging to one of two twins. The other other twin is possession of Mega Man's Rush Roadster.
 * Proto Man is one of the main characters in the upcoming live-action fan film.
 * Viewtiful Joe, the main protagonist from another Capcom game, is most likely modelled after Proto Man since he has a visor, a red color scheme, a cape similar to Proto Man's scarf, and a similar design. On a related note, Hulk Davidson once referred to Viewtiful Joe as "some sort of Mega Man" when they first meet.
 * Luste Teuber, a character from the Japanese doujin soft series, Rosenkreuzstilette, bears a striking resemblance to Proto Man in the sequel, Rosenkreuzstilette ~Freudenstachel~. Her first appearance in which she masquerades Proto Man was seen in [erka:es] April Fool's site, as Luste puts on a visor and a yellow scarf similar to Proto Man's. Her final design in the sequel, however, still bears to Proto Man as she wears a pair of orange goggles and a black scarf reminiscent to Proto Man.
 * The name Blues (Proto Man's Japanese name) comes from the musical genre.