What Makes A Reploid?

What makes a reploid? Are X and Zero technically Reploids? Where did Reploids come from, and how are they different from Robot Masters? These are questions often asked in the Mega Man community and the answers can get complex and confusing. So grab some popcorn and buckle in as the topic is tackled!
Special thanks to FDSuprema for voicing Dr. Cain!
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[@Oakie620]

I think "replica of humans" is the most consistent and logical definition, given the setting and the lore. Dr. Cain's journal entries imply that he doesn't know how to describe a robot like X at first. He stresses how X seems more like a man than a machine. So his goal isn't specifically to make replicas of X, but to create more robots similar to humans. And of course, a proper term is needed to distinguish this type of robot from other machines. "Android" is simply a robot that looks like a human, so that doesn't cut it. In my view, the term "Reploid" doesn't exist to define the "replicas of X"; it exists to define what *X* is. This also explains why older robots have been retroactively called "Reploids" in other media; in the X4 manga, Iris alludes to the original Mega Man as a Reploid who was both strong and kind, though she adds that robots weren't called Reploids at the time. In Tatsunoko vs. Capcom, Zero calls Roll a "housekeeping Reploid" as well.

[@immortalfrieza]

The lore is that Reploids are a result of trying to *replicate* Megaman X, hence the name. Neither X nor Zero are Reploids because they're original creations, not robots created using Megaman X as a base. X and Zero are called Reploids due to the ignorance of what the term Reploid means.

[@Oakie620]

@@immortalfrieza What's your source?

[@gagejoseph91]

​@Oakie620 The...games? I mean, the name itself does not include a human element. You say that "replica of humans" makes the most logical and lore sense, but even after reading everything you said, the information doesn't lead to that conclusion. The term "reploid" is a portmanteau of "replica" and "android", and Cain coined the name as such due to trying to replicate the android he found. Where does the human element enter into that? All your supportive evidence either proves nothing or proves the opposite of your point. Even if someone tried to spin the name as "Android meant to replicate humans, therefor reploid", that is a real stretch given the timeline of events only includes the mention of the term pre-X entirely retroactively. It is literally the Ancient/Cetra issue from FF7. People refer to them as Ancients purely colloquially, but that isn't what they actually "are", like how the term "reploid" got popular and ended up being used retroactively to describe things that are not, in fact, reploids.

[@immortalfrieza]

@@gagejoseph91 Exactly. The Reploids came about as an attempt to replicate Megaman X, hence the name Reploids. The Reploids did not exist before Dr. Cain tried to replicate Megaman X.

[@marcosdheleno]

@@Oakie620 its in the first game.

[@Crow_Rising]

The way I see the matter of whether X and Zero are reploids or not is that "Reploid" is a term that means different things when spoken in different contexts. They are canonically referred to as Reploids and so strictly speaking they do count, but they're also ripe for exclusion when someone is using the term to mean something specific such as referring to those who came after X. Basically, it boils down to depending on who's speaking and what they're talking about.

[@immortalfrieza]

All Reploids refer to those who came after X because he served as the basis for the robots known as Reploids. X and Zero are referred to as Reploids due to the lack of knowledge or care of the people addressing them as such.

[@galten7361]

@immortalfrieza That is not supported by manuals and interviews and artbooks and the novel. See these: "X X is a reploid (a kind of sentient robot) and the hero of this adventure. As leader of the elite 17th Unit of Maverick Hunters, X is an expert at destroying Mavericks malfunctioning robots that pose a threat to humanity. However, his duty to use force in the protection of peace often clashes with his kind, pacifist nature, and there are few who understand this struggle within him. No one truly knows who created X or why, and even the latest technology of the 22nd century is incapable of predicting his full potential. X is shrouded in mystery. - Mega Man X Legacy Collection gallery data (Rockman X3 manual)" "What is the game’s setting like? In this game, Dr. Right has already become a historic figure, known as the “Father of Robotics”. In short, X is the robot magnum opus created by Dr. Right. By progressing the science and technology of Rockman and his fellow robots, this vastly improved robot is the pinnacle of Dr. Right’s work. He is called a “Repliroid”, a robot with complete human cognition, and his duty is to protect the social order as an “Irregular Hunter”. (translated by Sb20)" Q&A with the Capcom Development Staff Behind the Birth of “Rockman X” "Gate: Blast... That old robot is tenacious. Isoc: You are quite right, sir. Especially that red Reploid... Zero has outstanding performance. I believe he will cause problems for us if we don't take measures now... Gate: 死に損ないがオールドロボットは随分としぶといものだな The one who escaped death… Old robots sure are diehard stuff… Isoc: はっ 誠にその通りで Yes, sir. You are right on that 特にあの赤いレプリロイド ゼロはずば抜けた性能を持っております Especially, that red Repliroid, Zero, has outstanding functions 今の内に手を打っておかなければ Something should be done right away この先必ず 我々の障害になるかと思われます I am sure that he will be a hindrance in the near future" - Mega Man X6 / Rockman X6 (translated by Sidier) Sigma: Hee hee hee hee. Impressive... The Number One Reploid, you are... you came much earlier than I expected. Zero: I'll finish this battle once and for all… Sigma: クククッ流石最強のレプリロイド… 予想以上に来るのが早かったな Sigma: (Chuckles) As expected… of the ultimate Repliroid. You came faster than what I predicted. Zero: …今度こそ…終わらせる。こんな戦いは… Zero: This time I’ll put and end to this battle… - Mega Man X5 / Rockman X5 (translated by Sidier)" "RMX Conpedium Page 10: Growth There’s nothing clear about who developed Zero and for what purpose. But it’d seem he’s a robot developed about 100 years ago, just like X. In truth, the one who has more information about Zero’s origin is his arch nemesis, Sigma. Sigma is the one who captured Zero, who was an Irregular, and it’d seem he kept investigation Zero after his rebellion. It’d seem that, during the colony fall incident, he was provided with information by a mysterious old man, but there’s no details about who that was. Since Sigma is the biggest source of information, it’s hard to earn detailed information but we’ll verify the information made clear through all of the incidents insofar in the lower space. Caption (right of topmost image): Zero awakening through the Sigma Virus during the colony fall incident. He regarded X as his enemy and fought him. Behavior during discovery: When he was found, Zero went on destroying any Hunters he found as an Irregular. He apparently also beat Hunters at their own hunting. Sigma, a very capable Hunter, challenged Zero to a battle, but Zero displayed battle potential and cruelty to the point he overwhelmed Sigma. But since Zero began to suddenly suffer during the battle, Sigma earnt a chance to counterattack and managed to capture Zero. He brought Zero back so to as investigate him. Since Zero didn’t show Irregular symptoms, Sigma placed him on his own unit so as to also keep an eye on him. Afterwards, and until the colony fall incident, Zero never rampaged as an Irregular. Caption (left image): A mysterious person who talks to Zero within his dreams. This characteristic hairstyle, is it…? Caption (right image): Zero suffering. A “W” symbol clearly appears on his forehead. Relationship with the Sigma Virus: The Sigma Virus turns infected Repliroids into Irregulars. But out of all Repliroids, Zero doesn’t only not get damaged by the virus, he also reported that his power increases during the colony fall incident" These are all sources in Japanese or retranslated from Japanese. Not Western sources. So they're the real lore, not Western stuff.

[@rogue_newtype4364]

@@galten7361autism

[@cutelittlemuffinsahles8330]

I would say that zero is technically the final robot master

[@TheFirehands150]

I'll forever stick by this because it just sounds way cooler. And makes Copy X calling Zero an Obsolete reploid more ironic

[@Dredabeast95]

I got a question for that, would Zero still be a Robot Master if he was able to kill Dr. Weil? Cause his programming wouldnt have allowed that right?

[@galten7361]

@Dredabeast95 Zero is like any other Reploid. He is not bound by programmed directives.

[@thelionszen3352]

@@Dredabeast95 pretty sure Dr Wiley didnt include the "no killing" rule into his war machines

[@shelbybayer200]

​@@Dredabeast95 Zero was technically a Clone of himself at that time.

[@diretrip]

If you want to look at it like evolution, X would be the previous version of a Reploid while Zero would be on a different branch. They were made by creators who shared a lot of design philosophies but gradually got more and more different in style over time. But, part of what made reploids different from robots was that they could think and decide for themselves, which X and Zero both seem to be able to do. It really just depends on who you ask

[@galten7361]

@diretrip X would not be able to use Zero's buster if Zero was not modeled from X's systems. Wily never showed he was capable of building robots who could think like X can either (all of his robots before Zero and X-Kai have to follow their programmed directives).

[@lionelnextelstudios0.282]

I see zero and x as a "preloid" because they came before x was the base for most reploids

[@galten7361]

@lionelnextelstudios0.282 Zero was copied from X.

[@kevinlee7678]

@@galten7361 No, Zero was created by Dr. Wily.

[@galten7361]

@kevinlee7678 There is no way for Zero to to have abilities and overall systems similar to X without being copied from X. Wily would not have discovered how to build a suffering circuit without using Light's work.

[@lionelnextelstudios0.282]

@@galten7361 Listen, It's unknown when X was created.

[@galten7361]

@lionelnextelstudios0.282 He was still used or copied by Wily to build Zero. X Dive and the X novelization about confirm it.

[@generaljimmies3429]

I suppose it depends on your definition of reploid, X and zero can be considered as such if you take into account their ability to perfectly replicate human thought and emotion rather than being a physical recreation of something else.

[@immortalfrieza]

Except that the term Reploid has nothing to do with the ability of the robot to replicate human thought and emotion.

[@galten7361]

@immortalfrieza No official and Japanese (the real lore is from Japan, not by Westerners) sources for that. While the X novelization defines a reploid as imitiating mankind in thought and the manual for X1 in Japanese says this: "Story The year is 21XX AD. Reploids-robots with the ability to think and feel for themselves- are present throughout society, living in harmony with mankind. But when a reploid suffers a cortex malfunction and becomes a threat to humans, it is reclassified as a "Maverick." X is a member of the Maverick Hunters. His mission: to track down and destroy Mavericks before they can cause havoc and harm humans and other reploids. Within the Maverick Hunters, one reploid is renowned for being the mightiest of all, with a highly advanced cortex as well. This is Sigma, leader of the 17th Unit and X's commanding officer. Sigma's prestige makes it all the more shocking when one day, he announces a great rebellion against humankind, calling all reploids to turn on their makers. The city is filled with terror as reploids everywhere go berserk... But X stands firm against the chaos. His comrade Zero joins him in the battles to come, strengthening the mysterious bond between them. - Mega Man X Legacy Collection gallery data (Rockman X manual"

[@marcosdheleno]

@@immortalfrieza yeah, they were used as the "next gen" robots made from X discovery. it all depend on what you think reploid is a replication of. in the X game, reploids are copied designs from X. making X NOT a reploid.

[@immortalfrieza]

@@marcosdheleno It doesn't depend on what anyone "thinks" Reploid is a replication of. Reploids are called Reploids because they are a replication of Megaman X, there's no question about this. X and Zero aren't Reploids because they are original androids that are not derative from Megaman X. They are referred to as Reploids even by themselves out of ignorance of what the term means.

[@marcosdheleno]

@@immortalfrieza i dont disagree with you. but i understand how people could strapolate it. kinda like a term gaining more meanings as its used. so it started as being a term for the next gen, robots replicating X. and then as that became the norm. it gained the meaning of robots that mimic human minds. in a way, it would be like the maverick/irregular term, going from robots that rebel against mankind, to be about robots affected by sigma virus.

[@LordMetalSonic1987]

Actually, Sigma was NOT Dr. Cain's first Reploid. That was just based on a popular mistranslation. Speaking of Dr. Cain, he was never a roboticist, at least from the beginning. He was more of an archaelogical botanist/botannical archaeologist.

[@RockmanHQ]

Sigma is definitely a debateable topic. I put that up for imagery, so I'm glad someone picked up on it and caught the reference! For Cain, there's some interesting history there. The Diary of Dr Cain was actually a localized thing only back in 93, making stuff up was unfortunatly common back then. The first time it was ever introduced to the japanese side was with the PC port of Rockman X in 95, after which X2 had come out in 94 and stated the following on Cain. "DR. CAIN ２２世紀のロボット学の権威。 The authority on robotics of the 22nd century" So his profession is up for debate, as he was always a roboticst on the japanese end, but his archeologist status was retroactively added in.

[@LordMetalSonic1987]

@@RockmanHQ Interesting. I had no idea that the original Japanese held something like that about Dr. Cain.

[@galten7361]

@RockmanHQ Cain being an archaeologist was in the Archie comic.

[@UnifiedEntity]

For me, X is an advanced robot model of the original Megaman. Like the PS2 to the PS1, not a replica but all the strengths it had, none of its weakness and moreso to perform more complicated tasks and a higher level. He is not a mere imitation attempt, but an result of innovation and evolution of technology. As someone said before, an advanced robot. Reploids are mass produced replicates of X and Zero albeit more inferior. As time goes on, we see each generation seems to improve more and more with the hopes of being on the level of X and Zero. Thats how I see it. Axel and other "new generation Reploids" are the closest we have seen. Now if someone in the X universe tried to make a Robot- Human Hybrid ( the Carbons/Betas from Megaman Legends) COMPLETELY on their own design, they are not a reploid. They arent replicating anything that came from someone elses design

[@galten7361]

@UnifiedEntity Out of universe sources call X and Zero reploids.

[@UnifiedEntity]

@@galten7361 from the perspective of people who don't know X and Zero. Who are they replicating? Themselves?

[@galten7361]

@UnifiedEntity Just your fanon. You are effectively saying that official sources can be ignored for fanfiction.

[@UnifiedEntity]

@@galten7361 Answer the question, who are they replicating?

[@galten7361]

@UnifiedEntity Man. And again, official sources say they are Reploids with the X novelization defining Reploid to include any robot able to genuinely replicate man's ability to think.

[@Neutra77]

I like the idea that Wily just copied Light's sentience plans for X and put them onto Zero. It would explain a lot about why Zero didn't initially work, since Wily likely incorporated that sentience not because he believed it gave an advantage, but just to help continue the one-sided pissing contest. Man was petty to the bitter end.

[@bobseesall]

Calling X and Zero reploids makes sense given pretty much everyone is one. I would personally say they are actually advanced robot masters.

[@RockmanHQ]

What is a reploid but an advanced Robot Master?

[@bobseesall]

I would say a robot master is more of a leader for whatever task they were created for. Reploids are the closest the world has gotten to robotic humans. X was designed to lead towards a more peaceful future, but reploids are not perfect copies so there is a difference between whatever X or Zero is and a reploid like Sigma.

[@RockmanHQ]

Robot Master isn't a term used in the japanese versions, it's a localized term to refer to bosses. While these robots are generally specialized, they do think and find new purposes. Napalm man builds a wepaon museum as an example. Thinking of them as simply a specialized task robot is a discredit to them as a big factor is that that do have a logic circuit. They can make their own choices so long as they abide by their coding. Reploids do not require such codings because they have a sense of ethic and morality. A consciences. While reploids are not perfect copies of X, they are very, very close. Everything about them is an advancement of a logic circuit robot, so if you were to call something an 'Advanced Robot Master', it would be a reploid. If you really wanted to differate X and Zero, Advanced Reploid would be a more appropriate term. Though that might fall short once you enter the Zero era and they're understood to the point of having perfect copy bodies. Just my 2 cents on the topic.

[@aliastheabnormal]

I go by the theory that the government covered up the fact that Dr. Light created reploids in order to keep the concept of robot master buried. Scaravich was flat out killed when he found Light's old lab. And Elpizo was targeted for death for merely learning about Dr. Weil. So i'm convinced that the government has been lying to the masses and killing anyone who knows better. To the point that by the Zero series everyone genuinely believes that X and Zero are reploids. They just don't question it anymore because nobody knows better.

[@galten7361]

@bobseesall Robot Masters is not an actual term in lore. It's just a localization term for the 8 stage boss robots in Classic.

[@HyperDefective]

I read Irregulars' Report back when the fan translation was released. That was such an awesome book, I don't even really read books either. I recommend it to any MM fan!

[@dashthehedgehog2612]

Gonna say this now before even making it into the video, but Reploids is supposed to be like "replicated androids", as they were made from the blueprints of X. So to me, no, X and Zero will never be classified as true Reploids, as you'd have to be replicated from X to be considered such (Zero definitely didn't come from X). They simply shared the same rights as Reploids.

[@RockmanHQ]

Might wanna watch it first. I do cover the topic you bring up.

[@galten7361]

@dashthehedgehog2612 Replicated androids was never the actual definition. That's just in fanon. And Zero was copied from X anyway.

[@right_hand_power7960]

X is an evolution of the technology that made Rock possible. Zero was an evolution of the technology that made Bass possible. Bass was created by Wily studying, and copying Rock, intending to make a robot of similar capabilities to kill Rock. Therefore, both X, and Zero have Rock/MegaMan as their origin, and 1 step further back, ProtoMan, as well.

[@immortalfrieza]

@@galten7361 No, that's the canon explanation. Reploids are robots created using X as the base. That's what the term "Reploid" refers to, they are *replications* of Megaman X.

[@galten7361]

@immortalfrieza Zero was built by copying X (see X being able to use Zero's weaponry and Zero being able to think like any other Reploid which means he's not bound by programed directives/can learn) as shown by X Dive (see X-Kai) and the novelization. The X novelization and manuals and guidebooks/artbooks also say otherwise. See: "X X is a reploid (a kind of sentient robot) and the hero of this adventure. As a member of the 17th Unit of Maverick Hunters, X is tasked with tracking down and putting a stop to Mavericks-malfunctioning robots that pose a threat to humanity. No one knows for sure who created X or why, but he is dedicated to stopping the evil machinations of Sigma, his former commander who has gone rogue and now leads a rebellion against the human race. Despite X's exceptional abilities he is still an B-Class (middle-grade) hunter. And although he is viewed by his fellow hunters as a rookie for his tendency to hesitate in the thick of battle, it is actually mercy, not inexperience, that stays his hand. Even when faced with the most despicable of Mavericks, his urge to deal justice to evildoers clashes with his underlying forgiving nature, keeping him from realizing the true power that lies within him. Only Zero and Sigma have begun to suspect his incredible potential. - Mega Man X Legacy Collection gallery data (Rockman X manual)"

[@ntheultimate]

I personally enjoy the idea of X and Zero being classified as a "Robot Master 2.0" of sorts, cuz it kinda works with how close the Robot Masters are to being like Reploids thanks to them having personalities.

[@agentomega3223]

When it comes to Zero I’ve always theorized that he’s the Protoman of Megaman X, designed first but stolen before completion by Wily. Based on that idea I think the Zero we know and love was his intended personality, which Dr. Wily tried to reprogram to be vicious but he pushed it too far in the other direction and didn’t have time to figure out the balance he wanted, so he reset to default and made the Virus to try to get it right for him.

[@yousefslimani99]

If ReploidREVO was gone then at least we have this guy supporting megaman contents!

[@revolvingworld2676]

ReploidRevo had a cool theory about the origin of the carbons in legends that is now deleted and cant be found😢

[@yousefslimani99]

@@revolvingworld2676 I heard that he goes maverick of what I heard at least! He’s doing some minor stuff, blocking his members on his discord and showing random NSFW contents on DM messages and then he got caught of all of this a few months ago! Which his channel got terminated in the first place

[@gothnerd887]

And Coleman X of course

[@matheusrios4223]

In my head canon, and while I was talking with a friend about it, X and Zero are not reploids per see, because 1: reploids are replicas of X's system, so he can't be a replica of himself, and Zero was build the same time as X; and 2: both their creators, specially Dr Light, classifies X and Zero as robots. In my mind their are the last robot masters, and X being the end of what Dr Light envisioned for robots. X and Zero would call themselves reploids but they aren't really reploids. Also about the fact Zero sharing similarities with X: it's obvious to me that Dr Wily used Protoman as a base for every creation of his, and with his history of theft, and assuming Dr Light started his blueprints for X around MegaMan 7, Bass would have stolen those for Wily, and he would end up start making Zero based on these first blueprints. Would also explain why Zero was so unstable and his virus working on reploids, Dr Wily would not have the understanding of the special circuit completely, and only wanting Zero to be loyal and unable to attack him, the virus was his work around to put Zero in check. But that is just my take on this.

[@seangray6131]

But wouldn't Zero be based on Bass rather than Protoman?

[@saphcal]

@@seangray6131 I think Bass is closer to a reploid than a Robot Master as well. I think of him as the Protoman of Zero (only like actually inferior unlike the real protoman was to megaman in some ways). just look at his design. its got "reploid" written all over it.

[@seangray6131]

@@saphcal I always considered Protoman to be the first of what Roll, Mega Man, and Bass are not robot masters but maybe proto Reploid since unlike X and Zero those three still had to obey the laws of robotics.

[@saphcal]

@@seangray6131 yeah i consider protoman the prototype to robot masters like Rock and Bass, but I kinda consider Bass as a prototype of Zero.

[@galten7361]

@matheusrios4223 There aren't any reliable sources saying that you have to be copied from X to be a Reploid. And Robot Masters is not an actual term in lore.

[@AkaiAzul]

Reploids are dogs, derived from the "wolf" that is X. Both came from the ancestors called Robot Masters. Reploids are compatible to X just like how dogs are to wolves and could get dog-wolves. Meanwhile Zero is a coyote, decided from the same ancestors of Robot Masters, but still compatible with dogs and wolves, hence we get coy-wolves and coy-dogs.

[@galten7361]

@AkaiAzul Robot Masters is not an actual term in the setting. And Zero was just as copied from X as any Reploid in canon.

[@AkaiAzul]

@@galten7361 Copied, yes, but by a different person. The devil is in the details.

[@solitaregames]

i like your explanation.

[@MegaYoYo]

I strongly agree that reploids are supposed to mimic humans. Dr.Cain wants to create more robots that think and act like humans. This is the basis of Megaman/X.

[@uberfreak2]

Would the point about Zero having a kind of variable weapons system really count though? We only see it after he is rebuilt in X2. It might have been added in that rebuild

[@RockmanHQ]

Maverick Hunter X has him showing moves that do appear to be Learning Technique moves. His buster can also utilize weapon chips, seen if X gets it, so I would say yes, it counts.

[@galten7361]

@uberfreak2 Bass has one too so that means Wily already had access to that tech

[@rudolphdouglas6765]

@RockmanHQ Back on X Dive, When they Introduce X-Kai, Everyone had to have known that he look like Bass, despite that he already have a name, I (personally wish) name him for the realistic appearance. "BASS X"

[@shanewright344]

My take is that X and Zero are merely called Reploids for the sake of simplicity, but also because their origins are unknown to the general populace. To me, it's a bit of both.

[@k0namiman]

Zero strikes me as less a reploid, and more, the final and most advanced robot master. And his behavior when he is activated can be explained from Mega Man 7, where it's implied Wily had a failsafe that would activate his robots if he is not around for a certain period of time. So when Zero is activated into a world where Wily is long dead, he goes nuts because his programming has told him, if Wily is not around, go berserk and cause as much chaos as possible. This would also easily explain the Maverick virus. It's Wily's fail-safe program. Since all of Wily's robots were based on Light's designs (The first 6 robot masters were Light robots, and Dr Wily figured out how to make his own robot masters from repurposing them), and since reploids are based on X, they would be based on Light's designs, so Wily's code would likely run in their systems. And X would be immune because having had his robots stolen and repurposed once before, could have blocks in place to prevent Wily's code from running on X's systems, which could easily fall into the things Cain didn't understand fully, and so it was not implemented correctly in reploids.

[@ColeFam]

They are cool 'Roids.

[@RockmanHQ]

The coolest

[@FemaleHachi]

I think that while for simplicity’s sake I’d call them reploids, they technically aren’t. The main reason I say this is because when Weil uses the power of the dark elf combined with Omega to control all reploids in Zero 3, neither Zero, X’s cyber elf, nor any of the X guardians seem to be affected by it

[@Peteman]

I think Digraver is a chassis template. Sometimes they have reploid control chips, other times they are purely mechaniloid.

[@RockmanHQ]

I like the cut of your jib

[@CMDR_Vile]

Is the glass half empty or half full?... Who gives a shit, it's a glass, drink it.

[@ragingtyga]

X is not a reploid, and nether is Zero. Canonically Reploids are cyborg that were created by "Replicating" X's core design

[@LightStreak567]

X is the "father" of all Reploids. When Dr. Cain found X, he decided to make androids based on X's ability to think and act freely.

[@galten7361]

@LightStreak567 That would include Zero seeing as how Wily had no way to build a machine capable of thought like X before Light made one and Wily could copy him.

[@Shamazya]

Excited for the Obscure October video! That character is really cool in concept, wish he made the jump to something more mainstream or even XDive.

[@Toadzx]

It's about time this video has been made, I've been saying for years that they are reploids. Even if you consider the term to mean a replica ox X (which I don't) it is still applied to a type of robot that X and Zero fit. If the name was more specifically called repliX or something then I might have had a different opinion.

[@Davestar2112]

I feel like there's two definitions of "Reploid" a literal definition and a legal definition. The literal definition being "Replicated Android" of X, the definition excluding X and Zero, ad the "Legal" definition referring to any sufficiently intelligent robot capable of free will. Like Tomatos being technically fruit but legally classified as vegetables because of their use.

[@galten7361]

@Davestar2112 The actual definition was never juat "copied from X" if ever. That's the point. Only in fanon going off unreliable Eng localizations is that the case.

[@Artista_Frustrado]

also is worth mentioning that Megaman 11 stablishes that Light & the Robot University have been researching fully sapient Robots for pretty much the entire duration of the Classic Megaman timeline, so it's probably Openly Available research. AND he built Bass & Trebble specifically to show he can reverse engineer & improve on Megaman's design to the point he can just equip the Rush adapter so, yeah Albert has plenty of resources to independently build Zero & reach a similar conclusion ... as to why he wakes up as a berserk robot, well X4 & X5 do imply Willy implanted an aggression program in Zero that got mixed with Sigma's own code to create the Maverick Virus

[@Manny082]

Zero is in a reploid body, given his original body getting destroyed at the end of X1. Im not sure if X ever changes, other than him turning into a cyber elf in MM zero.

[@BaconMinion]

The original Japanese version of X2 heavily implies that Serges is Wily in a reploid body. Power Fighters shows a silhouette of Zero in his X2+ configuration, with the shoulder pads. So it's not hard to speculate that Wily rebuilt Zero to his originally intended specifications, plus upgrades (beam saber, double buster). It's also stated later on that both X and Zero cannot be fully analyzed. That's why I still call Zero a prototype.

[@galten7361]

@BaconMinion A developer for X2 said he envisioned Serges as an assistant Wily built in his image who he used for experiments in preserving memory/behavior in machinery.

[@TheSqueakerNerd]

I've always thought of it as Replicas of humans in the back of my mind. This was some nice insight. Enjoyed the video & have a nice day everyone.

[@TerryKashat]

No - they’re The OG’s that everyone jocked . . . copied . . . “replicated”. Even some of their systems were still never understood and never truly replicated. With both being mysteries with Zero’s creation and purpose being a bigger mystery that the story never fleshed out - and they shouldn’t flesh out. Leave it a mystery.

[@thedarkest9]

I think, they are specific types of reploids. X is a the origin reploid and Zero is the misborn reploid. X is clearly the basis for the rest of the reploids internal systems, which means he’s part of the species, but him being the base is impotent enough to clarify. As for Zero, he is a reploid by every definition, except his origin. I used the term misborn because one, it sounds metal, and two, his origin(birth) was presumably from the misuse of Dr Light’s designs. However, by X8, they’ve been upgraded, and by the time that X is used to seal the Dark Elf and Zero is used to make Omega, they’ve changed. So now the question is, if they slowly replaced their original parts with true reploid parts, at what point did they become reploids. Or better yet, if reploids are replicas of X, and X uses reploid parts to update himself, does that mean that mean for new and old reploids. Old reploids are coping an X that no longer exists, and new reploids are so far removed from X’s original design that they aren’t even replicas of X anymore. My brain is goo…

[@RoninXDarknight]

X & Zero being similar isn't necessarily because Wily stole Light's plans for X...or at least spied on them. Both Light & Wily were geniuses in the field of robotics who were once partners so it's no surprise at all that the two of them came to the same conclusion on where the evolution of of robots was headed. Given too that the idea behind each of the two robots was to carry out Light & Wily's will long after the scientists themselves were gone, it makes complete sense that they would be developed to be able to make decisions on their own. The variable weapons systems too are just evolutions of what both Mega Man and Bass were able to do so it's not at all strange that both X & Zero would be able to do the same. I think originally the word "Reploid", as used by Dr. Cain, was meant to mean robots created using X's ability to make their own decisions irrespective of their programing, since this was likely not public...or at least common...knowledge it eventually evolved to be a catch all term for any robot capable of subverting its programming...or in more layman's terms, any robot that can replicate the human ability to make their own decisions. Thus while X & Zero technically are not Reploids in the original sense of the term, so few others would actually be aware of that fact that it's understandable that most would refer to them as such. So under the original definition, no they are not Reploids. Under the current definition though, yes they are.

[@Jetsetradio]

Calling them replicas of humans is honestly redundant because of what Android and the suffix oid actually means. Replica Android makes sense, but the other is... A misunderstanding of language.

[@nicodalusong149]

Remember, the source for the term is japanese. Misunderstanding english is very much a possibility. The original term is repliroid (レプリロイド). It's very likely the root words for the term are replica and android. The notion it can mean the other thing is possibly implied.

[@galten7361]

@jetsetradio The point of X is that he's a great shift for robotics by being to genuinely think like man rather than be limited by how he was programmed. He's much closer to the ideal of the android than the Classic robots.

[@revolvingworld2676]

Android and Reploids do not specifically mean the same thing. 1. Reploid is a machine with the same free will capacity as X 2. Android is a machine meant to look like a human (by that logic the original megaman and roll were reploids, or I could build a souless robot look exactly like a human and call it a reploid which is wrong) 3. MANY reploids clearly do not look like humans and more like freaky animals or whatever, those are NOT androids.

[@shallotliltian7617]

The way I see it, Reploids are androids based on X's design. X is not a reploid, because he's the original. And Zero is not a reploid because he was built by Wily and his design is original.

[@a_creatorsstuff17]

The reploid question in the time of X is (in my opinion) the same as asking who is human in the era of carbons The term is already blured by the era's tech level

[@SaotomeLuna]

The very simple answer is that socially, X and Zero are Repliroids; they fulfill the same social role that Repliroids do, and consider themselves as such. From a mechanical standpoint, X is the common ancestor of all Repliroids, but that doesn't make him a Repliroid any more than it makes ancient hominids into modern humans. Zero is therefore a kind of convergent evolution; the same destination from a different but similar source. I believe that secondary materials made it clear that X and Zero started development around the same time, and that neither project was influenced by the other, so Zero is also not a Repliroid. I think you could trace the generations from simple robots like we have now, to industrial mechaniroids, to smaller humanoid mechaniroids, to Robot Masters (who are also mechaniroids), to X, the worrying robot. X is then imperfectly copied by Cain to create first generation Repliroids, and the design is refined and modified over time until eventually, humans and Repliroids are indistinguishable. I think a very good follow up question would be, are Decoys (Carbons in English) Repliroids? Or has enough changed that they can be considered a new classification?

[@M_Alexander]

On the one hand, X and Zero technically aren't Reploids in the sense that they were created before Reploids. On the other hand, they're functionally Reploids because there's no distinguishing factor between them. So retroactively there's no reason not to consider them Reploids. Regarding Robot Masters, they're originally called Numbers in Japan and it might not be inaccurate that they're meant to be something like Light Number X (unquantified) and Wily Number Zero (new or final). So they... could be the last Robot Masters?

[@M_Alexander]

Oh so apparently there's a quote from Sigma in X2(JP) that seems to refer to Zero as the "last of Wily's Numbers." And in a background of the MMX3 stage Area X-2 it apparently displays "DWN. ∞" or Dr. Wily Number Infinity in reference to Zero

[@saphcal]

X afaik, canonically is DLN-X, and Zero is DWN-∞

[@M_Alexander]

@@saphcal I couldn't find any source on X having a canon designation

[@saphcal]

@@M_Alexander yeah i dont remember the source myself as its been a long time so it could have been fake i suppose. Zero's is real though, I'm far more sure of it.

[@voidnullayy]

Personally i would classify X and Zero as Neo Humans, mostly due to cassern being one of many sources of heavy inspiration for the MM franchise overall, and since X was built by Light to be as Human as possible, a new kind of humanity, a companion of sorts for the original humans

[@Blaumagier]

I think its most correct to say that X and Zero are technically not Reploids - they are both prototype advanced new Robot Masters. However, they are also both technically Reploids because , while the official definition of Reploid is "replica of X" or more specifically "race of robots based on X's design", which automatically precludes X and Zero, this definition is not known to anyone but Dr. Cain and the general public would have a different definition that IS inclusive of both X and Zero. X's origins are known only to Dr. Cain and Zero's origins are unknown to all but a deceased Dr. Wily (and maybe somehow eventually Sigma) and I can say this with confidence because X would be a celebrity and basically treated as the father of the Reploid race instead of just being "another reploid and a rookie hunter at that" as he is in X1. I think you could say Zero does become a Reploid in all senses when he is no longer in his original body. So in short, no they are not "replicas based on X" but yes as a social category.

[@gothnerd887]

Perhaps X is the Adam of Reploid kind. Actually he's closer to Stephenson's Rocket, one of the first functional steam engines in existence and as time went on engines looked less and less like him. If you don't believe me look at how different Stephenson's Rocket and Novelty look compared to the Flying Scotsman, Mallard and the Jintys.

[@michelvanderlinden8363]

A reploid is considered a robot based off the design of Megaman X, as Dr Cain found X and named the Reploids. This makes X the "original" (not a Reploid), and Zero was a completely different design altogether, is an original as well. Thats always been my understanding of the situation

[@galten7361]

@michelvanderlinden8363 Zero would not be capable of thinking like man (able to learn and not be bound by programmed directives) if he wasn't copied from X. Same for X being able to use his buster. And the sources like manuals and databooks/art books refer to X and Zero as reploids.

[@michelvanderlinden8363]

@@galten7361 the manuals directly contradict the games though, I'd take those with a pinch of salt. Remember, the megaman manuals also referred to Dr Light as Dr Wright and Dr Right. Incidentally, if Megaman X is largely based on the Megaman system, it makes sense that Zero is also based off his system, considering both Light and Wily worked on Rock's system before Light gave him his weapons.

[@galten7361]

@michelvanderlinden8363 You don't get to pick what is or isn't canon. Capcom of Japan does. And they've never excluded the manuals. More importantly, the lore in Japanese sources is the actual lore, not banything by Westerners. Wily never demonstrated he was capable of building an artificial being like X without copying Light. None of his robots had genuine thoughts like X (can learn, can think without obeying programmed directives) while X and X alone is noted as being the robot who's a great leap forward. Not Zero.

[@michelvanderlinden8363]

@@galten7361 Wily demonstrated he was fully capable of creating a robot similar to Megaman, and he was already working on Zero as seen in the Megaman 2: power fighters game... which was before Light was working on X, although we do know he coined the idea of robot AI in the previous game, but not more than that. Im not sure what you're referring to when you say "I dont get to pick what is or isn't canon". Its pure logic: X is the template that all subsequent reploids are based off, but as the series have shown X is so advanced it would take reploids to take decades, or hundreds of years to even come close to reach his level sentience. Can you honestly say they are the same? That's like saying "a bike is a vehicle, and a car is a vehicle, they are both the same". They are not. X might refer to himself as a "reploid" simply because there is no term for what he is, purely because he's unique in his own right. For that matter, the same applies to Zero. Your last statement is incorrect as well, not to mention you're literally "deciding what is canon" there for yourself.. Wily created Bass, a regular robot who systematically goes against many of his creator's wishes. You can say his programming might be faulty, or maybe his programming was actually more advanced than Megaman''s programming was. We don't really know because Capcom never adressed this. There's also King, who also went against his creator's wishes (to a lesser degree). Light and Wily both worked on Protoman, Roll and Roll (and the first six robot masters but beyond the CD game we dont know much about their intelligence). It stands to say that Light and Wily both are roughly equal in terms of robotics and programming. There is absolutely no reason to assume X is the one true advancement in robotics, and not Zero. finally... the name dude. Reploid. Replicated Android. It's not rocket science to figure out the meaning of the word.

[@galten7361]

@michelvanderlinden8363 Bass and King being able to think like man is fanon. In canon they are bound by their programming and cannot go beyond it. Bass was built to be Megaman's counter as the strongest robot so he tries to be that. King was built to be a lord among robots so he does that. Neither of them learn to be that way. Neither of them can genuinely think like man. There are no official statements excluding the manuals in JP. You insisted that they don't count. Reploid has been used in both in-game dialogue with characters like Sigma or the X-Hunters and in sources like manuals and art books and dev interviews for X and Zero. This video quotes the X novelization (which was officially published in Japan and written with access to background lore) saying that Reploids really means being able to think like man. As far as Capcom of Japan is concerned X and Zero are Reploids.

[@TempestJet]

As you say, not all robots are reploids but all reploids are robots. If we are to assume that X and Zero are something more, something unquantifiable by modern scientists you can expand on the saying and add that X and Zero are reploids, but not all reploids are X/Zero.

[@megatroidvania9285]

Really cool video! Honestly i never really thought about if X and Zero are reploids! it never really occurred to me XD Also this actually the perfect video for me right now! Since there's a certain project im working on and i'm gonna need all the lore and theory crafting i can get! 😉

[@Artista_Frustrado]

Zero is absolutely a Robot Masster/Willy Number, while X is the Light Number. but due to how they use the term in-universe to refer to "highly sapient Robots" then yeah X & zero might be Prototype Reploids, not that most people would be able to tell

[@KyuJuEX099x]

You could say X and Zero are the original Androids. Of course, after Reploids became a commonplace. X and Zero consider themselves as Reploids for simplicity.

[@solitaregames]

Originally the term " *Repli-roid* " (as said in Japan) was composed of "Replica-Android". This was a term referred to robot created using X's schematics. X himself is an android as he falls in all the terms of what an android is. However, in the original SNES/SuperFamicom trilogy, X and Zero were always referred as "Robots". While the rest were referred to as "Reploids". However, after X4, all type of robots that have human-like will started to be referred as Reploids as the term reploid was changed from a title for a type of robot, to the name of a race of machines. And thus, its why then from on X and Zero were included in said name. However, officially, Zero is stated as a Robot Master as he even has his own Robot Master serial number. X is the only one who possess no such thing. Zero originally did not start as a reploid, he was CONVERTED INTO a reploid.

[@galten7361]

@solitaregames Eng localizations aren't canon unless noted otherwise. Robot Master is not used in Japanese scripts. And no official sources mention Zero being altered in a notable way by Cain when it comes to his capabilities.

[@solitaregames]

@@galten7361 1) The Term 'robot' is used in the Japanese script. 2) Zero's robot master serial number appear in the Japanese archives of the Rockman Robot Master list. The serial number is "DWN-Inifinity" (DWN stands for: Doctor Wily's Number. All Wily's robot masters are labeled as DWN while light's are labeled as DLN aka Doctor Light's number). 4) Zero is officially mentioned in the Rockman Classic series from the power battle games. Although not by name. But his schematics are shown. 5) Zero's alteration is not mentioned by name but you can see it. I am talking about Zero pre-Sigma fight vs Zero after-sigma fight. Two different Zeros. Two different personalities. Zero was repaired, and could had gone a conversion into repliroid format after his original self was corrupted by damage.

[@galten7361]

@solitaregames Robot Masters has never been an actual term in JP (so real) lore. And Cain never demonstrated he was capable of changing Zero's programming or overall body to a major extent. Zero's behavior changes post-Sigma are from him taking in more of the virus. Not reprogramming.

[@solitaregames]

@@galten7361 oh so the Japanese version of rockman and forte which shows the list under 'robot masters' is a lie? And Cain doesn't know how to program reploid psyche when he created the first ones either? Please stop. Cain created Sigma Together with the pioneers. He coded the programing to create a replioid brain based on the schematics X have. Zero lost his sense of self when Sigma damaged his forehead core corrupting his data base. Zero had to be restored into a functional form cresting a new personality. They had to repair the damage and reprogram his function as the majority of the files were corrupted by the damage. Or you thought zero just woke up one day from a coma with amnesia? Please...

[@JoLiKMC]

Reploid, or Repliroid. "Replica android". First-gen Reploids were created by Dr. Cain, based on Megaman X, as a "best he can do" from what he could figure out from Dr. Light's notes and by poking around X, himself. So, no. X is not a replica of himself, and Zero is not, either. _Copy X,_ however, is.

[@thelgiver5844]

If Reploids so indeed have souls, would they be able to be affected by stuff like soul manipulation abilities? (Ex. Mahito's Idle transfiguration from JJK) Edit: and if put in a world like JoJo's bizarre adventure or Dragon Ball, could they theoretically obtain Stands or perform fusion with the fusion dance or Potara earrings?

[@jruler93]

Well in Street Fighter, many special abilities - such as the Hadouken and Shoryuken - are based on a spiritual energy, similarly to Dragonball's Ki, and given how X can learn the aforementioned moves in MMX and X2, I think Reploids would have the ability to use similar spiritual powers, though it might be tougher for them than it would be for an organic lifeform. Most Reploids also don't have ears, so the Potara earrings would be worthless to most of them, though two Ki-using Reploids of similar size and body structure may be able to do the fusion dance, Stands are a significantly different kind of power system though, as you cannot simply train to gain a Stand. However, considering how even locations and objects get Stands in JJBA parts 7 & 8, I don't see why a rare few Reploids wouldn't have them.

[@MegaManNeo]

If we consider reploids as replicas of humans, then sure! X and ZERO indeed are reploide and since probably no robot in 21XX knows the origin of themselves, they may just as well label those two as reploids. Personally I would count them only as reploids if we were to take Rock and maybe Blues into account, but then again only Light and Wily would even know about those two and neither one exactly ever said anything about the past other than _Serges_ referring to our blue boy as MegaMan X.

[@advmx3]

I have a question: Where did you read that the Guardians were created when X sealed the Mother Elf? Where it says in the lore info that they just exist because of that situation, because it makes no sense to me. If they are all part of X soul because of the Cyber Elf situation, when why would they be faithful to Copy X himself? I always thought they were created some decades after Zero sealed himself away, based on X DNA, to help X, and that's why they are so faithful to X himself, that's why Harpuia don't want Elpizo going to the tree, because he knows X's original body is there, he knows the sacrifice the original X did to save the world. All I fond about the Four guardians in every single wiki is the following: The four guardians were created by using X DNA, and they were created to help heal the land after the tragedy of the Elf Wars, each one of them had one specific goal to fulfill, making sure human race could repopulate the sorched earth and not be extinct. It also makes sense because they are loyal to X, if they were just spawns of X spirit somehow split by the Mother Elf, they wouldn't treat X as someone so important. This is also seen in the Drama CD for Zero 3, where both Phantom and Fefnir and Leviathan while in repair, somehow go to the cyberspace and talk to X and Phantom. Even the voice of X they recognize, which is completely different than the voice of Copy X. Anyways, it's just weird that this info you said is not on the forums or wikis about the subject. So again: Please tell me where did you found that bit of info, of X being split into five pieces, and four of them having bodies that shares his DNA to hold his soul while his fifth piece of soul became a cyber elf with more power than any elf created. I really need to read this document or bit of interview or something. Thanks :D

[@RockmanHQ]

That comes from The Rockman Zero Collection(DS) website. It's brought up in two spots, Orginal X's profile and the Big Four(Four Guardians) profiles. "ダークエルフを封印した際、その衝撃でエックスの魂はボディからはじき出され、５つのサイバーエルフに分裂。その内、４つはネオ・アルカディア四天王に組み込まれ、１つは世界を彷徨っている。 When he sealed the Dark Elf, the shock of it made X’s soul spring out of his body and split into 5 Cyber-Elves. 4 of them were installed on the Neo Arcadia 4 Big Four, and 1 of them is wandering across the world" "エックスのサイバーエルフを組み込まれた彼ら４対はレプリロイド以上の存在である。 The 4 of them are existences above Repliroids since they have X’s Cyber Elves installed on them." The site has sense gone down. Here is the archive. It was a Flash based site, making it harder to navigate even more. web.archive.org/web/20121026123816/www.capcom.co.jp/rockman/zero/ X's profile is on the wiki, supporting what I posted, but the Big Four and a few others are missing. I'll see if I can get those added in. megaman.fandom.com/wiki/Rockman_Zero_Collection_Timeline

[@X_Gon_Give_It_To_Ya]

One thing I never understood about the lore is that shouldn't X be a celebrity or famous for being the blue print of all Reploids. Unless Dr. Cain or X himself decided not to share that info to the public. Though I do find it funny how some Mavericks would mock and belittle X yet they don't know that without him they wouldn't exist.

[@espurrseyes42]

The thing that sets Reploids apart from other robots is their Free Will, the ability to think, feel, and make their own decisions, not bound by the Codes of Robotics like MegaMan and the Robot Masters were. While other definitions of Reploid exist, I see this as the primary one since it's the one that gets stressed the most throughout the X, Zero, and ZX series, being the reason for the constant conflict in them. So by this definition, yes, X and Zero are Reploids. In fact, it's hard to say X ISN'T one when all Reploids are based on his design. He's the Father of All Reploids. Except Zero, who's built in a similar way based on how he acts in games, and would be Wily's own Reploid by this logic, even if the way he acts is due to a glitch caused by being incomplete and sustaining critical battle damage.

[@charleschamp9826]

Do we know the virus that Wily made was intended to attack the Distress Circuit specifically or is it simply encountering hardware and/or software it was not designed for and having no idea how to work with it is causing more and/or different problems than originally intended?

[@alanfinck5595]

Now we just need a video on what classifies a maverick. Because holy shoot that is a can of sardines. What is maverickism?

[@jessefinnegan1719]

This whole line of thinking is giving me fan theory idea that Zero's tech wasn't stolen from X, but purposefully given. The thing with Wily always wanted to feel superior to Light and was constantly stealing/modifying his designs. What if near the end of their lives, Light just said "Here is the tech I'm working on Wily. Do with it as you please." after realizing that might pacify the evil scientist. Wily took that tech to make or complete Zero and instead of directly using him for world domination, he too sealed his creation away (knowing exactly what Light was doing) with the virus so that in the future the world would be tested by it. It would kind of explain how both Light and Wily seem to be more about indirectly interfering with the X Timeline and how X and Zero can be so compatible tech wise. Wily would still want to cause chaos, but his need for direct control might have been satiated because Light just gave him what he wanted.

[@kulikevl5312]

Before I watch this, I wanna say: They've had so many replaced parts, especially Zero, they gotta be reploids 😂

[@Christian-lr5vq]

I also wondered about this question so thanks Rockman HQ 🎸😎😉

[@jamcalx]

I've seen them labeled as Super Androids and X called a Cyborg, in the sense of being a purely mechanical cybernetic organism (in the mm x4 manual).

[@DraguiDrakonial]

I jokingly refer to X and Zero a "Ploids", more especially as "Blue-ploid" and "Red-ploid" respectively, and since Axl is a New gen reploid, he is a "Re-reploid", a yeah, the farther in the series, the "re's" stack, like, Elpizo is a "Rere-reploid", grey is a "Rerere-reploid" and so on. It's stupid, i know, but it's funny XD.

[@juancrossone2404]

Thank you for the Megaman videos, I love you 🗿🍷💜🛐

[@howdoilogin]

I'd like to also point out something VERY important to the Zero theory that is a huge spoiler for Mega Man Zero 3. So I'll space this out for people to not get spoiled if they haven't played it. 1 2 3 4 So, remember how Dr. Weil is literally just Dr. Wily? Remember how he calls Omega "Zero's original body"? In the second stage of that boss fight, Omega turns into a gigantic two-headed monster, one head red with a blue gem wielding a giant beam saber, and the other being a blue head with a red gem and a massive buster arm. In other words, Zero absolutely has to be copied from X's original schematics in some way. He literally has X parts built into him. So yeah, they ARE in fact brothers.

[@Crow_Rising]

"You only see one human in the series" - Proceeds to show Dr. Cain. What about Dr. Light? It's unclear whether all of his appearances are AI or if some of them might be pre-recorded, but regardless we do actually see Dr. Light in person in Maverick Hunter X during a flashback to before X was sealed away. Also if you want to get pedantic, technically you could say that the Zero and ZX series are spinoffs of the X series and as such individuals such as Ciel, Vent, and Aile also count.

[@TheLunarLegend]

Depends on what you think a 'reploid' is. If it means they're replicated from X: No If it means they replicate human free will: Yes

[@aliastheabnormal]

Dr.Cain is the greatest robotics authority of its time. Say a lot about robotics when a paleobotanist is considered the go to guy when it comes to robotic life.

[@rpghorrorstories]

Hey, Dr. Wily is in the running of being the greatest roboticist of his generation, and he was an avid archaeologist.

[@aliastheabnormal]

@@rpghorrorstories He's still no Light. Wily, or Ciel. He's Cossack level at best.

[@rpghorrorstories]

@aliastheabnormal My point is that don't judge the capacity of a scientist based on their secondary interests. It's like saying, "It says a lot about robotics when a guy who punches people in the face is considered the go-to guy when it comes to robotics", referring to the various depictions of Dr. Light as a street fighter.

[@SuperTwoU]

This is the best video I've ever seen discussing this topic, it really looks at this from so many different angles and provides multiple sources. So I do agree that X is a Reploid, but it's actually for a different reason. X and Zero refer to themselves as Reploids, it's how they see themselves and choose to identify.

[@jive238]

You know while it totally is in character for Wily to rip off Light in order to make Zero, i personally believe Wily made Zero wholly on his own. My reasoning is pride, there isn't a robot the mad doctor has made that he has put so much personal pride in that he would (theoretically) cheat death in order to see it's full power realized. Bass is Wily's strongest robot in the orginal series but Wily cares for him like a fart in the wind compared to Zero, even his number dwn-infinity implies he will never make anything else. I personally don't think Wily would have so much stake in Zero if he was just copying Light's homework. Behind the man trying to conquer the world is a man who very much loves robots just like Dr. Light and where Dr. Light is a genius of "vision", Dr. Wily is a genius of "fuck around and find out" so much shit just falls into Wily's lap and dude just makes a robot out of it. That's what ultimately made Zero.

[@Ichiyama22]

Reploid is short for "Replicant Android," because all Reploids are based on X's design. Despite it being easier to call X and Zero Reploids, they can't be since Zero was built without any knowledge of X's existence, and X obviously can't be based off of himself. It's more accurate to say that the two are the final, perfect Robot Masters.

[@galten7361]

@Ichiyama22 That's fanon. Same with Robot Masters being a term

[@lanereynolds4567]

@@galten7361 reploid standing for replicated android isn't fannon. It's canon. the japanese for reploid is repliroid, and is explicitely stated to stand for replicated android. Now, x and zero not being reploids, is simple extrapolation of evidence that even capcom can't argue against. They existed before the replication of any androids, and aren't the base robots of the prior time period, but aren't replications of another android, so they are androids. Now, they certainly aren't RM's at all, as they are too free to be RM's even if we discard the term itself as non canon, the idea (an older style of robotics) still holds. There's nothing that binds them as the robots of old were bound. The two of them are Artificial Man, an equal to humans, who were made by going around nature and violating it's rules. The attempt to make more based off their designs is what the Replicated part of Repli(cated and)roid stands for. To call them robots isn't right, as Android is a seperate thing, as robots aren't capable of free will, but we saw repeatedly the two androids, and the reploids based off them, are capable of that. Now, X and Zero would be colloquially called reploids as it's simpler for conversations in regular life, but it's used for simplicity, not for accuracy.

[@galten7361]

@lanereynolds4567 Zero was copied off X to begin with (see X being able to use Zero's weaponry and Zero even able to think like man despite X being repeatedly noted as the first robot to think beyond the limitations of robots like Classic Megaman) as shown in X Dive (X-Kai's backstory) and the novelization. Anyway manuals for the X games and other official sources like X Compendium call both X and Zero Reploids. For example: "X X is a reploid (a kind of sentient robot) and the hero of this adventure. As a member of the 17th Unit of Maverick Hunters, X is tasked with tracking down and putting a stop to Mavericks-malfunctioning robots that pose a threat to humanity. No one knows for sure who created X or why, but he is dedicated to stopping the evil machinations of Sigma, his former commander who has gone rogue and now leads a rebellion against the human race. Despite X's exceptional abilities he is still an B-Class (middle-grade) hunter. And although he is viewed by his fellow hunters as a rookie for his tendency to hesitate in the thick of battle, it is actually mercy, not inexperience, that stays his hand. Even when faced with the most despicable of Mavericks, his urge to deal justice to evildoers clashes with his underlying forgiving nature, keeping him from realizing the true power that lies within him. Only Zero and Sigma have begun to suspect his incredible potential. - Mega Man X Legacy Collection gallery data (Rockman X manual)"

[@Octav2000]

Zero series zero would definitely be a reploid but still be a little different because he wasn’t effected by the dark elf which effected all reploids in the world

[@bigjake360t]

I think the of android... Hold up, is that fish in a wheelchair?

[@RockmanHQ]

She gotta platform out if water somehow

[@TheOmegaDragon]

Wily and Light are colleagues. X and Zero are similar because both Wily and Light are experts on robotics and likely have the same knowledge of creating robots. Difference is Light creates X with the intention of robots and humans living in harmony while Wily tried to control Zero but, screwed up the programming. Light ended up stealing the limelight creating the first advanced human replica because X was discovered 1st while Zero was discovered later. Wily did state their rivalry is what kept him motivated.

[@galten7361]

@TheOmegaDragon X Dive showed it's canon Wily copied X to build robots. And X was repeatedly noted as the great leap forward for robots, not Zero (meaning Zero cannot have been built and programmed before X with the same overall capabilities as him without making X less special).

[@neaps8418]

I get that the plant enemy in split mushroom’s stage is called a bioroid but. Wouldn’t split mushroom and axl the red be considered as the same term?

[@RockmanHQ]

Mushroom is a reploid simply themed after a plant, much like Tornado Tonion and Optic Sunflower. Rose is a unique one but wasn't made with biological life. He's a mutation of a reploid, a nature control unit(a machine), and the Sigma Virus. So, while he was made from something that works in conjunction with biological life, he himself was not born from biological material.

[@neaps8418]

@@RockmanHQ oh

[@danielmaynard239]

I think everything here is pretty neat

[@LordSpleach]

Technically, no. Practically, yes.

[@galten7361]

@LordSpleach Name an official source saying X and Zero aren't reploids.

[@LordSpleach]

@@galten7361 Think about it. They're originals, so they aren't replication of themselves.

[@galten7361]

@LordSpleach So fanon. The replica of X take is fanon overall anyway (not in JP scripts/manuals, novelization only brings it up to talk about another definition).

[@supersonicjc]

based on what info we have from the games and what not... x is just something special and the actual reploids are all the others that are in the series... zero is his own typing all on his own mostly from being a wily number... the virus came from wily and zero to boot to raise havoc to light and his creation... still the games get stranger along the lines the further down this rabbit hole we go... x6 is its own beast of creating "new" reploids from the old ones... then x7 comes up with Axel and his copy chips which have to stem from x somehow but at the same time they dont... going into the zero series that is its own topic and once you hit the zx games the lines were blurred so much that they could be called an entirely new species as itself and im sure if something would of made a 3rd game to mess with the plot some more...

[@swakage13x]

x is a progenitor while zero is that cousin that never had any kids so technically neither of them are reploids they are both just super advanced robot Masters with free will and even then these two are technically the grandchildren generationally from protoman and original megaman and bass are their dads I look at it like this protomen was made by light then ran away and got adopted by Wiley light made mega Man using the designs and basis of protomen Wiley did the same thing in making Bass and then they both took those upgrades they did and then each respectively made x and zero more human-like robot Masters and then Dr Kane came and copied all the groundwork light did so reploids like sigma before he got infected with the Maverick virus would technically be X's kid and none of the later reploids were built using zero as the design basis, which was kind of surprising and there were no reploids made using a combination of x and zero design other than the specific weapons they carried. My big question is why did bass never show up during the x timeline like did he get deactivated or did mega Man finally destroy him or did he just hide in the shadows watching I mean that would have been awesome if he showed up and some reploids were built off him as the basis, but I guess that's where the fanfictions can take over

[@MisteRRYouTuby]

X and Zero are adapting robots.

[@dumpsockpuppet5619]

I think here it would be better to apply linguistics instead of just etymology Regardless of whatever original meaning the words had, by the the time the series takes place language has morphed and reploid is the standard term for sentient Robots, and probably X and Zero (who operated mostly in this period and are completely integrated into that society) will probably refer to themselves as reploids ninety nine percent of the time, and that onw time they will probably not do so out of need to clarify some obscure technical detail of their designs rather than because they don't identify with the label The word Reploid may have started as a prescriptive term (a strict definition that assigns identity on wheter or not it meets the criteria to the letter, the word defines the thing), but in time it became descriptive (a looser definition based on observations of how things are in real life, identity comes a priori,and the criteria that defines it is the abstraction of its properties and how much they can vary before they fall intro another category , the thing defines the word) If anything it is much more straight forward than the word Maverick, which initially refered to malfunctioning/infected reploids in the early X series, to any reploid criminal by the time the Hunters were a more established force, to some uses as a sign of open rebelión on the late X series, to a political use in the Zero series for those reploids that opposed the Neo Arcadian Regime, to Zero basically declaring Weil a maverick despite being human to basically a generic term for any hostile mechaniloid that roamed outside the cities regardless of level of sentience.

[@gabbanrock]

11:59 YAYYY!! this guy has been noticed!! and to be honest, he reminds me of Godzilla or Kaiju monsters in general because of his origin and how he is large in some manga panels, maybe the artist was inspired from that? also i see megaman series has some weird beef with mutation theming

[@kaligath6616]

I would say they are advance robots and the editions after them being reploids are considered a higher evolution much like humans we evolved from apes.

[@ZeroFinalStrike]

Whole great topic aside cause its a fun topic of conversation MaGMML is fantastic and people need to play that "series" of games

[@thismandoesntexist7814]

Reploid is not a model, it’s a category. It is a normal confusion, many believe that "reploid" and "Robot Master" are a type of robot, but really they are more like categories. Any machine with a mind without limitations capable enough to think beyond its programming is considered a reploid, regardless of model or age. That's why X and Zero are considered "Reploids", they are absurdly advanced robots capable of thinking and acting as if they were humans without programming limitations. In fact, there are theories that a sufficiently modified Robot Master could be considered a Reploid, with the theory that Quint (a character from the classic saga) could be an example of this. But the idea that X and Zero are Robot Masters just because they are old is incorrect and a misinterpretation of what a Reploid is. Btw the definition of Reploid as "Replica of X" is an invention of the bad American translation, Reploid or Repliroids is just a play on words between android and replica and it is assumed that they are called that way because they are replicas of the human being, not of X, said by Cain himself: "Reploids... created by human beings... yet possessing abilities far beyond our own"

[@gyppygirl2021]

I would like to thank you profusely for this clarification. I personally never bothered making the distinction because they call themselves reploids anyway, so it just felt pointless, and I got a little irritated by people trying to "correct" the assertion that they're reploids. I feel like the only time it actually matters is situations like when Isoc calls Zero a robot, because that's a hint toward who Isoc is. Other than that, if it looks like a reploid, thinks like a reploid, and acts like a reploid, it's probably a reploid.

[@thismandoesntexist7814]

@@gyppygirl2021 Well Isoc is not wrong, technically all Reploids are Robots. Although calling them "Robot" in the context of the franchise sounds more like... the race word, which I find very funny. Never ask Isoc his opinion on Reploid rights.

[@TheRealRockMan87]

nice video keep up the good work

[@Pulmonox]

I consider it a small flaw in your argument that you dismiss reploids being a term specifically to indicate a replicant of X because a lot of the reploids don't look or act like X and then posit that it means 'replicant of humans' when every single one of those Mavericks resembles a human less even than they resemble X. That being said, it does not dismiss the entirety of the argument. Personally I find it redundant to say the 'replicant' part refers specifically to humanity since 'android' already exists to fill that gap. Now, granted, 'Androids' by standard definition generally just refer to 'humanoid' rather than 'human-like' and covers a wide variety of obvious robots with humanoid builds, but once again, many reploids (mavericks) resemble humans in only the fact that they walk upright and have arms but are obviously mechanical in nature so I feel like developing an additional term to differentiate them from other robots is redundant when the terms 'android' and 'gynoid' already exists. Therefore it makes more sense to me that the 'replicant' part of the term reploid is specifically referring to 'robots that were designed and built via replicating the new technology that was developed with the discovery of X and Light's old lab'. They are replicants built from X using that technology as best they are able to understand it. Now, it's a common pattern of technology and language that when new words enter the zeitgeist they are often retroactively attributed to objects that closely resemble the modern definition. This works both ways, of course. Sometimes a word exists first, becomes attributed to a new technology and then becomes synonymous with that technology despite it's original definition having nothing to do with it. At the same time it's not unusual to hear people refer to an 'abacus' as some kind of 'ancient calculator'. This would explain why- as your pinned comment points out- Zero and Iris refer to other, pre-reploid machines as 'reploids' because as far as they can tell, it's the closest term they have that can describe them at a glance. It's a colloquialism at that point. But when a 'new' word is created it's usually because something new is introduced that was not there before- in this instance that 'new technology' was X himself. The word 'internet' is a good example of this. It simply didn't exist prior to it's creation, and the creation of the word was necessary to differentiate something that the world had never seen before. 'Android' or even just the simpler 'droid' already existed as a term to describe 'humanoid robots'. Now it wasn't very widely used. Prior to X they just called them 'Robots'. The localizers went with 'Robot Master' to describe robots that had leadership and command roles over their simpler brethren, but the wider term was simply the catch-all 'robot'. 'Reploid' was created because something NEW entered the scene, and that new thing was the logic chip, which was developed as a direct result of the discovery of X and his reverse engineering. So, to me at least, 'Replicant of X' is the most logical definition. Not because they were based on his design and look or personality, but because they were based on his revolutionary technology. Therefore, no... by technical definitions X and Zero are not reploids themselves, but because the term has become so widespread, everyone just refers to them as such because doing otherwise is pedantic. Some do choose to be pedantic (High Max for example) and specifically exclude them from the definition BECAUSE technically, that is the case.

[@RockmanHQ]

This is a well throught out response. I think there was a misunderstanding, or perhaps I did a poor job conveying the information. Reploids, per Cain's words that I quoted, are that Reploids are replicating a human's brain. They are, cognitively, no different than us. The novel does go into more detail of how a reploid brain is built, and it's a series of programs that mimic each of our own lobes. The DNA is also briefly touched on. It's these similarities that Cain uses to coin the term Reploid. So while not every reploid would have to look ths same, they all have the same structure of a brain - like humans. The funny thing is, the game material does not state that Reploids are Replica's of X, just robots built from him. It's a conclusion that fans drew up on their own. Every description is simply that "they are robots with a sense of self and the ability to think." I do accept and even acknowledge an argument that X isn't a reploid, but I believe that the argument is founded more in X's own extraordinary abilities setting him apart rather than if the Repli part of the classification applies to him.

[@Pulmonox]

@@RockmanHQ To be fair, we as fans have probably put more thought and effort into this entire discussion than anyone at Capcom has. It's what fans do. We're literally 'fanatics' when it comes to this stuff. :) You do make things a little more clear with your explanation, so thanks for that. There is reason there. To be perfectly honest I'm still not entirely sold on the concept of 'robot DNA' unless it was just a term codified to recognize a new and unusual software code that becomes inherent in a reploid robot's systems as a result of their development due to their enhanced thinking and agency abilities. That being said the concept of 'replicating thought patterns and processes of the human brain' does have a logic to it AND fits with my language model of a new term codified to explain something that didn't exist before, or didn't have a proper explanation. And I feel there was a little misunderstanding on my end as well. It's not so much that I consider the 'repli' part to refer to 'replication of X' so much as I feel it means 'replication of the TECHNOLOGY that was used in X'. Cain is admitted to not being able to fully understand X's systems, even with Light's notes and his attempt at reverse engineering X. This would imply that it is the logic chip itself that is a 'replication' of whatever is in X's systems, thus leading to the 'repli' part of the terminology. This still sets X apart as being 'more' than any of his descendant copies and excludes him from the definition. So while I personally ascribe to my own theory (X is technically not a reploid but is often called one out of ease of language) I can understand where others would broaden the definition to include him. Of course, if you ascribe Zero to Wily spying / copying Light to create him, then by my own logic this WOULD actually make Zero a reploid while still excluding X from the technical definition. Personally I always figured it happened during the events of Mega Man 7. Bass ransacked Light's lab, and even if Light hadn't begun work on X officially by that point, it would stand to reason that he was still developing tech concepts, notes, ideas and the like that he would use to create X later. Light is a scientist after all... he never stops researching new stuff. Bass could have gotten a hold of preliminary data during that time which influenced Wily to create Zero.

[@galten7361]

@Pulmonox There is no way that Zero would have a suffering circuit (which is what makes Reploids able to think like man) if Wily didn't copy Light's work. And official sources call X and Zero reploids.

[@Chazreal]

IMHO, technically, a reploid is an artificial autonomous construction capable of acknowledging, integrating and ultimate utilization of the concept of free will, allegedly, the most human of traits. X is the objective constructive progenitor for the mass propagated "reploid model", while Zero is a near exact competitor of X model, by a competitor brand. However, instead of utilizing the over analytical altruistic rationalism of the "free will model" of X. Which could have ultimately lead to externally predicable and exploitative circumstances ultimately creating the Sigma Virus. Wily instead utilizes a much more simplistic and yet instinctively combative primally self preservational programming when coding the "free will model" into Zero, and ironically making it not only a perfect weapon against X, but it's perfect antithesis to the Sigma Virus as well. X represents the best of human altruism while being manipulable to societal externalities, as Zero represents the best of human instinct, while somehow being socially awkward or distrusting as a consequence. Blank slate bois of relatable perspectives regardless of your preferential Sci Fi automata apocalyptic faction. X0X0

[@grapeguy765]

3:16 idk why but its a bit hilarius xd

[@nintendonicholas9141]

7:29 which zero game features that music track?

[@nintendonicholas9141]

Also is the artwork shown at 13:50 from a manga?

[@RockmanHQ]

Prismatic - Mega Man Zero 3 Art is from Archie Comics.

[@belmontzar]

I personally can't think of Zero and X as Reploids.. mostly because od when they were made. There is one other detail...which came first.. Zero or X? This video follows the assumption that X was first... but taking into account Megaman power battles... you see Wily is already working on Zero as a replacement for Bass/Forte, being made to finally beat Megaman. Zero's dreams in X4 also hint at Zero actively meeting his maker Dr Wily while in X's case... dr Light died of old age before X could be considered complete.

[@galten7361]

@belmontzar X Dive and the novel show that Wily copied X to make robots.

[@edward18517]

No, they are not Reploids. They're Reploid-level robots, but they themselves predate Reploids. Reploids are copies of X's design. What X and Zero are are the final Robot Masters, or Dr. Light Number and Dr. Wily Number (Dr W No. Infinity). If they were Reploids they would have succumbed to Omega's hijacking of Reploids but they were immune to it since that isn't what they themselves are, even if they are similar to that race and even if X serves as a basis for them.

[@galten7361]

@edward18517 Robot Masters is not an actual term in canon. And Zero was copied from X in canon anyway.

[@edward18517]

@@galten7361 which is why I included the Light and Wily Numbers. And where was it said that he was copied from X?

[@galten7361]

@edward18517 He can have his weaponry he used by X and has a suffering circuit. X Dive makes it canon that Wily had access to Light's work on X and the X novelization talks about how X and Zero's systems are similar to each-other.

[@RockmanHQ]

It's not 100% factual that Zero was made from Light's notes. It's most likely the case, and there is sufficient evidence to support it, but there is no hard anwser for it and thus it should always be presented as theory. Everyone is entitled to believe what they want regarding it. Edward18517, you bring up good questions. While true that Zero is the last of the Wily numbers, that doesn't make him a 'robot master' by default. Those numbers are simply a serial number, seemingly for Wily to brand his work. I don't personally put much stock into it because Wily added his own serial numbers on creations that were not his own, such as Robot Masters from 4, 6, 9 and 10. As for Omega, we are unsure exactly how he was controlling the Reploids but Wiel wanted Zero's body because of it's properties with the Sigma Virus of which the Mother elf was made. Odds are, the control was virus-esque related and that would explain why X was unaffected- him having perfect virus countermeasures. Which brings it back to my ending statement, when compared to other reploids these two are above them, as anomalies. If we could know how the control worked, or if it would affect new gens who have Absolute Virus Immunity, then a new argument could be made.

[@rwiley71483]

Sigma wasn’t his (Dr. Cain) first Reploid. Not sure if that’s the implication, but Sigma, was his best and most powerful.

[@RockmanHQ]

It was the implication, as a nod for imagery to the X6 guidebook and Marvel Vs Capcom Infinite which both state he was the first. That topic can be debated for sure, as the novel has Alpha as the first, and realistically, Sigma likely couldn't be the first with his super advanced build.

[@BaconMinion]

I don't need a 15 minute video to say that no, they're not. Reploid means replicant android, copies of X. Being that X is what was copied, no, he's not. He's the prototype. Zero is also a prototype, so no, he's not a reploid.

[@RockmanHQ]

I do cover this with sources. Around the 6 min mark. The replica part of reploid is referring to them being replicated humans, not replicated X. The term was made by Cain because he needed to classify what X was.

[@galten7361]

@BaconMinion You just posted fanon. Official sources refer to X and Zero as reploids. And Zero in canon was copied from X.

[@BrockLee3]

If you want to know what is a Robot and what is a Reploid...just look at who built them: X and Zero were both built by Dr. Light and Dr. Wily. Both Light and Wily are Roboticists...meaning, they build ROBOTS. Meanwhile, Dr. Cain wasn't a Roboticist...he was an archeologist. Dr. Cain started replicating X's design with the help of X, because X was a a level of Robot which Dr. Cain could never expect to comprehend. Which is why the Reploids can never be Robots...because, they share a "brain" which is SIMILAR to X and Zero's brains...but, they're not quite at X and Zero's level...and, probably never will be. Also: X is a Robot (no doubt). The Zero you see fighting Sigma (before MegaMan X1) is a Robot. The Zero you see in MegaMan X1 is a Reploid. The Zero you see in MegaMan X2 is a Robot.

[@galten7361]

@BrockLee3 Not in line with official sources. X and Zero are officially Reploids.

[@BrockLee3]

@@galten7361 Not possible! Even in the FIRST MegaMan X game, Dr. Cain (the INVENTOR of Reploids) called X a Robot. So, HAH!

[@galten7361]

@BrickLee3 There is no official sources saying that Reploids are not counted as robots. And unless you're me that Reploids have flesh and can make babies then they are machines.

[@galten7361]

@BrockLee Capcom of Japan accepted sources (manuals, interviews, Dive, etc.) say they're reploids. The video even quotes from X game JP manuals.

[@thenoob_artist0586]

Why Megaman Zero Timeline their energy shortest. X used Solar Energy to function, so Reploids based on X. I think reploids should be powered with solar energy too ????

[@mopbrothers]

Are Quick Man and Top Man reploids too? They look like androids with their faces and human bodies. Fact is almost every machine in the Rockman universe is an android. They walk on two feet and look human like.

[@lanereynolds4567]

the answer is no. Android has been watered down and abused, but it's a greek term meaning artificial man. Taking what the greeks considered the most core fundamental aspect of humanity, the free will and ability for thought, and creating it with a body that was entirely made without the influence of nature. Robots are only able to do what they are programmed to do, as we saw in the MM series. but in the X and Zero series, the machines are far past that now. They are replicas of androids. Replicas of artificially created humans. All the benefits of the human mind, none of the drawbacks of the human flesh.

[@KusanagiKazuki]

Only X has the suffering circuit none others all emotion is simulated in other reploids including Zero only X feels the rest of them do not as Cain couldn't replicate the suffering circuit it was beyond him.

[@johnedelmann6711]

What comic is this from? 1:09

[@RockmanHQ]

Archie Mega Man Comics.