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.

Battle Network 4

 * AquaMan (アクアマン Akuaman) - Operated by Shuko Kido, AquaMan is a child-like Navi capable of flooding cyberspace when he cries. Renamed SpoutMan in the English anime and Battle Network 6.


 * BurnerMan - Operated by Atsuki Homura, BurnerMan engages in a constant feud with FireMan, similar to their operators.


 * ColdMan (コルドマン Korudoman) - Operated by Ivan Chillski (Ivan Coolisky), ColdMan hacks Sharo's weather control systems to cause a blizzard. Renamed FridgeMan in the English anime.


 * JunkMan (ジャンクマン Jankuman) - A Navi born from junk data. Renamed JunkDataMan in the English anime.


 * KendoMan - Mr. Famous' third Navi, and master of kendo.
 * LaserMan (レーザーマン Rēzāman) - Operated by Dr. Regal, LaserMan is effectively the Navi in charge of Nebula, who was deleted at the hands of MegaMan in his attempt to control the asteroid that contained Duo.


 * Dark MegaMan (ダークロックマン Dāku Rokkuman, Dark Rockman) / MegaMan DS (Rockman DS) - The darkness within MegaMan released in physical form. He has full access to the powers of the Dark Chips. In the manga, he was a cannibalistic Navi that worked alongside LaserMan to absorb Bass. In the anime, he was created by Dr. Regal after MegaMan was infused with dark energy from a bite to the neck by ShadeMan. In addition to his Dark Chip arsenal, he could also predict Lan and MegaMan's battle patterns. He infiltrated Duo's comet, only to be impaled through the chest on Slur's sword. In an act of redemption, he sacrificed himself in an attempt to delete her, but was unsuccessful.
 * SearchMan (サーチマン Sāchiman) - Operated by Raika (Laika), SearchMan is a soldier Navi armed with a sniper rifle in his right arm and the ability of camouflage. He joins Team ProtoMan at ProtoMan's request.
 * ShadeMan (シェードマン Shēdoman) - Created by Dr. Regal, ShadeMan is a vampiric Darkloid who frequently antagonizes MegaMan as well as (in a fictional crossover with the Boktai series of video games) Django the Solar Boy. In the anime, he is the initial leader of the Darkloids, and is deleted by Cross Fusion LaserMan at the end of Axess, only to return in Stream through the Past Tunnel with the intent of transforming all Navis into Darkloids.
 * SparkMan (スパークマン Supākuman) - Operated by Terry JoMon (Teruo Joumon), SparkMan can send electricity through his enemies with his prodlike arms.
 * TopMan (タップマン Tappuman) - Operated by Tensuke Takumi, TopMan is a somewhat senile Navi.
 * VideoMan (ビデオマン Bideoman) - Operated by Viddy Narcy (Narcy Hide, fullname Hidenosuke Yamashita), VideoMan is a Navi that can rewind to heal, and fast-forward to improve his speed. He attempts to force MegaMan to forfeit a battle by reversing his movements.
 * WindMan (ウインドマン Uindoman) - Operated by Lilly (Ran Igarashi), WindMan causes a windstorm in cyberspace when his operator accidentally becomes drunk. Renamed WindBlastMan in the English anime.

Battle Network 5

 * BlizzardMan (ブリザードマン Burizādoman) - Created by Dr. Regal, BlizzardMan is a skiing, snowman-like Darkloid who takes over the ACDC Area. He also has a tendency to say "Whoosh!" at least once when he speaks in the English game.
 * CloudMan (クラウドマン Kuraudoman) - Created by Dr. Regal, CloudMan is a Darkloid with a resemblance to the Japanese thunder god Raiden.
 * Colonel (カーネル Kāneru) - Operated by Baryl (Barrel), Colonel is the head of an elite team of Navis who free the net from Nebula's influence.
 * CosmoMan (コスモマン Kosumoman) - Created by Dr. Regal, CosmoMan is the strongest of the four Darkloids and acts as leader after the demise of LaserMan.
 * GridMan / FootMan (フットマン Futtoman) - Mr. Famous' fourth and final Navi, modeled after a football player.
 * GyroMan (ジャイロマン Jairoman) - Operated by Charlie Airstar, GyroMan is a Navi that can transform into a helicopter. He joins Team ProtoMan at ProtoMan's request.
 * LarkMan / SwallowMan (スワローマン Suwarōman) - An independent Navi from the UnderNet who prides himself on being the "freest of all birds."


 * Meddy / Medi (メディ) - A nurse Navi operated by Jasmine. After encountering MegaMan in the UnderNet, Meddy joins Team Protoman. In the anime, she and Roll are rivals for MegaMan's affections.
 * TomahawkMan (トマホークマン Tomahōkuman) - Operated by Dingo, TomahawkMan is a Navi fashioned after a Native American warrior. Colonel convinces him to join Team Colonel. He fights using a tomahawk, and uses a totem pole to summon meteors, heal, and become invulnerable. In Battle Network 6, he goes into battle with an eagle.

Battle Network 6

 * BlastMan - Operated by Mr. Joe Mach (Mach-sensei) of WWW, BlastMan is a fire-wielding Navi. He was also operated briefly by Mick (Kojirou Aragaki).
 * ChargeMan (チャージマン Chājiman) - Operated by Mr. Al Ferry (Kurogane Kunio), ChargeMan is a Navi based on a train.
 * CircusMan (サーカスマン Sākasuman) - Operated by Yuika (Chirol) of WWW, CircusMan is a clown-like Navi. Originally, he was named PierotMan by his designer.
 * DiveMan (ダイブマン Daibuman) - Operated by Blackbeard (Captain Kurohige) of WWW, DiveMan is a Navi based on a submarine who ends all his sentences with "de a~ru" in the Japanese version and "Awooga" in the English version.
 * DustMan (ダストマン Dasutoman) - Operated by Mister Press, DustMan is a Navi based on a vacuum cleaner.
 * ElementMan (エレメントマン Erementoman) - Operated by Vic (Tsuyuharu Nyuudo) of WWW, ElementMan is a Navi capable of changing his battle element from Neutral to Wood, Fire, Elec, or Aqua. In the anime, he cannot say anything beyond "pikira."
 * GroundMan (グランドマン Gurandoman) - Operated by Moliarty (Dotarou Horisugi), GroundMan is a Navi based on a drill vehicle.


 * Iris (アイリス Airisu) - Colonel's sister who was created from his kindness and weapons control program. After Baryl's father died, Colonel's emotion data was extracted by Dr. Wily and shaped into Iris, for use as a weapons control program. In both the Battle Network 6 and the anime, she travels around the real world via modified CopyBot. In the latter, she was instead created by Tadashi Hikari of Beyondard, and has the ability to erect barriers and bypass firewalls without interference.


 * JudgeMan (ジャッジマン Jajjiman) - Operated by Prosecutor Ito (Satoru Roppou) of WWW, JudgeMan is a Navi based on books. Originally, he was to be named BookMan by his designer.
 * KillerMan (キラーマン Kirāman) / EraseMan - A demonic Navi that serves as a hitman belonging to Dark Scythe (Dark Kirisaki).
 * SlashMan (スラッシュマン Surasshuman) - Operated by Ms. Pat Fahran (Phakchi Faran), SlashMan is a Navi fitted with long claws.
 * TenguMan (テングマン) - Operated by Master Feng-Tian (Fuuten Roushi), TenguMan is a legendary Navi based on a Tengu.

Network Transmission

 * BrightMan (ブライトマン Buraitoman) - Operated by an unknown character, BrightMan is capable of deflecting attacks. He has a habit of snapping his fingers and shouting his trademark line: "Check it out!"


 * GravityMan (グラビティマン Gurabitiman) - Created by Professor WWW, GravityMan is a gravity-controlling Navi.


 * NeedleMan (ニードルマン Nīdoruman) - Operated by an unseen gardener at Yai's house, NeedleMan is a Navi who speaks the yakuza dialect in the Japanese version. In the anime, he is operated by Ms. Yuri (Yuriko Ozono), twin sister of Lan's teacher, Ms. Mari (Mariko Ozono). Renamed SpikeMan in the English anime.


 * StarMan (スターマン Sutāman) - Employed by the Professor, StarMan is a Navi that might be small in size, but in actuality, is quite powerful. Renamed NovaMan in the English anime.


 * SwordMan (ソードマン Sōdoman) - Created by the Professor, SwordMan is a Navi with three heads, each one with a different personality.


 * Zero (ゼロ) - Created by Dr. Wily and resurrected for the plans of the Professor, Zero is actually a Navi-like virus whose viral form can cause Navis to freeze or run wild. After his defeat, his viral nature may be sealed by Dr. Hikari given the attainment of "Mystery Data". In the anime, he is manufactured by the Professor to oversee the resurrection of the Super Cybeast, Grezar, but gradually develops a will of his own.

Battle Chip Challenge

 * Ring - Operated by Mary (Mary Towa), Ring is a Navi who often argues with her operator over who is responsible for defeat.


 * TurboMan - Operated by Kai Todoroki, TurboMan is a dragster Navi who idolizes MegaMan (just as his operator idolizes Lan). He is able to transform into a car to run over his enemies.

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+.


 * HatMan (ハットマン Hattoman) - Operated by Mr. Hat's son, Uboshi. HatMan is a born magician.


 * JammingMan (ジャミングマン Jaminguman) - An insect-like Elec Navi equipped with antennae that allow him to emit pulse signals to disrupt communication systems. In the anime, JammingMan cuts off access to the cyberworld during the Phantom Navi incident from within Science Labs. His unique structural composition is the basis for the cache data duplicates of humans created by Cache in the final two episodes of the series.


 * Cache (キャッシュ Kyasshu) - Cache is the final boss of the Phantom of Network, an entity born of the Cache Server. He has access to cache data, which allows him to create backup copies of Navis. In the anime, he is the source of the Phantom Navis, upon whom he bestows remnants of the Zero Virus to allow them to substantiate in the real world, and it is his intention that all existence be consumed into his growing body.

Legend of Network

 * RideMan - A cowboy-themed Navi that can rope his enemies to attack them at close range.

Operate Shooting Star

 * ClockMan - A NetNavi that can travel on time.

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 a 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
Note: In the Star Force games, most Net Navis have been sufficiently downgraded from their original functions. Most generic Navis now seem to be autonomous (without need of 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 teahers, 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).